Tour leader and expert on Alpine flora: Harry Jans

According to legend a long time ago a Seljuk nomad discovered the tulip when he was searching for a lost goat somewhere in Tien-Shan mountains, close to the Chinese border, an area which now is called Kyrgyzstan. Thanks to these nomads the tulip reached Turkey. Tulips became highly cultivated flowers, developed for the pleasure of Sultan Suleiman I (1494-1566) and his entourage. Sultans used to wear the flower on their turban and that is the origin of the name tulip. During the second half of the 16th century news of this extraordinary flower reached Europe and seeds were sent to the prefect of the Royal Medicinal Gardens in Prague. This event marked the arrival of the Tulip in Europe. There are still many different kinds of wild tulips growing in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. In early spring they can be found on the mountain slopes.

In 2012 Ecotour will offer for the first time a 2 weeks tour looking for this beautiful flower in its original habitat. It will mean hiking into the mountains and staying in remote areas. Accommodation in small hotels and guesthouses or with local families. Transportation will be by minibus but hiking will also be part of the program. Luxury should not be expected. Tourism in Kyrgyzstan is still developing, and in the places visited there are no four star hotels. Usually the food will be cooked according to the nomadic traditions, using the vegetables and fruit of the season and not much meat. On day trips a packed lunch or a picnic will be provided unless otherwise stated.

Accommodation in Bishkek is a recently built guesthouse in the centre of the town, about a 15 minute walk from the governmental buildings. Here you will have a room with private toilet and shower. Your first two full days you will make day trips and return to Umai hotel. Hiking in Ala Archa National Park and Alamedin, two gorges south of Bishkek. On the next day you will drive to Chon-Kemin, a valley north of lake Issyk-Kul. On the way you will stop at the Burana tower; the site of the ancient city of Balasagun, built in the 10e century. Only the minaret of a mosque has survived. The tower is constructed of honey-coloured bricks in a circular structure on a octagonal base.

Soon after entering the Kemin Valley you can start looking for tulips on the mountain slopes. In the valley you will stay in a pleasant lodge at the edge of the village.

The next day the trip will continue to Lake-Issyk-Kul ( 1600m) . Staying in a nice hotel near the coast. In Cholpon Ata you can visit the famous petroglyphes, rock drawings of the Scythes, made between 11e -3e century B.C. Driving in the afternoon to the Grigorievskaya gorge and hiking into the mountains to look for other species of wild tulips. In this valley and the valley we will visit the following day, not only tulips can be found but also a variety of spring flowers. The almond trees should be in bloom.

From Cholpon Ata on to Karakol, a town at the far east end of Lake Issyk-Kul. Stay in Hotel Amir, a comfortable hotel in the town. On the way stopping at the Kyrchyn Valley to look for more tulips. In Karakol you can visit the Russian orthodox cathedral, completely made out of wood without the use of nails. The mosque, built as a Lama temple is also worth visiting.

The next two day trips will be to Jeti-Ögus flower valley, famous for its red rocks. At different places in this valley we will study the flora.

From here you continue along the south shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, stopping in the Chon-Kysel-Suu Valley with its warm springs. In Tamga you will stay in a B&B run by a Kyrgyz family. The next two days we will study the plant life whilst hiking deep into the mountains along the Kumtor road. How high we will get, will depend on the condition of the road and the amount of snow at that moment. Avalanches can occur, in which case it may be necessary to change the itinerary. Next day you will continue to Bokonbaevo to see a display featuring a golden eagle. On the way stopping at Skazka, (Skazka means fairytale) where you can walk in an area with very interesting sandstone cliffs ranging in colour from deep red to bright orange and yellow. Lunch will be in Bokonbaevo before continuing through the Konur-Olong Valley to the main road leading to Kochkor.

In Kochkor you will again stay in a B&B . Kochkor is a centre of felt making. In the morning of the last day before departure it is possible to see how shirdaks (handmade felt carpets) are made from sheep wool. In the afternoon return to Bishkek. Stay in Umai hotel.Next day departure and flight back home.

An English speaking interpreter and an experienced Dutch botanist will accompany you during the whole of the trip. The price includes everything mentioned in the program. Not included: flight, visa, insurances, personal expenses and bottled drinks.
 

Program
Day 1	Departure
Day 2	Arrival, after lunch visit Bishkek. Stay in Hotel Umai
Day 3	Botanical daytrip to Ala Archa National Park . Altitude 2200- 2800m. Packed lunch. Stay in hotel Umai
Day 4	Half day trip to study flora in Alamedin gorge ( 2300m ) Afternoon visit Ata Beit, picnic lunch. Stay in Hotel Umai
Day 5	From Bishkek to Kemin valley by car. Visit Burana tower, remnant of the silk road, lunch in Kemin village. Botanise on the sloops in the valley on the way to Kalmak- Ashu. Stay in guesthouse in Kalmak Asu.
Day 6	From Kalmak-Ashu to Cholpon Ata, north side of lake Issyk-Kul. Visit petroglyphes, rock drawings from the skytes ( 11th – 3th age BC). Lunch in Cholpon Ata. After lunch hike/botanise in the Grigorievskaya gorge. Stay in hotel in Cholpon Ata
Day 7	From Cholpon Ata to Karakol. Hike/botanise in the Kyrchyn Valley. Packed lunch. In Karakol visit Cathedral and Mosque. Stay in Hotel Amir
Day 8	Daytrip to Jetti Ogus flower valley. Packed lunch. Stay in Hotel Amir
Day 9	2e daytrip to Jetti Ogus flower valley, packed lunch.
Day_10	From Karakol to Tamga. Stop in Chon-Kysel-Suu Valley(botanise ), picnic lunch. Stay in B&B
Day 11	Day hike/botanise in the mountains near Kumtor road, up to 2200m, picnic. Stay in B&B in Tamga
Day 12	Day hike/botanise on Kumtor road, above 2200m, packed lunch stay in B&B in Tamga
Day 13	From Tamga to Kochkor. Stop at Skazka (coloured rocks) and Bokonbaevo (Special! Photo moment with an eagle handeler) Through Ala-Bash Valley(botanise) to main road. Stay in B&B in Kochkor. Lunch in Bokonbaevo
Day_14	In Kochkor visit felt makers, Afternoon back to Bishkek. Stay hotel Umai
Day 15	Departure.

Because of unforeseen circumstances, it might be necessary to make small changes in the program. We ask for your understanding.

 

Kyrgyzstan is a land full of beautiful experiences and wonders unique... click the link below

Kyrgyzstan has a very rich flora,
here you can find a great variety of plants.
Several specimens can only be found in this country.

 

2 more places are available!!!!!!

Date		April 22
		May 6
Price		€ 1600
Group		12-15