Tourism in Kyrgyzstan

 

Kyrgyzstan is a country of high mountains, crystal lakes, many mountain rivers, hot summer and snowy winter. Kyrgyzstan is located on the intersection of the Great Silk Road. The system of caravan routes ran across Kyrgyzstan during 15 centuries and connected Eastern and Western civilizations were called the Great Silk Road.

 

Taking into account the principle of succession, traditional trends of tourism in Kyrgyzstan in new history, the condition of infrastructure and the objects of tourism, the most perspective can be the following types of tourism:

·           resort-recreational tourism;

·           adventurous and mountain tourism (mountain climbing, rafting,

            mountain skiing, eco-tourism, etc.);

·           international tourism in the Great Silk Road.

 

Nations, great empires, ancient centers of trade and culture appeared, developed, became famous and fell into decay on this area. Kyrgyzstan’s geographical location provided its important position on the Great Silk Road. Mountains are the symbol of the republic, encircling Kyrgyzstan they serve as a natural border also. The highest mountains are located in the central part of mountain massif between the sources of Ala-Archa and Alamedin Rivers. This is also a perfect place to ski or to spend vocation in winter time.

 

Mountain skiing lodges and entertainment complexes will provide you a decent rest. The most popular skiing places are Oru-Sai, Kashka-Suu, Chong-Tash, Norus, skiing lodge in Karakol, mountaineers camp etc. There is a full complex of services: sauna, billiards, chimney-halls, conference halls, restaurants and bars.

 

For the past few years alpinism became the most actively developed branch of kyrgyz tourism. There is everything that provides both enjoyable and professional alpinism : high mountains, snow slopes, and glaciers. 90% of the territory of Kyrgyzstan is on the level of more than 1000 meters above the sea level. The peaks like Victory (Pobeda) peak (7439) and Lenin peak (7134) are among the highest after the Himalayas and Pamir. Inylchek is one of the long glaciers and of the world significance.

 

There are a lot of picturesque gorges with impressive landscapes in Kyrgyzstan. The most precious sorts of nut-trees such as walnut-trees, almond-trees, pistachio-trees and others are growing here. Kyrgyzstan is rich in beautiful mountain rivers and gorgeous waterfalls, taking their clear waters down to valleys. Rough streams in this area make rafting very exiting and popular.

 

There are about 2000 high mountainous lakes in Kyrgyzstan. Issyk-Kul lake is called “a pearl of Tien-Shan”. This is the second biggest mountain lake after the South-American Titicaca Lake. The bathing season lasts 6 months. The temperature of water in summer is +24⁰C, in winter +4⁰C. Crystal-pure water, mineral springs in combination with mountain and sea air create the unique conditions for the rest in a resort with the mud and thermal treatment.

 

The name Issyk-Kul means "warm lake", and the lake is never freezes in fact. Due to the combination of mountain and marine climate the air in Issyk-Kul valley is not scorching and stuffy in summer time, and the nights are always fresh. In summertime the water warms up till +25+28 degrees centigrade on a shoal, and only till +20 in the depth. The best time for rest on the shore is summer and the "velvet" season that lasts till the middle of September.

 

There are a lot of health resorts, health centers, hotels and children's health complexes, which provide top-level rest. Here you can enjoy marvelous national and European cuisine, visit bars, restaurants, tennis-courts, billiards; you also can make a boat trip, horse tours, falconry, fishing, and trips to picturesque mountain gorges. The whole year round you can get qualified treatment, including thermal, mineral water and mud-treatment, different kinds of massage, and many other services.

 

More detailed information about tourism in Kyrgyzstan you can find on the web sites of the main Kyrgyz travel agencies.