A Journey Through Kyrgyzstan
Nov 22, 13, 9:41 am
#1
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A Journey Through Kyrgyzstan
A trip report for my trip through Kyrgyzstan (and a few days in Uzbekistan) last month.
My previous trip reports can be found below:
A Trip to Afghanistan
A Trip Around The Arabian Gulf
My previous trip reports can be found below:
A Trip to Afghanistan
A Trip Around The Arabian Gulf
Nov 22, 13, 9:42 am
#2
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Got to the airport at 8:30pm for my 10:45 flight to Bishkek. One big queue for all the flights, but luckily I got checked in by 9:30pm, got some McD's, then boarded the 737 for the 4 hour flight to Bishkek. First time flying a LCC ( low cost carrier), Flydubai, but the flight was ok. Food & drinks cost extra, but only $2 for a coke, so not too bad. Although it was a red eye flight, the seats didn't recline, and no blankets or pillows, so couldn't really sleep.
Landed at Bishkek airport at 4:30am local time. It's the main airbase where they fly the air tankers for the jet fighters over Afghanistan, so there were about 10 707 air tankers parked on the apron. Got my passport stamped by customs, got my bag, and caught a taxi for the 25 minute ride into town.
Manas Airport:
Got to the hotel and as too early to check in, dropped off my bags and went for a walk into town. Still dark, but was good to watch the city slowly come to life as the sun rose. Wandered aimlessly around town, taking a photo or two. Had a bit of a conversation with a couple of Kyrgyz guys who were half drunk and wanted to practice their English
. Bought some bread rolls and Airan (fermented milk drink) for breakfast, and then headed to the national history museum at 10am. Was a bit outdated, and the main attraction was a couple of faux-bronze murals that were a bit of a shrine to Lenin. Met an American guy who recognized my 'Intrepid' bag. After chatting for a bit realised we were on the same trip.
Grabbed a kebab for 75 soms, or about $1.5 for lunch. Then went back to the hotel to check in, and crashed for a bit of nap.
After managing to get up a few hours later, went out for a run on the streets. Had a shower, then went out for some dinner. Found the 'Obama bar & grill', and had some chicken burritos. Definitely more American than Kyrgyz.
Got up Sunday morning, went for a run, and then met up with the rest of the people for the group meeting. A couple called Jodi and Paul are the driver and tour leader, and have started the truck driving from Greece all the way to Beijing, and now on the way back to Greece. Some people started the trip from Beijing, and are getting off in Istanbul, for a total of 96 days. I'm hopping on here at Bishkek, and getting off in Tashkent, Uzbekistan in 16 days time. A good mixture of people and nationalities, Aussies, another kiwi, a few from the US, UK and Canada. Met up with my room/tent mate Jack from the UK. He had just turned up after missing his flight at Stanstead, and had to fork out another $1000 for a later flight from Heathrow
.
Our truck is similar to the one we had on my 2012 Kenya trip, but has a name this time, 'Aziza' or Arabic for precious.
Landed at Bishkek airport at 4:30am local time. It's the main airbase where they fly the air tankers for the jet fighters over Afghanistan, so there were about 10 707 air tankers parked on the apron. Got my passport stamped by customs, got my bag, and caught a taxi for the 25 minute ride into town.
Manas Airport:
Got to the hotel and as too early to check in, dropped off my bags and went for a walk into town. Still dark, but was good to watch the city slowly come to life as the sun rose. Wandered aimlessly around town, taking a photo or two. Had a bit of a conversation with a couple of Kyrgyz guys who were half drunk and wanted to practice their English
. Bought some bread rolls and Airan (fermented milk drink) for breakfast, and then headed to the national history museum at 10am. Was a bit outdated, and the main attraction was a couple of faux-bronze murals that were a bit of a shrine to Lenin. Met an American guy who recognized my 'Intrepid' bag. After chatting for a bit realised we were on the same trip.Grabbed a kebab for 75 soms, or about $1.5 for lunch. Then went back to the hotel to check in, and crashed for a bit of nap.
After managing to get up a few hours later, went out for a run on the streets. Had a shower, then went out for some dinner. Found the 'Obama bar & grill', and had some chicken burritos. Definitely more American than Kyrgyz
.Got up Sunday morning, went for a run, and then met up with the rest of the people for the group meeting. A couple called Jodi and Paul are the driver and tour leader, and have started the truck driving from Greece all the way to Beijing, and now on the way back to Greece. Some people started the trip from Beijing, and are getting off in Istanbul, for a total of 96 days. I'm hopping on here at Bishkek, and getting off in Tashkent, Uzbekistan in 16 days time. A good mixture of people and nationalities, Aussies, another kiwi, a few from the US, UK and Canada. Met up with my room/tent mate Jack from the UK. He had just turned up after missing his flight at Stanstead, and had to fork out another $1000 for a later flight from Heathrow
.Our truck is similar to the one we had on my 2012 Kenya trip, but has a name this time, 'Aziza' or Arabic for precious.
Nov 22, 13, 9:47 am
#6
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Loading up our truck, 'Aziza' (yes, it's a 'she'
) at the start of Day 3 of the trip in Bishkek.
We then drove up into the mountains to Ala Archa National Park and put up our tents for the first night under canvas.
Then headed out for a hike with our trusty Kyrgyz guide, Said.
Our campsite was at 2,200 metres elevation, and the plan was to head up to 2,700 metres to a small waterfall.
Dave & Maia from the US. They are doing the dream thing and quit their jobs back home to do some serious travelling!
Heading up the valley. As it was the first trek of the trip we weren't going to attempt to climb any peaks (yet).
Heading back down to the campsite after a successful ascent.
Huddled around the campfire after dinner. Yes, it is as cold as it looks!
Day 4 we packed up the tents, went back into Biskek to get Uzbek visa's, and then drove along the border of Kazakhstan to Chong Kemin Valley. There were a couple of trucks literally overflowing with turnips, so Lucy stopped and salvaged a few for the vegetarians.
Our campsite in the Chong Kemin Valley on the evening of Day 4.
) at the start of Day 3 of the trip in Bishkek.We then drove up into the mountains to Ala Archa National Park and put up our tents for the first night under canvas
.Then headed out for a hike with our trusty Kyrgyz guide, Said.
Our campsite was at 2,200 metres elevation, and the plan was to head up to 2,700 metres to a small waterfall.
Dave & Maia from the US. They are doing the dream thing and quit their jobs back home to do some serious travelling
!Heading up the valley. As it was the first trek of the trip we weren't going to attempt to climb any peaks (yet)
.Heading back down to the campsite after a successful ascent
. Huddled around the campfire after dinner. Yes, it is as cold as it looks
!Day 4 we packed up the tents, went back into Biskek to get Uzbek visa's, and then drove along the border of Kazakhstan to Chong Kemin Valley. There were a couple of trucks literally overflowing with turnips, so Lucy stopped and salvaged a few for the vegetarians
.Our campsite in the Chong Kemin Valley on the evening of Day 4.
Nov 22, 13, 9:48 am
#7
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Lamb meatballs and pasta for dinner.
Turnip fields & pickers as we drove out of the valley on Day 5 for the trip to the town of Karakol.
The Kyrgyz cows seemed alot sturdier than the NZ ones, almost as good as climbing hills as the goats.
Diesel locomotive with Soviet era emissions.
At roughly half-way of our drive to Karakol, Said took us for a hike through this beautiful 'martian' coloured landscape.
Pano from the hill.
Enjoying the view.
As we drove closer to Karakol, there were a few delays enroute.
After arriving in Karakol on the evening of Day 5, we headed out to see the local sights on the morning of Day 6. A Chinese built mosque that was used as a warehouse during the Soviet era.
And a Russian Orthodox church that was used as a gymnasium.
.Turnip fields & pickers as we drove out of the valley on Day 5 for the trip to the town of Karakol.
The Kyrgyz cows seemed alot sturdier than the NZ ones, almost as good as climbing hills as the goats
.Diesel locomotive with Soviet era emissions
.At roughly half-way of our drive to Karakol, Said took us for a hike through this beautiful 'martian' coloured landscape.
Pano from the hill.
Enjoying the view
.As we drove closer to Karakol, there were a few delays enroute
.After arriving in Karakol on the evening of Day 5, we headed out to see the local sights on the morning of Day 6. A Chinese built mosque that was used as a warehouse during the Soviet era.
And a Russian Orthodox church that was used as a gymnasium.
Nov 22, 13, 9:49 am
#8
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At the local markets getting some supplies.
The plan for Day 6 was to drive up to 2,400 metres to Altyn Arashan. The rocky mountain roads were too tough for 'Aziza', so we temporarily swapped her for a Russian ex-military Kamaz.
The morning of Day 7 in Altyn Arashan. Luckily we were staying in dorms and not tents!
Our Kamaz in its element.
The plan for Day 7 was to do a 10 hour trek up to 4,000 metres, and the valley was literally full of green the day before. But the snow mean't a more leisurely hike instead.
Looking down the valley.
The caretakers lodge.
The cat sheltering under a Soviet UAZ-452 4WD van.
Up the valley.
Pano from up the hill.
.The plan for Day 6 was to drive up to 2,400 metres to Altyn Arashan. The rocky mountain roads were too tough for 'Aziza', so we temporarily swapped her for a Russian ex-military Kamaz
.The morning of Day 7 in Altyn Arashan. Luckily we were staying in dorms and not tents
!Our Kamaz in its element
.The plan for Day 7 was to do a 10 hour trek up to 4,000 metres, and the valley was literally full of green the day before. But the snow mean't a more leisurely hike instead
.Looking down the valley.
The caretakers lodge.
The cat sheltering under a Soviet UAZ-452 4WD van.
Up the valley.
Pano from up the hill.
Nov 22, 13, 9:50 am
#9
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The snow cleared in the afternoon and we were able to go for a bit of a trek up the valley.
Another pano from the morning of Day 8. Was hard to believe that only 24 hours difference from the second pic above!
Team photo by the Kamaz.
Sergey showing what the Kamaz can do on our way back to Karakol.
When we made it back to Karakol, I treated myself to duck fillet with pancakes & sour cream for the princely sum of $6.
Another pano from the morning of Day 8. Was hard to believe that only 24 hours difference from the second pic above
!Team photo by the Kamaz
.Sergey showing what the Kamaz can do on our way back to Karakol
.When we made it back to Karakol, I treated myself to duck fillet with pancakes & sour cream for the princely sum of $6
.
Nov 22, 13, 9:52 am
#10
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After getting supplies in Karakol on Day 8, we carried onto our next destination, Jeti-Ögüz, or 'Seven Bulls', referring to these rocky red cliffs.
We then drove up into a valley in Jeti-Ögüz. The bridges were all made of logs, so we all walked up while 'Aziza' negotiated the slippery wooden bridges.
A Lada romping through one of the fords in the valley.
Setting up the tent on the evening of Day 8.
The plan for Day 9 was to climb a mountain! With the guys looking over the valley below, with Lake Issyk Kul in the distance.
At about 2900 metres, or about 9,500 feet. The campsite was at 2,200m and the plan was to go to 3,600 metres, so we were about half-way (vertically anyway).
Dave making his ascent with Lake Issy Kul in the far right.
Dave & Maia posing for a shot.
Finally at the top!
Me looking across at the snow capped mountains. Luckily we had perfect weather, with almost zero wind & clouds.
We then drove up into a valley in Jeti-Ögüz. The bridges were all made of logs, so we all walked up while 'Aziza' negotiated the slippery wooden bridges
.A Lada romping through one of the fords in the valley
.Setting up the tent on the evening of Day 8.
The plan for Day 9 was to climb a mountain
! With the guys looking over the valley below, with Lake Issyk Kul in the distance.At about 2900 metres, or about 9,500 feet. The campsite was at 2,200m and the plan was to go to 3,600 metres, so we were about half-way (vertically anyway
).Dave making his ascent with Lake Issy Kul in the far right.
Dave & Maia posing for a shot
.Finally at the top
!Me looking across at the snow capped mountains. Luckily we had perfect weather, with almost zero wind & clouds.
Nov 22, 13, 9:53 am
#11
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Group photo at 12,000 feet.
Pano at the top with Lucy & Gerald at far right.
Making our descent at about 2:30pm.
The 1.4km (vertical) descent took ~2 hours, about half the time of the ascent.
Cooking S'mores around the fire back at the camp.
On the morning of day 10 we walked out of the valley, and restocked on the essientials, chocolate!
Day 10 was also Thanksgiving for the Canadians on the trip.
Gerald lending a push to a local when we stopped at a servo as we continued the journey west.
Random Mig in the middle of nowhere.
This place was supposed to be a tourist attraction with traditional Kyrgyz Yurts & other cultural things, but was abandoned after it was half finished due to the money being lost due to corruption.
.Pano at the top with Lucy & Gerald at far right.
Making our descent at about 2:30pm.
The 1.4km (vertical) descent took ~2 hours, about half the time of the ascent
.Cooking S'mores around the fire back at the camp
.On the morning of day 10 we walked out of the valley, and restocked on the essientials, chocolate
!Day 10 was also Thanksgiving for the Canadians on the trip
.Gerald lending a push to a local when we stopped at a servo as we continued the journey west
.Random Mig in the middle of nowhere
.This place was supposed to be a tourist attraction with traditional Kyrgyz Yurts & other cultural things, but was abandoned after it was half finished due to the money being lost due to corruption
.
Nov 22, 13, 9:54 am
#12
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As we cruised west along the shore of Lake Issyk Kul, we stopped to meet up with another overland truck headed in the opposite direction. A few Kiwi's aboard also so had a good chinwag.
The centre of Kochkor, a small village we stayed on the night of Day 11. Also had our first shower in 4 days!
Lucy giving the wool a good whack! At a local felt making co-operative On the morning of Day 11.
Jack hamming it up in the co-operative shop with a wolf pelt jacket (and available for purchase for $5k).
After stocking up with supplies, we left Kochkor and resumed the journey west. At a mountain pass at 2670m.
Shepherd and his flock.
Getting a better view on the roof of the truck (don't worry, we were wearing seatbelts).
Cattle crossing.
Our campsite on the evening of Day 11.
Socialising in the 'kitchen'.
.The centre of Kochkor, a small village we stayed on the night of Day 11. Also had our first shower in 4 days
!Lucy giving the wool a good whack
! At a local felt making co-operative On the morning of Day 11. Jack hamming it up in the co-operative shop with a wolf pelt jacket
(and available for purchase for $5k).After stocking up with supplies, we left Kochkor and resumed the journey west. At a mountain pass at 2670m.
Shepherd and his flock.
Getting a better view on the roof of the truck
(don't worry, we were wearing seatbelts).Cattle crossing
.Our campsite on the evening of Day 11.
Socialising in the 'kitchen'.
Nov 22, 13, 9:55 am
#13
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Cruising out of the valley on the morning of day 12, on the top of the truck again (and almost getting hypothermia!).
A traditional Kyrgyz burial tomb, shaped like a yurt.
Lada Highway Patrol.
Green Caravan.
Orange Truck.
At ~3000 metres as we headed our journey west.
As we got higher, more and more snow!
Mountain Valley during the descent.
Our campsite for the night of day 12.
The kitchen for our last night under canvas.
!).A traditional Kyrgyz burial tomb, shaped like a yurt.
Lada Highway Patrol
.Green Caravan.
Orange Truck.
At ~3000 metres as we headed our journey west.
As we got higher, more and more snow
!Mountain Valley during the descent.
Our campsite for the night of day 12.
The kitchen for our last night under canvas.
Nov 22, 13, 9:56 am
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On the morning of day 13, as we headed west again, to the mountain town of Arslanbob.
Kitschy Soviet era Statue.
On the bike.
Arriving at our destination, Arslanbob. Although the town was in Kyrgyzstan, due to the crazy way Stalin set the border, the majority (~80%) of the town are ethnic Uzbeks
We were split up to stay in different houses of some of the local families. The feast myself, Jack, Ray & Martin got to enjoy on the evening of day 13.
Day 14 we headed up into the hills again for one last hike.
After a rocky climb 500 metres up, we got to see a 80 metre waterfall.
Then back down again for a leisurely stroll through the countryside.
Giddy up.
Arslanbob is famous for its walnuts, and it's 11,000 hectares of groves is the world's largest.
Kitschy Soviet era Statue
.On the bike.
Arriving at our destination, Arslanbob. Although the town was in Kyrgyzstan, due to the crazy way Stalin set the border, the majority (~80%) of the town are ethnic Uzbeks
We were split up to stay in different houses of some of the local families. The feast myself, Jack, Ray & Martin got to enjoy on the evening of day 13
.Day 14 we headed up into the hills again for one last hike.
After a rocky climb 500 metres up, we got to see a 80 metre waterfall.
Then back down again for a leisurely stroll through the countryside
.Giddy up
.Arslanbob is famous for its walnuts, and it's 11,000 hectares of groves is the world's largest.
Nov 22, 13, 9:57 am
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Collecting firewood.
Looking down at the town below.
Making our way back down to the town.
Season's harvest.
Some of the locals.
Final group dinner in Kyrgyzstan before heading to the border of Uzbekistan tomorrow.
The End.
Looking down at the town below.
Making our way back down to the town.
Season's harvest.
Some of the locals
.Final group dinner in Kyrgyzstan before heading to the border of Uzbekistan tomorrow
.The End.
