Tour Kyrgyzstan - Kyrgyz Land of Wonders

This tour will introduce you with the incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions of Kyrgyzstan. A spectacularly beautiful landlocked Central Asian country with a population of about 5.3 million, Kyrgyzstan consists of over 80 different nationalities, dominated by Kyrgyz (65 percent), Uzbek (14 percent), and Russian (12 percent). In the Stone Age, cattle-breeding nomads and farming Indo-European tribes lived in the area. Distinct Kyrgyz culture is rooted in proud nomadic traditions. Kyrgyzstan is an essential part of the Great Silk Route and three branches of the route -- Pamir-Alay, South, and North -- pass through Kyrgyzstan.

Lying at roughly the same latitude as Istanbul, Rome, Madrid and New York and the same longitude as New Delhi, Kyrgyzstan sits in the heart of the Asian continent. More than half the territory is 2,500 m or more above sea level, with Peak Pobedy rising to 7,439 m. Deserts, steppes, coniferous and deciduous forests, and alpine meadows are all found within a few kilometers of each other. Lake Issyk-Kul, located in the mountains of eastern Kyrgyzstan, is the second largest salt-water lake in the world. The Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve is part of UNESCO’s Western Tian Shan Biodiversity Project, designed to conserve lynx, maral deer and bears. Lake Sary-Chelek lies hidden in the northern flanks of the Fergana Valley amid groves of wild walnuts and fruit trees. Jalal-Abad Province is home to unique walnut forests that can not be found anywhere else in the world.

On this tour to scenic Kyrgyzstan, visit remarkable off-the-beaten-path places and learn about Kyrgyzstan’s history, culture, biodiversity, and conservation efforts. You’ll also explore the country’s plant communities, including pristine walnut forests, Kyrgyzstan's birds and mammals, nomadic traditions, and the remarkable vertical zonality and ecosystem’s gradient.

Cost per person, double occupancy: $2,950
Number of participants: 10
Tour Dates: August 5 to August 14, 2010
Duration: 10 days
Overnight stays:  Hotels, bed & breakfast in community based tourism houses
Itinerary: Bishkek, Kochkor, Bokonbaevo, Issyk-Kul, Bishkek, Osh, Jalal-Abad, Arslanbob, Kara-Suu, Osh, Bishkek

Activities in Kyrgyzstan

Activities will include field trips to national parks, conservation areas, environmental education centers, and ornithology and ecology research stations. We’ll visit medieval historical and architectural sites, and take part in bird watching, nature photography, local and traditional food, crafts, and sports. Other highlights include an introduction to native medicinal plants and a folk festival.

Tour Leader - Dr. Slavik Dushenkov

Dr. Slavik Dushenkov, Ph.D., a trained field biologist with over 20 years experience in leading expeditions and guiding natural tours, will be the tour leader. He is an author of several field training course textbooks and guides. Local guides will also be on hand at different locations.

Read more about Slavik Dushenkov