ALONG THE GOLDEN RING OF THE GREAT SILK ROAD

You are offered to make an exciting travel along the Great Silk Road that passed from China through Kyrgyzstan. Several overnights in yurts allow you to feel national essential of Kyrgyz lifestyle. Acquaintance with multinational traditions of two countries - Kyrgyzstan and China, will make your trip interesting and unforgettable.

Travel begins in Bishkek with city-tour, which includes visiting of the Historical Museum, Frunze Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, Ala-Too Square (motley mountains, turk.), the Victory Square and the monument to the legendary hero Kyrgyz epos - Manas.
Next day morning is transfer to the high-mountainous Susamyr Valley through the Tua-Ashoo Pass (young of camel, turk.) that is located at the altitude of 3586 m.
Crossing Susamyr Valley one can see yurts of Kyrgyz shepherds and huge herds of stock - rams, horses and cows. Shepherds are very hospitable. They will offer you to taste a traditional drink – kumys, prepared from mare’s milk.
Then the crossing of the Ala-Bel Pass (motley pass, turk.), that is located at the altitude of 3188 m, descending to the one of most beautiful gorges - Chichkan (mouse, turk.). In this gorge, on the bank there are yurts for overnight.
Next path goes along the coast of Toktogul Reservoir. Its waters are used in hydro-electric engineering and for irrigation the lands of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
In 4 hours’ journey on the way from Toktogul Reservoir to Osh city there is Uzgen – a town, which is situated in the picturesque place on the Kara-Dariya River. The town is located at the altitude of 1012 m.
In Uzgen there is the unique Architectural site of XI-XII centuries consisting of three Mausoleums and minaret.
In hour and a half driving from Uzgen is Osh city, the point of destination for this day.
Osh is located in Fergana Valley on the bank of Ak-Buura River. Sulaiman Mountain dominates the city and it supposed to be a Holy significance from times immemorial. Sulaiman Mountain is the unique worship complex under the sky, the symbol of Osh. On the southern slope of Sulaiman Mountain the ancient settlement of tillers dated to the late bronze period (X century B.C.) was discovered by archaeologists.
In Osh you will visit the oriental market, Holy Mountain and the museum of Spiritual Culture, which is situated in one of Suleiman Mountain’s caves.
From Osh transfer to Kashgar (China) through the Irkeshtam Pass (2841 m).
Then you will make a trip from Kashgar to the Karakul Lake. Karakul Lake is located between Muztagh-Ata Peak (ice mountain, turk.) (7546 m) and Kongur Peak (7719 m).
The enchanting Karakul Lake with breathtaking views of the Muztagh-Ata Peak reflected on the lake with blue sky. Next day you will visit the largest desert in the world – Taklamakan, which means – there is entrance but no exit.
You will see Apak Hoja Tomb in Kashgar. It was built around 1640 .The legend says that 72 persons in all of 5 generations of the same family were buried in the tomb.
Id Kah Mosque is typical Uyghur structure, located in the center of Kasghar. It is the largest mosque of Xinjiang, which was built in the middle of 15th century AD. More then 8000 worshippers may attend religious service at the same time.
You will again move to Kyrgyzstan from Kashgar through the Torugart Pass (3752 m) to the picturesque Kara-Koyun Gorge. There is Tash-Rabat Caravanserai (stone structure, turk.) here. This is the biggest stone construction in Central Asia of XV century AD.

Next day, travel will continue to the east part of Kyrgyzstan. Passing Naryn town and Kochkorka village you will get the scenic Lake Issyk-Kul (hot lake, turk.). Unforgettable night will be in yurts on the lake shore.
Return to Bishkek. In the evening will be a farewell dinner which is accompanied by performance of Kyrgyz folklore music ensemble

Dates of trip

13 days
5 departures in 2008
June 01-13
June 29 – July 11
July 20 – 01 August
August 17 - 29
September 14 – 26

Day-by-day Itinerary
Day 1: arrival in Bishkek • Day 2: drive to Chichkan Gorge • Day 3: drive to Osh • Day 4: Osh • Day 5: drive to Kashgar • Day 6: visit Karakul Lake • Day 7: visit Taklamakan Desert • Day 8: sightseeing in Kashgar • Day 9: drive to Kara-Koyun Gorge • Day 10: drive to Son-Kul Lake • Day 11: drive to Issyk-Kul Lake • Day 12: drive to Bishkek • Day 13: departure