Trip to the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake

Bishkek - Bokonbaevo. Gathering at the hotel Asia Mountains. On this day in the morning we will go to Mount Tashtar-Ata. Tashtar-Ata (from the Kyrgyz “Father of Stones”) or in another way “Mountain of Salvation”. In oral folklore Tashtar-Ata gains an aura of mystery; the mountain is featured as a place for prayers and religious rituals. According to legend anyone who brings a stone to the mountain and throws it at the mound of Tashtar-Ata with a prayer for happiness will find peace of mind and soul. Confirmation of the relevance of ancient tradition is the man-made mound. From the bottom of the plateau to the mound leads a stone-paved staircase consisting of 365 steps. It symbolizes the path to inner purification. According to legend with each step a person carrying his stone up becomes closer to getting rid of his problems.
After lunch, we will head from Bishkek to the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul (about 270 km / 4h). Arrival at the yurt camp on the lake closer to dinner time. Here we will stay for the night.

Bokonbaevo – Tamga. From the village of Bokonbaevo we will continue our journey along the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. The southern coast is much more beautiful than its northern brother because it retained its virgin beauty. On the way, we will visit the valley of the sacred springs of Manzhyly-Ata. The valley is a maze of shallow gorges between clay steppe hills out of which many springs are coming out. Each spring is considered to be healing. There are 8 sacred willows in the Manzhyly gorge at the base of which there are 12 main and 5 additional healing sources. Water comes out of the ground and seeps into it again. Each spring has its own name, specific taste and cure for various diseases.
Here we will spend most of the day enjoying the silence of this place and saying prayers. There are many beautiful places on the south side of the lake. Today we will also stop at the "Fairy Tale" gorge decorated with unusual figures of clay and sandstone which are similar to the heroes of different fairy tales. For dinner we will reach the village of Tamga. Accommodation in a cozy guest house.

Tamga – Djety-Oguz. In the morning we will take a walk to the sacred stone of Tamga-Tash. This place attracts the great attention of Buddhist pilgrims. This historical monument is literally called "Stone with a mark." One of the most famous Buddhist mantras - Om Mani Padme Hum is carved on the stone which has many interpretations but in the most famous interpretation it says that God or the Universal Mind burns in our heart like a lotus flower.
People come to this place in order to recharge with positive energy and enjoy the silence of this amazing place. After lunch, we will continue our journey. We will visit the Barskoon gorge with the famous cascades of the “Tears of Bars” and “The bowl of Manas” waterfalls and in the evening we will arrive in the Djeti-Oguz gorge famous for its enormous unusual red rocks. Dinner and accommodation at the yurt camp

Djety-Oguz – Altyn-Arashan - Karakol. Today we are going for a trip to the inaccessible gorge Altyn-Arashan which is famous for its healing mineral springs and energy power.
Trekking to the waterfall and swimming in the hot healing springs. By evening we will be transferred to the city of Karakol. Accommodation in the house of local residents.

Karakol – Bishkek. A small city tour in the city of Karakol. We will visit the church of the Holy Trinity and the Dungan mosque of the 18th century. Transfer to Bishkek (400 km / 6h). Arrival at the capital. The end of the program.