We made it into Kyrgyzstan by plane from Tashkent – entering the country was simple and straightforward. At the airport we were welcomed by our new guide and bus. After a quick detour to the hotel (and an unexpected late breakfast) we left Bishkek and made our way to Ala-Archa National Park, about 45 minutes out of town.

After spending the last ten days around ruins, monuments and historical buildings, getting into the National Park was a nice change … with the openness nearly overwhelming and green colour giving a good contrast to the red/orange/blue we were used to on this trip so far.