Category: Kyrgyzstan

Hiking to Telety Pass, Kyrgyzstan

Matsuda MashimaruLeave a comment

I went hiking with a group of kindred spirits in Kyrgyzstan in late August, when the weather was at its best … not too cold, not too hot, just the perfect balance for long, soul-stretching days on the trail.

Kyrgyzstan is, quite frankly, Mother Nature showing off. A land of dramatic mountain ranges, glacial rivers, and endless valleys that make you stop every few minutes just to take it all in. And the best way to truly experience it? Step right into the mountains.

For those with a good level of fitness (and lungs ready for high altitude), a multi-day trek across the breathtaking Telety Pass in the Terskey Ala-Too range is a must. The trail links Karakol Valley and Jeti-Oguz Valley in the Issyk-Kul region. A journey filled with postcard-perfect rivers, sweeping alpine meadows, and encounters with nomads herding their livestock.

It feels like walking through a living landscape painting … except this one comes with fresh air, curious cows and sheep, and a pair of painfully sore leg muscles to remind you it’s all gloriously real

  • Location: Telety Pass, Terskey Ala-Too range, Issyk-Kul region, Kyrgyzstan (3800m)
  • How to go: Drive to Issyk-Kul Lake. You can start the trail either from Karakol or Jeti-Oguz valleys.
  • Attraction: Stunning natural landscape of the Terskey Ala-Tau range
  • Stay: Jeti Oguz- Kok Jaiyk Camp- Telety Camp- Karakol Gorge Camp
  • Difficulty: Hard/ Challenging
  • Distance out and back: Total distance 50km
  • Time spent: 4 days, 3 nights
  • Caution: Unpredictable weather change/ High altitude trekking. Bring your thermals, it’s a must
  • Tips: Hire a local guide to be safe.
  • Leech level: N/A
  • Entrance Fee: N/A
  • Require Permit: N/A
  • Local Guide: Zahariz Khuzaimah (+6010 2269806) (Zahariz@gmail.com)
  • Hiking date: start 29.08.2025/ end 01.10.2025
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Horse Riding to Song Kol Lake, Kyrgyzstan

Matsuda MashimaruLeave a comment

This is my second time in Central Asia.

My first journey took me to Mongolia years ago, and now, I find myself in Kyrgyzstan, the land of the Celestial Mountains, often called the Switzerland of Central Asia.

It’s easy to see why.

Nearly 90% of the country is covered by mountains, from the mighty Tien Shan to the rugged Pamir range. In a place like this, anyone who travels here must surely come for the mountains.

The moment I stepped onto its soil, I felt a quiet stillness in the air.

Song Kol Lake during sunset

From afar, the mountain range stretched endlessly beneath the soft light, and in that instant, I knew that there was no rush here. The people of Kyrgyzstan seem to move at the same gentle rhythm as the land itself; calm, unhurried, and deeply connected to nature. I reminded myself to do the same here. To move slower, to listen deeper, and to simply be present in this moment.

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