Introducing Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan is tucked into Central Asia’s geographical vortex amid a massive knot of colliding mountain ranges. Monster mountains and their associated scraggy valleys, glaciers, gorges and ice-blue lakes dominate over 90% of the country. Keen on trekking or horse riding? Just pick a range – there’s plenty to choose from – such as the Pamir Alay range in the Alay Valley or the Central Tian Shan. In true nomadic style, spend the nights camped under a star-crowded sky or bed down in a yurt. Be warned though, the Kyrgyz are renowned for their hospitably and guests are often treated to fermented mare’s milk and bowls of fresh yogurt.
Indeed, nomadic traditions are alive and kicking in Kyrgyzstan. You can take to the hills around Lake Issyk-Köl, the earth’s second-largest alpine lake, with a trained eagle to hunt rabbit or cheer wildly alongside the locals during a game of kok boru, a ferocious battle in which mounted riders wrestle one another for the corpse of a headless goat. Lake Song-Köl in Central Kyrgyzstan is a similarly picturesque spot, ideal for camping and getting to know the herders who bring their animals here in summer months.
Cash-strapped locals, struggling to eek out a living in post-communist Asia, have turned to tourism for help. The creation of sustainable projects are revolutionizing budget travel, pushing Kyrgyzstan to the forefront of community tourism and bringing in a little extra money for families. By contrast, now that the long, unyielding arm of Russian law is no longer on the scene, corruption by officials and political turmoil are part of daily life.
Kyrgyzstan may be small, it may be often overlooked but, just like the players in a game of kok boru, this tenacious nation packs a powerful wallop and may yet run off with the prize as Central Asia’s most appealing and accessible republic.
Sights in Kyrgyzstan
Activities in Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek
pop 900, 000 / elev 800m Bishkek feels green – but not just because of the trees.
Tours in Kyrgyzstan
Osh
Osh is Kyrgyzstan’s second-biggest city and the administrative centre of the huge, populous province that engulfs the Fergana Valley on the Kyrgyzstan side.
Kyrgyzstan destination guides
Bishkek to Osh & the Kyrgyz Fergana Valley
From the standpoint of landscape, the Bishkek–Osh road is a sequence of superlatives, taking the traveller over two 3000m-plus passes, through the yawning Suusamyr Valley, around the immense Toktogul reservoir, down the deep Naryn River gorge and...
Hotels in Kyrgyzstan
Budget Hotels & Hostels in Kyrgyzstan
Guesthouses and B&Bs in Kyrgyzstan
Karakol
Karakol is a peaceful, low-rise town with backstreets full of Russian gingerbread cottages, shaded by rows of huge white poplars.
Entertainment in Kyrgyzstan
Lake Issyk-Köl & the Central Tian Shan
Lake Issyk-Köl (also Ysyk-Köl) is basically a huge dent, filled with water, between the Küngey (Sunny) Alatau to the north and the Terskey (Dark) Alatau to the south, which together form the northern arm of the Tian Shan.
Shopping in Kyrgyzstan