Trip to Kyrgyzstan 2018The trip starts on 8 June finishes on 28 June. It costs 1490 Euros and the maximum number is 8 folk. The tour is with Ecotours (used by RBGE and Harry Jans). The programme fits in the best locations for plants - Ala-Archa, Arslanbob, Sary Chelek, Son Kul and Chong Kemin.
The emphasis of the trip is on the high alpine rarer/red data book plants.
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i4914bb.pdf - with English text
Day by day program Day 1: Departure
Day 2: Arrival in Bishkek. Transfer to the hotel. You can do a city tour in Bishkek. Stay in a hotel. [
FH - arrival from Europe is usually just after midnight so a good day to explore Bishkek and opportunity for visit to Botanic Gardens]
Day 3: Day trip to Ala-Archa National Park with a hike to the Ak-Say waterfall higher up the gorge. This National Park is an alpine park in the Tien-Shan Mountains approximately 40km south of the city of Bishkek. The park comprises the gorge of the Ala-Archa River and the mountains surrounding it. The park covers about 200 square kilometers and its altitude ranges from about 1,500 meters at the entrance to a maximum of 4,895 meters at Peak Semenov, the highest peak in the Kyrgyz Ala-Too range of the Tien-Shan. The flora in this park is very rich and many species typical of an Alpine habitat can be found. In the evening, we return to Bishkek. Stay in hotel.
Day 4: First driving through the tunnel on the Too-Ashuu pass to the Suusamyr valley. You will stop close to the top of a pass for botanizing. Afterwards driving west to Chichkan gorge located on the highway connecting the South and North Kyrgyzstan with the same named river flowing in the bottom. The steep slopes of the gorge are covered with juniper, spruce trees and berries. In total 240 km, 4-5 hours driving. Botanizing in the area and stay in Motel Oson.
Day 5: Continuing the road to Osh, we drive along the largest turquoise coloured water reservoir in Central Asia with some hydropower stations to Arslanbob village surrounded with famous walnut forest in the world. We will stop at the beginning of Ferghana valley with abundant agricultural cultivations. Stay in a B&B in Arslanbob village.
Day 6: In the morning, a walk in Arslanbob forest, the second largest natural walnut forest in the world covering 60,000 hectares situated between the Fergana and Chatkal Mountains. The walnut forest is located at altitudes varying between 1,500 metres and 2,000 metres. Hiking to the waterfalls.
[FH - great plants on slopes behind the waterfalls] After lunch, a short drive to Kurmaidan, the walnut forestry with 20-years old trees. In the evening back to Arslanbob and stay in a B&B.
Day 7: Day trip to Kyzyl Unkur located 40 km southeast of Arslanbob, a relatively pristine part of the walnut groves. Picnic lunch. In the evening back to Arslanbob and stay in a B&B.
Day 8: Half day drive from Arslanbob to Arkit village located in the territory of Sary-Chelek State Biosphere Reserve, founded in 1959 to protect and research the pristine natural environment - lowland steppes and ridges with snowcapped peaks; rapid rivers and mountain lakes; blossoming valleys and alpine meadows (lying between 1,200m and 4,274m) - with their varied flora and fauna. Stay in a B&B.
Day 9: In the morning 1 hour, drive from the guesthouse to Lake Sary-Chelek with more than 1,000 species of plants, 160 species of birds and 34 species of mammals. We spend the day hiking around the lake and visiting other small lakes in the area. Many endemic endangered species of flora are present in Sary-Chelek reserve. In the evening back to the village and stay in a B&B.
Day 10: Driving from Arkit village to Kok-Bel hotel located on the shore of Toktogul water reservoir (180km). On the way, we will have short botanizing stops at the semi-desert areas of Tash-Komur coal mining area and now and then stop to see Capparis spinosa and wild cherries. The shore of the reservoir is a good place for watching water birds. Stay in a hotel.
Day 11: Driving back through the Chichkan gorge until the junction where the road turns to Talas region. With botanizing stops now and then over Otmok pass 3326m to Talas town (253km). Evening stay in guesthouse.
Day 12: Day trip to Besh-Tash state reserve located 25 km south of Talas town. The reserve is established in 1996 and is located in Talas Ala-too, the western branch of Tien-Shan mountains and occupies the area of 13,650 hectares with spruce and juniper trees and rich vegetation. The western branch of Tien-Shan mountains is known for different plants compared to northern branches. Here the endemic
Tulipa talassica In the evening back to the guesthouse.
Day 13: A spectacular drive through a glen to the wide green valley of Suusamyr, then we drive along the Kokomeren river to Kyzyl-Oi village with unusually red coloured hills (210km in total). On the way we stop for dry slopes of the gorge to look for
Dianthus kuschakevich and some interesting species of alliums. In the afternoon, walk in dry hills of Kyzyl-Oi village. Stay in a B&B.
Day 14: Continuing the gorge and driving past the coalmine, over Kara-Keche pass (3384m) to Son-Kul Lake. It is rather a long drive with several botanical stops. Son-Kul Lake is the second biggest lake in Kyrgyzstan located at the altitude of 3,100m (warm clothes are necessary). Here we find the flora of the high mountains and edelweiss growing abundantly. Stay in a yurt.
Day 15: Day in Son-Kul to hike and “botanize” in the mountains and around the alpine lake. Here we have the possibility to see
Ligularia alpigena, Gentiana karelini, Taphrospermum altaicum. Stay in a yurt.
Day 16: We leave Son-Kul Lake from southeast over “32 parrots” pass (3100m) to Kochkor. Stops on the plateau changing into endless plains and a Dolon pass with a diverse flora and birds will fill the day. Stay in a B&B.
Day 17: From Kochkor to Chon-Kemin, a valley bordering Kazakhstan, at 1800m. In 1997, a national park was established with total area of 5,000 ha within the valley. The National Park includes all the forests of the Kemin District. The Park is under the protection of the state as its territory is inhabited with unique species of flora and fauna such as the tolai hare, pheasant as well as ephedra. On the way we stop for Konorchok canyon known for red pillars made by rain and wind and in the gorge leading to Chon-Kemin village for hike to see
Goniolimon cuspidatum, Onobrychis arenaria and Astragalus kronenburgii. Picnic lunch. Stay in a B&B.
Day 18: Day trip to Jashyl-Kol (Green lake) located 35km to the east of the village. In the afternoon back to the village and botanizing in the mountains near the village. Stay in a B&B.
Day 19: From Chon-Kemin to Kegety gorge (80km), located in the northern side of the Kyrgyz range known for rare and unique medicinal herbs. In addition, a large number of various forest berries. Here we will see the endemic plants of Kyrgyzstan:
Eremurus zoae, Paeonia hybrida. Then short drive to Orlovka resort at 1400m, the ski resort with a sledgerun that is open also during the summer. Hiking in the area, Stay in a cottage.
Day 20: From Orlovka to Bishkek (110km). In the afternoon you can visit the local market Osh bazaar or other shops. Stay in Umai hotel or equivalent.
Day 21: Transfer to the airport. Departure.
The price is all inclusive - everything is included as described in the program. International return flights from Europe 350-500 euros.
Transportation by minibus
Transfer to the airport
All meals
Stay in hotel, B&B, yurt
English speaking guide/interpreter
Contact details:
English
info@ecotour.kgDutch/Flemish/German
benelux@ecotour.kg
