We had a short drive around Issyk Kol to Djety Oguz where we stopped at some huge red sandstone cliffs (called the 5 bulls, I think), bordering the road. We were due to camp on the river side but getting there wasn't simple and the sand mats were needed to get the truck out the mud a couple of times. The route to camp was our first insight to real Kyrgy. Families living in yurts and herding livestock. We camped amongst forest with the mountains in the background which was really beautiful, even with the torrential rain.
6 of us went on a long trek to an alpine lake with our local guide Erkin. Starting at 7am, the walk was tough from the beginning as we gained height, walking in a hot sun. It didn't get easier as we scrambled for hours on scree slopes and boulders. So much strain on the ankles, and, by the time we got to the top I had cut knees and bruised toes thanks to a boulder landing on my foot. It was worth it though as we had lunch looking out on to the frozen lake at 3500m. Then we had to go down, the same way as we came up, cutting some corners by sliding down snow on our bums and wading across some pretty swollen rivers. The final day was spent nursing the legs with a gentle stroll to the village for coffee, a bucket shower and watching a red squirrel with a white tail. Exciting stuff!
From Djety Oguz we headed to a much needed homestay in Karakol. It was the market here where we were to find a fancy dress outfit for our "picked out of a bag" person. Much harder than it sounds, as all was to be kept secret unless you wanted to pay for the truck punch for the eve. A few drinks in the evening and a 2 hour walking tour of the village (Pete couldn't find the restaurant) and a good night was had by all.
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