To top off our stay in Karakol, we wanted to explore the local hiking trails. Three roommates in our guesthouse came back excited about the popular tour to Ala-Kol Lake and assured us that the three-day hike was doable despite snowfields.
As soon as Arslanbob was behind us, we had reconciled with Kyrgyzstan. We enjoyed Shoro (a barley-wheat-corn drink) at the roadside and were surprised by the scenic diversity! Green, fertile valleys alternated with barren and eroded lands. The choice of route was made easier by the stormy weather and closed pass roads.
After David had cured a recent stomach illness, we started our hike to the Holy Lake of Arslanbob (Kol Mazar). Thanks to the forced break days, we were able to benefit from a perfect time window of good weather for our trip. In order to safe space in the backpacks, we pre-cooked the dinners (buckwheat stew) and stuffed them appetizingly into Zip-Locker plastic bags😉.
Only two hours by bicycle away from Samarkand we were already at the border to Tajikistan. The first impressions of the new country were great: good roads, the wonderful view of the Fann Mountains, English speaking young women who talked to us at the tea stop, two fresh breads from the baker’s family who took selfies with us… We were excited, felt comfortable and welcome!
