Category Archives: Central Asia

Hiking to Butakovskiy Waterfall in Almaty: Kazakhstan Nature at its Finest

Hiking to Butakovskiy Waterfall in Almaty: Kazakhstan Nature at its Finest and a Day Trip from Almaty mountain

I arrived back in Almaty, Kazakhstan in early May for two months with the mindset that I was going to work, work, work and travel around Central Asia very little. The trip I had planned with a friend for journalists and photographers out to the western part of Kazakhstan had fallen through at the hands […]

Kostanay, Kazakhstan: Spending Winter in ‘Almost’ Siberia

Kostanay, Kazakhstan is almost Siberia.  Almost.  It lies very close to the Russian border and in the northern Kazakh steppe.  There is nothing for miles and miles…and miles…and miles. Summer is probably beautiful there.  I imagine parks open with ferris wheels spinning and kids laughing while eating their pink cotton candy.  I imagine teenagers sitting […]

Lake Issyk, Kazakhstan: A Turquoise Slice of Tragic History and Pleasure Near Almaty

Lake Issyk, Kazakhstan: A Turquoise Slice of History and Pleasure Near Almaty

Kazakhstan is the gift that keeps on giving.  I never ventured too far outside of my Almaty bubble in the country in recent years because I just felt at home and was okay wasting my days away inside of cafes and pubs.  I really didn’t realize just how much there was to see and do […]

Best Bishkek Hotels and Hostels for All Budgets and Travelers

Where to stay in Bishkek- Best Bishkek hotels and hostels for all budgets and travelers

If you’re heading out to Central Asia, one thing you will want to make sure you have in order ahead of time or when you’re on the road with good wifi is proper and good accommodation. This Bishkek hotels guide will give you our top picks of hostels in Bishkek for the budget travelers and […]

Konorchek Canyon: The Perfect Stop Between Bishkek and Issyk-Kul

Konorchek Canyon Kyrgyzstan Hiking in Summer-22

Kyrgyzstan is full of natural wonders and remarkable places to visit. Konorchek Canyon, also known as Red Bridge Canyon(s), is the ideal place to make a pit-stop in between Bishkek and Issyk-Kul and catch some fresh air.  This is a quick guide to how to get to Konorchek Canyon in the Boom Gorge, what to […]