Tour dates – May 1-12, 2024. Dates can be changed if the group is already formed.
The flower world of Kyrgyzstan is very diverse. This is determined by the fact that the entire territory of the country is confined to the Tian-Shan – a mountain system surrounded by deserts and semi-deserts of Central Asia. Against the background of a large floral diversity, in Kyrgyzstan, you can find more than 10 species of tulips listed in the Red Book. These amazing flowers can only be seen in spring in April-May – June.
Our trip is dedicated not only to rare and wild tulips, but also to other amazing plants blooming in the Tian-Shan mountains.
Tour duration is 12 days. The optimal number of participants is 2 – 15 persone. Favorable time for travel – April – May – June
PROGRAM
Day 1. Arrival in Bishkek
Meeting at the airport. Hotel accommodation. Briefing, acquaintance with the guide.
Day 2. Bishkek - Ala-Archa National Park
A trip to Ala-Archa is not only enjoying the nature of the Tien Shan, but also acclimatization to the local climate. In the national park you can see Tulipa zenaidae – Zinaida’s tulip; Tulipa ostrowskiana – Ostrovsky’s Tulip; Juno orchioides – Juno orchid; Paeonia hybrida – Hybrid peony. Return to Bishkek in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3. Bishkek - Talas
The path to the Talas Valley runs along the Kyrgyz mountain range on the northern slopes of which we will also see endemic plants: Tulipa greigii – Greig’s tulip; Tulipa ostrowskiana – Ostrovsky’s tulip, as well as other rare plants. Overnight at the hotel in Talas.
Day 4. Exploration of Talas Valley
The Talas valley and the foothills of the Talas ridge delight with their beauty. Here grow: Tulipa talassica – Talas tulip, Tulipa greigii – Greig’s tulip; Juno orchioides – Juno orchid; Paeonia hybrida – Hybrid peony; Geranium sophiae – Geranium Sophia; Scutellaria lanipes – Woollethroat Skullcap. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5. Talas - Chatkal valley (Kanysh-Kiya)
From Talas we will head to Chatkal – a UNESCO natural heritage of world importance. On the way we will see: Tulipa ostrowskiana – Ostrovsky’s Tulip; Arenaria talassica – Talas gerbil. Wild animals such as foxes, bears, marmots and others can be seen along the way. In Chatkal we will stay at a guest house in the Kanysh-Kiya village.
Day 6. Exploration of the Chatkal valley
Chatkal is a wild untouched nature. Many plants and animals can be found here. Chatkal is home to: Tulipa kaufmanniana – Kaufman’s tulip; Juno orchioides – Orchid Juno, Ascending Tulip (Tulipa anadroma), Kaufman’s Tulip (Tulipa kaufmanniana). We will visit spring lakes, which impress with their uniqueness. The lakes offer a magnificent panorama of the Chatkal ridge. We will take an excursion to one of the deep canyons with a variety of vegetation. Overnight at the guest house.
Day 7. Kanysh-Kiya - Padysha-Ata nature reserve
The path from Chatkal to Padysh-Ata is a lot of impressions and various natural landscapes. Today we will move to Padysha-Ata nature reserve. This is a great place for botanical observations. A wide variety of plants are here in the spring. The atmosphere is saturated with the smell of herbs and flowering trees. Here is a paradise for botanists and zoologists. Besides tulips, we will see here such plants as: Eminium Regel Eminium regelii. Padysha-Ata is a holy place for Muslims. Here is the mausoleum of St. Padysh. Overnight at the guest house.
Day 8. Exploration in the Padysha-Ata reserve - Kerben
We will take a tour up the canyon where we will see many different types of tulips. In the reserve you can see very rare endemic plants such as Semenov’s Fir (Abies semenovii B. Fedtsch), Eminium regelii, Central Asia Pear (Purus asiae-mediae), Korzhinsky Pear (Purus korshinskyi), Nedzvetsky Apple-tree (Malzkyus nied ), Apple tree Sievers (Malus sieversii). From tulips we can find: Tulip upward (Tulipa anadroma), Kaufman’s tulip (Tulipa kaufmanniana). Next, we will go down to the small town of Kerben. Overnight at the guest house.
Day 9. Kerben - Sary-Chelek
Sary-Chelek is a biosphere territory under the auspices of UNESCO. The nature of Sary-Chelek inspires many tourists and researchers. There is a great variety of flora here. Here we will see: Tanacetopsis Fergana -Tanacetum ferganense; Kovalevskiella Kovalevskaya – Cicerbita kovalevskiana; Campanula eugeniae – Eugenia’s Bell; Bunium sary-cheleki – Bunium Sary-Chelek; Hedysarum chaitocarpum – Bristlecone; Allium viridi fl orum – Green-flowered onion; Allium dodecadontum – Twelve-toothed onion; Eminium Regel – Eminium regelii; Ascending tulip – Tulipa anadroma; Cousinia knorringiae – Cousinia Knorring; Pyrethrum sovetkinae – Popovnik Sovetkina. Those interested can take a horse ride around the lake. Overnight at the guest house.
Day 10. Sary-Chelek - Toktogul reservoir
The Toktogul reservoir is the largest artificial reservoir in Central Asia. It is called the “Kyrgyz Sea”. Here we will stop for rest in a cozy hotel. For dinner you will be offered dishes from the national cuisine.
Day 11. Toktogul reservoir - Chichkan - Bishkek
In the morning we leave Toktogul and head to the famous Chychkan gorge. The gorge is full of vegetation and beautiful landscapes. Arrival to Bishkek in the evening. Accommodation at the hotel and summing up.
Day 12. Bishkek - Airport
Transfer to Airport
The program price includes:
- – 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
- – Entry tickets to reserves according to the programme
- – Guide services
- – Bottled water
Price doesn’t include:
- – Visa,
– Insurance,
– Personal expenses,
– International flights, - – Tips for staff,
– Deviations from the main program, - – Personal expenses at the hotel (international calls, bar, etc.)
Price on request
According to the request, we can negotiate the optimal price for your budget.
Price depends on the number of participants
Our email: info@geoexplorersclub.com