Barskoon Valley From the small town of Barskoon on the southern shore of lake Issyk-Kul, a road leads away from the lake and into the mountains, following the river through the beautiful valley. Barskoon was once an important trading post on the Silk Road. Crossing several mountain passes, the route connected the region with China….
Category: Hiking
Issyk-Kul: The Big Mountain Lake Kyrgyzstan: Karakol & Issyk-Kul Region
The Karkara border crossing between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan is only open during the summer months. This is not surprising considering its remote location in the mountains. There are no facilities, shops, or money changers, and the road on both sides of the border is unpaved and at times in bad shape. Thanks to this place’s…
Kazakhstan: Land of Landscapes & Lakes Kolsay, Kaindy & Tuzkol Lakes
We left the Charyn Canyon when the sun was already setting over the orange-red cliffs of the canyon, intensifying the colors even more. That night, we planned to stay in Saty, a small village close to Kolsai Lakes National Park. The drive there took us through a steppe plain of rare beauty. In the distance,…
Aktau Mountains & Charyn Canyon: Kazakhstan Rocks Altyn-Emel National Park & Charyn Canyon, Almaty Region, Kazakhstan
How to get to Altyn-Emel National Park On a map, Altyn-Emel National Park doesn’t seem to be far away from Almaty. It’s about 260 km – a 4 hours drive – from the city. It’s possible to go with a tour operator but having your own wheels is always great. A 4×4 is not essential…
Almaty: The Big Apple Almaty, Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is the largest Central Asian country as well as the world’s largest landlocked country – it’s the size of western Europe. It’s also Central Asia’s richest nation, generating 60% of the region’s GDP, thanks to its oil and gas reserves. The country’s official language is Kazakh, a Turkic language currently written in Cyrillic script…
Sipi Falls: Waterfalls and Views Uganda
There are travelers who like buses, there are travelers who take buses to save money, and then there’s us. We’d love to save money but after more than a year of traveling, we just don’t have the stamina and patience for long bus rides anymore. How to Get to Sipi Falls The nice lady at our…
Jebel Shams: Mountain of the Sun Oman
Jebel Shams, the “mountain of the sun” is, with over 3000 meters above sea level, Oman’s highest mountain. Right next to it, cutting through the mountains, is Wadi Ghul, creating what is known as the Grand Canyon of Oman. Up the Mountain The highest peak is military area and access is therefore restricted. It’s possible…
Sur, Wadi Tiwi, Wadi Shab, Qalhat: Ocher & Blue Oman
For the next two days, we based ourselves in Sur, which is a convenient location from where to explore the coast. In Sur itself there’s not a lot to do except maybe for taking a walk across the suspension bridge to the lighthouse or to one of the watchtowers that look out over the city…
Mt Cook / Aoraki: A Rare Sight South Island, New Zealand
New Zealand’s highest mountain, Mt Cook / Aoraki, is usually hidden in clouds. Everyone, including the Lonely Planet, told us not to get our hopes up and be prepared for clouds. Driving to Mt Cook Practically since the day we arrived on the South Island, we observed the weather forecast for Mt Cook and it…
The Catlins: Waterfalls and Paua Shells South Island, New Zealand
Not too many travelers go further south than Te Anau and Milford Sound. Those who do, however, and travel between Invercargill and Dunedin, have the possibility to take the scenic route through the Catlins and are rewarded with amazing beaches, stunning waterfalls, and beautiful scenery. And lots of gravel roads, yes, that too. The Southernmost…
Milford Sound: The Icing on the (Carrot) Cake South Island, New Zealand
Another must-do in New Zealand, apart from a visit to a glow worm cave, (and to the west coast), is a cruise on Milford Sound. Getting to Milford Sound Although Milford Sound is the most accessible sound in the South Island’s Fiordlands, it’s still a long way from anywhere. The drive from the closest town,…
Franz Josef Glacier: The Glacier or What’s Left of It Franz Josef Glacier, Lake Matheson, Haast Pass. South Island, New Zealand
Franz Josef glacier on the South Island’s west coast is about 12 km long. Once, it reached the Tasman sea; today, it finishes about 19 km from the ocean. Franz Josef Glacier It’s more than 10’000 years ago that the glacier reached the ocean. It’s not so long ago however, when the viewing point, that…