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.
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 (more…)
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.
Karakol, Kyrgyzstan – Russian Holy Trinity Orthodox Church
Saturday 13 May 2023 Highlights: Exploring landscape at Barskoon, Learning how Yurts are constructed, Cultural music, The beautiful Russian Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Prejevalskiy Museum
After a good night’s sleep, an enjoyable breakfast and some time with very young kittens we were off to bring exploring again. First up was a visit to the sanatorium that Yuri Gagarin stayed at to recover after the world’s first manned space flight in 1961. The sanatorium has seen better days and is undergoing repairs, but we still learned about the strong Soviet Space program link in this area.
Song Kul, Kyrgyzstan – Todays hiking group enjoying a rest
Friday 12 May 2023 Highlights: Holding an Eagle, Hiking in Song Kul, Exploring Fairy Tale Valley
After a nice and comfortable sleep in a Yurt it was time to start with a nice breakfast in the main Yurt, sitting was again on the floor which is a good way to test your legs. No showers before our exploring today.
A local guide joined us to lead us on another mountain hike this time to get panoramic views of the massive Issyk-Kul Lake. After a 40 minute ride on rough roads we arrived at our starting point and were met by locals training eagles for hunting.