Escorted Tours 2023-24 1st Edition

due to 138 world records having been set here. Continue your journey up the mountainside to the alpine resort of Shymbulak. Today’s last stop is Kok Tobe, enjoy a cable car ride and admire magnificent panoramic view of the city. Day 6: Almaty B/L After a morning at leisure, visit the only falcon farm in Kazakhstan - ‘Sunkar’, where you will enjoy a spectacular show with specially trained hawks, golden and bald eagles, owls, vultures and falcons. Day 7: Almaty to Karakol, Kyrgyzstan B/L/D Today journey to Karakol with a stopover at the Charyn Canyon; dubbed the mini Grand Canyon, it is a fascinating contrast to the snow-peaked mountains of Almaty. Venture into ‘Valley of Castles’ to see the canyon from the inside, before reaching the Charyn river and the eco-village with a complex of yurts and an open air cafés. Continue onward, where you’ll have an evening at leisure. Day 8: Karakol B/L/D Begin your tour at the Dungan Mosque - a colourful century old wooden edifice in the Chinese Buddhist architectural style, yet built in the Kyrgyz traditional wood feathering style, instead of metal nail construction. Later, visit the striking Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral, before driving to Jety-Oguz canyon where you can enjoy a light hike through the magnificent canyon of red sandstone. Return to the hotel for dinner and an evening of leisure. Day 9: Karakol to Chon Kemin B/L/D After breakfast, take a scenic drive to Chon Kemin valley along the North Shore of Issyk Kul Lake. En route, familiarize yourself with tremendous geographical feats at the Museum of Nikolai Przhevalsky, where you can see 19th century artefacts from this famous Russian explorer’s great expeditions in Central Asia and West China. Next, visit Cholpon-Ata - an impressive site of ancient rock carvings, followed by a trip to the temple of the Scythian civilizations which existed from 900 BC until 400 AD. Continue your journey to the lush mountains of Chon Kemin before arriving at your Guest House accommodation. Day 10: Chon Kemin to Bishkek B/L/D On the way to Bishkek, make a stop near Tokmak city to visit the striking ruins of the medieval city Balasagun and marvel at its famous Burana tower; formerly one of three capitals of the Karakhanid Empire, Balasogun was one of the most developed cities during the peak of the Great Silk Road era. After this, take a look at a collection of Balbals, Turkic ancient tombs before arriving at Bishkek. Day 11: Bishkek and Ala Archa National Park B/L/D After breakfast, get to know the capital city on an exciting tour. Visit Manas Monument - the main national hero of the Kyrgyz people. Next, sample the State History Museum and take a walking tour around main Ala Too Square to watch the ceremony of the changing of the Guard of Honor. Finish at the Old Square, containing the sole remaining Parliament House in Central Asia. After lunch, drive to the captivating Ala Archa National Park situated in the Tien Shan mountains. You will be in the alpine gorge through which the fast-flowing Ala Archa River runs. The gorge is flanked by tall, snow-covered, peaks with steep-sided, forested, mountain slopes. In the National Park you can easily hike along the main gorge of Ala Archa and back to enjoy views of magnificent peaks of the Tien Shan. Finish with dinner at a local restaurant and enjoy a traditional folklore show, before returning back to your hotel. Day 12: Bishkek to the UK B After breakfast, transfer for your return flight home via Istanbul, or continue on to your chosen extension. Nur-Sultan Blue Lake Falcon show Cholpon-Ata Meal plan: 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 7 dinners Accommodation: Nur-Sultan, 4 H Hilton Garden Inn Almaty, 4 H Novotel Almaty Karakol, 4 H Karagat Hotel Chon Kemin, 3 H Ashu Guest house Bishkek, 4 H Plaza Hotel Flights: London Heathrow to Kazakhstan, returning from Kyrgyzstan with Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul). Regional flights available, please see page 168-169 Tour pace: Intermediate No Single Supplement Rooms available with no single supplement. Once sold, single supplement starts from £449 Extend your tour Shymkent, Otrar & Turkistan Mini Tour, 5 nights, B&B from £929 Tashkent city stay, 4 nights, 4 H from £739 Departures & from prices 4 Jul 23 £2,699 21 May 24 £2,749 22 Aug 23 £2,589 2 Jul 24 £2,599 5 Sep 23 £2,399 20 Aug 24 £2,399 30 Apr 24 £2,749 3 Sep 24 £2,299 • Tipping paid locally $44 pp per tour 45 Central Asia Hundreds of escorted tours are available on our website www.mercuryholidays.co.uk