We never did get to say a proper farewell to the trek participants. Most were flying out a few hours after the arrival back to Tashkent and we were moving on to an Independent package visiting Shakhrisabz, Bukhara, Khiva, and Ashgabad in Turkmenistan. The Kyrgyzstan hostages weren’t ransomed for another two months after our exit [...]
“Travel Tips & Advice on The ‘Stans – Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyreyzstan & Tajikstan”
The Epic, Long, Kyrgystan to Tajikistan to Uzbekistan Journey
March 13th, 2009 
Sheila Simkin The Kyrgystan KGB had decided. They did not want a group of Americans kidnapped in their country especially since the American Embassy had put the word out that the Americans had to be protected at all costs. Instead, we would begin a marathon journey back to Uzbekistan via Tajikistan. If we happened to get kidnapped [...]
A Challenging Return from Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan Began
March 12th, 2009 Sheila Simkin Filled with unbounded energy and joy that the trek was over and we had survived, ex-Marine and I hauled butt down from that last camp. Over 3,800′ in 2-1/2 hours…we were moving. The buses were there and we prepared for what all thought was going to be a seven-hour drive back into Uzbekistan and the [...]
Posted in The 'Stans - Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyreyzstan & Tajikstan 
Tags: adventure, destination, event, events, food, hiking, information, Kyrgyzstan, landmark, log, nature, sightseeing, travel, trek, trekking, Uzbekistan 
1 Comment »
Over The Upanym Pass to One Last Kyrgyzstan Camp
March 11th, 2009 Sheila Simkin Another long, gradual trek back into the high country where families of herders greeted us. Meadows filled with wildflowers and spectacular ridge top views. After lunch, we crossed the 11,375′ Upanym pass and began the descent through a series of watersheds with a stream crossing. The day ended by another creek where Kyrgyz herder families [...]
Posted in The 'Stans - Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyreyzstan & Tajikstan Tags: adventure, destination, event, events, food, hiking, information, Kyrgyzstan, landmark, log, nature, sightseeing, travel, trek, trekking No Comments »
The Equally Remote Karasu and Karavshin Valleys in Kyrgyzstan
March 10th, 2009 Sheila Simkin Rob called a rest day in the magnificent Karasu Valley for those who so desired and offered an optional hike into the upper reaches visited by rock climbers around the world. Those who wanted would ascend a steep side gulch that ended at the feet of an obelisk known as Forty-eight Ten, an impressive rock [...]
Food is Needed for Fuel On A High Altitude Treks, Kyrgyzstan
March 9th, 2009 Sheila Simkin The food prepared and eaten on a high-altitude hike or trek is like nothing else you may be used to. High-carbohydrates, low-fat diets are usually the rule. Carbohydrates help replace depleted muscle glycogen stores, and require less oxygen for metabolism. A person can expend as much as 6,000 calories a day (almost two pounds a [...]
Trekking Through Unknown Valleys in The Turkestan Range, Kyrgyzstan
March 8th, 2009 Sheila Simkin Orto Chashma, Eastern Karasu Valley, “Koshes” and passes. Who ever heard of these places before? Certainly not any of us. The days would begin very early and the group would usually be on the trail by 7:00 am, leaving the camp crew behind to break camp. It wouldn’t be long though before there would be [...]
Trekking Up and Over The Aktubek Pass in Kyrgyzstan
March 7th, 2009 Sheila Simkin A layover day in the Aksu Valley was great and we all took an optional acclimatization hike to the back of the valley up to 12,000′. This, I did not like because it was 1-1/2 hours up through stones and scree (loose rock debris) on a ridge, followed by 1-1/2 hours down on the same [...]
Trekking into The Dazzling and Remote Aksu Valley, Kyrgyzstan
March 6th, 2009 Sheila Simkin Daylight brought happy spirits to one and all. The sun was shining so we could actually see what was strewn everywhere inside our tents last night while undressing in the dark. TIP: It never hurts to carry your flashlight/torch in a backpack instead of duffel. Never know when it will come in handy. Breakfast, tore [...]
The Kyrgyzstan Trek begins in the Fergana Valley
March 5th, 2009 Sheila Simkin To describe the entire day as long, would be a gross understatement. Endless, forever, continuous, never ending would be better. The day started at 3:00 am for the five-hour drive back to the Tashkent Airport from Samarkand. The drive was followed by the short flight to Fergana where Rob was informed by the tour operator [...]
