Trip to Kyrgyzstan

What awaits tourists upon arrival in the country?

A well-developed tourism industry, of course! The people here are very modern, communicate fluently in two, often even three languages (Kyrgyz, Russian, and English), and are extremely friendly.

Don’t hesitate to approach locals and ask about anything – they will definitely try to help you, even if they don’t understand or are in a hurry. Currency exchange, withdrawing money from bank cards, and getting affordable mobile communication won’t be a problem – all these issues can be resolved right at the airport or somewhere in the regional center. Free Wi‑Fi is available in almost all public places, so don’t worry – you won’t lose contact with the outside world when entering Kyrgyzstan, even if you try very hard.

Accommodation won’t be an issue either – if your budget is very tight, local couchsurfers or villagers can host you; the people here are amazingly warm and hospitable. But of course, the most convenient way is to travel with a tour operator who will find the most comfortable hotel or inn with all amenities (even then, local prices will pleasantly surprise you).

What to do here?

If you want a taste of national and nomadic culture – go horseback riding through picturesque places, try your hand at falconry, or take a course of kumis therapy (the ancient healing drink made from mare’s milk).

Avid anglers will also find plenty to do here, because almost all water bodies in Kyrgyzstan are suitable for fishing at any time of the year. This pleasure costs very little, but the emotions and excitement will be overwhelming!

Do you enjoy water activities? Welcome to the sandy beaches of crystal‑clear Lake Issyk‑Kul! Diving and rafting are also well developed here, so if you get tired of beach relaxation, you can always go explore the underwater world or raft down a turbulent mountain river.

Incorrigible romantics and dreamers will enjoy paragliding or even hot‑air balloon flights. Just imagine the breathtaking view from a bird’s‑eye perspective!

Fans of very active recreation, extreme sports, and breathtaking landscapes must visit the local mountain resorts – there are as many as 23 of them! And the bravest can take up caving tourism, exploring caves of varying difficulty levels.

Health and wellness tourism is also well developed in Kyrgyzstan: local resorts and sanatoriums offer a huge selection of preventive treatments, ranging from mud baths to bathing in thermal (hot, mineral) springs.

What must you try?

Kyrgyzstan is very generous with hearty treats: amazing pilaf with tender lamb, crispy samsa with juicy meat, cold meat appetizers, naryn (a national dish similar to Kazakh beshbarmak), gulchetay (meat with large pieces of dough, vegetables, and spices), lamb cooked in a tandoor, various kinds of shashlik, and rich meat soups – all of this must be tried because they cook it with virtuosity and love.

Where to go and what to see?

• Sary‑Chelek Nature Reserve, with its famous walnut forests, mountain landscapes, alpine meadows, and lakes (there are 7 of them!). The most beautiful is Lake Sary‑Chelek with its stunning emerald‑blue water. It is very popular with scuba divers.

• The multicolored Lake Kara‑Suu, consisting of two halves (Small and Large), which changes color depending on the time of day.

• Arslanbob Valley. This is almost 6 kilometers of walnut forests, over a thousand years old! Two picturesque waterfalls hide in the rocky gorges, and deep in the forest near Mount Babash‑Ata lies the sacred Lake Kel‑Mazar, shrouded in ancient legends.

• Issyk‑Kul. Of course, we cannot fail to mention this legendary lake. The scenery here simply takes your breath away.

• Lake Son‑Kul and the high‑mountain pasture. This is where you can fully immerse yourself in the life of a nomad, spend the night in a real yurt on the shores of the azure lake, and admire the endless plains with lush green grass.

• The city of Osh and its surroundings. First of all, you must see the sacred mountain Sulaiman‑Too, and then you can go explore the amazing landscapes of the Kulatin Reserve, the national parks Kara‑Shoro and Kyrgyz‑Ata, and explore the Chil‑Ustun and Tuya‑Moyun caves.

It should also be remembered that besides natural beauties, there are many historical and sacred sites here that attract thousands of pilgrims from all over the world. Among them: the historical and cultural complex Manas‑Ordo, the Burana Tower and the “stone garden”, the Kokand castle and Kan fortress, the medieval mausoleum of Shah‑Fazil, the stone palace of the Great Silk Road era – Tash‑Rabat, and the ancient settlement of Koshoi‑Korgon. All these places preserve their history and possess a very powerful energy and an atmosphere of deep antiquity.