Discover the Land of Chingiz Aitmatov

Flight to Bishkek. City Tour. You may see a feature film of one of Aitmatov’s novel.
Accommodation in a hotel.

Travel to Lake Issyk-Kul (5 hours). On the way visit the Burana tower. Spend theevening walking
along the lakeshore. Overnight in a former Soviet resort-complex.

Travel to Karakol . On the way visit an open-air stone inscription (petroglyph) museum. Enjoy a
picnic on the way. Accommodation in private flats.

City tour of Karakol. Visiting points related to Ch. Aitmatov and his family. Visit the oriental market
and other cultural places. After lunch you will be able to watch the feature film - “White ship”.
Accommodation in private flats.

Travel to Jety-Oguz (Seven Bulls) Gorge. Overnight stay in a Yurta.

Free day for activities in the Jety-Oguz Valley. Optional horse riding or hiking around the valley.
Reading session in the evening. Overnight stay in a Yurta.

Travel to Kochkor . Picnic on the way on the Southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. Overnight in familyrun accommodation.

Felt carpet Demonstration. Travel to the jailoo (Summer Pasture) at Son-Kul lake (3000 m above
sea level) by car (3 hours) via the Dolon and Kara Unkur Passes. This area was featured in Aitmatov’s book ‘My Young Poplar In A Red Scarf’. Accommodation in yurtas (traditional round felt tents).
Taste Kymyz (mare’s milk) and watch the nomads making bread and cheese. Go horseback riding
or walking along the shore of the lake. At night, the nearness of the stars will take your breath
away. Enjoy dinner with a shepherd’s family, and listen to songs and the Komuz (traditional guitar)
played and sung by the women living in the yurtas

Free day for activities on Son-Kul Lake. Optional horse riding or hiking around the valley. National
game – Ulak Tartysh. Reading session in the evening. Overnight stay in a Yurta.

Optional light hiking (5 hours) or driving to Kyz Art village. Travel to Chaek village (1,5 hours).
Overnight in family-run accommodation.

Travel to Sheker - the native village of Ch. Aitmatov - by car (7 hours) over the Otmok Pass (3800
m, stopping for a picnic on the way.

Travel to Maimak rail station, which is described in almost all of Aitmatov’s novels. Visit Aitmatov’s
Library-Museum and meet the living heroes from the works of Aitmatov in Sheker . Reading
session in the evening. Overnight in family-run accommodation.

Travel to Chaek (7 hours). Overnight in family-run accommodation.

Travel back to Bishkek. Meet the film director who made the film “Djamilia”. Farewell dinner and
folklore group performance. Accommodation in the hotel.

Flight home.