Nathan's Insights

Thursday 11 May 2023.
Highlights: Mountain hiking in Chong-Kemin, Learning about Felt making, exploring Yurt camp, visiting Issyk-Kul Lake.

Today we started with a 2 hour 20 minute hike in the mountains surrounding our accommodation. The local dog shepherded us for the entire time and got some cattle off our hiking trail.

The views were stunning and breathtaking.

On our return to our accommodation we all had a much needed shower before leaving for our next site. Along the way we stopped at a major reservoir and then at a G Adventure supported community organisation – Felt Making Workshop in the Kochkor village. Before the demonstration of Felt Making we had a wonderful local lunch.

The women then demonstrated how they make Felt products, it’s hard work and definitely requires and artists touch.

Our last stop of the night was at the Almaluu Yurt Camp for a stay in traditional mountain type accommodation.

The camp site was very close to the massive Issyk-Kul Lake so a 20 minute walk saw us at the tenth largest lake in the world measuring 6,236 square kilometres. We decided to enjoy the pristine water and go for a short and refreshing swim.

This time also gave me a chance to watch some horses get a bath and trot along the beach sand.

Back at the Yurt camp we enjoyed a sit down (on the floor) dinner which was very tasty. After dinner I checked out my Yurt bed and find it very comfortable with very thick blankets to help you with the cold mountain conditions at night.