• 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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  • 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.

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  • World Trip 2023: Day 14 –  Song Kul to Tamga, Kyrgyzstan
    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.

    Song Kul, Kyrgyzstan – Before the hike
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