2025 The 5 Stans: Kyrgyzstan, Isky-kul

Another day. Beautifully sunny, but chilly in the shade. This was the day we were all a bit concerned about. We were headed for Lake Issyk-kul, the second largest alpine lake in the world. It is a popular beach resort in Kyrgyzstan. It was hard to imagine while the weather was so chilly. We were to sleep in a yurt. Last time, in Turkmenistan, the weather was warm, and we were comfortable. This time temperatures were below zero. The guide assured us there would be heating in the yurt, so we were hopeful all would be well.

Stunning scenery

We regularly saw statues of horses or a man on a horse. Usually up high.

The village houses each have a green roof

Then onto snow covered country

A few Christmas trees there

Lonely little house

Some way along the journey the sun was hidden by clouds and we were once again in snow country. It was beautiful to look at, but the bus driver kept the speed of the bus low. We had a high pass to cross again (3030m) and near the top we saw a now familiar sight. A column of trucks stopped by the road. The driver and guide walked ahead to find out what was going on. They assumed it was road conditions. Cars were passing us, but no large vehicles. There seemed to be lots of discussion between drivers, but no movement. Meanwhile many cars passed us and eventually made a car park further on. It was a couple of hours before we were able to move on. We discovered a truck was partly off the road. But even though police came, there was no effort to have some traffic control and drivers took ridiculous risks trying to get through

Then, another row of stopped trucks

Enjoying the chilly air

Trucks coming from above us

Car after car

Column waiting to go uphill

Finally a snow plough of sorts. Also a gravel spreader

Back on the bus

One of the problems

All those behind us

Although we had all patiently waited from the road to open, it was good to be on the go again. There was still quite a bit of winding road to travel before we got back to lower ground. And a place where there was food and facilities...

Then further on a winter wonderland.

Gorgeous views

Rugged mountains

View from a servo where we got coffee

We had a delicious lunch in this yurt. A very fancy yurt.

Our tour is the last our company is doing here this year and it is obvious why. Winter is coming and all the holiday places are closing for the winter. After the holdup on the mountain pass we got to the accommodation for the night very late. The yurt camp looked a bit like a run-down caravan park. Pipes in the toilets were frozen to add to the fun. But our yurts were warm (ie when we went to bed). I slept quite well but many of our group did not. Lucky everything else on the trip has been so good. And the group are all very well-travelled so don’t fuss. Another experience to remember!

This will be our room for the night

The room where we had dinner was warmed by a fire in the middle of the room. We had vegetable soup with dill, salads and a noodle dish

Then to our yurt. Each yurt has a central stove which burns dung soaked in kerosene and some wood. The room slept 4 and was very cosy when we went to bed

Bob in bed on the last day he is 78