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| Ala Arsha National Park from afar |
Just outside Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, the mountains rise sharply to snow capped peaks that are over 15,000 feet high and still covered with glaciers. Kyrgyzstan has become a trekkers' paradise with 93% of its land covered by mountains and 3% by snowfields and glaciers. Rivers that run through its gorges are milky from glacial melting. Its many mountain trails provide opportunities for day hikes and multi-day treks.
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| View from our hiking trail |
Yesterday, we started hiking up a river valley in Ala Arsha National Park, a half hour's drive from Bishkek, but couldn't find a way across the rising river, so took a different trail up a steep gorge to a waterfall. At the end of the valley is a beautiful glacier-covered and very craggy mountain, so the entire hike was incredibly beautiful. The waterfall was a bit sparse since it is fall and the snow melt is mostly over. The grasses and trees are turning yellow and orange, so pretty amidst the green conifers and black and white peaks.
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| Don the trail |
Kyrgyzstan has very few tourists and a tiny tourist infrastructure, but is beginning to attract hikers and mountain climbers to its Alpine training center and many trekking options. There are huts along the trails for overnight hikers and yurts in some valleys for those preparing to depart on their excursions.
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| rugged ridge across valley |
After our hike, we enjoyed a delicious lunch at the park entrance of barbecued duck and vegetables, bread, cheese, sausage, melon and cakes. All was prepared by a Kyrgyz chef. Barbecue is a particular specialty.
The valleys are full of sheep, cattle, goats and horses (these destined mostly for the dinner table). Right now, most of the mares have young colts tagging along. Many are hobbled so they can't go far, but maneuver pretty well to get from one grassy spot to the next. I told our guide that I rode horses and loved them and would not eat them.
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| view up valley from Park entrance |
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| Glacier covering peak in Ala Arsha National Park |
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