The journey started with a flight to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan. After a look around the city we drove out northwards and then eastwards into the Alatau range of mountains and over a pass at 3038m. Dropping down to Song Kul, a lake at 3016m, we camped in tents and yurts. The next day we met our horses and climbed up into the hills behind the camp to reach a pass above the snow line.

Then our horse ride started in earnest. We rode beside the lake and then started our climb into the mountains and down into the valleys. After about seven or eight hours in the saddle we reached our camp for the night. A good meal with vodka toasts and we were ready for our sleeping bags in the tents.

A similar pattern of riding took place over the next four days. The mountains were always in sight and often snow-capped. Sometimes the tracks were narrow and we had to dismount and lead the horses. On the last day we rode alongside a valley with several glaciers visible on the mountainside. A wonderful experience. Then it was time for me to leave my friends and travel down the Shamshy valley to Tokmak. On the way we visited the Burana Tower. The Sogdians founded this Soviet restoration of an 11th century monument