- City Tours in Kyrgyzstan
- Excursion to the Hot Lake
- Features of excursion tourism in Kyrgyzstan
Interestingly, excursions in Kyrgyzstan are not yet as popular as travel to neighboring Kazakhstan. But since the country is called the diamond in the crown of the ancient empires of Central Asia, the prospects are quite broad.
What attractive sides does it have for visitors from the west? First, the mountain ranges - the Pamir ridges and the heavenly Tien Shan. Secondly, located high in the mountains, the purest lake with the melodious name of Issyk-Kul, surrounded by relict walnut forests. Thirdly, acquaintance with Kyrgyz ethnography will also bring many bright discoveries - songs and legends, cheerful folk holidays, delicious pilaf and kumis, beautiful traditional dwellings and famous felt carpets. City excursions around the capital Bishkek and other settlements of Kyrgyzstan deserve special attention.
City Tours in Kyrgyzstan
The best way to start your acquaintance is from the capital Bishkek, one of the most beautiful cities in the country. It is located in the picturesque Chui Valley, in the foothills of the Tien Shan. When tourists get tired of viewing the masterpieces of Bishkek architecture and historical monuments, it is quite possible to go to breathe the purest mountain air and enjoy nature.
In the vicinity there is a beautiful natural park with an interesting name - Baytyk Valley, Boz-Peldek Mountain, climbing which tourists can see Bishkek at a glance. In this park there is a historical monument - the Khan's graves, where the great ruler of the valley is buried.
Although the city itself has parks, squares and green corners, the most famous is the historical oak grove. And the list of attractions, beautiful streets and squares is impressive, the most significant objects of the Kyrgyz capital: Blacksmith fortress; South gate; Monument of Independence; Ala-Too square; Osh bazaar with its colorful unique atmosphere; art museum and gallery "Erkindik". This is just a small list of interesting places for a tourist that he can visit in Bishkek. Excursions around the capital last from one hour (in the historical center) to several hours, when the guide presents an impressive list of monuments of architecture, culture, history and ethnography.
The second place in the Kyrgyz rating of popularity among tourists is occupied by the city of Osh, it is known in the country and abroad as the keeper of the monuments of Islamic architecture, made in the Fergana style. There are Muslim religious buildings and Christian ones in the city, among the first the most famous are the Sadykbai and Shahid-Tepa mosques, the rather large Sheyit-Debe, which can accommodate 5,000 believers at the same time, and Sulaiman-Too, the record holder in size. No less interesting is the Archangel Michael Church, erected at the beginning of the twentieth century and remains the only monument of Orthodox architecture in the city.
There are also more ancient monuments in Osh, for example, medieval baths, which form a whole complex, or petroglyphs. With natural attractions, too, "everything is in order", it is from this city that tourists go to conquer the famous peaks of the Tien Shan and Pamir. There are also less difficult hikes that allow you to see Abshir-sai, a beautiful waterfall, also known as a karst spring, or a picturesque cave with a beautiful name in the Kyrgyz style - Chil-Mairam.
Excursion to the Hot Lake
Issyk-Kul is the main lake of the Kyrgyz Republic and the largest lake. The dream of many tourists is located in a picturesque place, between the two ranges of the Tien Shan.
The name Issyk-Kul can be translated from the Kyrgyz language as a hot or warm lake, this toponym was formed due to the fact that the reservoir does not freeze even in the coldest time. The lake is interesting for tourists in several ways: a beach holiday is developed here, staying on the shore has a health-improving character, due to the combination of the sea and mountain climate.
In addition, many legends and mysteries are associated with Issyk-Kul, and at its bottom, archaeologists have discovered the remains of an unknown ancient civilization, a number of cities. under the water you can find an Armenian monastery, in which, according to ancient legends, the relics of the famous Apostle Matthew were kept. The second legend is associated with the famous Tamerlane, who visited these places three times and allegedly hid countless treasures at the bottom of the lake.
Features of excursion tourism in Kyrgyzstan
Due to the difficult climatic conditions, tourism in Kyrgyzstan depends on the season, here the summer is too hot and the winter is very harsh. The most suitable seasons for excursions and recreation in this country are spring and autumn. For example, stunning views await guests in the spring in the Fergana Valley, when it is covered with a colorful carpet of all kinds of herbs and flowers.
It is better to postpone sightseeing tours associated with movement around the country until September, there is still quite warm sunny weather, bright colors of plants.
