Leider hat sich kein weiterer Mitreisender gefunden, so dass wir, der Veranstalter und ich, ein kleineres Programm mit nicht ganz so vielen botanischen Highlights aufgebaut haben. Aber ich ziehe das jetzt durch, auch wenn es nur im Bereich Bischkek und rund um den Issykköl-See bleibt. Das Tourprogramm habe ich ans Ende der Mail gestellt. Ich habe mir noch etwas Kultur und Geschichte dazugewünscht. Kontakt zur Bevölkerung ist auch ein Thema. Ein englischsprachiger Übersetzer ist aber immer dabei, so dass ziemlich viele Eindrücke rüberkommen werden. Teurer wird es aufgrund der Personalkosten (Fahrer, Führer) für mich als Einzelteilnehmer schon ein gutes Stück, hält sich aber im Rahmen.
Ein Abenteuer ist es dann schon fast wieder, angefangen von der 9stündigen Warterei auf dem großen Istanbuler Flughafen bis zum Anschlussflug bishin zu Versuchen, möglichst wenig der angebotenen Wodkagläser auszutrinken. Und andere Erlebnisse, schaun wer mal.
Hier der aktuelle Plan (am Ende habe ich noch 2 freie Tage in Bischkek angehängt, dann gehts am 13. nach Hause.
Two-weeks botanical tour in Kyrgyzstan, new program
28/05: Departure
29/05: Arrival in Bishkek. Transfer to the hotel. After some rest and brunch, trip to Ala-Archa National Park with a hike to the Ak-Say waterfall higher up the gorge. This National Park is an alpine park in the Tien-Shan Mountains. It was given National Park status in 1976 and is located approximately 40km south of the city of Bishkek. The park comprises the gorge of the Ala-Archa River and the mountains surrounding it. It covers about 200 square kilometers and its altitude ranges from about 1,500 meters at the entrance to a maximum of 4,895 meters at Peak Semenov Tien-Shanski, the highest peak in the Kyrgyz Ala-Too range of the Tien-Shan. The flora in this park is very rich and many species typical of an Alpine habitat can be found. In the evening, we return to Bishkek. Stay in hotel Umai.
30/05: Day trip Alamedin gorge. The Alamedin gorge is situated at the distance of 30 km from Bishkek Flora of the gorge is truly diverse. Here, at the altitude of 1800-2000 m, meadows with bright green fresh grass are interspersed with juniper (archa) and birch groves. There are also numerous bushes of black currant, barberry, rose hips and sea buckthorn. On the bottom of the gorge there is a channel of Alamedin river. Another name of the gorge is "Warm Springs", as it has hot springs of mineral water. Very likely here you can find different species of Apiaceae and Lamiaceae.Stay in hotel Umai in Bishkek
31/05: From Bishkek to Chon Kemin. About 50 km from Bishkek there is a large nursery where they cultivate, grow and also sell a great variety of plants, bushes and trees. It might be interesting for you to visit this place. Next continue to Kemin valley You will stay in a nice guest house at the edge of a village.
01/06: Day in Chon Kemin. This long valley itself lies at altitudes of between 1400 m and 2800 m above sea level and reaches over 80 km deep into the mountains between the Kingly Ala Too and Zanily ranges, parallel to the Kazakh border. It has verdant pastures, woodland (of Tien Shan firs), several mountain lakes and spectacular views of the mountains. The valley has a rich variety of vegetation, and animal life, and boasts both a Zoological preserve and a botanical reserve. The park was founded in 1997 including almost all the forest farms of the Kemin district. The park’s main task is to preserve the unique landscapes with their diversity of fauna and flora. It contains hunting and botanical reserves – and the mausoleum of Shabdan Baatyr. The conifer forests, which line the mountains, which form the sides of the valley are renowned throughout out the country and are home to many varieties of mushrooms, berries and herbs. It is possible to hike up to a small wooden lodge at 2800m and have lunch there. Stay in guesthouse
02/06: Leave for the north side of Lake Issyk-Kul, Stop in the Boomgorge for a hike in the Kornochok canyons. As this is a completely different from the green mountains in Kemin, you will see a different vegetation here. Then contune to Cholop Ata at the north side of the lake, stop from time to time to look for plants, insects etc. In Cholpon Ata you can visit the archeological open-air museum where there are rock drawings from the Skytes 11-3 age B.C.
03/06: Continue along the north side of the lake, hike in Kyrchyn, a valley with small river. This is the place where in ancient times the Kyrgyz tribes gathered for their meetings. Then on to Taldy -Suu . Leave the road around the lake and continue to the east, into the Keken valley. Stop regurlay to botanize. Stay with local family in this village.
04/06: You continue into the Keken valley which ends with a border crossing to Kazakhstan. Visit San Tash, a burial mound complex located close to the pass of the same name (2195 m) between Kungei and Terskey Ala-Too mountain ranges. There you can see 257 large and small mounds which are graves of leaders of Saka tribes, dating back to 6th - 1st centuries BC. In the center of the complex there is a huge mound covered with plenty of stones, which is called San Tash. The height of it is 4 m and the diameter is 56 m. According to estimates of archaeologists, more than 3500 cubic m of stone were spent on its construction. People often tell the incredible legend about the origin of it. According to the legend, the mound San Tash was formed when the conqueror Tamerlane during his military campaign ordered to each of his warriors to take a stone and throw it in a pile, and when coming back, to take away a stone, to determine the number of loses of his troops. So the mound got its name San Tash, which means "the counting stones". Next over the pass and descent to Karakol. Stay in hotel.
05/06: Day in Karakol. Some sightseeing and next to Karakol National Park, 6 km from town . The purpose of the park is conservation of the unique nature complexes, forests, and flora and fauna of special ecological and aesthetic value. Hike and botanize in the Park. Stay in hotel in Karakol.
06/06: From Karakol continue along the sleuth side of lake Issyk-Kul. After 35 km turn into the Jeti Ogus valley,one of the most beautiful gorges in Kyrgyzstan located at the altitude of 2200 m. You will see famous red rocks the “Seven Bulls” and the “Broken Heart”. Many legends are known about those rock formation. Hike up these hills and look for special plants. Continue to Skaska, another small valley with strange eroded hills in many different bright colours. From here it is a short ride to the yurt camp Manjyly, in the so-called “Badlands”, close to the border of the lake. Stay in yurt.
07/06: In the morning time to look around in the dry semi- dessert area of the badlands and/ or visit Manjyly-Ata,- not far from the yurt camp,- a site held sacred by the Kyrgyz. The mazar is a complex of sacred places, hidden amongst the gentle clay hills, there are holy trees, 7 healing springs, old graves and a dilapidated mosque. There is an area for ritual sacrifice, for the preparation and arranging of food; a place for eating; a place where pilgrims can spend the night; and a room for those who guard the site. On the top of one of the hills a modern mosque was built in 1998. In the afternoon first drive to Bokonbaevo where you will meet a man who hunts with golden eagles and other birds of prey. He will tell about his profession and show his birds. Next 12 km up to Boz-Salkin. A valley with alpine meadows and forest, time to hike and look for plants. Continue to Temir-Kanat a mountain village at 2300m. Stay with local family in the village.
08/06: From Temir-Kanat through the Köngur Ölung valley to the village Tuura-Suu. This is only a short ride ( 70 km) through a valley famous for its flora and fauna. Here eagles, owls, Ibis and bearded vulture have been seen. Stay with a local family. After lunch hike with the host in the surrounding mountains. This man knows a lot about the area and flora.
09/06: Descent partly on foot through the Tuura-Suu gorge to the road around lake Issyk-Kul Drive back to Bishkek, where you will arrive in the middle of the afternoon. Stay in hotel Umai
10/06: Daytrip to Ala Archa National Park. Hiking along the trail to Ala-Archa river This National Park is an alpine park in the Tian Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan, established: in 1976 and located approximately 40 km south of the capital city of Bishkek. The park includes the gorge of the Ala-Archa River and the mountains surrounding it. The park covers about 200 square kilometers, and its altitude ranges from about 1,500 meters at the entrance to a maximum of 4,895 meters at Peak Semenova Tian-Shanski, the highest peak in the Kyrgyz Ala-Tau range of the Tian Shan. The flora in this park is very rich and many species typical for this habitat can be found here. Picknick lunch, stay in Hotel Umai.
Michael