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After our rafting activity at Chu River, we continued our road trip for 2hours going to Cholpon Ata.

We had one night stay at Apple Hostel inCholpon Ata, (which is home near to marvelous Issy-Kul Lake.)

Apple Hostel, Cholpon Ata location near to the major attractions, plus easy access to beach and supermarket in town. Apple Hostel staff were so helpful and they served fresh food.

Apple Hostel Cholon Ata - photo from the internet

They have a nice pavilion for chilling out and we met cool travelers from Germany and USA, ask them to join us for Karaoke and drinks!
(Hostel does not own any Karaoke machine, we brought a wireless bluetooth karaoke microphone/ speaker handle mic from Dubai)
Since it getting late night and neighbors might complaint for being so loud, we decided to head to the Issyuk Kul beach shore which is 15mins walk from the hostel to continue the enjoyment.

Other things to do nearby: hiking, horse-riding, eagle-hunting, hot springs, swimming in the lake.

Cultural Center Ruh Ordo

June 24- Morning visited Cultural Center Ruh Ordo walking distance from Apple Hostel.

This place is beautiful in its simplicity with a pleasant open air park displays statesmen, philosophers, Greek gods/goddesses and Kyrgyzstan writer.

This cultural center offers an insight into one of the five major religions Judaism, Islam, Orthodox, Catholic and Buddhism.

Things to do around Cholpon Ata

Historical museum - displays natural and cultural history of the region from pre-historic and modern times.
Issyk Kul lake - biggest lake in Kyrgyzstan (located east in Kyrgyzstan, north part of Tian Shan mountains) with its 170km long, 70km across the second largest alpine in the world. The name means "Hot Lake" because of extreme depth, thermal activity and mild salinity the lake never freezes, even if its attitude is more than 1600meter.
Cholpon Ata bazaar
Petroglyphs - a typical collection of stone carvings.
Eagle Hunting - must arrange bookings.

Headed to Hot springs at Chon Oruktu (north coast of Issyk-kul lake), temperature of water 48C. The hot springs resort was not yet fully develop, few cottages are available and it has a great view of the mountain.

Chon Oruktu Hot springs

We supposed to stop at Pravoslavik Church/Dungan Mosque in Karakol – but we decided not to go, cause the time was not enough and we did so many stops along the road just to take a great landscape pictures. We only visited Local Bazaar in Karakol instead, bought some foods,beer and vodka 😊😊 for that night celebration at Kok Jaiyk Yurt camp.

Kok Jaiyk Yurt Camp.

Arrived in Yurt Camp at 6PM and take a lot of photos before the sun will set to down at 8PM. While, the yurt camp host preparing their special local food delicacy, we are also busy preparing the liquor and music to enjoy the night.

3DAYS & 4NIGHTS IN KYRGYZSTAN (DAY 1)

3DAYS & 4NIGHTS IN KYRGYZSTAN (DAY 3)

I came to know all about of this trip because of my dear friend Dan, he showed me a 3-Days itinerary and when I checked with Fly Dubai flight details it was perfect to celebrate Eid Al Fitr Holiday across Arab countries from June 22-26, 2017.

June 23- Around four in the morning, we arrived at Manas Airport, Bishkek and immediately apply for Visa upon arrival. To Fill-up the visa form is too quick but it took us like 2 hours of waiting to obtain the visa, since Manas Airport still don’t have a proper system to manage this kind of situation to assist more people coming-in, in lesser time. Aside from that there are only two personnel from the visa section.

So, it’s okay this is actually how traveler makes a better person being more patient of waiting😁. I'm no more rants, I used to it by the way!

Finally out at the airport at 7AM! felt the fresh and cold air (which is sort of unusual after living years in concrete buildings of Dubai). Our host for the entire trip drove us to the hostel to freshen up and had our breakfast, hour before we start the tour.

Bishkek (capital city) is a great place to start our trips before heading to the mountains. A pleasant city to wander with numerous leafy parks, tall trees, peppered by Soviet era statues and monuments.

Osh Bazaar (one of the largest bazaar in Bishkek)

People who sell stuffs at this Bazaar are usually came from Osh (kyrgyzstan capital of south), that is why they called it Osh Bazaar. Here you can find everything from food to electronics. We then stopped at Ala Too Square main city square built in 1984 which you can explore monument and museums.

Manas monument

Central Square of Bishkek, Ala-Too squar

Few more things to do around Bishkek

Holy Resurrection Cathedral – building was designed by one of the prominent Soviet time architect Veryujskii.
State History Museum – displayed about ninety thousand objects which has archeological and ethnographic collections.
State Museum – displays the life of Russians in Kyrgyzstan in 19^th and 20^th centuries.
Kyrgyz national museum of fine arts – there are about eighteen thousand collections that showcase development of professional visual arts.
Panfilov Park – a small recreation park has a good atmosphere, nice to walk around the town.

Rafting river was one of the most desired activity for travelers in Kyrgyzstan, anyone can enjoy going on a river rafting which is available for both beginner and advanced rafters.

Subsequently our host Ms. Aigul of Apple hostel, planned our first day itinerary includes water rafting right after city tour. Everyone wasn’t expecting for this! And we constantly ask back seriously, Aigul? The fact that we don't have enough decent sleep, No one is ready for this! Somehow, we can’t refuse though. imagine the current of the water and how cold it is? Nahh!!

We did our rafting activity at The Chu River, located near to Bishkek and is by far the most popular destination for rafting in Kyrgyzstan.

Other popular destination for rafting

The Naryn River – large portion of the river has tranquil waters. However, theres a section called the Naryn Falls Canyon that is popular for whitewater rafting. The scenery inside the canyon is breathtaking.
The Chon Kemin River – is the Chu Rivers main tributary and the area is a gorgeous setting for rafting with green mountains topped with snowcapped peaks.
The Kekemeren River – winds through the Tien Shan Mountains eventually combining with the Naryn River.

This adrenaline rush mixed with Kyrgyzstan’s natural beauty made this first day so great and stay awake! Stay tune for my next post! 😉

3DAYS & 4NIGHTS IN KYRGYZSTAN (DAY 2)

3DAYS & 4NIGHTS IN KYRGYZSTAN (DAY 3)