For those who didn’t know, I’ve temporarily left the bike in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital. And I have bought a horse. He’s called Sarala. He’s a very cool, chilled-out dude who doesn’t make any demands except for grass. But he does that often, and noisily. But that’s OK.

Anyway, I bought him from a quiet chap from a village called Temir Kanat near the south shore of Lake Issy Kul. I also bought saddle, bridle, rope, picket and some cheap chinese bags that I converted into panniers with a couple of leather straps. Then I filled the space with food for 5 days and off we set, to trek over the Tosor Pass, down to the hot springs of Jiliu-Suu, through a beautiful gorge of autumn colours and down to the small village of Eki Naryn. From the it was just two days on to Naryn then main town here. We arrived 10 days later, sun-burned, wind-whipped, a little lighter and a lot dirtier!
This is just a little preview really of how it has gone so far… I’ll upload the best photos from my good camera and give a full account when I am reunited with my laptop and wifi.
Great photos Helen and I love Sarala 🙂
I’m dreaming about longer trip by horse sometime.
What camera gear are you using?
Thanks Poul. Sarala is indeed great, although a little lazy and obsessed with food (A little like his owner perhaps)!
Camera gear: These pics are with Sony RX100 compact. Also have Fuji X100S which is the better quality, fixed lens camera which is new and I love it. (Have downsized from my DSLR + several lenses and have no regrets)
Hi Helen,
Just discovered your web site. Thanks for the great photos and great read. I’m off tomorrow on my first tour. Chosen an easy (few hills as posible) 6 week ride through France. It’s sites like yours that inspired me to go.
Wishing you more happy travels,
Thanks London. Hope your tour is great, and the first of many!