Kyrgyzstan

 It was Eid holidays and this trip was totally unplanned. We just booked flights and hotel through Holiday factory, which arranges budget travel from Dubai. Tried so many travel agents in Kyrgyzstan but due to holidays everyone were busy. So decided to just roam around the city. 

After we landed Manas airport, it took us 5hrs to get Visa on arrival. We thought we will take the next flight back home as only one lady was issuing the Visa. So one full day went off in travel and getting the Visa. But, in that time, we finally found some guy who was English speaking and was free for site seeing. 

Day 1 :

Burana Tower:

The Burana Tower is located in the Chuy region in northern Kyrgyzstan, about 80 km (50 miles) east of the capital Bishkek near the city Tokmok. This impressive ancient minaret still survives today as one of the key historical sites in Kyrgyzstan. Protected as a Unesco World Heritage site, Burana is one of the most famous minarets in Central Asia and beyond.

 

 

  Built between the 10th and 11th centuries, the Burana tower with its 45 m (148 ft) height overlooked the ancient city of Balasagun, constructed by the Karakhanids in the 9th century. 

The Burana Tower was originally built to a height of 44m, but after falling victim to both war and the elements, today it is only 25m tall. Still, it is definitely worth checking out, and is easily visited as a day trip from Bishkek.. 

 Today, the Burana minaret has become an open-air historical and architectural complex. A small museum exhibits excavation findings, mostly medieval fine art and sculptures from the 6th to 10th centuries. The site is made of 36 ha (89 acres) and includes mausoleum ruins, petroglyphs from the 2nd century B.C. and many « Balbals », funerary from the Turkish era (6th century). The minaret itself exposes the skills of Karakhanid craftsmen. 

Then we left for Issy-kul. On the way, we had the local famous dish "Kattama" a kind of paratha/naan with cheese and green tea for lunch. It was yumm and a must eat when you visit Kyrgyzstan.

Fairy Tale Canyon: 

It was a long drive of 4hrs to reach this canyon. They are not manmade, however, and neither are they petrified fossils, but creations carved out of the rock by the effect of the weather, ice, wind and water. It’s a dry valley, there is no stream flowing through it down to the lake. The rocks vary in colour from a sandy yellow to red and orange, and there are also colourful striations visible in places which show the different chemical composition of the rocks.

 

Issyk-kul lake:

The modern name Issyk-Kul means 'hot lake' or 'warm lake'. Issyk-Kul is the world's second largest alpine lake. Issyk-Kul stretches from west to east for 182 km, and from north to south for 58 km. The average depth is 278 meters, the largest reaches almost 700 meters. 

  Yurt Camp: 

 A yurt is the modern version of an ancient shelter used by nomadic tribes in Central Asia. It's a dome-shaped structure that resembles a tent but has a cabin's durability. Yurts have circular wooden frames covered in felted wool layers, and along with other amenities, they can hold a stove to provide heat. We had a bonfire camp with local family playing local traditional music at the camp.

   

  Day 2: 

  Song-kul lake: 

 After watching the sunrise early in the morning, we had a good shower and simple breakfast in the Yurt camp. By 9.45am we left for Song-kul lake. It was a 6hrs long drive but the landscape was very beautiful with mountains, horses, cows, streams, farms. Also we can see different kinds of landscapes from greenery to desert. 

 The highest height is 3350m from sea level. When we reached this point, it was windy and starting raining. one point it was actually hailstorm. It was complete green meadow with animals around here and there. We reached our Yurt camp and had our hot tea. We walked till the lake and suddenly it started raining. After sometime, it became sunny. We saw a beautiful rainbow. Weather so unpredictable in mountains. The silence in this place is so blissful.

   

 There was a perfect sunset. And after dinner and chat with the co travellers, we rested in our yurt tent. 

Thanks to our driver/guide, without him we would have had tough time to find vegetarian food. We survived with whatever we got as Vegetarian. 

  Day 3: 

  Bishkek: 

 Morning woke up to see the sunrise and then walked to lake. Peaceful and relaxing with the beautiful view of lakes, mountains, horses. After breakfast, we left back to Bishkek at 10am. It was almost 7hrs drive back to city. 

  Osh Bazaar: 

 Osh Bazaar is one of the largest bazaars in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. It is located on the west side of town, and is not far from the Western Bus Station. At Osh Bazaar, one can buy food products, almost any common household good, clothes, souvenirs, and even musical instruments.

   

 Day 4: 

 It was unplanned trip yet, we had good time in this place. We took back flight and holiday ends! One need atleast 5days to visit this place. The only issue we will face is language. Not many speak English. Make sure you have someone who can communicate in English or Google Translate is helpful. 

 If anyone likes to visit this place, you can contact 

Boogoo travels: +996557519494 Mr Daniar