KYRGYZSTAN - RAW BEAUTY AND gentle PEOPLE

Travel to Kyrgyzstan. Meet the magnificent nature, ancient culture, a diverse people and a fascinating central Asian country, which these days is finding itself after the detachment from the former Soviet Union back in 1991.

 

Kyrgyzstan borders China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The natural beauty and rugged mountain areas call for all sorts of adventures. Here are a wealth of pristine glaciers, rugged mountains, deep forests, vast lakes and wonderful valleys in green clothing.

 

Summer is great for trekking, rafting and water sports in Kyrgyzstan, while in the winter there are excellent opportunities for skiing. This is mainly due to mountain ranges - both Pamir-Alay area in the southwestern part of the country and the Tien Shan in the northeast of the country.

 

The Kyrgyz mountain range fascinates every traveler. Mountain chains gives horizon, which is extremely beautiful and houses more than a thousand lakes. Up here we also find the world's second largest mountain lake: the Issyk-Kul, which lies at an altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level and is known as the "pearl of the Tien Shan." The mountains have also created sulphurous and hot springs which are said to increase your health.

 

Green pastures and fruit arcades fill the beautiful green valleys, where you often see shepherds with their flocks. Sheeps and horses were traditional currency in the old days and were used for exchanging goods. The number of horses that have been owned determined family's status in the traditional nomadic people of Kyrgyzstan.

 

The Kyrgyz cuisine includes lamb dishes, cheese, yogurt and Kumiss (fermented goat's milk). Horseback riding is very popular and travelers are entertained with traditional horse riding skills and various equestrian games.

 

There are 80 different nationalities living in the country and do not be in doubt that you will never find a warmer welcome than in Kyrgyzstan.

 

Enjoy crafts with wool carpets (Shyrdaks), hats (Kolpak) and Ala-kiyis and many more in city bazaars. The capital Bishkek is located in the center of Chu valley. It is a busy city, a paradise for shopping with countless bazaars offering everything from exotic foods, fruits, colorful clothing, porcelain, wood carvings and many more. Bishkek is a vibrant, culturally diverse, rapidly growing, modern city, which is filled with parks, galleries and fountains.

 

The city of Osh is an ancient city that was founded by King Solomon himself. Dominated by Suleiman Mountain, Osh lies in the south of the Pamir-Alay and includes the hilly lowland plains of the Ferghana Valley. The bazaar has remained in the same location of Akbura River in 2000 years and has been on the border between several tracts of the caravan routes of the legendary Silk Road.

 

Country facts

 

Kyrgyzstan                     (Kyrgyz Respublikasy)
State:                             Republic
(Km2):                           198,500
Population:                     4.7 million.
Capital:                          Bishkek (589000)
Currency:                       As (KGS)