Cynthia from Belgium and Niko from Canada call themselves «professional» nomads. They have been traveling around the world for more than 7 years and tell about their impressions in Journal of Nomads travel blog.
When the travelers first arrived in Kyrgyzstan, they had the plan to hitchhike and sail around the whole world so they didn’t have the intention to stay in the country for very long. Cynthia and Niko had traveled all the way there on an overland journey from Europe and their goal was to reach South-East Asia as quickly as possible. However, after three days in the country, they decided to stay for several months and eventually spent a year here.
«Now looking back, I’m so glad we took the decision to live and travel there for a longer time. The nature of Kyrgyzstan has a wild untouched beauty that is rarely found anywhere else around the world. Reminiscing now this country where Cynthia and I lived and traveled for a year, it’s hard not to feel a certain nostalgia,» Niko shares his impressions.
The travelers decided to write down the top reasons that made Kyrgyzstan so special for them to inspire other people to visit the country one day.
The rich and sometimes odd cultural heritage
According to Cynthia and Niko, the culture in Kyrgyzstan felt so different from all the ones they had previously encountered but it also felt like they had been there their whole life. They were really at ease and comfortable waking up inside one of the cozy yurts and drinking kymyz.
One of the most impressive traditions of Kyrgyzstan for the travelers was the ancient art of hunting with golden eagles.
We were surprised to learn that the hunter and the eagle stay almost 20 years together. During that time, they build a very strong connection. The eagle isn’t just the hunting partner and the livelihood of the berkutchi, the bird is his family.
«The richness of this tradition sparked a wave of respect inside me and if I were to go back to Kyrgyzstan tomorrow, I’d probably pay a visit to the eagle hunters as soon as I could,» Niko says in the blog.
They called Kok-Boru a Dead Goat Polo, but the game itself was a strange but exciting discovery for them.
«We had no idea we were about to see a violent rugby game on horses with a headless goat used as the ball... We are well aware that using a dead animal for sport is a sensitive issue and definitely causes controversy. Cynthia and I always try to learn more about different traditions instead of judging them. As travelers, we find it important to visit a country with an open mind and be respectful of different cultures,» Niko points out.
Travelers called the celebration of Nooruz in Kyrgyzstan one of the highlights of their time there.
«We saw so many different dishes and wonderful Kyrgyz traditions! I know, that we will be back in that gorgeous country one day, right on time for this festival and we will be delighted to taste all the food prepared and see the beautiful celebrations,» they say.
The friendliness and hospitality of Kyrgyz people
Despite the fact that Cynthia and Niko did not speak any of the local languages, it was easy for them to contact people and learn from them something new about their life in the country.
«Already on our first evening in Kyrgyzstan, we got invited by a family to spend the night in their home. They treated us to some local dishes and rang their neighbors and extended family to come and meet us. This is just one small example of how generous, friendly and hospitable, the Kyrgyz people were with us,» Niko shares his impressions.
While the travelers were hitchhiking in Kyrgyzstan, drivers often invited them for a meal and they seemed so happy to be able to help.
We didn’t only fall for the beautiful landscapes of Kyrgyzstan, its people really stole our hearts!
The various festivals
Their visit to Kyrgyzstan coincided with the World Nomad Games, which was one of the reasons for their long stay in the country. They note that it was totally worth it.
«We saw several competitions of archery, horse wrestling and Kok Boru (Dead Goat Polo), alternated with cultural activities and events, showcasing the Kyrgyz and other nomadic cultures from around the world. There was so much to see and absorb that we felt exhausted in the evenings but we were so happy to be a part of this!» travelers say in the blog.
The many hiking and trekking trails
The country has thousands of mountain trails that reach high peaks, gorgeous passes, and beautiful alpine lakes. For outdoors enthusiasts, this Central-Asian country is the perfect destination.
«Kyrgyzstan is a hiker’s paradise. We are crazy about the mountains. The higher and more beautiful they are, the more we love them. That’s why Kyrgyzstan (and Georgia) became one of our favorite countries for its countless mountain hikes. What makes Kyrgyzstan such a prime location for mountain hikes is that 90% of its territory is above 1,500 meters. We lived in Kyrgyzstan for about a year. During that time, we’ve done a few treks in the Kyrgyz mountains and it’s been an absolutely unforgettable experience! We often felt like we were the only people in the world while hiking through those remote and majestic landscapes,» Niko says.
Tons of alpine lakes, rivers, and hot springs
Kyrgyzstan has more than 2,000 lakes and 40,000 rivers. The country has a huge still untapped potential for watersports like kayaking and whitewater rafting. These activities only became popular quite recently but one can already find a few local tour operators who organize kayaking and rafting trips.
Kyrgyzstan also has a lot of hot springs. Some of them are very popular because they’re very beneficial for health.
The hot springs of Altyn Arashan are probably the most famous springs in Kyrgyzstan. The water is generally almost near boiling point and is known to help with diseases related to the nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems.
«I went there for the first time with my brothers during winter and it was a really relaxing experience!» Niko tells.
The endless variety of things to do and places to see
«After living and traveling in this small Central Asian country for more than a year, we realized there was an endless selection of things to do during our journey there: from staying with the nomads and people of Kyrgyzstan and learning how to build a yurt to tasting the local cuisine, discovering the country on horseback and going on the most beautiful hikes,» travelers say in the blog.
Even a whole year in Kyrgyzstan isn’t enough to fully discover the culture, experience the sights and sounds and enjoy nature at its fullest.
Travel to Kyrgyzstan while it’s still an off-the-beaten-path destination
Cynthia and Niko are in Morocco now and realize how much of an ‘unknown’ destination Kyrgyzstan still is.
«The amount of people that visit Kyrgyzstan is nothing in comparison with popular destinations like Thailand, Vietnam, Peru, Mexico, etc. You can still hike for days in the mountains or walk in big cities like Osh and Karakol and barely meet other travelers,» Niko writes.
We loved Kyrgyzstan so much that we are going back this summer. We’ve found our own little piece of paradise on this planet!
«So now is a great time to discover the extraordinary nature and authentic culture of Kyrgyzstan as we foresee that this country will soon become a very popular destination,» travelers say.
