| Bandzo16. 08. 2015 14:42:45 |
This year's vacation we dedicated to exploring the unknown. We decided to travel to a little-known country where Kyrgyz live - Kyrgyzstan. The country is famous for its wonderful, pristine nature. Tourism is still in its infancy, so we didn't quite know what to expect. However, in the end we were more than happy and satisfied that we chose such an active trekking vacation.
From the capital Bishkek, where we arrived by plane, we took public transport to 400 km distant Karakol (price for both approx. 12 eur), which is an excellent starting point for treks and visits to 4000+ m high mountains. The path led us along the huge Issyk Kul lake, which is the second largest mountain lake in the world. And you really feel like you're at the sea, even though it's at 1700 m above sea level. Roads are extremely bad, most roads in the country are gravel, which doesn't bother locals at all. The biggest danger in the country are actually the roads and traveling on them, as Kyrgyz are real "turbo" nation, driving in (faulty) 20-30 year old cars (from Germany say locals) just adds to the adrenaline of this experience 
From Karakol we went to see Jeti Oguz valley and there continued to the waterfall, then we returned. Here we realized that the country isn't so badly developed tourist-wise, as there were huge numbers of Russians. They unfortunately left quite a mess behind. Sadly, locals follow this pattern too, as it seems they are not yet aware of the importance of pristine nature, since such wonderful world is self-evident to them, so a bottle or bag in the forest is no big deal.
We left the dusty, steppe world of Karakol when we set off on a 3-day trek through Karakol valley, over the beautiful mountain lake Ala-Kol and then over 3860 m high pass into looong Altyn Arashan valley, where at the end of the trek hikers soaked in hot spring water, of which there's no shortage due to tectonic activity of the area. It's true too that you never go so far as not to meet a Slovene! In the valley we met Tanja and Neža, who were also heading the same path, but then we parted due to different camping spots. The trek was wonderful, path nicely visible, night spent in tent at 3500 m was cold, but morning was all the nicer. After finishing the trek, we headed towards Tamga on the southern shore of Issyk Kul lake, where there's a Russian sanatorium built by Japanese POWs in WWII, and there after his spacewalk, as the first man in history, rested also famous Yuri Gagarin. In Tamga we also soaked a bit on the sandy beach of the huge lake, then continued towards Kochkor. There we quickly decided to head on 16 km path through Ukok valley leading to beautiful hidden Kol-Ukok lake. We slept in a yurt with locals, where we nicely rested and also refueled, then next day returned to Kochkor the same way.
Two weeks passed very quickly, as we didn't have more time.
The last stop before return to Bishkek was Song-Kul lake, where we spent three days lounging at 3000 m. The lake lies on a huge high mountain plateau which locals call Jailoo, dimensions are really indescribable. Overnight in yurt during storm is unforgettable, views phenomenal, people warm, friendly and good. Above all genuine and satisfied with what they have.
If you're looking for a pleasant disconnection where you forget worries of modern society and would like to see lakes in a slightly different color, gaze at five-thousanders and smell flowers at almost 4000 m, then go to Kyrgyzstan. You won't regret it.
We didn't. 
Best regards,
Ben
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