Karakol: Sandstone Cliffs @2200m

We've been a bit lazy most days in the last 6 weeks, sometimes it was too hot, sometimes the air was too thin, and often one or other of us was just not up to it for health reasons. But today, we changed the pace.

Our driver/guide wanted us to go to "Sky Park", at least that's what Google Translate said, but we were a bit sceptical because he couldn't show us any online photos. I suspected it was some kind of park with rides, so I proposed to go to a hiking area that I had seen on the map, called "Bear Cliff." Only afterwards did it occur to me that there are bears in this region, but we unfortunately/ luckily didn't see any.

It turned out my idea was pretty damn good. It is a beautiful area, and a great place for a walk. The lower area comprises of sandstone cliffs and mountain streams, and the upper area is dominated by snow capped Himalayan mountains. In September, the temperature is perfect for walking. The whole area has an idyllic charm.

On the way there and back, we see local farmers' children herding cattle on horseback. Also, we see many in the fields doing the potato harvest by hand and the wheat harvest without a combined harvester. It's a bit like 1950s Europe. The fields are too small for the efficient use of modern farm machinery. They could be very much larger, but I suspect some tradition of how land us inherited is holding modernisation back. It's odd to see such primitive methods in a country that's otherwise quite modern.

After this great day at 1530, the driver again suggests "Sky Park," so we give in. Turns out it's actually called "Ski Paradise." Sky, ski easy to mix up 😉. It's a luxury ski resort for Russians and Kazachs. Of course, in summer, nobody is there, but it does offer stunning views, even if in late afternoon the highest peaks are in the clouds.Read more