“We are seeing a surge for fresh options like Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, which are up by 300-500% compared to the prepandemic levels. Direct air connectivity and easy access have played a pivotal role in putting such short-haul destinations on the radar,” says Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India).
“Uzbekistan, especially, witnessed a remarkable surge in air traffic from November 2023 to March 2024 because of the seven new carriers and increased flight frequencies,” says Rikant Pittie, Co-founder, EaseMyTrip.
Agrees Daniel D’Souza, President & Country Head, Holidays, SOTC Travel: “With peak travel season in, our consumer data reveals a growing demand of 20-25% for destinations such as Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, renowned for their rich tradition, history and blend of traditional and modern architecture.”
More importantly, these destinations are just 3-5 hours away and cut your travel budget drastically. This is because apart from air fares, cost heads like stay, food and transport are very low compared to Europe. “They offer significant cost savings of nearly 50% compared to their west European counterparts,” says Kale.
For travel enthusiasts among our readers, we have prepared a detailed listing of five such destinations. While Georgia and Azerbaijan lie in the South Caucasus region, west of the Caspian Sea, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan fall in Central Asia. All of these dole out oodles of breathtaking landscapes and most have unique culture and architecture.Though there are several packages for these countries on travel sites, we found these limited to 1-2 cities or as a combination of a few countries. For better coverage, we have conducted extensive planning and spelt out six nights’ worth of country-specific travel information, budget break-up and itineraries. You can easily plan a cost-effective holiday in the mid-range segment for around Rs.1 lakh per person.You can cut prices further if you opt for budget stay options like homestays and take public transport. “For flights, consider budget airlines that frequently service cities like Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan and Almaty in Kazakhstan. For accommodation, opt for budget-friendly options like hostels or guesthouses, and try to book these well in advance,” says Pittie.
You won’t regret these choices as you discover hidden gems in the most cost-effective manner. Happy holidays!
Note:Return air fare (economy) from Delhi, for 2-8 September trip, on Skyscanner, as on 4 May 2024. Currency exchange rate as on 4 May 2024. Visa fee sourced from embassy websites. Stay and food are for mid-range segment. Prices and costs are indicative and may vary. Figures have been rounded off.
KAZAKHSTAN
BEST TIME TO VISIT
April-June,September-October
CAPITAL
ASTANA (now NURSULTAN)
Flight time (one way)
3 hrs, 25 mts (Delhi-Almaty; fastest, direct)
Currency
1 Kazakhstani Tenge
(KZT) = Rs.0.18
Language
Kazakh, Russian, Uzbek
Get these apps…
2GIS and Maps.Me (navigation), GoBus (buses), Yandex Go (taxis), Google Translate (translation)
The Land of the Great Steppe (for its vast grasslands) is the ninth largest country in the world and the richest in Central Asia. A recent favourite holiday destination for Indians, it’s best to travel here in spring and autumn as summers and winters can be extreme. Combining natural beauty and historical monuments, it’s perfect for a week-long getaway. Remember to carry US dollars, exchange it at the airport for local currency, and buy a local SIM from Kcell, Beeline or Airalo. Since English is barely spoken here, especially outside Almaty, download Google Tanslate. Lastly, beware of being scammed as a tourist and, if driving a rental car, of corruption among traffic cops.
FLIGHTS
This is the only country in our list where flight to its capital Astana is more expensive. Instead, take a direct flight to Almaty, which takes just 3.5 hours. Cheap flights are offered by Air Astana, IndiGo and Uzbekistan Airways. A good option to check the lowest air fares is the MakeMyTrip Flight Schedule, which shows you the days on which the prices are the lowest, so that you can plan accordingly.
STAY
Though a wide variety of options, ranging from hostels to luxury hotels, are available, prices are on the higher side compared to other countries in the region. Hotel prices are the lowest in May-June and you’ll still pay Rs.4,000-6,000 per night for a 3-star hotel. These can go up to Rs.10,000-11,000 in peak season. To bring down your stay cost, try homestays or guesthouses, which are available everywhere.
FOOD
Though international cuisine is available throughout the country, try traditional Kazakh dishes, some of which include beshbarmak (national dish made with meat and pasta), laghman (noodles-meat dish), pilaf (rice dish), manti (dumplings), tandyr nan (disc-shaped naan), and irimshik (flour dessert). Street food is cheap at around Rs.250-500, while mid-range restaurants can cost Rs.1,000-1,500 per meal.
TRANSPORT
For inter-city travel, overnight trains are a good option, but if you want to save time, take a domestic flight (Air Astana, FlyArystan, Qazaq Air). Book trains in advance for discounts. Find prices and timetables at Tutu, Tickets.kz and Kazakh Railways, and these typically range from Rs.250-1,200, one way. Buses are cheap, but not too comfortable. Taxis are affordable, but use ride-hailing apps like Yandex Go. Rental cars are expensive at Rs.5,000-6,000 a day.
ACTIVITIES
Book day trips in advance through GetYourGuide or Viator apps, and these will typically range from Rs.4,000-20,000, including transport and meals. Group day tours in mini-buses will cost much lesser, and so will multi-day tours. Outside Almaty, take guided tours or a taxi with driver. If you want to explore on your own, get a rental car.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
The country is divided into 17 regions and is replete with natural beauty and Soviet era architecture. We have kept three days for Almaty because you can use it as a base and take day trips to the most stunning natural wonders in the nighbouring regions.
DAY 1-3
ALMATY: You can take a guided tour of this quaint city or your own walking tour. Visit the Zenkov’s Cathedral & Panfilov Park, eat and shop at the Dostik Avenue, check out the Central State Museum, stroll through the Green Bazaar and have local delicacies. Also take a dip at the Arasan hot springs, and visit the Botanical Garden. If you travel in winters, you could take a day trip to Medeu and a cable car to the beautiful Shymbulak ski resort.
On Day 2, take a 3-4 hour drive to the 154-km long fascinating Charyn Canyon. On Day 3, take a trip to the Kaindy lake and the Kolsai Lakes National Park.
DAY 4
NUR-SULTAN: Visit the National Museum of Kazakhstan, Kazakh Eli Monument, Bayterek Tower, Nur-Astana Mosque, Palace of Peace & Reconciliation, and stroll along the Ishim river promenade.
DAY 5-6
SHYMKENT-TURKESTAN: In Shymkent, visit the Independence Monument and Ordabassy Square, Abay Park, Palace of Culture, and Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Next day, take a trip to Turkestan, the jewel of Silk Road, and visit the Akmechet Cave, Aksu-Zhabagly National Reserve, Aksu Canyon and the Keruen Saray Shopping Complex.
DAY 7
Return to Almaty and fly back.
GEORGIA
BEST TIME TO VISIT
May-October
CAPITAL
TBILISI
Flight time (one way)
4 hrs, 30 mts (Delhi-
Tbilisi, fastest, direct;can take 8-13 hrs)
Currency
1 Georgian Lari
(GEL) = Rs.31.19
Language
Georgian
Get these apps…
Bolt (taxis), TTC or com.ge/en (bus/metro), GoTrip (private taxi), Airalo (e-SIM/Internet), GetYourGuide (tours), Google Translate (translation)
This beautiful country in the Caucasus region is among the best alternatives to Europe and costs much lesser. A former Soviet republic, it’s renowned for being the birthplace of wine. It’s a good idea to carry US dollars and withdraw local currency at the airport. While cards are accepted widely, carry cash for offbeat areas. Also buy a Magti SIM card at the airport.
FLIGHTS
Booking in advance or during shoulder season will get you the best fares. IndiGo, Air Arabia and Azerbaijan Airlines are your best bets. Typically, the flights have one stop and take over seven hours while departing from Delhi, but take 4.5 hours in a direct flight while returning from Tbilisi.
STAY
Booking.com and Airbnb are good options to book hotels and guesthouses, with hostels being the cheapest. Bigger cities like Tbilisi or Batumi have a wider range of options and higher prices (mid-range hotel for Rs.3,000-4,000 a night) than, say, Kazbegi or Kutaisi, but budget options are available.
FOOD
Do try the flavourful and very affordable (3-5 GEL) wines, though the high quality ones will cost more. Street food is the cheapest, while a mid-range hotel meal will cost around `1,000 per person. The local fare you can try is supra (traditional feast), khinkali (dumplings), adjaruli khachapuri (cheese bread), churchkhela (fruit snack) and mtsvadi (shish kebab).
TRANSPORT
For inter-city travel, the cheapest options are marshrutkas (mini-bus) and shared taxis, but the former have no schedule and take longer. You can opt for the more expensive private transfers via GoTrip, which is a favourite among tourists. Hiring a taxi with driver is a good option. For longer trips, take trains, which are very cheap but take longer. For bus travel, you could buy the reloadable MetroMoney card (2-3 GEL). Within cities, use the Bolt app, as local taxis are not metered and driven rashly. If you rent a car or 4-wheel drive, it could cost Rs.4,000-5000 per day, but is extremely convenient.
ACTIVITIES
Book your tours and guides online in advance. GetYourGuide app can help you pick sightseeing options ranging from mountains, beaches and wine regions to churches and national heritage sites, with day tours ranging from Rs.1,500-5,000 per person. Take DIY walking tours of cities, or group tours around bigger cities like Tbilisi and Batumi.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
The country is divided into 11 regions and it will take at least 10-12 days to enjoy it fully. However, we have curtailed the itinerary to six nights for consistency.
DAY 1-2
TBILISI: Take a DIY walking tour of the city, or the metro, or a Bolt cab to visit the Narikala Fortress, Mother of Georgia Statue, Old Town, Sulphur Bath area (take a dip here), The Bridge of Love, Meidan Bazaar and Freedom Square along the Mtkvari river. On the other side of the river, visit Holy Trinity Cathedral and Fabrika. Also visit the Dry Bridge flea market for antiques and art, Clock Tower, and Chronicles of Georgia monument.
DAY 3
KAKHETI (TELAVI-SIGHNAGHIBODBE):Take a day/group tour to the Kakheti region, the country’s premier and most productive wine region, also famous for its monasteries and churches. Stay the night here or return to Tbilisi. Go wine-tasting in a winery, visit the largest town, Telavi, climb the old walls of Sighnaghi for stunning views of Alazani valley, and visit the monasteries of Alaverdi, Ikalto & Dzveli Shuamta. A short distance from Sighnaghi is St. Nino monastery in Bodbe. Don’t miss the local, traditional cuisine here.
DAY 4
MTSKHETA-MTIANETI (GORIUPLITSIKHE): Take a guide to Mtskheta, a UNESCO World Heritage site, famed for Jvari monastery at the confluence of Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. At Gori, about 1.5 hours from Tbilisi, visit the Stalin Museum and Gori Fortress. About 10 km away is Uplitsikhe cave town-fortress, which should not be missed. Either stay here or return to Tbilisi.
DAY 5
MTSKHETA-MTIANETI (KAZBEGISTEPANTSMINDA-ANANURI): A must-visit is the Georgian Military Road between Georgia and Russia, and the Russian-Georgian Friendship Monument. Also visit the Gergeti Trinity Church, Truso Valley and Ananuri Fortress.
DAY 6 BATUMI: Take a DIY or guided tour of the second largest city and Black Sea resort in Adjara. Visit the Boulevard, Botanical Garden, Ali & Nino Statue, Holy Mother Virgin Nativity Cathedral, and Europe Square. If you have time, take a day trip to Martvili Canyon and Prometheus Cave.
DAY 7
Return to Tbilisi and fly back.
AZERBAIJAN
BEST TIME TO VISIT
April-June,September-October
CAPITAL
BAKU
Flight time (one way)
4 hrs, 30 mts (Delhi- Baku; fastest, direct)
Currency
1 Azerbaijani Manat
(AZN) = Rs.49.09
Language
Azerbaijani,Russian
Get these apps…
Bolt, Uber (taxis), GetYour-Guide (tours), BakiKART (Baku metro), Google Translate (translation)
The ‘Land of Fire’ (natural gas burning) is an affordable and beautiful alternative to Europe. This oil-rich former Soviet republic is located along the Caspian Sea and on the crossroads of Europe and Asia. It offers a unique blend of ancient heritage and cosmopolitan life, but Baku is among the only modern city, while the rest of the country is more rural. While credit card will work in Baku and bigger cities, carry cash/local currency for smaller, remote locations. Buy a SIM card from Azercell, among the best operators.
FLIGHTS
IndiGo and Qatar Airways are the cheapest and it’s easy to get a direct flight. Skyscanner is among the best options to book tickets, with costs having come down in the past few years. You can get a return ticket for less than Rs.35,000.
STAY
Baku is the most expensive and has a variety of stay options like hotels, guesthouses and hostels, with a midrange hotel available for less than Rs.5,000 a night. All other places cost much less and offer mainly homestays and guesthouses. If you want to stay longer, you could try the house swap option, where you can register on a website like holidayswap.com or homeexchange.com and exchange your house for holiday stays without paying anything.
FOOD
Street food is inexpensive and available for less than Rs.250, while a mid-range hotel/restaurant can cost around Rs.1,000-1,200 per meal. Some must-try dishes include dolma (steamed grape leaves stuffed with meat), plov (rice dish), piti (lamb, chickpea soup), dushbara (dumpling), bozbash (soup), lavangi (stuffed chicken), and drinks like ayran (yogurt-based) and feijoa juice (local fruit-based).
TRANSPORT
For moving around in Baku, you can use the metro (0.4 AZN per ride) with BakiKART, a prepaid card that costs 2 AZN. For travel outside, marshrutkas are the cheapest (3-15 AZN), but it’s better to take a cab, rent a self-driven car, or hire a taxi with driver (Rs.3,000-4,000), which cost significantly more. For day tours, it’s a good idea to hire a guide with cab in advance.
ACTIVITIES
There’s wide range of sightseeing options ranging from mud volcanoes and beaches to museums, mosques, ancient petroglyphs and stunning palaces. Entry to historical sites typically ranges from $1-5 (Rs.83-417) per person. Book day tours from Baku on GetYourGuide for upwards of Rs.2,000.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
Bounded by the Caspian Sea and Caucasus mountains, it offers a wide typographical variety, but tourism is mostly focused around beaches. You could also visit Astara near Nakhchivan and check out the Hiran National Park.
DAY 1
BAKU: Take a walking tour of the city. Stroll at Baku Boulevard and check out the Flame Towers. A must-visit is Old or Inner City (Icherisheher), a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you can see the traditional souks and hammams, tea houses and antique shops, art galleries and museums, boutiques and street vendors. Don’t miss the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, Maiden Tower, Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre, Little Venice and Hyder Mosque. Sample local delicacies and Azeri meals, and shop for carpets.
DAY 2-3
BAKU (ABSHERON-GOBUSTAN):Take a day trip to the Absheron Peninsula and don’t miss the famous burning mountain, Yanar Dag, which has been burning for thousands of years. Also visit the Ateshgah Fire Temple. The next day, visit Gobustan State Historical and Cultural Reserve, about 60 km from Baku, and check out the over 6,000 rock carvings and petroglyphs, as well as the famous mud volcanoes.
DAY 4
SHEKI: Visit the Sheki Castle and Sheki Khan Palace, explore the Sheki bazaar and caravanserai, and try the Azeri sweets. On the way you can stop at Lahij and Shamakhi, regarded as the most beautiful remote villages in the country.
DAY 5
LANKARAN: In this beautiful coastal town, visit the Khan Palace, Khanbulan Lake, Kichik Bazaar Mosque, and the black sand beach.
DAY 6
NAKHCHIVAN: This is an autonomous republic with rich history. Visit Juma Mosque, Nakhchivan Museum of Local Lore, Alinja Castle, Ashab-i-Kehf cave and Palace of the Nakhchivan Khans. There are other mausoleums too that you can visit.
DAY 7
Return to Baku and fly back.
UZBEKISTAN
BEST TIME TO VISIT
April-May, September-October
CAPITAL
TASHKENT
Flight time (one way)
3 hrs (Delhi-Tashkent; fastest, direct)
Currency
1 Uzbekistani Som
(UZS) = Rs.0.006
Language
Uzbek,Russian
Get these apps…
UzTrip (sites, food, hotels shared by app users), 2GIS & Maps.Me (navigation), Yandex Go & MyTaxi (taxis), Mybus Online (buses), Google Translate (translation)
The former Soviet republic oozes culture, heritage, history and architecture. The stunning mosques and mausoleums, vibrant markets, old-world charm and ease of movement make it a rich experience. As in other countries, carry US dollars and local currency, though cards are accepted. Exchange currency and buy a SIM from Ucell or Beeline service providers. You could also buy an e-SIM online in advance.
FLIGHTS
This is the cheapest flight in our list of destinations, with Uzbekistan Airways, IndiGo and Air Astana offering direct flights at low fares. On Skyscanner, check the option of ‘show whole month’ and register for price alerts to snag the best prices.
STAY
A variety of stay options is available, ranging from hostels to luxury hotels in most big cities, though prices are slightly on the higher side than in smaller cities. A mid-range hotel will cost Rs.3,000-10,000. It’s best to stay near the city centre to reduce travel time and cost for sightseeing.
FOOD
Street food and meals in local restaurants can range from Rs.400-800, while the midrange meal can cost Rs.1,000-1,500. While the country shares several dishes with its neighbours, there are others that are unique to Uzbekistan. These include chuchvara (dumplings), shivit oshi (green noodles with meat and vegetables), hanum (steamed meat roulette), shurpa (lamb-vegetable soup) and mashhurda (rice, mung bean, meat soup).
TRANSPORT
For inter-city travel, trains are the best option though you could take domestic flights, which are expensive. The modern highspeed train, Afrosiyob, is slightly more costly than older trains, but takes lesser time. Check schedules and book trains at or at www.12go.asia. The train fare from Khiva to Bukhara, and Bukhara to Samarkand ranges from Rs.800 to Rs.1,500. For city travel, take the metro or cabs via Yandex Go app, not the local taxis, which may overcharge you.
ACTIVITIES
Mosques and madrasahs are the main attraction which cost Rs.250-400 in entrance fee, while Itchan Kala in Khiva will cost around Rs.1,000 for a day. You could take guided tours of main cities, which will be expensive, so a better option is to take walking tours on your own or take cabs via ride-hailing apps.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
Uzbekistan lies between Amu and Syr rivers, whose depletion led to the drying up of Aral Sea. The typical itinerary covers Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand, but you can add a 2-3 day trip to Aral Sea, covering Nukus, Muynak, Ustyurt Plateau and Sudochie Lake.
DAY 1
TASHKENT: One of the most striking features of the capital city, apart from its modern scape and old architecture, is its metro. The arched stations with mosaics and frescos are a tourist attraction in themselves. Chorsu Bazaar is a must-visit domed market with all kinds of food items, local produce, dry fruits, traditional clothes and souvenirs. Also visit the Hazrati Imam Complex, Kukeldash Madrasah, Juma Mosque and Central Asian Plov Centre. Take a stroll around the Independence Square and Amir Timur Square, and check out the Amir Timur Museum and Uzbekistan Hotel nearby.
DAY 2
KHIVA: Take a train to Urgench and then a cab to Khiva 30 km away. This quaint desert town was an important stop for traders on the Silk Road. The Inner City or Itchan Kala is a must-visit stunning walled city with four gates and fortress-like walls, sand-coloured houses, clay mosques and cobbled streets, taking you back in medieval times. Check out the stunning blue tile work in Kuhna Ark, Kalta Minor Minaret, Islam Khoja Minaret, Juma Mosque, Alla Kuli Khan Madrasah and Tash-Khauli Palace.
DAY 3-4
BUKHARA: The city is divided into new (called Kagan) and old parts, with the latter having most attractions. Take a guided tour or cab to old city, starting from city centre, the Po-i-Kalyan Complex, which houses a mosque, minaret and Mir-i-Arab Madrasah. Also visit the Ark Fortress, Bukhara Observation Tower, Samanid Mausoleum, Silk Road Trading Domes, Chor Minor, and the Lyab-i-Hauz ensemble that has a pond surrounded by restaurants, souvenir shops, a mosque and the Nadrid Divan-begi Madrasah. Visit the old bazaars for scarves, handicraft and textiles.
DAY 5-6
SAMARKAND: Take the Afrosiyob train to Samarkand, another Silk Road city. One of the oldest in the world, it’s known for architecture in mosques and mausoleums. Start with the spectacular city centre, Registan Square, and move to Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, Shah-i-Zinda Complex, Ulugh Beg Observatory, Bibi Khanym Mosque and Siab bazaar, where you can shop for souvenirs and sample local cuisine. Take a guided tour of the city or do it on your own.
DAY 7
Return to Tashkent and fly back.
KYRGYZSTAN
BEST TIME TO VISIT
April-June,August-October
CAPITAL
BISHKEK
Flight time (one way)
5 hrs, 15 mts (Delhi-Bishkek; fastest, one stop; usually 9-13 hrs)
Currency
1 Kyrgyzstani Som
(KGS) = Rs.0.94
Language
Kyrgyz,Russian
Get these apps…
2GIS and Maps.Me (navigation), GoBus (buses), Yandex Go (taxis), Google Translate (translation)
Central Asia’s Switzerland on budget, Kyrgyzstan is a beautiful land-locked country with friendly people and nomadic culture still alive. Its stunning landscape, mountains, valleys and glacial lakes make it a nature lover’s paradise. It’s much more affordable than European countries because apart from air fare, all else (stay, food, transport) is very cheap. Do not, however, expect Europe’s convenience or luxury. Visa is the most accepted card, though cash is still the preferred mode of payment. Language may be an issue as English is rarely used, so it’s best to download a translator app or hire an English-speaking guide.
FLIGHTS
Remember that the lowest air fares as listed here may not give you the optimum flight time. So the fastest time may come with higher fares, while low fares may come with longer hours and stops, which means that you will need to plan your trip duration accordingly. For instance, if you take 13 hours to reach, instead of the five hours listed here, your entire itinerary may go for a toss.
STAY
Extremely affordable (Rs.800-1,000) guesthouses, homestays and hostels are easily available on Booking.com. In bigger cities, you can opt for star hotels if your budget allows. On hiking trips in mountains, a muststay option is the traditional tent called ‘yurt’ (budget and luxury versions are available), which is still used by nomads, but beware of extreme cold.
FOOD
Vegetables, fruits and street food are the cheapest and easily available. Breakfast is typically included with stay, but you can buy it for Rs.400-500, while a full meal in a local restaurant can be had for Rs.800-1,200, and a three-course meal for upwards of Rs.1,500. Some of the popular delicacies include laghman, beshbarmak, plov, samsa, oromo (dumpling) and byzhy (sausage dish).
TRANSPORT
For intra- and inter-city travel, marshrutka is the cheapest and most prolific mode of transport, though you can also use buses, shared taxis, 4W drive or rental cars. For travel to mountainous or remote areas, it’s best to use taxis or rental cars, but get a driver for the latter. It also helps to have the taxi-hailing app, Yandex Go. Hitchhiking is quite common, though you may have to pay for the ride. For travelling between cities, cheap domestic flights from Air Krgyzstan and Air Manas may be your best and quickest option because road travel can be very time-consuming and tedious.
ACTIVITIES
Hiking, trekking, mountaineering, horseriding and lakes are the best sightseeing options. Hiring an English-speaking local guide for the entire trip, or at least for longer hikes and treks, may be advisable.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
Kyrgyzstan is divided into seven regions: Chuy, Issyk Kul, Talas, Naryn, Osh, Jalal-a-bad, Batken. Bishkek, the capital and largest city, lies in Chuy region, and Osh, the second largest city, is in Osh region. The country is nestled between the Tian Shan mountains range, which covers almost 80% of the country, and the Pamir range.
DAY 1
BISHKEK: There are more places to visit around the city than within, but do take a day tour. Check out the Osh bazaar and Dordoy bazaar for spices, clothes, souvenirs, and knickknacks. Also visit the Ala Too Square and State History Museum. For other excursions, visit the Ala Archa National Park, which is an hour away.
DAY 2
ISSYK KUL: On the way to Issyk Kul, stop at Burana Tower, the famous 11th century minaret on the Silk Road, about 80 km from Bishkek. Move on to the stunningly beautiful Issyk Kul lake, which is around 200 km away, and world’s second largest Alpine lake. Stay in the small Bokonbayevo village close to the lake. Also visit the Skazka Canyon and Jeti-Oguz Gorge.
DAY 3-4
KARAKOL: Head further east to Karakol, which is a big hikingtrekking base. Take a memorable hiking/horse-back trip to Altyn Arshan Valley, or Jyrgalan or Ak Suu Arboretum to enjoy the meadows and snow-capped peaks. Stay the night in a yurt. Don’t miss relaxing at the hot springs. Also take a walking tour of the city and visit the Dungan Mosque, Holy Trinity Cathedral, and visit the Dungan village, Yrdyk, to be a part of the Dungan family dinner.
DAY 5-6
NARYN-TASH RABAT: Move west to the Naryn region and check out the beautiful Song kol and Kel Suu lakes. A must-visit is Tash Rabat, which is about 1.5 hours away and you can travel via horses and stay in a yurt. Also visit the Salkyn Tor National Park, Eki Naryn valley, Kara Keche pass and several other lakes in the region.
DAY 7
Return to Bishkek and fly back.