Classic tour Almaty to Bishkek

Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel.  Free time
Full day visit Almaty. The tour starts with sightseeing in central part of Almaty. You will know more about history and development of the Southern capital of Kazakhstan and see its major attractions. You will visit a popular place for townspeople – the Green Bazaar, where it is impossible to refrain from shopping. It is the great chance to experience an atmosphere of the real eastern market, its colors, smells and crowds. Continue to the oldest Almaty parks – Panfilov Park, where one of the most beautiful wooden building in the world – Zenkov Cathedral, visit the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame, dedicated to the memory of the fighters who died for freedom and independence of the country.
After exploration of sport, cultural and business areas of the city you will get to the Medeo Gorge, well known due to the highest mountain skating rink in the world and the dam, protecting the city from dangerous mudflow.
Next destination is the Kok-Tobe hill where the tallest TV tower in the world is located (if to count from the sea level) and where you will get by the picturesque winding mountain road. In Kok-Tobe Park you can stroll along the winding paths of the park, admire the magnificent panorama of the city from the special observation deck. The tour ends with the short ride from the top of the hill to the center of the city by the famous Almaty cableway. Overnight in the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. 10:00 Sightseeing tour. Visit Alma – Arasan, recreation area, have a lunch at ancient Kazakh home “yurta”, feel real Kazakh atmosphere, culture and traditions, taste Kazakh national food, drink Kumis and Shubat (horse and camel milk), dance traditional Kazakh dance (not include). The tour continues with driving to the Big Almaty gorge, where at an altitude of 2,510 m above sea level located the Big Almaty lake – one of the most picturesque lakes in Trans-Ili Alatau. The lake is very beautiful, especially when its blue surface is absolutely calm, and it reflects the sky and surrounding mountains. The Big Almaty lake was formed as a result of movement of an ancient glacier. Thanks to high-mountain location the water in the lake is always cool – even in July the water temperature does not exceed 10 degrees.
The lake is a source of potable water for Almaty city, that is why the access of tourists to the lake is limited. The tour route lies higher the Big Almaty lake to the altitude of 3300 meters above sea level, where scientific premises for astronomical and space researches have settled down. Here, at the basis of the Big Almaty peak, you can enjoy a fascinating panorama of mountains and the Big Almaty lake, surrounded by the picturesque mountain peaks covered with Tian-Shan fir-tree, aspen and juniper. On the way back to the town you will visit the Falcon Farm, where you will enjoy a spectacular show with specially trained hawks – hunting with them is one of the most unique features of the Kazakh way of life.
18:00 Dinner in one of the following cafes in the city: Vizir, Kishlak, Rumi. 20:00 return to the hotel and overnight.
Transfer to Bishkek. Arrival to the border, pass the border and continue to Bishkek city. Afternoon visit Bishkek – Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala-Too Square, the History Museum, National Philharmonic, and many others places of interest. Overnight in the hotel.
Early morning departure to Issyk Kul Lake, surrounded by the celestial mountains. It’s the second largest alpine lake in the world (1608 m. above sea level). The lake is called “the pearl of Central Asia”. Due to the salty water, Lake Issyk Kul possesses curative qualities. On route to the lake you will visit Burana Tower (an 11th century minaret) and an open air museum of Balbans (stone warriors). You will get to enjoy a traditional lunch and then we’ll make our trip to the lake. Overnight in the hotel.
In the morning boat trip to Issik kul lake. Transfer to Ala archa national park (Ala Archa gorge). It is a Natural Park. At the Soviet Time only V.I.P. people had permission to go for a walk here. The Ala Archa gorge is on a spur of the Tien Shan mountain range. It is just 45 km from Bishkek. You can have a short hiking tour to see a panoramic view of the gorge. If you want we can go hiking a little bit longer to see a small scenic waterfall. Return to Bishkek. End of Service