Irad in five days
The classic first trip. Two days in the capital, the mountain road south over the Ala-Bel pass, the holy city of Iyık Janyl, and a day in the orchards and bazaars of the Fergana Rim.
The Old City of Talas.
Start in Talas, whether you've arrived by Iradiya charter or overland from Kazakhstan through the Talas North Terminal. Finish with Iradiya's flight from Tash-Kömür back to Talas, so you don't spend a sixth day on the bus.
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Day 1: The Old City of Talas
Walk in through the Temir-Kapka gate and lose yourself in the lanes of the Old City (Köhne Diz). Climb the citadel mound for the city museum and the view. Have lunch in a teahouse by Bazar-i Kalan, then spend the afternoon in the Great Bazaar and on Coppersmiths' Row. In the evening, walk the garden lanes of Shahr-i Kabud. Our Talas guide.
Stay: an Old City guesthouse or the Hotel Bazar-i Kalan.
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Day 2: Silk Road or mountains
In the morning, see the National Historical Museum on the central square. Then choose:
- The Silk Road: the Caravanserai of Rabat-i-Safed, 25 km east, and the Ishakov house-museum at Arsha-Say on the way back.
- The mountains: Besh-Tash National Park, 20 km south, for a walk or a short ride up the valley.
If it's Ulak Nights season, end the day at the State Hippodrome. Check Jarysh for fixtures.
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Day 3: Over the Ala-Bel to Iyık Janyl
Take the 06:30 bus from Talas Central Bus Station (45 som, about 6 hours 50 minutes). State Route 1 climbs the Otmek valley, goes through the 5 km Otmek tunnel and crosses the Ala-Bel pass at 3,184 m, where your passport is checked. It then drops past the Toktogul reservoir and down the Naryn gorge. In Iyık Janyl, watch the sunset from the citadel park of Diz-i Safid. Bus times.
Stay: a guesthouse below Cathedral Hill. Bring cash.
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Day 4: The holy city
Spend the morning on Cathedral Hill: the Church of St. Janyl (women cover their heads) and, opposite the cathedral park, the Irad Palace of Art. In the afternoon, walk the ruins of Old Iyık Janyl on the west bank, then have tea under the orchards along Khunuk Creek. Our Iyık Janyl guide.
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Day 5: The Fergana Rim, then home
Go east along the Fergana rim road to Bazar-Korgon's walnut bazaar and the potters of Sopol-Tepa. On a Sunday, go first thing for the livestock market. Return to Tash-Kömür, 8 km downriver from Iyık Janyl, for Iradiya's flight back to Talas. Our Fergana Rim guide.