SHORT TRIPS IN AND AROUND BISHKEK

Bishkek City Tour

A walking tour of the city center with a guide can be arranged which includes the above sights (visits to the museums are optional depending upon client wishes).

A motor tour includes the above plus:

• The mosque
• Osh Bazaar
• The Avenue of the Young Guards
• A drive through the suburbs for example to visit
  • Pishpek
  • Rabochy Gorodok — The Hippodrome
  • Panorama in the foothills overlooking Bishkek

The Kyrgyz Village complex

This collection of some 30 yurts, set in attractive surroundings on the outskirts of Bishkek, gives you the chance to see different styles of yurt and many aspects of traditional Kyrgyz life — there are demonstrations of traditional crafts, shows of traditional Kyrgyz horsemanship and a chance to sample traditional Kyrgyz cuisine.

Burana Tower

The Burana Tower is described Separately. It is possible to combine a visit to the Tower with a trip to Kegeti or Shamsy Gorges, Lake Issyk Kul, Kochkor, Lake Son Kul or Naryn and beyond, or simply as a half-day or one day trip in itself. A picnic Lunch or Shashlik can be arranged.

Ala Archa — National Park

Situated some 30 km outside the capital city of Bishkek is the Ala Archa National Park.

A «superb gem» in the Tian Shan

The Ala Archa State Nature Park is described separately. Suitable for anything from a half-day trip to several days trekking, or horse riding. A picnic Lunch or Shashlik can be arranged.

Alamedin — Hot Springs

Alamedin is one of the valleys in the Kyrgyz Krebet.

Looking at the mountains from Bishkek — it is possible to notice a deeply cut valley in the Kyrgyz range — This is the Alamedin valley. About 35km from the city centre is the resort of Teployie Kluche — Warm Springs with a naturally heated swimming pool and splendid walks in the valley above.

A picnic Lunch or Shashlik can be arranged.

The foothills from Ala Archa to Alamedin — Kashka Suu to Dove Waterfall

From the Ala Archa valley to the Alamedin, there is a road along the top of the foothills of the Kyrgyz range. Visit the Kashka Suu ski resort (if the ski-lift is working, ride to the top) — and then continue round the road with spectacular views over the Chu river valley — visiting Dove Waterfall. Light walking is possible … and a Picnic Lunch or Shashlik can be arranged.

It is possible to combine this with a drive to the Burana Tower through the foothills of the Kyrgyz Ala-Too range.

Chong Kemin

This valley is sandwiched between the mountains to the North of Issyk Kul and Kazakhstan. It is the birthplace of President Akaev and has many picturesque and tranquil spots. Homestays can be arranged and there are a number of routes for trekking and for horse-riding. Ideal for a «weekend break».

Horse Trekking

It is possible to organise a one-day horse trekking experience in the Kyrgyz Ala-Too range to the South of the city. One tour includes transfer from the hotel to the Noorus Gorge, horse riding; lunch and transfer back to your hotel in the evening. It is possible to arrange a day«s horse riding in the Ala Archa State Nature Park — a leaflet describing routes is available.

Rafting — Fishing

White water rafting and fishing expeditions can be arranged on several stretches of water. Closest to Bishkek are the waters of the Chui River and Boom Gorge (on the way to Lake Issyk Kul). The Silk Road Water Centre (no connection to the hotel) has equipment and experienced staff. Anything from one day to several day expeditions can be arranged.

Concert — A Kyrgyz Experience

Sit and listen to traditional Kyrgyz music played on traditional instruments.

Hunting with Birds — Falcons and Hawks

An activity in which horsemanship plays a major role is hunting, especially with eagles, which is still practiced only in certain regions of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Westerners tend to think of this as falconry — and although hunting with hawks and falcons does take place, it is looked down upon by those who hunt with eagles as a pastime for children and dilettantes. A skilled pair, hunter and bird, can typically catch 50 or 60 foxes a dozen badgers, a couple of lynx and 4 or 5 wolves in a normal 4 month season, which starts in the late autumn. Eagles rarely fail to catch their prey, which it quickly kills, usually by breaking the neck in its powerful claws.

The capture, training and keeping of eagles is a highly ritualised activity. Most of the birds, which can have a life expectancy of 40 years, are caught young, hooded and placed in a cage with a perch that constantly sways while the berkutchi (hunter) sings and chants to it, to impress his personality on the bird. The hunter begins to feed the bird and then train it by dragging a fox fur behind a galloping horse. Not all eagles can be so trained, but those that do show intense loyalty. Although never tethered they always return after killing their prey.

Although hunting with birds is more common in rural areas such as around Karakol or Naryn, it is possible to see this nearer Bishkek.

Kyrgyz Crafts — a demonstration

A visit to a village in the Chui valley combined with a demonstration of the making of Shyrdaks and Ala Kiyiz. Optional lunch.

Weekend breaks

Within easy reach of Bishkek are a number of possible places for a Weekend Break. Possible destinations include:

• Ala Archa, Alemedin, Issyk Ata, Kegeti, Kyzyl Suu, Shamsy, Tash Bulak - valleys in the Kyrgyz Krebet mountain range South of Bishkek;
  
• Chong Kemin - from the beautiful valley, birthplace of President Akaev, trek over the mountains to Balikchi;
• Lake Issyk Kul - simply relax by the lakeside and stay in one of the many sanatoria, hotels, guest housesm homestays (for example at Chalpon Ata);
• Semyenovka - enjoy a real Kyrgyz cultural experience in a traditional ayil (Kyrgyz yurt encampment);
• Kochkor - surrounded by a number of Jailoo ("mountain meadows"), trekking and horse riding;
• Lake Son Kul - the beautiful mystery of the "Last Lake" set on a "desolate", treeless mountain plateau;
• Naryn - visit the ancient caravanserai of Tash Rabat and visit a master shyrdak maker in At Bashi;
• Talas - the Land of Manas and Chingiz Aitmatov - (overnight in Susamyr - visit Talas - return by Kazakhstan).
  

Leave Bishkek Friday afternoon, overnight, Saturday explore your destination, overnight, Sunday morning relax and return to Bishkek in the afternoon - refreshed and enlivened.

Most trips/tours are organized on an agency basis - we make the arrangements but book through other companies who are responsible for the delivery of the services.