Adventure to Kyrgyzstan
Sunrise view of the Tian-Shan mountains from Sary Jaz valley
Vast, Wild, and Gorgeous: That's how I'd sum up Kyrgyzstan after my recent trip there. To be honest, before this journey, I couldn't even locate it on a map, and it wasn't on my travel radar. I'm the kind of person who always craves new experiences, especially in the great outdoors. Being out in nature is like hitting the reset button for me, and that's when my creative juices start flowing. Lately, though, my adventures had been confined to short 2-3 day getaways. But one evening, I told my wife that I needed a real adventure, something off the beaten path.
Then, out of the blue, I saw an ad on Instagram for a tour to Kyrgyzstan. The pictures of those towering mountains and beautiful valleys grabbed me. My wife, always my biggest cheerleader, said, "Go for it!" I'm usually the type who overthinks everything, especially when it comes to spending big bucks and traveling halfway across the world to a place I'd never even heard of. But this time, I just went for it. The good thing about group adventures is that spots are limited, so you've got to make up your mind quick. I paid the deposit and started searching flights, this is really happening.
Looking back, I'm so glad I took that leap. It was a trip of a lifetime. I purposely didn't do a ton of research on the places we'd be visiting. I wanted to experience Kyrgyzstan with fresh eyes, without being influenced by internet pictures. I only checked out the geography and terrain but didn't dive into the photography scene. I knew there'd be mountains, but I was blown away by how huge and stunning the Tian Shan mountains were.
Like any adventure, we had our fair share of unpredictable weather when it came time to snap photos. I really wanted to capture those epic snowy peaks, but Mother Nature had other plans. So, I rolled with it and did my best to create some awesome art.
But it wasn't just the scenery that made this trip unforgettable. The people in Kyrgyzstan were incredible. Even though we didn't speak the same language—I don't know Kyrgyz or Russian—we managed to communicate in basic ways, like saying "yes" to more tea. And having lunch in traditional yurts up in the mountains? That was an experience like no other.
I can’t express just how much I want to gush about this incredible country. Whether it was hiking to alpine lakes or embarking on horseback rides through remote mountainous areas and vast valleys, the memories keep replaying in may mind, and I find myself daydreaming about a return trip.
I genuinely consider myself fortunate to have the opportunity to visit extraordinary places and partake in new and enriching experiences. I wholeheartedly encourage you to step out of your comfort zone from time to time and embrace the chance to explore something or somewhere unfamiliar. It's in these moments of discovery that we often find some of life's most remarkable treasures.
Thanks as always for following along on my journey, I appreciate your support. I hope you enjoy my images as much as I do creating them. Feel free to reach out if you a comment, question or jut want to say hey.
~ Andrew
