L-R: Ching Neng Bin, Ng Yoke Ping, Law Chew Siah, Chan Hew Ley, Joanne Tan Pheck San, Ronnie Chin Keng Kok, Chia Kok Bin, Nancy Ho Siew Cheng, Clara Leong Sook Wah, Chew Leng Soon.
Day 8 (25 May 2026) Altyn Arashan → Karakol
Our 8th day marked our return from the breath-taking Altyn Arashan Valley to the town of Karakol, retracing the same 31-km mountain route that had brought us there the previous day.
Once again, we boarded the sturdy Russian GAZ-66 4x4 off-road vehicles for the descent. Although we knew what to expect, the journey was every bit as rough as before. The vehicles bounced and lurched over large boulders, rocky tracks, and uneven ground, making it one of the bumpiest rides many of us had ever experienced. Despite the discomfort, the spectacular mountain scenery more than compensated for the challenging journey.
Our only stop along the way turned out to be one of the most memorable moments of the day. A flock of more than 500 sheep completely occupied the narrow mountain road, forcing all vehicles to come to a halt while the animals slowly made their way past us. It was a delightful reminder that in the mountains, nature and traditional pastoral life still dictate the pace of travel.
While waiting, we watched numerous hikers making their way up the valley, some on foot and others on horseback, beginning the same adventure we had just completed. We also struck up conversations with fellow travellers from Singapore and several European countries, exchanging travel stories and experiences before continuing our journey.
Upon reaching the outskirts of Karakol, we stopped at Victory Park, also known as Jengish Park, where we transferred from the off-road UAZ vehicles back into our comfortable touring van with our regular driver.
The centrepiece of the park is the impressive monument known as Mother Russia. The sculpture depicts a woman raising a sword high above her head, symbolising courage and victory. Behind her stand two tall columns joined at the top by a large Soviet star bearing the hammer-and-sickle emblem, a reminder of Kyrgyzstan's Soviet past and the sacrifices made during the Second World War.
For lunch, we returned to one of our favourite eateries in Karakol, Dastorkon Restaurant, where we once again enjoyed delicious local cuisine. After lunch, we checked into the Sierra Hotel before spending the afternoon exploring the town.
Some of us returned to the Container Market to purchase snacks, fresh fruits, and souvenir T-shirts, while others simply enjoyed strolling through the lively streets of Karakol.
Our day concluded with a memorable dinner at Karakolka Live Trout Restaurant, located beside the Sierra Hotel. Fresh live trout was grilled to perfection and served straight from the restaurant's tanks, providing a delicious finale to another rewarding day in Kyrgyzstan.
After eight days of travelling through mountains, valleys, and lakes, Karakol had begun to feel like a second home—a welcoming base before the next stage of our Silk Road adventure.
8th night accommodation: Sierra Hotel, Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
Our 8th day marked our return from the breath-taking Altyn Arashan Valley to the town of Karakol, retracing the same 31-km mountain route that had brought us there the previous day.
In the early morning, the outside temperature had dropped to 4.3 °C.
Good morning to Clara Leong Sook Wah,Joanne Tan Pheck San, Ronnie Chin Keng Kok,
Our Hotel Arashan breakfast.
Enjoying the picturesque valley of Altyn Arashan.
Enjoying the picturesque valley of Altyn Arashan.
Enjoying the picturesque valley of Altyn Arashan.
Once again, we boarded the Russian UAZ 4×4 vehicles for the descent. Although we knew what to expect, the journey was every bit as rough as before. The vehicles bounced and lurched over large boulders, rocky tracks, and uneven ground, making it one of the bumpiest rides many of us had ever experienced. Despite the discomfort, the spectacular mountain scenery more than compensated for the challenging journey.
Despite the discomfort, the mountain scenery more than compensated for the challenging journey.
We boarded the Russian UAZ 4×4 vehicles for the descent at Altyn Arashan. 
Despite the discomfort, the mountain scenery more than compensated for the challenging journey.
Despite the discomfort, the mountain scenery more than compensated for the challenging journey.
Despite the discomfort, the mountain scenery more than compensated for the challenging journey.
Despite the discomfort, the mountain scenery more than compensated for the challenging journey.
Despite the discomfort, the mountain scenery more than compensated for the challenging journey.
Despite the discomfort, the mountain scenery more than compensated for the challenging journey.
Despite the discomfort, the mountain scenery more than compensated for the challenging journey.
Despite the discomfort, the mountain scenery more than compensated for the challenging journey.
L-R: Ching Neng Bin, Ng Yoke Ping, Law Chew Siah, Chan Hew Ley, Joanne Tan Pheck San, Ronnie Chin Keng Kok, Chia Kok Bin, Nancy Ho Siew Cheng, Clara Leong Sook Wah, Chew Leng Soon.
At this short break, we watched numerous hikers making their way up the valley, some on foot and others on horseback, beginning the same adventure we had just completed. 
At this short break, we also struck up conversations with fellow travellers from Singapore and several European countries, exchanging travel stories and experiences before continuing our journey.
🐪🐫Thousand sheep of Altyn Arashan.
Countryside view, with open grasslands and snow-capped Tian Shan Mountains in the distance.
Upon reaching the outskirts of Karakol, we stopped at Victory Park (Jengish Park), where we transferred from the off-road UAZ vehicles back into our comfortable touring van with our regular driver.
The centerpiece of Victory Park is the impressive monument known as Mother Russia. The sculpture depicts a woman raising a sword high above her head, symbolising courage and victory. Behind her stand two tall columns joined at the top by a large Soviet star bearing the hammer-and-sickle emblem, a reminder of Kyrgyzstan's Soviet past and the sacrifices made during the Second World War.
Before returning the Russian GAZ-66 4x4 off-road vehicles, the driver checks their undercarriage.
Before returning the Russian GAZ-66 4x4 off-road vehicles, the driver checks their undercarriage.
Before returning the Russian GAZ-66 4x4 off-road vehicles, the driver checks their undercarriage.
For lunch, we returned to one of our favourite eateries in Karakol, Dastorkon Restaurant, where we once again enjoyed delicious local cuisine.
Had lunch at Dastorkon Restaurant in Karakol, where we once again enjoyed delicious local cuisine.
Lunch at Dastorkon Restaurant in Karakol, where we once again enjoyed delicious local cuisine.
Lunch at Dastorkon Restaurant in Karakol, where we once again enjoyed delicious local cuisine.
Lunch at Dastorkon Restaurant in Karakol, where we once again enjoyed delicious local cuisine.
Lunch at Dastorkon Restaurant in Karakol, where we once again enjoyed delicious local cuisine.
Please be advised that this Kyrgyz beer contains 11% alcohol.
Beautiful painting at Dastorkon Restaurant in Karakol.
A beautiful Kyrgyz Shyrdak rug at Dastorkon Restaurant in Karakol.
After lunch, we checked into the Sierra Hotel before spending the afternoon exploring the town.
After lunch, we checked into the Sierra Hotel before spending the afternoon exploring the town.
8th night accommodation: Sierra Hotel, Karakol, Kyrgyzstan 
Some of us returned to the Container Market to purchase snacks, fresh fruits, and souvenir T-shirts, while others simply enjoyed strolling through the lively streets of Karakol.
Some of us simply enjoyed strolling through the Container Market of Karakol.
Some of us simply enjoyed strolling through the Container Market of Karakol.
Some of us simply enjoyed strolling through the Container Market of Karakol.
Some of us simply enjoyed strolling through the Container Market of Karakol.
Some of us simply enjoyed strolling through the Container Market of Karakol.
Some of us simply enjoyed strolling through the Container Market of Karakol.
Some of us simply enjoyed strolling through the Container Market of Karakol.
Some of us simply enjoyed strolling through the Container Market of Karakol.
We purchased some fresh fruits at the Karakol Container Market.
We purchased some fresh fruits at the Karakol Container Market.
We purchased some fresh bread at the Karakol Container Market.
We purchased some fresh bread at the Karakol Container Market.
Chew Leng Soon found this Karakolka Live Trout Restaurant, located beside the Sierra Hotel and a minute's walk away.
Our memorable dinner at Karakolka Live Trout Restaurant, located beside the Sierra Hotel.
Our memorable dinner at Karakolka Live Trout Restaurant, located beside the Sierra Hotel.
Our memorable dinner at Karakolka Live Trout Restaurant, located beside the Sierra Hotel.
Our memorable dinner at Karakolka Live Trout Restaurant, located beside the Sierra Hotel.
Our day concluded with a memorable dinner at Karakolka Live Trout Restaurant, located beside the Sierra Hotel. Fresh live trout was grilled to perfection and served straight from the restaurant's tanks, providing a delicious finale to another rewarding day in Kyrgyzstan.
Ching Neng Bin was served straight from the Karakolka Live Trout Restaurant.
Ching Neng Bin was served straight from the Karakolka Live Trout Restaurant.
Fresh live trout was grilled to perfection and served straight from the restaurant's tanks, providing a delicious finale to another rewarding day in Kyrgyzstan.
We met Singaporeans who also stay at the same hotel. We exchanged travel experiences with each other.
We met Singaporeans who also stay at the same hotel. We exchanged travel experiences with each other.
The day isn't done until we complete our normal crate of beer. Chew Leng Soon, Chia Kok Bin, and Ching Neng Bin joyfully celebrated on the hotel's comfortable balcony.
2026 Central Asia (Silk Road II) Adventure
Kyrgyzstan • Uzbekistan • Tajikistan (18 May – 6 June 2026)
The 10 backpackers: Chan Hew Ley, Chew Leng Soon, Chia Kok Bin,
Ching Neng Bin, Clara Leong Sook Wah, Joanne Tan Pheck San, Law Chew
Siah, Nancy Ho Siew Cheng, Ng Yoke Ping, Ronnie Chin Keng Kok.
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