Satellites and Drones for Nature Conservation

By |December 16th, 2013|Asia, Central Asia, Features, Mongolia|

Surveillance with the help of satellites and drones is known primarily from the military sector. However, conservationists also started to use these modern technologies to their advantage. How they do it, the following three examples show. GPS/Satellite Telemetry Scientist Koustubh Sharma switches on the computer in his office. Via alphanumeric password, he logs into the [...]

Mehr va Oqibat: Animal Rights in Uzbekistan

By |December 9th, 2013|Central Asia, Features, Journeys, Uzbekistan|

A man is walking on the side of the road. He carries shopping bags in both hands. As soon as he sees a stray dog lying in the shade of a tree, he puts the bags down, picks up a stone and throws it at the animal. The dog is hit; it whines and runs [...]

Hay Harvest in Mongolia

By |November 15th, 2013|Asia, Central Asia, Features, Journeys, Mongolia|

When asked the question: "How much hay does your family need for the winter?" Uyadagwa thinks for a moment. Then he points to the horizon. "We have to mow the grass till there. 20 trucks of hay we have to bring to the camp. Then we have enough." Uyadagwa (41 years old) and his two [...]

Snow Hiking in Ala Archa

By |November 15th, 2013|Central Asia, Journeys, Kyrgyzstan, Outdoor, Winter Sports|

Who likes to sit in front of the PC all Sunday? Certainly not the European expats in Bishkek. The spontaneous decision: "Let's go hiking in Ala Archa!" The National Park is located about 40 kilometers outside of Bishkek, which is a nice day trip. It's four of us and we conveniently share a taxi. It [...]

Eye Surgery on Snow Leopards

By |November 13th, 2013|Asia, Central Asia, Features, Journeys|

Visiting a zoo in winter is a solitary experience. This Monday morning in January, there only few visitors. Most of the staff are busy with shoveling snow. In addition to the birds' croaking from the aviaries, you only hear the scraping of the shovel blades on the asphalt. Many of the snow-covered enclosures are empty. [...]

Horse Trekking in Kyrgyzstan

By |October 10th, 2013|Asia, Central Asia, Featured, Horseback, Journeys, Kyrgyzstan, Outdoor|

“Who needs pre-booking? Let’s do it on our own!” This is what we said, when we got the quote from the trekking company. Almost 280 USD per person would the three-day horse trek to Song Kul cost. It’s including transport and meals, but we are in Kyrgyzstan and there must be a cheaper way. Song [...]

The Red Fox

By |September 7th, 2013|Asia, Central Asia, Gear, Kyrgyzstan|

It may happen that you start traveling in summer and, unintended, are not yet back in winter. Because there was no room in your 70-liter backpack for the thick down jacket, you will just stand there, clueless and freezing. The purchase of winter clothing can be fatal for a small travel budget. In this situation, [...]