2025 The 5 Stans: Kyrgyzstan, Naryn 2

It was an interesting trip see Tash-Rabat, a 15th century caravanserai located on the old Great Silk Road. It took much longer to get there than expected as any of the higher altitude parts of the road had had a good snow fall and in some areas it was snowing. The sight of these fields and mountains with their white covering was fantastic!

Morning view from our hotel window

On the way to the Caravanserai

Before long visibility was low

Once again there were lots of horses, many sheep, and also cattle. On the way back we saw camels making their way down from a mountain. We were driving on the highway which leads to China, built in the Soviet era, but now part of the Belt and Road Project. There was a constant stream of trucks going each direction. Many were vehicle carriers, bringing electric cars from China, and also empty trucks going back.

Stork nests in the trees

Driving slowly

We pass a logistics centre for Chinese EVs not far from the Chinese border

Flood plain

We are lower now

The farmhouse near the caravanserai

Tash Rabat is not like other caravanserai we have seen eg in Turkey. Those were large walled compounds with a building inside for travellers and their animals. This stone building has a dome over the main area and rooms leading off a wide hallway. The stonework on the roof is so well done. It is wonderful the way it is set with mountains behind it and overlooking a large valley. Quite mesmerising, all those mountains. This was the first time we felt really cold. It was still, and sunny, but the air was freezing, understandable as the altitude here is 3,200m. So no picnic lunch, but we all happily ate lunch in the heated bus.

The caravanserai

It is quite large, has many rooms and a prison down under

The drive home had its dramatic moments, as the road was in places icy and slippery. According to the driver most of the trucks did not have winter tyres. We also found out what those piles of fine gravel beside the road were for. We had a big hold up when a truck lost traction and was in the middle of the road in front of us. Our driver and guide started shovelling gravel onto the road and under the bus. Some trucks couldn’t move for fear of losing control. It seems the trucks do not have the equipment for these weather conditions.

Men shovelling gravel on the road

Many trucks have stopped. Driver says they don’t have winter tyres so can’t get a grip on the road

This truck caused a big problem for us. In the middle of the road and couldn’t move. Our driver went to the side and lost traction

Our guide starts shovelling

Later our driver. Very few had shovels

Waiting as the red truck wants to go downwards but it started to slide

Finally on our way

Bringing in the cows. Hard work

Anyway, we got back to the hotel safely. Our driver got a big clap as he deserved it. Let’s see what tomorrow brings when we again sleep in a yurt, this time in weather different to that of a few weeks ago.