Life in a yurt at Song Kul

After our first night in a southern yurt camp at Song Kul, we are awakened by sun rays shining through the yurt roof. When we step out of the yurt, our new Dutch acquaintances are awake and want to say goodbye - they are continuing their journey by bicycle.

For us, it's time to go to the dining yurt for breakfast - traditionally, we have porridge, but also bliny - pancakes. And of course, lots of tea! The children have also started drinking black tea... Then, we are asked if we want to go to the Banja for bathing (there are no showers here). We ask if we can postpone it to the evening, to which the girl shyly explains that it might be difficult with candles - of course, there is no electricity... So, we jump into the Banja first, wash ourselves, and warm up!

After the Banja, we go for a ride, accompanied by a young man who only speaks very broken Russian. We ride to a nearby mountain - the view of the lake is breathtaking! The horses are calm and patient - our children can ride alone quickly.

When we come back, there are Poles waiting at the camp, also going for a ride. They have been here for the second time, they tell us.

Then, it's lunchtime for us - Sharpo soup with flatbread.

The weather is perfect and we enjoy the beautiful sunshine, read, play. Then, we decide to hike to a nearby glacier, while the children stay at the camp, playing with other children.

The term "nearby" in the mountains is always relative, so our path takes us past lush meadows where horses, sheep, and cattle graze. Streams wind down, grasshoppers jump in front of our feet with each step, and the flower-rich mountain meadows smell heavenly... The first few hundred meters go well, but soon the incline gets steeper and we realize that we are at high altitudes with thin air. And soon we have to stop every 10 meters to catch our breath, the seemingly close glacier doesn't seem to get any closer! But eventually, we make it - now we can overlook almost the entire Song Kul. We trudge through the snow, refresh ourselves, and want to climb a bit higher. The view becomes more magnificent with every step! In total, we climb about 450 meters in altitude and reach an elevation of 3500 meters! The descent is much more pleasant. The children run towards us in the last meters - they also had a lot of fun!

The eldest is treated to a short ride with the Tooth Fairy money. In the camp, the host sets up another yurt with the boys, watching is fascinating, but unfortunately, we are not allowed to help.

A lamb has been slaughtered, so we have Kuurdak for dinner! We enjoy the sunset in the coolness, watch the milking, and play cards in the yurt. Unfortunately, the stove doesn't work so well today, but it eventually gets warm during the night.

The next morning, we have breakfast, marvel at the industrious family who continues to work on the yurt, and pack our things into our car. We say goodbye once again, "Come back anytime!" says the lady of the house, and we are already eagerly thinking about coming back - we are completely thrilled!

And now we drive to the north side of the lake again and then down the mountains to Kochkor. And hope that we have enough fuel 😁