Kyrgyzstan is one of those countries that not many hear about on a daily basis, and most of us know about it from history books or from Kyrgyz friends, and this my friend, is a true pity. This country had lot to offer and visiting it is a pure haven, so you will have surely more than just 5 things to do here, but let’s resume the list.
Enjoy the nature
The nature here is absolutely gorgeous, rivers, valleys, mountains, lakes, everything your heart wants and all of it in a single place. It sounds crazy in modern world, but some of these places are absolutely untouched by humans and conserved in their virgin state. Here you can sleep in a real yurt in the Fergana Valley under a sky full of stars you’ve never seen so clear, and in the morning make a shower in cold and clean river nearby. This place is an absolute fairy tale.
Try all the food
Typical European food here is really rare and extremely expensive, but who comes to Asia to eat European food? Almost of the dishes of the Kyrgyz cuisine are prepared from dough and meat, sometimes with maybe potatoes and carrots. A must-try are chuchparu, beshbarmak, pilaf and shorpo. Basically, challenge yourself and order something purely random, it might turn into a very amazing experience.
Drink local products
At every step you can buy diverse milk drinks, like shoro, bozo, ayran and of course, mare’s milk. It might sound strange but these products are cooling like nothing else and can easily replace a whole meal. Though, if you are not really into lactose, then don’t get sad too soon, you can try the cold local tea, you can buy it at every step, it’s usually sold even on streets.
Bargain at street markets
If you want to see authentic Asian markets, then go to the city of Osh, here you can find the cheapest market in Kyrgyzstan. This market in unique, cheap and huuuge. Freshly baked cakes, bags of kurute, salads, traditional hats, national dresses… everything can be found here. While travelling in Kyrgyzstan don’t forget to pass through Osh, this market is worth few hours of your stay.
Talk to locals
Kyrgyz people are in love with tourists. They will help you, feed you, tell you stories and listen to yours. In villages people might ask you to make a photo with them.
These people are indeed ones of the most kind and open-hearted, they will guide you and be around when you need it, if you have nowhere to sleep, they will kindly welcome you in their house, and talk to you all night long.
Kyrgyzstan is one of the countries which has much more to offer than you expect, and I guess the fact that it’s not full of tourists gives and enormous advantage to all the adventurers who love unspoiled beauty.
Photo from sources: anitasfeast.com, shutterstock.com