Day 15 Karakol to Eagle hunter

Today was definitely one that will stay etched in my memory. We rode out around 30 km from Karakol to have an eagle hunting demonstration. Directions to get there were vague but we eventually got there to find a man dressed in traditional clothing with two golden eagles. Both were tethered and had hoods on.

He explained how he comes across the eagles, trains them, cares for them, and then after 10 to 15 years releases them back to the wild so they can breed. They have a life span of around 60 years. There was no doubt he cared a great deal for  them. And he proceeded to demonstrate using a fox skin on a line towed behind. He also showed how he can bring them back to him.

We were allowed to hold them and being so close to such a majestic apex predator was purely awesome. We felt completely safe with thwm so close as well, although they were hooded as a precaution.

These birds were fed after each  demonstration and watching them  devour some fresh rabbit meat, including the skin and bone was incredible. It really was an experience we didn't want to miss.

After the demonstration we started off back to Karakol and had a road  side stop for a drink and icecream. It is harvest time in Kyrgyzstan and a loaded hay truck passed us with the workers onboard.

We then went back to Karakol for lunch and a walk to the local museum. For a small museum the exhibits were first class and well maintained. There was also a photographic exhibit as well with many intetesting pictures from the early 19th Century.
Feeling a little  exhausted we returned to the hotel for an afternoon siesta via the local markets. It was a short day but an incredible one as well.