Kyrgyzstan, or the Kyrgyz Republic to give it its proper title, is one of the most beautiful countries on earth. The Mountains of Heaven that stretch across its length and breadth are lush and green, high and wild, dissected by sweeping steppe lands, primal forests, crystal streams and turquoise lakes. And far away, scratching the belly of the endless sky, is a never-changing vista of lofty snow-capped peaks.
The country rises in altitude from 400 metres in the Ferghana Valley to the 7,437 metre summit of Peak Pobeda. Over 90 percent of the land is over 1,500 metres, and 41 percent is higher than 3,000 meters. A third of the country is permanently covered in snow.
But despite the immense natural beauty of this landlocked Central Asian, Silk Road republic, it is the people themselves that bring Kyrgyzstan to life and on all our tours you will stay with local families with whom we developed special freindships. Whether visiting Sogan Bai – the eagle hunter of Izzyk Kul – or Noorgul and her family at Son Kul, or Nazira in Tash Rabat, you will find ordinary folk with proud nomadic traditions, an indomitable strength and great sense of hospitality. To learn more about the Kyrgyz nomads and our relationship with them, please click here.
Group Tours and Tailor-Made Holidays in Kyrgyzstan and on the Silk Road.
The Kyrgyz are descendants from tribes from the Tuva region of Russia, which migrated to the area in the 13th century, during the rise of the Mongol empire. Kyrgyzstan formed an integeral part of the Silk Road and in 1876 was incorporated into the Russian empire and later the Soviet Union. When that union dissolved in 1991, Kyrgyzstan became independent. In March 2005 a popular uprising known as the Tulip Revolution forced Soviet-era president to flee the country. He was replaced by president Kurmanbek Bakiev.
But the history and culture of this fascinating country has always been shaped by its geographical position, as for centuries it was the gateway to the west for invading warrior tribes and Silk Road traders alike.
Today it makes for an incredible adventure travel destination, providing the intrepid tourist with wonderful horse treks, cultural tours and activity holidays.
