Instead of returning to Fatima’s restaurant in the yurt camp, Fatima hosted us to breakfast at her guesthouse where we stayed the night. We were delightfully grateful when she opened the doors to her dining hall; a grand room with beautiful furnishings and crystal chandeliers!
No doubt both places, owned by her, served the best food in Kochkor but the ease of returning to our rooms to freshen up beats the short, few hundred meters distance to the yurt camp.
Our transfer to the mountains was relatively short this morning. Beginning with a refueling at the petrol station, we drove until the bus could go no further! This includes crossing a narrow rickety bridge that requires everyone to disembark as a “just in case” measure. Along the way we passed the little hamlets of Kara Suu, Kara Saz and Kara Kungoj.
Meanwhile, our bus had suffered enough in the bad terrain. A cover had dropped off from the bottom!!!
We had to wait quite some time for Dima to arrive. Understandably, with a scheduled check for the 4WD plus laundry, lunch supplies and even a cake to pick up, it took quite a while; long enough for us to discover the herb that emits the lovely fragrance in the mountains.
Beginning our ride past noon, we only had a short climb to make to reach a plateau. After that, we were rewarded with a sweeping view of green meadows as far as the eye can see. Faraway, the mountain range creates the decorative edging necessary to perfect a picture. Here and there scattered farmlands offer a change of scenery.
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| Farms |
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| Old grave |
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| Hail and Sue's gloves |
Luckily for us, there was a shed not far away where we could seek refuge. As everyone were riding for cover, Claudine was too excited on her first experience with hail. She stopped to pick the ice up!
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| While taking cover from rain and hail, we had tea and biscuits in this shed |
We continued with our ride when the rain reduced to a light drizzle. Just as quickly as the rain hits us, the sky dried up.
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| Everyone getting off the trail... |
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| ...shortcut! |
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| Happy Cheaters! |
Our next attempt was a short climb to Semiz-Bel Pass. Beyond the pass, the climbs were all over! Waiting in store for us was a 40 km downhill glide, past wide meadows, grazing farm animals and watering holes.
Midway, we stopped for lunch by a river which again saw the threat of rain! Yet again, we were blessed with cool weather but no rain.
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| After lunch with rain clouds still looming |
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| Claudine had thought we were regrouping, but we actually stopped because VT fell! |
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| Tarasu Village |
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| After this corner, we will finally regroup with Team Ian |
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| Note the tiny rainbow! |
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| River scene |
After we regrouped with Team Ian, Alex, Christoph, Gerard and York Fuan insisted to continue the ride all the way to Kara Talaa village. It was only an additional 20 km but not as easy as before with some rattling over gravel roads.
We arrivedin Kara Talaa just as dusk was setting in. It was a night to rejoice as we threw a surprise birthday party for Kok Teng with a bashed up cake; a testimony of the wild and trying terrains of Kyrgyzstan!
Total distance travelled : 92 km
Total ride distance : 65 km
Total ride achieved : 45 km
Ride Route : 100 % dirt and gravel
Elevation : + 1200 m, - 1600 m
Places of interest :
Kochkor village (1800 m)
Alabash Valley (2700m)
Issyk-Kul Lake (1650m)
Photo courtesy :
All the fabulous participants of Tian Shan, Realising Dreams Team - Alan, Anna, Angkana, Christoph, Joyce, Lim, John, Kok Teng, Sue, York Fuan, VT, Gerard, Zoe, Dima
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Kara Talaa Village
First home (The Harem)
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| The yurt is the dining area while the house comes with 3 rooms |
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| The kitchen and shower stall |
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| Hallway |
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| Harem |
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| Team Dima's |
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