I have been living and working in Kyrgyzstan for the last 3 years. I was a volunteer in Karakol at EcoTrek and in Bishkek at the Trekking Union (TUK). Now I work for a tour company called Kalpak Travel. I'm there local repressive hear in Central Asia. I love my job and I work with some really great people!

I enjoy trekking and cooking and my life in Kyrgyzstan.

I have spent about 2 years off and on in Europe traveling around and seeing some nice places and people. I have been in Kyrgyzstan for the last 2 years and its going like this.

Philosophy
today, is the first day, of a great adventure! Words from a good friend.

Local number and whats app is: 07702214 two 9

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I live in the center of Bishkek and I enjoy my life hear. I would like to share it with you for a night or two. Bishkek is a bit of a crazy place but I like it.

Since most people land in Bishkek at 4:00 AM can i please ask that you sleep at the airport or at a hostel because I have to work during the day. I'm free after 4:00/5:00pm each day.

If your flying from Bishkek to abroad its best if you sleep at the airport since most flights leave at 2:00 or 3:00 AM. Sorry its hard for me to get up in the night since I need to work during the day.

I do not host CSs that do not have local sim cards! It only cost 100 SOM 1 dollar for a card and you can get one at the airport! It's easy!

I'm not a big fan of hosing hitchhikers. I was a hitchhiker in Europe and in the states, Kyrgyzstan is not really safe place for hitchhiking and the local people do not ask that much money....three dollars for 5 hour car ride... come on...

Please make sure to use the shower, I'm not a big fan when my flat smells like a sport gym.....and this is a real problem.

The meeting point will be my office in Bishkek.
You can find me at the Trekking Union Of Kyrgyzstan in the center of the city.
Киевская 168
Bishkek

Interests

I'm getting into film which is fun. lots of things to shoot in Bishkek.

Bikes, ask me about it. I have a few too many of them but its something i love.

I spend 8 weeks in a canoe going down the Mississippi River after college.

I made a trip across the Alps once, I did the APR trail.

In the past I brewed my own beer and wine and shine.

I'm planning an over land from Kyrgyzstan to Spain someday...

• cooking
• wine
• beer
• flying
• traveling
• canoeing
• camping
• sports
• business
• tourism
• hitchhiking
• volunteering
• tours

Music, Movies, and Books

An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.
Henry David Thoreau

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One time I picked up a homeless guy on the river, he was NUTS but a great man! we put him in our canoe for 90 miles and it was mind blowing!

Teach, Learn, Share

www.TUK.kg
https://www.facebook.com/TUKKyrgyzstan/?fref=ts
http://www.ecotrek.kg/en/
https://www.facebook.com/ecotrek.karakol
https://www.tripadvisor.com/members/340ajj
www.linkedin.com/in/alexjohnson76/

What I Can Share with Hosts

I give this to everyone. I hope this can help you build your tour around Kyrgyzstan.

Look on
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g293947-Kyrgyzstan-Vacations.html

Look up my companies Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/TUKKyrgyzstan/ https://www.facebook.com/ecotrek.karakol

Bishkek:
Apple Hostel is a great guesthouse / hotel in Bishkek. The owner Aigul speaks English and is very helpful.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g293948-d8310433-Reviews-Apple_Hostel_Bishkek-Bishkek.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293948-d735790-Reviews-Ala_Archa_Gorge-Bishkek.html
Bishkek to Karakol by bus cost 350 SOM make sure to buy a ticket at the ticket both. The shared taxi cost 500 – 600 SOM per person.

Once you arrive in Karakol I always recommend staying at Teskey Guesthouse 0772801411 or Nice Hostel River. The prices are fair and they offer nice rooms. They speak good English.
www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g815340-d4590739-Reviews-Teskey_Guest_House-Karakol_Issyk_Kul_Province.html
http://teskeyalatoo.webs.com/

Trekking:
There is a 4 day trek and a 5 day trek you can pick. Please look at the links below. You can rent trekking equipment at EcoTrek as well for a very fair price.
https://www.facebook.com/notes/ecotrek-trekking-travel/trek-karakol-gorge-altyn-arashan-4-days/352635811576011
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g815340-d2709342-Reviews-Altyn_Arashan-Karakol_Issyk_Kul_Province.html

http://ecotrek.kg/index.php/trekking/72-on-the-gorges-of-terskey-alatoo
http://ecotrek.kg/images/treks/econom/Trekking/EcoTrek-On%20the%20gorges%20of%20Terskey%20Alatoo%20econom.pdf

Mountain Huts:
On all of the tours that I do Altyn-Arashan is the end point and it’s really nice! I recommend VIP Tour guesthouse.
www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g815340-d2709342-Reviews-Altyn_Arashan-Karakol_Issyk_Kul_Province.html
https://www.facebook.com/notes/ecotrek-trekking-travel/altyn-arashan-accommodation/352685818237677

Horse Riding:
This is my man! I really like working with Almaz and his horse company. If you have any questions please ask! There is a 3 – 4 day tour or a 2-day tour as well.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g815340-d7619210-Reviews-Bulak_Say_Horseback_and_Trekking-Karakol_Issyk_Kul_Province.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZtidlcjaa0&feature=youtu.be

Cultural Tour Jeti Oguz:
It’s a really nice to see how Kyrgyzstan looked like 100 years ago more or less.
https://www.facebook.com/notes/ecotrek-trekking-travel/ecotrek-yurt-camp-in-jeti-oguz/352686161570976
www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g3657707-d6652740-Reviews-Jeti_Oguz_Canyon_Seven_Bulls_Rocks-Issyk_Kul_Province.html

Fun things to do in Karakol:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g815340-d7597610-Reviews-Karakol_Historical_Museum-Karakol_Issyk_Kul_Province.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g815340-d5529525-Reviews-Holy_Trinity_Russian_Orthodox_Cathederal-Karakol_Issyk_Kul_Province.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g815340-d5999969-Reviews-Dungan_Mosque-Karakol_Issyk_Kul_Province.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g815340-d6908490-Reviews-Karakol_Livestock_Market-Karakol_Issyk_Kul_Province.html

Cultural Tour Fairy Tale Canyon:
It should cost 100 SOM from Karakol to Fairy Tale Canyon by bus. To enter the park it cost 50 SOM. From Fairy Tale Canyon you should pay 100 – 120 SOM to Balykchy. Balychky to Bishkek is about 150 to 200 SOM.
https://www.facebook.com/notes/ecotrek-trekking-travel/attractions-near-karakol-the-fairy-tale-canyon-skazka-canyon/381127048726887
www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1632237-d7020995-Reviews-Canyon_Fairy_Tale-Tosor_Issyk_Kul_Province.html

CBT Bokonbaevo
From Krakol to Bokonbaevo it should cost 150 SOM. From Bokonbaevo to Balychky 100 SOM. Balychky to Bishkek is about 150 to 200 SOM.
They have a great Yurt Camp on the lake. I would make sure to plan one night there! The prices are around 700 - 800 SOM.
https://www.facebook.com/cbtbokonbaevo?fref=ts
0779 182 834

Kochkor
I work with Kyrgyz Nature Tour Company
They have a hostel called Happy Hostel
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g8126098-d9718435-Reviews-Happy_Hostel-Kochkor_Naryn_Province.html

Naryn City
I have worked with Kubat Tour before. They are giving a fair price and having a good business.
http://www.kubat-tour.from.kg/
https://foursquare.com/v/туристический-информационный-центр-кубаттур-tourist-information-center-kubattur/5215e9937e4852990caf1fd8
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g1193064-i136201010-Naryn_Naryn_Province.html
https://foursquare.com/v/%D1%82%D1%83%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8%D1%87%D0%B5%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9-

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, Kyrgyzstan, Netherlands, United States

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