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.
