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.
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With its soaring mountains, alpine forests and meadows filled with wildflowers, it is no wonder that Kyrgyzstan is fast growing in popularity amongst travellers focused on hiking and adventure. The country’s most popular tourist destination is Lake Issyk-Kul, a vast expanse of cobalt water that is one of the world’s largest alpine lakes. A network of trekking trails webs along its shores, taking in stunning high-altitude scenery, beautiful beaches and pastoral farmers living in traditional yurts. The icy winter months offer superb skiing and snowboarding opportunities. Southern Kyrgyzstan was once part of the Silk Road trading route and the ancient city of Osh still has a working marketplace dating to this era.
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.
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Discover the modern nomadic way of life at Kochkor, a pastoral village in the sparsely populated and mountainous Naryn region on the slopes of inner Tien-Shan. The town is quintessentially bucolic, covered in fields of green and littered with livestock. Here, Kyrgyz nomads live in the villages of valleys in winter and move to the mountains in summer, a practice named Jailoo, when translated from Kyrgyz, means "summer pasture". This practice has inspired jailoo-tourism, with Kochkor as its centre. The community's rich culture is beautifully depicted in traditional Kyrgyz art, shyrdaks, traditional Kyrgyz music and traditional food and drinks. The lively animal bazaar is a must-see, as every Saturday morning, different animals are presented for negotiations and sales. Kochtor's is perfectly positioned on the road to the beautiful Lake Son-Kul, Torugart Pass and treks up the Tian Shan Mountains.
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.
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