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Poetry of the Nomads' Way of Life |
Make Your
Own Felt Carpet |
Cultural Tour
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Duration: 15 Days
Season: July - August
In his last book, Ch. Aitmatov describes his childhood in
Kyrgyzstan. This journey will take you literally along with him to get
acquainted with the beautiful landscapes, the wild horse herds and the white
high mountains slopes of Tien-Shan. You will visit the journey his native
village, meet with village-dwellers that seem to emerge from his novels, meet
with the director of the film academy who produced one of the most beautiful
love stories "Djamilya". A local guide, expert on the works of
Aitmatov will accompany you on the trip, and maybe, you will even meet him
personally. A member of the Club Aitmatov will accompany the part of tour and
regular reading session by tour leader will be held in the evenings.
Forty years have passed since he wrote such classics as, "Djamilya",
"Mother's Field", "Early Cranes", "My Young Poplar In A
Red Scarf", "The White Steamer" and "The Scarlet Poppies of
Issyk-Kul". Although life has changed, the kindness and hospitality of the
farmers living on the edge of this great lake has remained the same. The
foothills in May are still awash with scarlet poppy fields and in the high
alpine meadows full of edelweiss, a mother-deer still tries to avoid being seen
by human eyes. As from time immemorial, Ak-Bara the she-wolf, protects her wolf
cubs and her friend Tash-Chainar brings prey to her cave. The White Steamer
still plies across the Lake. The peasants, just like Aitmatov's hero, still ask
the ground to yield a good harvest in the Autumn.
On this trip you will discover the literary soul of a so far unknown country
Kyrgyzstan - a land that is struggling for a new identity from a former Soviet
state to a modern Central Asian country, a land rich of all its traditions,
folklore and nomadic lifestyle.
Itinerary
| Day 1 | Flight to Bishkek. City Tour incl. the visit to the Aitmatov Writers Club and Academy of Aitmatov. |
| Day 2 |
Travel to the village Kochkor by car (7 hours). The route will take you over the Tuya-Ashuu and Kyzart Passes and along the Suusamyr Valley with a rest and meal on the way. Overnight in a private house in the village Kochkor. |
| Day 3 |
You have the option to visit a workshop were traditional felt carpets are made by village women, to visit the bazaar, go on a horse ride or just walk along the village. Falcon hunting can be organised. |
| Days 4-5 |
Travel to the jailoo (Summer Pasture) at Song-Kul lake by car (3 hours) at 3000 m/sea via the Dolon and Kara Unkur Passes. This area was featured in Aitmatov's book 'My Young Poplar In A Red Scarf'. Accommodation in yurta (traditional round felt tents). Taste Kymyz (mare's milk) and observe the nomads making bread and cheese. Horseback riding or walking at the shore of the lake. At night, the nearness of the stars will take your breath away. Dinner with a shepherd's family, songs and Komuz (traditional guitar) played by women living in the yurtas. |
| Day 6 |
Depart to Cholpon-Ata by car (6 hours) crossing over the Moldo-Ashuu Pass (3,700 m above sea level). Overnight in a private house in Cholpon-Ata. |
| Days 7-8 |
Stay in Cholpon-Ata, a tourist resort on the shore of Issyk-Kul lake, 2nd largest mountain lake after Titicaca lake. In Cholpon-Ata rest at the beach. Optional sailing tour on a yacht or the "white steamship", visit a stud Farm for thoroughbred horses or go horseback riding along the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. Excursion possibility to San-Tash forest by car (2,5 hours, 160 km). Walking or horseback riding tour in the Gorge. Saturday night trip to Karakol. Overnight stay in family run accomodation. |
| Day 9 |
City tour incl. visit to the famous cattle market where on Sundays cattle, sheep, horses are sold. Family run accomodation. Dungan Dinner. (Dungans are a Chinese minority living in Kyrgyzstan). Overnight stay in family run accomodation. |
| Day 10 |
Visit to Jety-Oguz (Seven bulls). You will see the valleys of flowers as featured in "The Scarlet Poppies of Issyk-Kul". Overnight stay in a Yurta. |
| Day 11 | Trip back to Bishkek. Overnight stay in a flat. |
| Day 12 |
Journey to Talas by car (6 hours). You will cross two breathtaking passes Tuya-Ashuu and Otmek (3200 m) and travel through picturesque mountain gorges and the Suusamyr Valley. Picnic on the way. In the afternoon you will visit the Manastyn Kumbesu (Mausoleum) Complex and listen to some of the "Manas" Epos - the longest poetry work in the world. Overnight in a private house Talas (inhabitants). |
| Day 13 |
Travel to the village Sheker by car (4 hours) the native village of Ch. Aitmatov. Visit Aitmatov's Library-Museum and meet the living heroes from the works of Aitmatov. Overnight in a private house in town Talas. |
| Day 14 |
Trip back to Bishkek. Meeting with the film director who made the film "Djamilya". Farewell dinner and folklore group performance. |
| Day 15 | Flight home. |
Kyrgyzstan has a continental climate - hot summer and cold winter. You will stay in the lowland and experience temperatures around 30 degrees in Bishkek but in the mountains the weather is pleasant during the day (25 - 30 degrees) but gets cool during the night.
Conditions: It is necessary to bring a warm sweater, walking shoes and a waterproof jacket. Sun cream and sun hat. There is no restriction on the weight of personal belongings you may take with you.
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| 28 T. Moldo St., Bishkek, 720001 Kyrgyzstan Phone: (00 996 312) 622381 Fax: (00 996 312) 622380 E-mail: novinomad@elcat.kg |
Design by NoviNomad Company Created: January 13th, 2000. |
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