Kyrgyzstan is a country less traveled by many. This may be due to its name that aside from it is hard to spell, has the suffix “-stan” that everybody fears, but unlike its neighbors, Kyrgyzstan is somewhat a much milder landlocked country with breathtaking mountainscapes and rich nomadic culture. There are just a lot of interesting things to do that can be really worth your time, read through our top 5 here.
STAY IN A YURT
To have a truly authentic Kyrgyz experience, you should stay in one of their traditional yurt, a roundish tent made up of felt and is used as a dwelling place of the nomads. Yurts are more than just houses for the locals, it is already part of their diverse culture showcasing their architecture, craftsmanship and tapestries. Sleeping on the floor, breathing fresh mountain air amidst a stunning lakeside view would be nothing short of bliss.
WORLD NOMAD GAMES
It started in 2014, where nomadic tribes from all around the world gather for a week long tournament of sports and intellectual games. It’s an “Olympics” for nomads with games that you probably haven’t heard of yet but is worth the attendance. Eagle hunting, falconry, dog racing, wrestling on horseback, polo, and javelin on horseback are just some of the interesting games you’ll witness in the World Nomad Games.
ISSYK KUL
The stunning blue Issyk Kul is definitely one of the highlights of your Kyrgyzstan trip. It is considered as the world’s second largest saline and second largest mountain lake and a very famous tourist spot of this country. A sure crowd magnet because of its warm waters, bathing beaches and beautiful snow-capped mountain terrain backdrop.
NATURE LOVER’S HAVEN
It’s too hard to pinpoint just one best spot for hiking in this country because it is just so blessed with the abundance of gorgeous landscapes and wildlife. You can, basically, just hike anywhere and you’ll be treated to awesome sceneries like straight from a desktop wallpaper. Aside from the view, you will also get to encounter wild camels, horses, eagles and many other mountain animals. Its nature is so untouched that just a simple hike can give you an intense connection with the earth.
BESHBARMAK
After all the hiking and nature tripping, you are surely up for trying the Kyrgyzstan’s national dish – Beshbarmak. If translated, it is known as “Five Fingers” because it is traditionally eaten with their hands. This food is noodles with horsemeat but can be paired with any other meat, too. Kyrgyz are nomadic people and they are reliant to their own animals so their food are always with meat and dairy.
There are just so much more to see in this less known country, so if you want to visit Central Asia make sure you drop by Kyrgyzstan first.