Jyrgalan Trek, Kyrgyzstan

Jyrgalan Trek - Tian Shan Mountains, Kyrgyzstan

Jyrgalan Valley trek, Kyrgyzstan. Taken Day 2 on the approach to the second of two mountain passes for the day. This is Kyrgyzstan, a country 93% of whose landmass is mountainous. via Instagram http://ift.tt/2cjE7r4

Jyrgalan Trek, Crossing the Mountain Pass - Kyrgyzstan

Trekking, Kyrgyzstan style. Azamat, one of our Kyrgyz horsemen, pulls up at an 11,400 feet (3,475 meters) pass, looking south across the Teskey Ala-Too subrange of the Tian Shan Mountains. Our guide, Sascha, points us to the second and final pass we’ll cross that day. Over the course of three days, we hiked 55 kilometers (34 miles) over three mountain passes and across a string of high alpine lakes. We were grateful for Azamat and his crew to carry tents and food as we focused our attention on the trek, the atmosphere, and broad landscapes like these. Taken on the Jergalan (Jyrgalan) Valley Hike from the town of Jergalan en route to Karakol on the southeastern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan. via Instagram http://ift.tt/2bMev7z

Kyrgyzstan, what you see is what you get. A morning just right, skies clear, blues spot on. Trekking, where the work of the climb pays off in humbling views. via Instagram http://ift.tt/2cmSPOa

"Nature holds the key to our aesthetic, intellectual, cognitive and even spiritual satisfaction.” - E.O. Wilson No less true is this observation than where I took this photo, at what I call “The Summit of the Lakes” on the new trekking route carved out above the town of Jyrgalan, along the southeastern shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan. A landscape like this widens my eyes with its expansiveness, then draws and demands my attention to its finest details and dimensions -- as long as I allow it the time to do so. via Instagram http://ift.tt/2dmLmPu

Jyrgalan Trek in the Tian Shan Mountains of Kyrgyzstan

"Have you also learned that secret from the river; that there is no such thing as time? That the river is everywhere at the same time...that the present only exists for it, not the shadow of the past nor the shadow of the future.” — Hermann Hesse Nature is a lens through which to interpret our world and ourselves. Taken on the descent from Jyrgalan to Karakol in the Tian Shan Mountains, Kyrgyzstan.

Horsemen Cross the Mountain Pass on Jyrgalan Trek, Kyrgyzstan

Our guide explains to the horsemen where we will meet next for lunch as they cross a mountain pass as part of the Jyrgalan trek in the Tian Shan mountians of Kyrygzstan.

Dan Enjoys the View, Jyrgalan Trek - Kyrgyzstan

Dan enjoys the views of the mountains and lakes along the Jyrgalan trek in the Tian Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan.

Emile with this Dog - Jyrgalan, Kyrgyzstan

Emile, the owner of the guesthouse where we stayed in Jyrgalan, and his dog.

Setting Off on the Jyrgalan Trek - Kyrgyzstan

Saying goodbye to Jyrgalan and our hosts as we head off into the Tian Shan Mountains of eastern Kyrgyzstan.

Our Hosts in Jyrgalan, Kyrgyzstan

Emil and Gulmira run Alakol guesthouse in Jyrgalan and hosted us before we took off on the Jyrgalan trek. Kyrgyzstan.

Departing on Jyrgalan Trek, Day 1 - Kyrgyzstan

Leaving Jyrgalan village to go into the Tian Shan Mountains of eastern Kyrgyzstan.

Walking into Mountains from Jyrgalan Village - Kyrgyzstan

Dan walks into the mountains from Jyrgalan village in the valley. Kyrgyzstan.

Horses on the Jailoo (High Pasture) - Jyrgalan, Kyrgyzstan

Horses ride with their shepherd in the jailoo (high pasture) in Jyrgalan valley, Kyrgyzstan.

Walking Amongst Horses - Jyrgalan Trek, Kyrgyzstan

Dan and Kyle walk amongst the horses as they run by. Jyrgalan trek, day 1. Kyrgyzstan

Shepherds and their Sheep - Jyrgalan Trek, Kyrgyzstan

Shepherds take their sheep to a new pasture (jailoo). Jyrgalan trek day 1, Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyz Boy and Donkey - Jyrgalan trek, Kyrgyzstan

A Kyrgyz boy helps his father with shepherding. Jyrgalan trek, day 1. Kyrgyzstan.

Shepherds with their Sheep - Jyrgalan Trek, Kyrgyzstan

Shepherds take their sheep to a new pasture (jailoo). Jyrgalan trek day 1, Kyrgyzstan.

Yurt in the Tian Shan Mountians - Jyrgalan Trek, Kyrgyzstan

Yurt in the valley in the Tian Shan Mountains outside of Jyrgalan, Kyrgyzstan.

Calf Encounters - Jyrgalan Trek, Kyrgyzstan

Encountering calfs and cows on our Jyrgalan Trek in Kyrgyzstan.

Dan Makes a New Friend - Jyrgalan Trek, Kyrgyzstan

Dan pets a calf on the Jyrgalan trek, Kyrgyzstan.

Jyrgalan Trek, Going into Mountains - Kyrgyzstan

Going into the mountains outside of Jyrgalan, Kyrgyzstan.

Trekking Up to an Alpine Lake - Jyrgalan Trek, Kyrgyzstan

Doing a detour to see the alpine lake, Jyrgalan Trek. Kyrgyzstan.

Steep Ascent to Alpine Lake - Jyrgalan Trek, Kyrgyzstan

Steep climb to the alpine lake on day 1 of the Jyrgalan Trek, Kyrgyzstan.

Steep Climb to Alpine Lake - Jyrgalan Trek, Kyrgyzstan

Steep climb to the alpine lake, day 1 of the Jyrgalan Trek, Kyrgyzstan.