Cori's Adventures Through Kyrgyzstan: A Travel Narrative

Cori's travel diary

Table of Contents

Written by @cori_explore 

Our Ambassador Cori has us on the TripLegend Kyrgyzstan Adventure accompanied and kept a diary. Let your contribution lead you into the impressive worlds of the Central Asian country and get a pictorial taste of Kyrgyzstan.

Cori already has a lot of travel experience. She has traveled to 45 countries so far, 29 of them in Europe, 6 in Asia, 6 in America and 4 in Africa. A wild journey that we were now allowed to be a part of. With sustainability in mind, world-loving and bubbling with travel tips, she writes about her experiences.

Cori's Travelogue - Your adventure in Kyrgyzstan

I sat nervously at the airport. So my very first flight alone was coming up. It'll be fine, I kept telling myself like a kind of mantra. As often as I have flown in my life, I should also master this flight. The queasy feeling alternated with pure anticipation. A roller coaster of emotions was already going round ten in my body.

Boarding began and so did my adventure trip to Kyrgyzstan.

The first flight from Düsseldorf to Istanbul went without problems. By chance, I had sat down directly at the right gate. I knew that others from the group would be on the next flight with me. So I kept a lookout until I found them. As it happens, I had sat down right at the right gate. I knew that others from the group would be on the next plane with me. So I kept a lookout until I found them. It was very nice and reassuring to already meet some of the group.

We didn't have much time to chat. The next flight was coming up. Istanbul - Bishkek, 5 hours night flight. I made myself as comfortable as I could on a plane and dozed off. A jolt tore me out of my short nap. The seat belt sign was flashing, which meant that turbulence was about to hit us. Turbulence was an understatement. It felt like flying into a hurricane. I clung to the armrests for a full two hours. Did I mention that I have a fear of flying? Half the plane seemed to be running for the bathroom. A glance to the left at the little child's face did not allow for good speculation. After a brief screaming fit, it was done. Not only the parents, but the whole floor was messed up. Finally, the landing approached. Puhh....made it.

Welcome to Kyrgyzstan.

Day 1:

The entry went without problems. It took only a few minutes, as a new stamp adorned my passport and also my suitcase already pulled his circles on the luggage belt. I waited for the rest of the group. Together we entered the arrivals hall and looked for the Triplegend sign. Immediately we were besieged by countless cab drivers. A polite "No, thank you.", was enough to shake them off. And there he stood, our guide Pavel. We were greeted warmly. Our driver Emil stowed the luggage in no time. The ride from the airport to the city took about 40 minutes. As if in a trance, I looked out the window. Cows and horses graced the roadside. So I had really arrived in Kyrgyzstan.

I had no time for many thoughts. In the Garden Hotel Bishek I moved into my single room and arranged to meet the others. I used the good hour for a small power nap. The alarm clock tore me out of my slumber. The time difference was 4 hours. So the jet lag wasn't quite as upsetting. Sleep was still lacking due to the flight. In the supermarket across the street was an exchange office and also several ATMs.

Photo: @Cori_Explore

We ordered a cab, for which we paid a whole 2 €, to get to the city center, 10 minutes away. At a square we let ourselves out. I, still visibly confused, had of course forgotten my camera at the hotel. Typical for me. With my cell phone I tried to capture the first impressions. We walked through a park. Here, big and small could enjoy themselves. And before I knew it, I was sitting in a Ferris wheel. I suffer from a very bad fear of heights. Why was I actually sitting in there? The group dynamic had an effect on me after just a few minutes, like some kind of magic potion. I didn't feel well, but fortunately I didn't freak out either. We continued to stroll through the streets in the most beautiful sunshine. Suddenly a street dog joined us. We called him affectionately Felix.

Felix followed us wherever we went. We settled down at a pub in the middle of the greenery. Felix also used the break for a little nap in the green grass. And what was crawling up my trouser leg? I looked into the googly eyes of a little squirrel, whose ears were fluttering back and forth super fluffy in the wind. Okay. Bishkek gave it its all and had me completely enchanted by day one. Suddenly, thick gray clouds rolled in. Creeping away from the pub, we watched Felix play with the squirrel one more time. Our hearts bled, but we still had a whole round trip ahead of us. Back at the hotel, it was raining cats and dogs. I rested for two more hours before our whole group got together for dinner that evening. Getting to know each other was great. Exhausted and well satiated, I fell into bed in the evening and looked forward to the adventure that was to begin properly the next day.

Day 2:

Surprisingly well I got out of bed. After a hearty breakfast, I pushed my suitcase down to the hotel parking lot. Emil was already busy stowing the luggage of 9 travelers. With a minivan we should go on tour. The trunk did not have much storage space, but Emil was a master at playing Tetris.

Everyone looked for a seat and from then on the trip to the unknown Kyrgyzstan started.

Everyone looked out of the window, spellbound. One or the other pressed his nose flat against the window. There was so much to see. Women painted the trunks of the trees at the roadside with white lime to protect them from vermin. Grazing cattle on the side of the road is also as normal there as horse riders in the middle of the road. We got our first taste of the wild side of the country. Our minivan meandered along the Silk Road at the Kazakh border towards Lake Issyk Kul. On the other side of the road, a kilometer-long queue of trucks waited to be allowed to cross the border to Kazakhstan. The Silk Road is still an important trade route today.

We stopped at a river in the mountains and drank coffee and tea. By the way, the best toilet in Kyrgyzstan is nature. I used the time to dare a first flight with my drone (also affectionately called little flying dragon). Already I was blown away. Our next stop was in Kyzyl Tuu. The van stopped in the middle of a small village. There we had lunch with a Kyrgyz family. Afterwards we were shown on the farm how a traditional yurt is built. Everyone pitched in so that the yurt was ready in a few minutes.


So we had mastered the first team task in the best possible way. Strengthened, the van meandered through a road lined with mountains. In the middle of nowhere we stopped. Uhhh, there I saw two magnificent eagles. Excited, we rushed out of the van. The guest was one of the last eagle hunters in Kyrgyzstan. We learned many interesting facts about eagle hunting and tradition. Such a golden eagle looked very respectful. We were all allowed to hold him once.

Wow, there were certainly 7 kg sitting on my arm, which I could no longer hold up after a short time. With a fox dummy was illustrated how an eagle hunts. Like a little child, with sparkling eyes and half open mouth in amazement, I stood there and watched the golden eagle. Silently it glided through the air, then as if out of nowhere it swooped steeply down on its prey. At the latest now the first hundred photos were already in the box.

Eagle Hunting In Kyrgyzstan

With heavy hearts we had to part with the birds of prey. Our minivan continued on its way to the Bel Tam yurt camp. It had a bit of class trip character, of course in a positive sense. The girls all spent the night in a yurt and the boys, of course, too. On the floor of the yurt were cozy beds and a stove heated the tent properly. Toilets and showers were outside, like at a campsite. In the background of the yurts, the beautiful Issyk Kul Lake sparkled in the dusk. After a delicious dinner, we told each other many more stories about our travels around the campfire. While we were airing our yurt once again, one of the little cats snuck in. She spent the whole night with us, which made us all very happy.

Day 3:

Already at shortly before 6 we girls crept towards Issyk Kul Lake, which was really only a few steps away. While some got their circulation going with ice bathing, the rest of us watched the sunrise quite romantically and enjoyed this peaceful atmosphere and silence in nature. A perfect morning in Kyrgyzstan.

After breakfast, bag and baggage were stowed away. Our daily schedule included a handful of highlights.

Horses on the road again. Whether I will still get used to this sight during the trip?

The car stopped in a breathtaking mountain scenery. To the view: lush green meadows stretched for miles to a pine forest and finally ended with snow-capped peaks. I like what I see, and the rest of the group looked excited and pleased as well. Our guide Pavel sprinted ahead. Whew, he really has a fast tight stride. Everyone climbed the Shatyly viewpoint at their own pace.

With a cup of tea, we enjoyed the view of the blue Issyk Kul Lake, which from up here looked like looking at the sea. The sun showed itself from the most beautiful side today. First we undressed before we started the way back. Before entering the van, we had to wait in line at Emil's. Armed with a hand broom, he brushed the dirt off our clothes. Clean, we continued on our way.

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Just an hour later, we figuratively landed on Mars. Pinch me. We hiked through a bizarre landscape of red rocks. No, I'm not in the US, I'm really in Kyrgyzstan. I didn't expect anything like this here. Fairy Canyon is one of my scenic highlights of the trip. Mysterious sculptures and rock formations lurk around every corner. Silence. There was simply no one here but our group. My flying dragon had pure joy flying around and capturing extraordinary snapshots.
As always, time always passes fastest in such particularly beautiful places. Once again we climbed a steep hill and enjoyed the last view of this Martian landscape.

Rest? We were hungry for new impressions. What was waiting for us next? The car stopped at an inconspicuous road. The only thing we saw was a small river and a rock. A few meters we moved past the rock. Behind it, another dreamlike landscape awaited us. Red rocks rose into the sky. Everything was so beautifully green and the first flowers opened their buds. Spring had already arrived here. The small river was crossed with a few steps. Now we climbed up a hill. On the ground everywhere small white snail shells lay around. Of course I tried to avoid every little house. From up there we had a wonderful view of the Seven Bulls Valley.

The day ended at the Green Yard Hotel in Karakol. It is a very nice family run hotel. Upon entering, everyone must remove their shoes. Classic slippers were available for every visitor. I didn't have that yet either, but found it really great. In the lobby there were smaller souvenirs and also drinks to buy. We sat together for some time before tiredness overtook us.

Day 4:

The first rays of sunshine tickled me out of bed. The weather promised an excellent day. Today a day hike was on the program. The originally planned hike we could not start, because in the altitudes still raged hard winter. We quickly filled up our water bottles at the hotel's water dispenser and set off. The starting point was once again the Sevens Bull Valley, where we had already been the day before. And then it had made Wumms. A cow had rammed our car. Fortunately nothing happened to the animal. Did Emil like the little bump on the front fender? He loves his van and the dent was fortunately only minimal. We ran off.

We passed a dilapidated farm. Horses and cows said hello to us every few meters. A hawk drew its circles in the sky. The day's hike was to be 17 km long. Off we went. Motivated we started walking. Already the first hill had it in itself. Snorting and snorting I dragged myself from hill to hill. We trudged through knee-high snowfields and jumped from stone to stone over raging rivers. I was starring in a documentary about the natural beauty in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. That's what it felt like to me.

At the highest point of 2800 meters, Pavel unpacked his gas stove and made fresh tea. From the hotel we had gotten packed lunches, which we now plundered. After 6 hrs my feet and legs were hurting. Our troop must have looked pretty amusing. Everyone was knackered, but very satisfied. In the hotel we ate dinner and let the evening end with a beer in the lobby.

Hiking In Kyrgyzstan: Cori's Travel Diary

Day 5:

Early in the morning we were already all excited and in lively anticipation. Today was the outdoor adventure we were looking forward to. We would drive up to 3880 meters in altitude and visit the ghost town of Engilchek.

With two jeeps we drove deep into the mountains. The landscape was gigantic. A river soaked with ice floes rushed ahead of us. The altitude meters kept rising on the clock. After a short time we found ourselves in a sugared snowy landscape. Stop.

There in the ditch was a truck loaded with a horse. Another one was standing next to the car as well as two dogs and three people. They needed our help. They had spent the night there and were stuck in the snow. Once everyone got out and kept their distance. Our jeep gave everything and yet had too little power. We had to leave the people behind with a heavy heart. Their outcome and rescue? Uncertain.

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Our jeeps continued on their way. We wound our way up the serpentines further and further up the mountain. And finally we stopped at the highest point at 3880 meters above sea level. I opened the door, got out and for a moment my breath stopped. Back command. The air was so thin, I had to sit in the car again for a moment. After taking several deep breaths in and out, I felt really good. I had no more problems up there.

The flying dragon was unpacked and flew the round of its life. I felt a little like I was in Game of Thrones, beyond the wall. After a short stop, the road took us back down the Chong Ashuu Mountain Pass towards Sary Djaz. After a short time we came to the border. What kind of border? Here in the middle of the mountains there is a border control. Put away your cameras and take out your passports. We are checked and they even look into the trunk. To be allowed to drive further into the mountains, you need a special permit.

We were about 70 km from the border with China. Our guides Timur and Aida were of course prepared. After a few minutes we passed the border and drove on. We had left the snow behind us and after a short time I spotted the first marmot. Look there, on the left right. Our car was in bright excitement. Pretty cute these little guys. I love to watch animals. What else we will see today? I had already set the expedition mode to On.

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We had finally reached our destination after 5 hours. From a hill we looked down on the ghost town of Engilchek. With the closure of the tin mines, its inhabitants also disappeared. A few people still live there today and some we would meet now. Shoes off and into the good room. One of the teachers in Englichek invited us to lunch. It was delicious. For meat fans there was something with yak and also we vegetarians were satisfied and full.

The walk to the toilet became a real adventure. There was no one in the house itself. We had to walk a few meters and then go to the second floor of an empty building. There were open cubicles with a hole in the floor. I had been to many curious toilets in this world, but this one was definitely the freakiest. After lunch we visited the school. The children welcomed us joyfully. Before we left in the morning, we stopped at the local supermarket. There we were able to buy school supplies and candy for the kids. My heart was beaming as I had worked as a social worker for so many years. The children waved to us once again.

The next item was on the schedule. Not far from the ghost town of Engilchek were hot springs. It looked so inconspicuous. A roaring river, lots of big stones and in the middle of it shimmering turquoise water and hot springs.

Those who wanted could take a hot bath and relax. The huge stones also served as an excellent changing room. Before we left the mountains again, we visited an abandoned tin mine. It was dark and dusty. Good thing our cell phones provided enough light. The little thrill was a successful conclusion. On the way back I spotted some more animals like deer and a yak. This was excellent. 4 hrs later, quite late in the evening we reached our hotel in Karakol. Exhausted and overjoyed, I fell asleep early that night, eager for the next day and a new adventure.

Day 6:

"The happiness of this earth, is on the back of horses!" That was our motto for the day. A day tour on horseback through the Karakol Valley was planned. I used to be in a riding club and even had a pony, but had not sat on a horse for many years. It showed, much to everyone's amusement. Looking at my hot hat like that, I wasn't sure it would carry me. Oh well. I tried to swing myself onto the horse, failing miserably. Okay, I needed help. So I had provided the first laugh of the day. Finally, I had managed to heave myself up. Already after few meters it was clear, this becomes nothing. The two horse tour guides had also noticed that.

Without further ado, my little horse was allowed to enjoy a day off, so he just trotted along beside us and I got Samurai, a former polo horse. Samurai and I were the perfect match. He was a decent muscle horse and was easy to steer. One of the guides had to walk as well, since I now had his little horse. These Siberian horses are extremely robust. We went uphill and downhill over meadows, stones and through shallow rivers. We even had to cross a glacier. That was pure madness.

Suddenly a rumble of thunder in the distance. Once please dismount and swing into the rain gear. Top styled with rain cape I found a stone, which served me super as a climbing aid. Only two minutes later it rained in torrents. Above us the sky scolded in loud thunder. At a river bank there was no way through. Everyone had to turn back. Time for a break. We took shelter under the trees, unpacked our lunches and warmed ourselves at a fire until the rain moved on. Pleasurably we rode back. I wonder if we all walked a little funny after the 6 hour horse ride?

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In the evening we played games together, drank beer and just had fun.

Day 7:

How quickly the time passed. Wistfully we got into our van. Our journey was about to end. We quickly tried to push these thoughts aside. In Karakol, after breakfast, we visited an old wooden Orthodox church. It was so beautifully decorated and the sun shrouded it in a beautiful light. Blossoming cherry trees perfectly matched the scenery. Absolutely we wanted to take a look inside. Carefully we opened the door. Hi guys, sorry for the disturbance. A bishop and 6 other people turned to us. Sure enough, we burst into some sort of mass. Quickly we made a run for it, as if that would undo the bursting in.

In a handmade store we bought some great souvenirs for home. There were animals made of felt and other typical Kyrgyz handicrafts. With the purchase, social projects are supported, which I find particularly good.

Emil maneuvered his van skillfully over the roads along Lake Issykkul, as he had done all the days before. One last look at the brilliant blue water and it was gone from our field of vision. We had once circled the second largest mountain lake on earth. The next highlight was hidden in the middle of the mountains. From a vantage point we enjoyed the view of another lake the Orto Tokoy Lake. The blue water color was again very impressive.

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The penultimate stop of our trip was in Kochkor. There we slept in a guesthouse. The rooms were authentically furnished and a stove provided a cozy warmth. Kochkor is framed by a great mountain scenery. Before we moved into our rooms, we stopped at the Altyn Kol workshop. There, two elderly ladies showed us and explained how to make a traditional shyrdak (rug). We were all allowed to lend a hand, which was really fun. After dinner it was already dark.

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Day 8:

I was driven out early in the morning. The first rays of sunlight magically lit up the mountains. The cats in the yard were still asleep. I enjoyed a moment of peace. After breakfast, we drove back to Bishkek for our last stop. Already at 11 am we were standing in the middle of the local market. It was a bustle and confusion. I love local markets. All the different smells were properly challenging my olfactory synapses. We got plenty of time to wander the alleys on our own and experience normal life. Back at our hotel from the beginning of the trip, we headed straight back into town by cab. At the pub, we drank to the last day and kept an eye out for our animal friends.

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In the late afternoon we met our guide Pavel for a walk through the city to our restaurant. After appetizers, we were treated to a musical folklore show that impressed me mightily. Listening to the sounds we spent a wonderful last evening. And then it was time to say goodbye. Farewell to 8 wonderful fellow travelers who became friends on the trip, our guide who had accompanied this trip perfectly and Emil who drove us safely through the country. The last night I did not sleep well at all.

Day 9:

Got up, had breakfast and checked out. It's time to go home. As so often on trips, I left Kyrgyzstan with one laughing and one crying eye. I enjoyed the trip extraordinarily. Strangers became friends and behind me lay a real adventure trip in a beautiful country. The landscape really blew me away and the hospitality was warm. Kyrgyzstan, I will really miss you very much and will certainly come back again.

(The return flight was quiet with no significant events).

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More about the Kyrgyzstan Adventure you can find out on our homepage. Also have a look at our Interview with Cori there you can learn more about them and our cooperation. 

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