• Almaty, Kazakhstan – The Green Bazaar

    Wednesday 17 May 2023
    Highlights: The Green Bazaar (Almaty), Flight diversion

    Today I say goodbye to Kazakhstan but first I still had a morning in Almaty. The day started with the most comprehensive breakfast buffet so far. After breakfast Anne, Birgitta and myself headed out to find the Green Bazaar.

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  • Somon Air
    Date 17 May 2023
    Gate: 4
    Seat: 20D (Economy Class Seat)
    Plane: Boeing 737-800
    Boarded: 15:22
    Pushback: 16:10 (Scheduled 16:00)
    Arrived: 19:05 (3 hours 5 minutes late)
    Duration: 3 hour 35 minutes
    Distance: 874 kms

    This flight was from Almaty International Airport (code ALA) to Dushanbe International Airport (code DYU).

    Note: This flight was part of the G Adventures Five Stans Tour and was booked by tour company.

    Additional note: This plane was diverted to Khŭjand Airport due to bad weather in Dushanbe. Diversion was announced 1 hour 20 minutes into flight. We stayed on the ground in Khŭjand for just over 1 hour.

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  • Charyn Canyon, Kazakhstan

    Tuesday 16 May 2023
    Highlights: Hiking Charyn Canyon, Zenkov Cathedra, Panfilov’s Park, Independence Square

    An early start to the day with breakfast at 6.30 am. This was to allow us to explore one of the major highlights of Kazakhstan in Charyn Canyon and get to Almaty for a city tour.

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  • Kolsay Lakes National Park, Kazakhstan – Soviet era transportation used today

    Monday 15 May 2023
    Highlights: Border crossing, Exploring Kolsay Lakes National Park

    Today we left Kyrgyzstan for the next stop in the tour, a short visit to Kazakhstan. From Karakol it took us a few hours to reach the border with a several stops in between. Border control was very strict, I had my passport checked for powder and with a literal microscope.

    Kyrgyzstan – Kazakhstan Border crossing

    While I eventually got though one of our drivers was held up for almost an hour but eventually we got into Kazakhstan.

    Crossing delays – Kyrgyzstan – Kazakhstan Border
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  • Jeti-Oguz Gorge, Kyrgyzstan – Heartbreak Ridge

    Sunday 14 May 2023
    Highlights: Hiking Jeti-Oguz Gorge, Hiking Karakol National Park

    Today we set off to hike Jeti-Oguz Gorge which was about 30 minute drive on semi-rough and bumpy road. We started with a stop at Heartbreak Ridge, the natural landscape of Kyrgyzstan is a treasure of the world.

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