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Travel Warning:
Some parts of Central Asia can be unstable: check current
government advice before travel. Ongoing military operations
in the region mean Western tourists can be the target of terrorism.
About Kyrgyzstan
Land-locked Kyrgyzstan is dominated by the great Tien
Shan Mountains. The country borders China,
Kazakhstan, Tajikistan,
and Uzbekistan.
Its raw, natural beauty emanates from its imposing landscape,
awesome mountains, glaciers, and lakes. This is an isolated
land that time forgot which has escaped much of the modernisation
that dominates the world today. Get back to nature with the
nomadic herdsmen in the Arshane Valley and their ancient
culture.
Lying on the old Silk Road, here you can chase some
of the ancient mystery and romance of the Arabian Nights in
the many mosques and madrassas. Kyrgyzstan is still a relatively
young nation, in terms of its independence, which has definitely
had some teething problems. Bureaucracy is tough and frustrating,
and usually not weighed in the favour of the traveller. Increasing
numbers of travel companies operate package holidays here,
which is a good option if hours at checkpoints and immigration
is not part of your ideal itinerary.
Nature
Kyrgyzstan hosts many rare species of flora and fauna and,
due to the varying altitude, a diversity of vegetation from
meadows and forests on the higher altitude slopes to deserts
further south. The more well-known varieties include wild
tulips and firs. Brown bears are found in
the alpine meadows in summertime along with rams, mountain
goats, and wolves. Very rarely, the elusive snow
leopard is also spotted sloping around the higher altitude
terrain, preying on wild sheep, goats, deer, hare,
and birds. Since these beautiful creatures inhabit
the more inaccessible regions of Central Asia, the exact number
left in the wild is unknown. They are still threatened by
poachers who trade in their distinctive coats and bones. These
parts of the snow leopard are sought-after, as the bones are
used in traditional Chinese medicines, and the fur is unique
to this type of cat. In an attempt to save the species from
extinction, hunting the cats is prohibited and reserves have
been set up for the cat and its prey species.
Trekking
Due to its prime mountain location, Kyrgyzstan is an increasingly
popular trekking destination. Organised tours offer walking,
mountaineering and heli-skiing from a growing number of operators
who can also arrange visas and border entries into neighbouring
countries if your route passes into other territories. Base
camps allow you to explore different routes; many new ones
are springing up. Ala-Archa, just 25 miles from Bishkek,
is ideal for climbing across the Kyrgyz range, while
Pamir camp in the south is well positioned for treks
on the peaks of the Pamir Mountains.
Kyrgyzstan locations
Bishkek
The capital of Kyrgyzstan is situated in a mountain paradise
surrounded by desert. The population is still largely nomadic
and holds on to their ancient traditions and ways of life.
Founded in 1878 on the site of a clay fort built by the Khan
of Kokand, the city sits at the foot of the great Tien
Shan Mountains. The city itself was mostly built in
a Soviet-style, but thankfully the mountains survived the
harsh soviet industrialisation that characterised the region
in the twentieth century.
Sights to schedule into a trip to this pleasant city include
Kyrgyz State Opera and Ballet Theatre which lies on
tree-lined Ulitsa Sovietskaya, along with Chernyshevsky
Public Library and State Art Museum. Other notable
museums are History Museum, Lenin Museum, Zoological Museum,
and Drama Theatre Museum.
Issyk-Kul Lake
Issyk-Kul Lake is the second largest alpine lake in the world
and definitely worth scheduling in a trip. Surrounded by the
majestic Tien Shan Mountains,
you can stay in one of the few hotels here. Its name derives
from a word for 'hot lake', due to the fact that it doesn't
freeze over in winter. It is located three to four hours from
Bishkek, and lies at an altitude of 5,278 feet.
Karakol and the Tien Shan Mountains
Karakol is a good base for expeditions into the nearby Tien
Shan Mountains. Here you can hire horses for trekking,
and equipment to climb and ski. These mountains are extremely
remote and seldom visited. If you decide to make Tien Shan
part of your trip, you can expect to beat your own track as
it's not part of the tourist trail.
Altyn-Arashan is a picturesque gorge located about
25 miles east of Karakol, yet the mountain road leading you
there is spectacular in itself, provided you have a four-wheel-drive
vehicle to navigate the difficult terrain. The gorge itself,
set at 10,000 feet above sea level, contains healing hot springs.
A four- to five-hour walk will bring you to the foothills
of Palatka Peak; experience beautiful scenery and a
natural waterfall on the way.
Ala-Kol Lake is also situated nearby in the mountains.
Its crystal clear waters lie 12,772 feet above sea level with
glaciers and high peaks that will captivate your senses surround
the lake. You can reach this alpine paradise on the popular
route from Altyn-Arashan and Karakol gorges. The interesting
marvel about this special lake is that its colour changes,
from violet to dark blue to pink, depending on the weather
and time of day.
Arshane Valley
This stunning and remote region is home to the nomadic shepherds
of Kyrgyzstan. They live in unusual oval tents called yurts,
and maintain some of their oldest traditions. On special occasions,
they kill a sheep for a feast called beshparmak. Every
part of the animal is made useful, including the gooey
eye, which is considered the best part and reserved
for the elders or a welcome guest.
Ala-Archa
An hour's drive from Bishkek, this serene natural
reserve is an excellent place to acclimatize before attempting
one of its many peaks.
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