Recent Hikes

Landscape of the Chon Kaindy Valley in Chuy Oblast
Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan: Chon Kaindy Valley Trail

Kyrgyzstan: Chon Kaindy Valley Kyrgyzstan’s Chon Kaindy Valley (sometimes transliterated as Chong-Kaindy of Chong-Kaingdy instead) is not among the well-known trekking routes in the Chuy Oblast surrounding Bishkek, and therein lies much of the appeal. There are no epic peak panoramas, but an abundance of beautiful verdant nature away from […]

Hiking the Ak-Kol Loop trail in Jumgal Kyrgyzstan
Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan: Ak Kol Loop Hike

Kyrgyzstan: Ak Kol Loop Hike This Ak Kol Loop route begins and ends in the quaint log-cabin village of Ak-Kol in Naryn oblasts’ rarely-visited Jumgal region. Though access to the village isn’t easy (requiring a private transfer from the nearest village at Chaek), the surroundings are beautiful and the village […]

Trekking in Ak-Suu Arboretum
Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan: Ak Suu Arboretum

Kyrgyzstan: Ak Suu Arboretum Dayhike Ak Suu Arboretum is an easy dayhike outside the city of Karakol in the east of Kyrgyzstan. Not very physically demanding and with reasonably pleasant walking and nice views, it makes for a nice rest day in Karakol or a simple dayhike for travellers who […]

Nepal: Tamang Heritage Trail Trek
Nepal, South Asia

Nepal: Tamang Heritage Trail

Nepal: Tamang Heritage Trail Trek The Tamang Heritage Trail is not one of the most popular treks in Nepal – it doesn’t hit the highest peaks in the region, doesn’t have a long history of foreign trekkers, and (horror of horrors!) it’s hard to find a slice of apple pie. […]

Kyrgyzstan Topographic Trekking Maps - топографические карты Кыргызстана
Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan: Topographic Trek Maps

Kyrgyzstan Topographic Trekking Maps топографические карты Кыргызстана In partnership with national tourism brand Discover Kyrgyzstan, the USAID Business Growth Initiative recently helped design a set of topographic trekking maps covering their partner destinations across the country of Kyrgyzstan. Each map includes detailed descriptions, distance, and difficulty information along with photos of every […]

Hiker's Guide: Kyrgyzstan's Ala-Archa Valley Trail
Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan: Ala-Archa Valley Trail

Kyrgyzstan: Ala-Archa Valley Trail Only a 30-45 minute drive from the capital city of Bishkek, the Ala-Archa Valley Trail inside the Ala-Archa National Park is perhaps the most accessible hiking destination in all of the Kyrgyz Republic. There are several marked trails and a number of unmarked options, but seemingly […]