Let's Experience the Life of the Silk Roads Nomads - rerun

Have you always wonder how is it to live in a yurt and ride the horse like how the nomads are?  Nomads aren't just found in Mongolia, the Kyrgyz still practices a nomadic way of life just like how their ancient ancestors. Kyrgyzstan is also known as Switzerland of Asia, where famous Tian Shan Mountainous regions are.  It was also once an important silk road stop-over between Asia and Europe, then blended it with the strong Russian influence as it was part of USSR till 1991.  And a little-known fact, Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest walnut trees forest.

At a glimpse, this is what we will be experiencing:

• Visit the Ala Archa Gorge, once accessible only for the VIPs
• Tue Ashuu pass, driving along one of the most beautiful road
• Son Kul Lake, the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan 
• Horse riding, meet the real nomads and experience the nomadic lifestyle
• Tash Rabat Caravanserai
• Issyk Kul Lake, the the second largest lake in the world
• Jeti Oguz, the red rocks
• Eagle hunters, see how tradition hunting has always been
• Burana Tower
• Visit the greenest city in the world, the Bishek city with strong Russian influence, the multinational city with over 80 nationalities

We will start off our journey in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Visiting the Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala-Too Square, the History Museum, National Philharmonic and so forth.  We will then head to Ala Archa gorge, that was once only accessible for the VIPs of the Soviet Times. 

Ala Archa National Park

The next day we will be visiting the Asian Bazaar, then head off to Tue Ashuu pass at over 3,000 metres, this road is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Kyrgyzstan.  We will have lots of opportunities for taking beautiful pictures along our way. 

View of Tian Shan mountains

Asian Bazaar at Bishkek

Sunset view

The next day we will continue our drive to the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan, Son Kul Lake.  Nomads come to this wonderful place and herders of the Naryn region come to the lake for its pastures.  We will stay in their nomad's yurt for the next 2 days. 

Son Kul Lake

Son Kul Lake Yurt

Son Kul Lake Yurt

Son Kul Lake

Horse riding alongside the vast Son Kul Lake

We will then head to Tash Rabat Caravanserai on the Great Silk Road, possibly the most well preserved and impressive stone Caravanserai from the 14th century, an important stop-over for the silk road traders. It is said to have 31 rooms but some people thought it is more.  This Caravanserai is located at the very heart of Tian Shan Mountains and was built of stone blocks from the mountain.

Tash Rabat Caravanserai

We then head to Kochkor village, we may have a chance to weave our carpets. 

Gorge on the way to Kochkor village 

We will continue our journey to Issyk Kul southern shore, second largest alpine lake in the world. The lake is called "the pearl of Central Asia". For more than 1500 years local people considered the lake to be a sacred one.   We will then head to famous gorge of Jeti Oguz, Red Rocks.
Issyk Kul Lake

Issyk Kul Lake evening

Karakol Valley

We will then head to Dungan mosque, built in Chinese style without using a single metal nail, then leave for southern shores of Issyk-Kul Lake. This is a great chance to see the whole lake from all sights.  Staying over at Chon Kemin village.

Issyk Kul Lake

The next day we will ride the horse for 3 hours. We will ride up to the mountains and through the mountain forest. I hope we can reach the top and we will get to see the panorama view of the gorge.  Then we will head back to Bishkek, visiting Burana Tower along the way. It is a minaret from the 11th century. The Burana Tower was used during the Great Silk Road as a sign for travellers that there was a city wit a rest stop.

Chon Kemin Valley

Chon Kemin Valley

Chon Kemin Valley