L-R: Chew Leng Soon, Clara Leong Sook Wah, Chan Hew Ley, Law Chew Siah, Ng Yoke Ping, Joanne Tan Pheck San, Ronnie Chin Keng Kok, Nancy Ho Siew Cheng, Chia Kok Bin, Ching Neng Bin.
Day 10 (27 May 2026) Altygat Lodge → Barskoon Waterfall → Tosor → Tong
Our 10th day combined mountain trekking with a scenic drive along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. The day's journey covered approximately 80 km, beginning with a hike to the beautiful Barskoon Waterfalls, then continuing west to Skazka Canyon, and finally to our overnight stay at Beltam Yurt Camp in Tong.
After breakfast at Altygat Lodge, we headed into the spectacular Barskoon Gorge, nestled within the Tian Shan mountain range. Dense pine forests, crystal-clear streams, and snow-capped peaks created a magnificent setting for one of Kyrgyzstan's most popular hiking destinations.
Our group split into two according to fitness levels. The ladies chose the lower waterfall, which is closer to the trailhead and easier to reach, while the men challenged themselves with the steeper climb to the upper waterfall.
The uphill trek took about 45 minutes over rocky and sometimes slippery trails. The climb was demanding, but every step was rewarded by increasingly spectacular mountain scenery. At the top, we reached the impressive waterfall cascading down a broad sloping rock face. Climbing carefully to the base of the falls, we could feel the tremendous force of the rushing water as it thundered down the mountainside. Standing so close to the waterfall, surrounded by towering forests and alpine peaks, was one of the unforgettable highlights of our journey through Kyrgyzstan.
After descending from the mountains, we stopped at the Yuri Gagarin Monument. The monument commemorates Yuri Gagarin, the first person to travel into space, who visited the Barskoon Valley after his historic 1961 spaceflight to rest and recuperate. The memorial serves as a reminder of the close historical ties between Kyrgyzstan and the Soviet space programme.
Continuing westward, we visited Fairy Tale Canyon that looked like something from another planet. Brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow sandstone had been sculpted over thousands of years by wind, rain, and erosion into an incredible landscape of castles, dragons, towers, animals, and mythical creatures. Walking among these colourful rock formations felt like stepping into a fantasy world—or even a Martian landscape. Every turn revealed another natural sculpture, making it one of the most photogenic locations along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake.
After lunch in Tong, we continued to Beltam Yurt Camp, beautifully situated beside the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake. The peaceful lakeside setting provided the perfect place to relax after an active morning.
The men gathered inside one of the traditional yurts to enjoy a well-earned beer while chatting about the day's adventures. It was a relaxing afternoon filled with laughter and good fellowship, while others rested or explored the lakeshore.
In the evening, we travelled into town for dinner before returning to the lake in time to witness a magnificent sunset over Issyk-Kul. As the sun slowly disappeared behind the distant mountains, the sky turned brilliant shades of gold, orange, and crimson, reflecting beautifully across the calm waters of the lake. It was a peaceful and unforgettable ending to another remarkable day along the Silk Road.
10th night accommodation: Beltam Yurt Camp, Tong, Kyrgyzstan 
Our 10th day combined mountain trekking with a scenic drive along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. The day's journey covered approximately 80 km, beginning with a hike to the beautiful Barskoon Waterfalls, then continuing west to Skazka Canyon, and finally to our overnight stay at Beltam Yurt Camp in Tong.
Our 9th night accommodation: Altygat Lodge, Barskoon.
Our 9th night accommodation: Altygat Lodge, Barskoon.
The spectacular Barskoon Gorge, nestled within the Tian Shan mountain range.
The spectacular Barskoon Gorge, nestled within the Tian Shan mountain range.
Our 9th night accommodation: Altygat Lodge, Barskoon.
Our 9th night accommodation: Altygat Lodge, Barskoon.
At 7 a.m., the temperature inside the Altygat Lodge in Barskoon is 22°C and 7.2°C outside.
Having breakfast at Altygat Lodge, Barskoon.
Having breakfast at Altygat Lodge, Barskoon.
The kitchen at Altygat Lodge, Barskoon.
The kitchen at Altygat Lodge, Barskoon.
A group photo with the hosts at Altygat Lodge, Barskoon.
Ching Neng Bin with the host at Altygat Lodge, Barskoon.
Chew Leng Soon and Ching Neng Bin with the host at Altygat Lodge, Barskoon.
Chew Leng Soon and Ching Neng Bin with the host at Altygat Lodge, Barskoon.
The mother is on the right, while her daughter is on the left. The mother appears extremely young.
The hosts at Altygat Lodge appear to be saddened by our departure.
Go ahead! We're ready to move on to our next waterfall adventure.
After breakfast at Altygat Lodge, we headed into the spectacular Barskoon Gorge, nestled within the Tian Shan mountain range. Dense pine forests, crystal-clear streams, and snow-capped peaks created a magnificent setting for one of Kyrgyzstan's most popular hiking destinations.
We headed into the spectacular Barskoon Gorge, nestled within the Tian Shan mountain range. 
We headed into the spectacular Barskoon Gorge, nestled within the Tian Shan mountain range. 
We headed into the spectacular Barskoon Gorge, nestled within the Tian Shan mountain range. Dense pine forests, crystal-clear streams, and snow-capped peaks created a magnificent setting for one of Kyrgyzstan's most popular hiking destinations.
We headed into the spectacular Barskoon Gorge, nestled within the Tian Shan mountain range.
Our group split into two according to fitness levels. The ladies chose the lower waterfall, which is closer to the trailhead and easier to reach, while the men challenged themselves with the steeper climb to the upper waterfall.
Our group split into two according to fitness levels. The ladies chose the lower waterfall, which is closer to the trailhead and easier to reach, while the men challenged themselves with the steeper climb to the upper waterfall.
A lush conifer forest in the Barskoon Valley, with dense evergreens framing a valley floor.
Our group split into two according to fitness levels. The ladies chose the lower waterfall, which is closer to the trailhead and easier to reach, while the men challenged themselves with the steeper climb to the upper waterfall.
The lower Barskoon waterfall is closer to the trailhead and easier to reach.
The lower Barskoon waterfall is closer to the trailhead and easier to reach.
The ladies chose the lower waterfall, which is closer to the trailhead and easier to reach.
The ladies chose the lower waterfall, which is closer to the trailhead and easier to reach.
A lush conifer forest in the Barskoon Valley, with dense evergreens.
The men challenged themselves with the steeper climb to the upper Barskoon waterfall.
The men challenged themselves with the steeper climb to the upper Barskoon waterfall.
The men challenged themselves with the steeper climb to the upper Barskoon waterfall.
Ching Neng Bin took on the challenge of the steeper climb to the upper Barskoon waterfall.
Ching Neng Bin took on the challenge of the steeper climb to the upper Barskoon waterfall.
Ching Neng Bin took on the challenge of the steeper climb to the upper Barskoon waterfall.
Ching Neng Bin took on the challenge of the steeper climb to the upper Barskoon waterfall.
Ching Neng Bin took on the challenge of the steeper climb to the upper Barskoon waterfall.
The uphill trek took about 45 minutes over rocky and sometimes slippery trails. The climb was demanding, but every step was rewarded by increasingly spectacular mountain scenery. At the top, we reached the impressive waterfall cascading down a broad sloping rock face. Climbing carefully to the base of the falls, we could feel the tremendous force of the rushing water as it thundered down the mountainside. Standing so close to the waterfall, surrounded by towering forests and alpine peaks, was one of the unforgettable highlights of our journey through Kyrgyzstan.
Barskoon Waterfall is a geological protected area located in Jeti-Ögüz District of Issyk-Kul Region of Kyrgyzstan. It sits 90 km to the southwest of Karakol on one of the tributaries of the Barskoon River. There are several waterfalls at the site, which is located 20 km south of the village of Barskoon.
The impressive Barskoon Waterfall cascades down a broad sloping rock face. Climbing carefully to the base of the falls, we could feel the tremendous force of the rushing water as it thundered down the mountainside. Standing so close to the waterfall, surrounded by towering forests and alpine peaks, was one of the unforgettable highlights of our journey through Kyrgyzstan.
At the top, we reached the impressive Barskoon Waterfall cascading down a broad sloping rock face. Climbing carefully to the base of the falls, we could feel the tremendous force of the rushing water as it thundered down the mountainside. Standing so close to the waterfall, surrounded by towering forests and alpine peaks, was one of the unforgettable highlights of our journey through Kyrgyzstan.
We reached the impressive Barskoon Waterfall, cascading down a broad sloping rock face. 
Descending from the Barskoon Waterfall.
While descending from the Barskoon Waterfall, Ching Neng Bin slipped and fell 4 or 5 feet, injuring his index toe and knee.
While descending from the Barskoon Waterfall, Ching Neng Bin slipped and fell 4 or 5 feet, injuring his index toe and knee.
While descending from the Barskoon Waterfall, Ching Neng Bin slipped and fell 4 or 5 feet, injuring his index toe and knee.
Met some hikers along the trek down from the Barskoon Waterfall.
A dirt road winding through the Barskoon Valley, flanked by snow-capped peaks and pine forest.
After descending from the mountains, we stopped at the Yuri Gagarin Monument. The monument commemorates Yuri Gagarin, the first person to travel into space, who visited the Barskoon Valley after his historic 1961 spaceflight to rest and recuperate. The memorial serves as a reminder of the close historical ties between Kyrgyzstan and the Soviet space programme.
The monument commemorates Yuri Gagarin, the first person to travel into space, who visited the Barskoon Valley after his historic 1961 spaceflight to rest and recuperate. The memorial serves as a reminder of the close historical ties between Kyrgyzstan and the Soviet space programme.
The monument commemorates Yuri Gagarin, the first person to travel into space, who visited the Barskoon Valley after his historic 1961 spaceflight to rest and recuperate. The memorial serves as a reminder of the close historical ties between Kyrgyzstan and the Soviet space programme.
The monument commemorates Yuri Gagarin, the first person to travel into space, who visited the Barskoon Valley after his historic 1961 spaceflight to rest and recuperate.
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