This year has been filled with incredible experiences, taking us from South America to Europe, and now to Central Asia. We’ve journeyed through the jungles of Colombia, the ice fields of Chile, historical sites in the UK, and medieval villages in Greece. It’s been a wild adventure, and we’re only six months into 2017!
Today, June 11th, we’re flying from Athens, Greece to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. We’re meeting our friends Jazza and Alesha from Nomadasaurus. The four of us recently completed the “O” Circuit Trek in Torres del Paine National Park, and now we’ll spend two weeks together in Kyrgyzstan, which we’re really excited about.
We’ve been invited by Discover Kyrgyzstan to explore this amazing country. Last year, a group of adventurous travelers was invited to hike some new trails around the Jyrgalan area. We couldn’t go then due to house-sitting commitments, but we heard great things about this trekking destination.
This time, not only will we be trekking, but we’ll help mark and plot new trails. We’ll be the first foreigners to walk these paths, accompanied by porters, cooks, and guides. This is a rare opportunity, and we are humbled to be part of this trip.
After four days of trekking in the mountains, crossing high passes, and camping in the wild, we’ll head back to civilization. The second part of our trip is all about experiencing Kyrgyz culture. We’ll attend cooking classes, go on a city tour, learn about yurt building, and witness eagle hunting. These age-old traditions and the nomadic lifestyle make Kyrgyzstan a unique travel destination.
We’ll be staying with local families and in yurt camps. This form of Community-Based Tourism is thriving in Kyrgyzstan and offers authentic travel experiences while supporting local communities financially.
The last time we were in this region was in 2013 when we traveled from Yangzhou, China to Mongolia, Russia, Central Asia, and Iran. Kyrgyzstan was the easiest country to enter during that trip since no tourist visa was required, which made crossing the border hassle-free. We arrived by land from Kazakhstan, starting in Bishkek and then visiting the beautiful Lake Issyk-Kul.
During our three-week stay, we did a three-day horse trek from Kochkor to Lake Song Kul, staying in yurts along the way. We visited the picturesque mountain village of Arslanbob, known for fishing, trekking, and the world’s largest walnut grove. We also hiked from Karakol to Ala-Kul Lake and Altyn Arashan, a three-day trek with a high altitude pass at 3,800m.
After these adventures, we headed south to Osh and embarked on one of our favorite journeys, the Pamir Highway.
Reflecting on our previous adventures in Kyrgyzstan, we’re more excited than ever to return. This mountainous country offers so much to travelers, and we’re fortunate to have the opportunity to explore more trekking routes and learn about its culture and customs.
Follow our journey on social media: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. We’ll post articles and YouTube videos when we get back, so make sure to subscribe to our newsletter and YouTube Channel to stay updated. We’ve also created the hashtag goatasaurus (a mix of GoatsOnTheRoad and Nomadasaurus) for live updates from Kyrgyzstan!