Favorable dates for the tour – July 01 – July 15, 2024
Alternative tour for 7 days, presented below
The Kyrgyz Tian-Shan is a paradise among the deserts of Central Asia. The Tian-Shan is not only a variety of landscapes and natural contrasts, it is also biodiversity, these are various ecosystems. The unique wild nature of the Tian-Shan has survived to this day. In the valleys and gorges of the Tian-Shan, you can still see local nomads and meet wild animals. Observing the Tian-Shan butterflies is the most beautiful type of tourism, where you observe not only butterflies, but also flowers, birds and other animals in different climatic high-altitude zones of the mountains. In the Tian-Shan, you can find very rare endemic species of butterflies, such as Royal jaundice (Colias regia). A rare sight decorating nature. It inhabits up to 4000 m above sea level. Jaundice of Christophe (Colias christophi). This butterfly is named after the famous entomologist Hugo Christoph, who made a great contribution to the study of insects in Central Asia. The species is included in the Red Book of Kyrgyzstan. During this tour, you will be accompanied by an experienced Central Asian entomology expert. You will climb high into the mountains and descend to the hottest places in Kyrgyzstan. This trip is for those who want to see rare butterflies living at altitudes from 1000 to 3500 m.
- The most favorable time for a trip is June-July.
- Duration 14 days, The optimal number of participants is 2-15 persons.
- The length of the route is about 2500 km.
The route can be changed in advance, at the request of the participants. 
PROGRAM
Day 1. Arrival in Bishkek
Meeting at the airport. Briefing. Meet a local expert. Hotel accommodation.
Day 2. Bishkek - Issyk-Kul - Karakol
On this day, you will get from an absolute height of 700 m to an altitude of more than 1600 m above sea level. You will imperceptibly find yourself 1000 meters above the Bishkek city. Our journey begins with a unique alpine lake. We will visit several gorges and reserves. In this region we can find common Apollo, subspecies Merzbacher (Merzbacher’s Apollo Butterfly) and other species of butterflies. Issyk-Kul is a unique region with a milder and more humid climate. We will visit the Grigorievskoe gorge, where we will make an excursion to the lakes and pine forests. Further route around Issyk-Kul lake. Accommodation at a hotel in the Karakol city.
Day 3. Karakol - Ak-Suu gorge - Karakol - Karkara
Our journey continues to the inner Tian-Shan. Karkara is an abundance of herbs and insects. In the vicinity of the field camp in the Karkara tract, you can walk along alpine meadows and forest mountain slopes. Various types of butterflies can be found here. Night at the field camp.
Day 4. Karkara - Sary-Jazz
Our difficult journey to Sary-Jaz begins from Karkara, to an altitude of more than 3500 m. For this we use another car. If the group is 5-15 passengers, then we use a 6WD army vehicle. If the group is up to 4 passengers, then we use a 4WD car. In these harsh places of Sary-Jazz, we want to find a butterfly – Apollo Loxias, subspecies of Tashkoroo (Loxias Apollo Butterfly). It is one of the three rarest representatives of the peculiar subgenus Kailasius (there are two species in Kyrgyzstan). It is of great scientific interest in aspects of zoogeography, evolution, study and preservation of the regional gene pool. One of the most spectacular and aesthetically valuable species. We will stop at a field camp in the valley of the Sary-Jaz river.
Day 5. Sary-Jazz - Chon Ak-Suu - Karakol
Along the Sary-Jaz valley, the route continues at altitudes of more than 3500-4000 m. We will make an excursion along the high-mountain Sary-Jaz valley, and then descend into the Chon Ak-Suu gorge. It is a very aesthetic valley with dense thickets of spruce and pine forests. Then we will again find ourselves in the Karakol city. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6. Karakol - Kochkor
On this day, the picturesque gorges of Barskaun and Jety-Oguz, where we will reach an altitude of more than 3500 m. Further route to the Kochkor village. Here we will visit a family of artisans who make things from felt. Accommodation in a guest house.
Day 7. Kochkor - Naryn - Ak-Sai valley - Kol-Suu lake
Our journey continues to the Inner Tian-Shan. Along the way, we can meet butterflies Tavolgovaya (Thermophila filipendulae), White rapeseed (Pontia daplidice), Kaia bear (Arctia caja) and many other species of butterflies. Overnight in a field camp near Kel-Suu Lake.
Day 8. Kel-Suu - Chatyr-Kul lake - Tash-Rabat
Our route will lead us to the alpine lake Chatyr-Kul. Alpine meadows are located here. Then we will get to Tash-Rabat – an ancient stone structure on the Great Silk Road. Overnight in Kyrgyz yurts.
Day 9. Tash-Rabat - At-Bashi - Naryn
On the way, we will stop in the floodplain forests of the At-Bashin valley. Many different birds live in the floodplain forests here. A wide variety of plants grow. Here we will observe butterflies. Overnight at the hotel in Naryn city.
Day 10. Naryn - Son-Kul lake
A trip to Son-Kul Lake will leave you the most vivid impressions. The lake is located at an altitude of more than 3000 m. It is surrounded by mountain ranges and alpine meadows. Many species of herbaceous flora grow here. There are numerous nomadic camps near the lake. Son-Kul is a place for numerous bird species during autumn and spring migration. Also, you can watch butterflies here. But on the way we will visit the Karatal-Dzhapryk nature reserve. We will see magnificent panoramas of mountains and valleys. Accommodation in a yurt on the shore of Son-Kul lake.
Day 11. Son-Kul - Kyzyl-Oy
We leave Son-Kul Lake and go in search of butterflies to the valley of the Kokyemeren River. These places are unique. There are magnificent landscapes of mountains, woodlands and diverse flora and fauna. Overnight at a guest house in the Kyzyl-Oy village.
Day 12. Kyzyl-Oy - Suusamyr valley
From the valley of the Kokyemeren river we will get to the high-mountainous Suusamyr valley, which is located at an altitude of more than 2500 m. In the valley we will visit floodplain forests. Here you can see the Swallowtail (Papilio machaon), Mnemosyne or Black Apollo (Parnassius mnemosyne), Mother of Pearl Aglaja (Speyeria aglaja), Hawk Moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) and other species of butterflies. Overnight at the hotel – kumys treatment.
Day 13. Suusamyr - Saz-Kol lake - Chychkan gorge - Toktogul reservoir
On this day, you will see the beautiful Saz-Kol lake located in a picturesque valley. Then we will go down the Chychkan gorge. The flora and fauna are diverse here. Then we will reach the Toktogul reservoir – the largest artificial reservoir in Central Asia. Overnight at the hotel on the shore of the reservoir.
Day 14. Toktogul - Bishkek
In the morning after breakfast and excursion, we will go back to Bishkek through the Tuya-Ashu pass. On the way, we will stop to search for different types of butterflies. Arrival to Bishkek. Hotel accommodation.
Day 15. Bishkek - Airport
Transfer to Airport.
- Meeting and seeing off at the airport
Transport according to the programme
Accommodation according to the programme in 3 * hotels, guest houses and tents (for two)
Full board meals - Chef
Meals for vegetarians
Entry tickets to reserves according to the programme
Guide-expert
Bottled water
Map of Kyrgyzstan
- - International flights
- Rental of individual equipment
- Surcharge for single occupancy
- Cost of visa and consular services
- Personal expenses in a hotel: bar, international calls, etc.
- Insurance
- Any changes to the program
- Visa
Price on request
According to the request, we can negotiate the optimal price for your budget.
Price depends on the number of participants
The optimal number of participants is 2-15 persons
Alternative tour for 7 days
- Day 1. Bishkek – Issyk-Kul – Karakol
Day 2. Karakol – Karkara
Day 3. Surroundings of Karkara
Day 4. Karkara – floodplain of the Tyup River – Karakol
Day 5. Karakol – Barskoon – Kadzhi-Sai
Day 6. Surroundings of Kaji-Sai
Day 7. Kaji-Sai – Bishkek
Tour cost on request
Our email: info@geoexplorersclub.com