Bishkek is the vibrant capital of Kyrgyzstan, bordering the magnificent Tian Shan Range. It serves as the perfect gateway to the Tien Shan Mountains and as an excellent base from which to explore the surrounding area, including the Ala-Too Mountains and the Ala Archa National Park, which features magnificent glaciers and numerous wildlife trails. It is known as a cultural hub, where visitors come to soak up the local arts scene with such delights as the State Museum of Fine Arts and the Opera and Ballet Theatre. Visitors can look forward to sampling local cuisine, enjoying the buzzing nightlife and visiting the colourful Osh Bazaar, which offers visitors the opportunity to shop for local handicrafts, musical instruments and souvenirs.
The Issyk-Kul Region of Kyrgyzstan is situated in the north-eastern part of the country and is famous for its beautiful, enormous eponymous lake and intriguing history. Dramatic snowy crags rise above clean waters that never freeze over, waters which are believed, according to Pre-Islamic legend, to be vital to the world’s creation. In more recent times, an advanced prehistoric civilisation lived on the water's edges; even more recently, the Soviet Navy used the lake to test submarines and torpedoes. The Terskey Ala-Too is decorated with a network of popular trekking routes that provide spectacular views. Visitors can also explore Pobeda Peak from the base camp at Karakol City. Make sure to enjoy excellent restaurants and shops in Cholpon-Ata, at the centre of the region, and soak in the curative waters of the Altyn-Arashan Hot Springs.
Set against a striking backdrop of snow-capped peaks and resting on the eastern shores of Lake Issyk Kul, the picturesque town of Karakol beckons ardent nature lovers eager to explore the town’s breathtaking alpine landscape. Revered as one of Central Asia’s premier adventure destinations, Karakol boasts an astonishingly scenic terrain of towering mountains, crystalline glaciers and turquoise lakes, making it the ideal destination for hiking, horseback riding, trekking and skiing. Remnants of the town’s colonial past are evident in its stunning Russian architecture, particularly that of The Holy Trinity Cathedral and Dungan Mosque. Other popular attractions include Jolgolot Viewpoint and Przhevalsky Memorial Museum. Sojourn to the nearby Karakol Valley for challenging hiking experiences on massive slopes, flowing rivers and cascading waterfalls.
As previously described
Tucked amidst the Tian Shan Mountains of Kyrgyzstan, remote Song-Kul is a high alpine lake set in the northern Naryn Province of the country. It lies at an altitude of 3016 metres and encompasses a vast area of 270 square kilometres, and can only be reached by 4 x 4 or hiked to (with difficulty). This spectacular lake is the second-largest in Kyrgyzstan after Issyk Kul. Surrounded by lush meadows and soaring mountains, the waterbody draws visitors with its stunning natural scenery. Visitors can look forward to climbing the mountains for some magnificent views, enjoying a guided horse ride through some breathtaking landscapes, or following a tour around the lake. Travellers who do not want to bring their own camping gear can spend a night in a traditional ‘yurt’. The area is excellent for stargazing.
Nestled within Kyrgyzstan's remote and mountainous terrain, Tash Rabat stands as an ancient caravanserai, gracefully situated in the rugged Tian Shan mountains. Positioned along the historic Silk Road in the At-Bashy district of the Naryn region, this stone monument rests beside the meandering Tash-Rabat River, an offshoot of the Kara-Koyun River, at an elevation surpassing 3,500 metres above sea level. Constructed in the 15th century atop the remnants of a previous 9th to 10th-century monastery, Tash Rabat holds dual origins—one attributed to a protective khan fostering trade, the other to a local affluent resident, though its completion remains shrouded in mystery. Formerly a monastery, the advent of Islam transformed it into a caravanserai, safeguarding merchant caravans and fortifying against bandits on the Tien Shan crossing route. Tash Rabat served as a pivotal juncture for trade routes, connecting with Fergana Valley cities.
As previously described
