Discover Kyrgyzstan
How to start to describe you the beauty of this unknown country of Asia?
Probably first, better to situate it in a map: Kyrgyzstan is a Muslim country situated in the central Asia, it has borders with Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the south and China to the east.
Bishkek is the capital and the largest city. Around 6 million people live in the country, mostly Kyrgyz but also Uzbeks and Russians.
The language of the country is the Kyrgyz, but Russian is the co-official language, and it’s common to learn Turkish at school. Kyrgyz culture is a mix of Iranian, Mongolian and Russian influence. The mountainous region of the Tian Shan, covers over 80% of the country. Issyk-Kul Lake in the north-eastern Tian Shan is the largest lake in the country, and the second largest mountain lake in the world.
The climate varies depending of the region and seasons. From subtropical and extremely hot in the southwest, to polar in the north part of the country.
Kyrgyzstan is a green country, cover by lake and mountains. We liked to do hiking in Ala Archa region, and then to wet our feet in the water fall.
Toktogul high-mountain plateau is located at an altitude of 2200 meters in the north, with mountains gorge, on the banks of glacial rivers and crystal streams.
Kyrgyzstan is called the “Switzerland of Central Asia”. The high mountains are also home to many animals. Eagles, hawks and falcon for example.
Osh is the second largest city, fields are filled with Sunflowers in summer, and the second largest natural walnut forest in the world is located in the province of Jalal-Abad.
Some peoples in the country are still nomad and live with their family depending of the seasons in yurts camp. Living like a nomad, gives you a front row seat to the country’s unbelievable starry skies and untainted sounds of nature.
Most probably the best travel of our lives.
