Kyrgyzstan, Kashgar and Hunza Valley Tour

Upon arrival at Bishkek International Airport, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Afternoon city tour of Bishkek to Victory square, Russian Orthodox Church, Osh market, Ala-Too Square, the History Museum, White House, Parliament House, Manas and Lenin statues and Oak Park.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Orion Hotel
• Tourist Class: Golden Dragon or City Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner

In the morning, drive to Issyk Kul Lake via Burana Tower (built in the10th century) in ancient Balasagun City. Visit Burana tower of Kharakhanids along with castles and mausoleums. Enjoy lunch at a Buzkashi match (‘goat pulling’ game in which. horse-mounted players attempt to drag a goat/calf carcass to the goals).
Later, we continue driving to Cholpon-Ata Issyk Kul Lake, which is the second-largest alpine lake after Lake Titicaca in South America. A combination of depth, thermal activity and mild salinity stops the lake from freezing and thus its name `Issyk-Kul’ meaning ‘warm lake’.
We will visit Cholpon-Ata rock petroglyphs, known for petroglyphs thought to have been created by the tribes of the Neolithic period, and some dated from 3rd century AD to 14th century AD. The images are mainly primitive long-horned ibex, horses, camels, and snow leopards.  The site covers 42 hectares and contains prehistoric monumental structures (stone circles, tombs, the remains of a boundary stone wall) and petroglyphs dating from 500 BC up to 600 AD.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Karven or Karpiz
• Tourist Class: Three Crown
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Drive to Karakol, one of the first towns of the Russian Cossak settlements in late 19th century. En-route we visit Przevalski’s (a great Russian explorer from the late 19th century) Memorial Museum.  After lunch, sightseeing of Karakol. We visit the museum, Dungan Pagoda type of mosque and Orthodox wooden Church. Dinner at local restaurant.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Green Yard Hotel
• Tourist Class: Green Yard Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Today we will have a lovely exploration in Jyrgalan valley. Jyrgalanis one of the most amazing mountain valleys located in the eastern part of the Tian-Shan, 60 kilometers northeast of the city of Karakol. This valley surrounded by steep slopes, peaks and valleys. Late afternoon drives back to Karakol.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Green Yard Hotel
• Tourist Class: Green Yard Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

In the morning, drive to Tamga village enroute, we stop at Jety Oguz Canyon, where you have chance for some hiking through the beautiful scenery.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Anyutaika Guest House
• Tourist Class: Anyutaika Guest House
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Morning, scenic drive to Song Kul Lake. En route, we will visit the local handicraft center, which is run by local communities in Kochkor village. Kochkor is famous for farming and felt-makers. Here you will learn how nomadic Kyrgyz women make Shyrdak and Ala-Kiyiz – a floor covering made by pressing naturally dyed felt of various colors. You will see the process of felt carpet-making and wool-dying.
We will also visit the Altyn Kol Women’s Handicraft Co-operative Centre.
Later continue driving to Song Kol Lake, a high alpine lake in the Tian Shan Mountains of Kyrgyzstan. It lies at an altitude of 3016 meters from sea level. It is an important migration point for birds, which flock here for the lake’s rich marshlands. The lake itself is an exquisite gem-colored turquoise blue, reaching a depth of 14 meters.
In the summer, Song-Kul Lake is surrounded by lush verdant grass, making it a hotspot for nomadic cattle and horse breeders. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Kyrgyz Yurt
• Tourist Class: Kyrgyz Yurt
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

For the first part of the day enjoy a stroll around the Lake and experience the local nomadic life. Optional horse ride.
After lunch, we head to Naryn town via Moldo-Ashu pass. Naryn was once a small fortification on the Great Silk Route; now the town has a population of approximately 40,000.
Upon arrival in Naryn, will be having dinner in Naryn.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Khan Tengri Hotel
• Tourist Class: Khan Tengri
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Early in the morning transfer to Tash-Rabat, a Caravan Sarai dated from 11th century which served as a fortress for travelers along the Great Silk Road.  Later drive to the Kyrgyz Chinese border at Torugart. After border formalities, you will be met by our Chinese guide and driver and transferred to Kashgar.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Radisson Blu, Hampton, Home2 Suites by Hilton
• Tourist Class: Kyriad Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

Full free day at leisure in Kashgar.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Radisson Blu, Hampton, Home2 Suites by Hilton
• Tourist Class: Kyriad Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

This day is planned to coincide with the famous Sunday market in Kashgar where everything from carpets, blankets, foods, horses, donkeys, sheep’s and even camels are for sale. Wonderful assortments of people come from all over the region, and the population of the town swells by 100,000! This is truly one of the most incredible bazaars in Asia, and a photographer’s paradise!
After the market visit, we tour the Eidgah Mosque, Abakh Hoja Tomb and old town.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Radisson Blu, Hampton, Home2 Suites by Hilton
• Tourist Class: Kyriad Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

Today we drive to Karakul Lake along the famous Karakorum highway. The scenery along the way is breath taking. We will be stopping at the lake where you can enjoy the view of Muztagh-ata mountains. Optional camel ride or walk around the lake. Later we continue to Tashkurgan the last Tajik Chinese town between China and Pakistan

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Grand Chogori Hotel
• Tourist Class: Grand Chogori Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

After border formalities, we drive to the world’s highest paved border crossing, the Khunjerab pass (4750 m) between Pakistan and China. On the way, you will view the awesome mountain ranges of the Karakorum and Kunlun Mountains. Upon arrival at Sost you will be met by our local Hunza guide and transfer to Borith Lake. Welcome dinner at a local family home.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Borith Lake Hotel & Resort
• Tourist Class: Borith Lake Hotel & Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

In the morning, we hike towards the Passu white glacier. Later in the afternoon drive down to Hussaini village, to attempt to cross the hanging bridge, here you have chance to test our fear of heights and wobbly wooden planks whilst be mesmerized by the fast-flowing waters of the Hunza River below. We walk through Zarabad summer pasture and pass another bridge to Passu village. Evening local dinner with family. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Borith Lake Hotel & Resort
• Tourist Class: Borith Lake Hotel & Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

In the morning, we hike through Ghulkin glacier to Ghulkin village, after some picnic lunch with local family, we continue our hike via Kamaris village to Gulmit. Gulmit is a peaceful and serene village that formerly served as a summer capital of the Hunza Kingdom. Here one will walk through the village, visit a 400-year-old house, and see local women weaving carpets and making several other traditional handicrafts. Visit local museum and school.  

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Borith Lake Hotel & Resort
• Tourist Class: Borith Lake Hotel & Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

In the morning, we drive to Karimabad, enroute we stop at the recently formed Attabad Lake, a significant addition to the natural beauty of Hunza. We continue to Hoper in Nagar valley. Nagar Valley can be viewed from Duiker, is on the opposite, eastern side of the Hunza River. This is another fertile valley and is predominantly Shia Muslim. One of the world’s fastest moving glaciers is in Hoper. After picnic lunch we drive back toward Karimabad.  We stop at Ganish village where we will visit Ali Gohar House, a 400-year-old architectural masterpiece, formerly used by Hunza’s envoy to Kashgar.
Afternoon walking tour of Karimabad village. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Serena Hotel
• Tourist Class: Eagle Nest or Hilltop Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

Early morning wakes up and short drive to Duiker village, enjoy the stunning sunrise over the snow-capped mountains of Ultar (7388m), Rakaposhi (7788m) and Diran (7266m) and other peaks. Later drive down to Altit village, visit 900 years old Altit Fort. We also visit Baltit Fort which is 700 years old, but has been rebuilt and altered over the centuries. In the 16th century the Mir (King) married a princess from Baltistan who brought master Balti craftsmen to renovate the building as part of her dowry. The architectural style is a clear indication of Tibetan influence in Baltistan at the time. The rest of the day is free time at leisure for shopping.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Serena Hotel
• Tourist Class: Eagle Nest or Hilltop Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

In the morning, we drive along the Karakorum highway to Gilgit; the administrative capital of Gilgit Baltistan and where the world’s three mightiest mountain ranges, the Karakoram, Hindu Kush and the Himalayas collide. The Gilgit Baltistan region is a paradise for mountaineers, trekkers and adventure lovers. The area has a rich cultural heritage and variety of rare fauna and flora. Historically, the region was a flash point of political and military rivalries amongst the Russian, British and Chinese empires. Immediately after the end of British rule in the sub-continent in 1947, the people of this region decided to join Pakistan through a popular local revolt against the government of Maharaja of Kashmir.
En-route to Gilgit we stop at Rakaposhi peak (7788 m) view point for photography and Chalt Nagar, the collision points of Indo Pak and Eurasian plate.
After lunch visit the Kargah Buddha carved on the rock dated from 7th century AD. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Serena Hotel
• Tourist Class: Blossom Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

In the morning, we drive along the KKH toward Chilas, from here we take a scenic route via Babusar Pass to Naran Kagan valley. En-route we stop at the junction point of 3 greatest mountain ranges in the world. This place of interest is the unique venue where three great mountain ranges of world make a knot. Himalayas, Karakoram and Hindu Kush, with their famous highest peaks [in Pakistan, and top 2, 3, & 4th highest in the world], Nanga Parbat, K-2 and Tirich Mir, meet here and at almost on same place River Indus, flowing down from lofty mountains of Skardu, joins with river Gilgit, one its main tributaries.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: North Retreat
• Tourist Class: North Retreat
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

In the morning, we drive to Islamabad, enroute we will stop at Taxila, Taxila has a well-planned museum and many historic sites of the Gandharan Buddhist civilization. The area flourished from the sixth century B.C until the fifth century A.D. Later, continue driving to Islamabad.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Marriott Hotel
• Tourist Class: Burjul Zaki
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

In the afternoon city tour of Islamabad followed by the Damn-E-Koh (viewpoint), which gives us a panoramic view of Islamabad before driving to the Folk Heritage Museum. We continue to one of the world’s largest mosques – Shah Faisal Mosque and later visit Saidpur village. Afternoon visit colorful market of Raja Bazar in Rawalpindi. Evening farewell dinner at local restaurant.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Marriott Hotel
• Tourist Class: Burjul Zaki
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

Our service will end with airport transfer.

Meals Included: Breakfast