NORTHERN
TIEN SHAN
Almaty to Issyk Kul lake trekking
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| The Northern
Tien Shan, especially the area close to Almaty, is known of high mud flow
danger. Walking along the Chong Ak Suu gorge, you can see a lot of tracks
of catastrophic mud flows. AB |
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| The mud
flows can be so powerful that literally break the mountain ridges as is
seen on the foto. AB |
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| The upper
part of the gorge is using as alpine pastures. The middle and down parts
look really as paradise - beautiful fir forests, rich meadows, pure streams,
small lakes... AB |
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| In the
down part there is milk farm, where you can try local bread (non), kumiz
and even beshbarmak and other kinds of traditional Kyrgiz hospitality. It
is also available to descend further by track or car from there, but the
gorge is becoming so nice that it is worth to walk - it takes not much then
an hour to reach Georgievka, and sceneries cost that price!
AB |
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| If you're
fan of natural food, this gorge is exclusively for you! Author isn't too
big fan, but couldn't miss the chance to test local agarics! AB |
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| There
are some camping grounds a little down from the farm, so you can stay overnight
there to spend extra time in the gorge. AB |
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| The gorge
right down the farm suddenly becomes narrow but sceneries remain great!
AB |
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| The
combination of clear white water of Chong Ak Suu, fir trees and subalpine
meadows leaves an unforgettable impression. AB |
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| The
road descends quickly to Grigor'evka village on the shore of the beautiful
Issyk Kul lake (1600 m). You can stay here for a few days (we recommend
to drive on the west to Cholpon Ata - the local tourist center) or go south
to the Terskey Ala Too range,
which is seen on the horizon from the Cholpon Ata beach... AB |
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