1. Spend the night in a yurt, or build your own

Yurts are the best places to stay in Kyrgyzstan. It is the most iconic sight in Kyrgyzstan, known intimately by pretty much every single person in the country. It’s on the flag, in the fields, and in people’s backyards. You see this structure and you immediately know it’s from here. If Kyrgyzstan was Miley Cyrus, then this is its wrecking ball.

2. Try horse riding or horse trekking

In Kyrgyz culture, the horse is just as important as the yurt. Horses have many roles in Kyrgyzstan: transport, beast of burden, provider of milk and meat, friend on long, lonely days. It is both a nomad’s best friend and arguably the source of his own vitality. Without a horse, a nomad would be nothing.

Even in a modern Kyrgyzstan, horses are still a prominent part of society. As more people visit the county, horse riding and other horse-based tourism is becoming even more popular as well.

3. Relax on the shores of Issyk Kul

Without a doubt, Issyk Kul is one of the most surreal places that I’ve ever seen in my travels. Being here is like being on another planet. Imagine seeing a red-sand beach, lapped by crystal-clear water and in the distance, across the enormous lake, you see snow mountains. To me, this sort of place feels more appropriate on Mars than Planet Earth.

Issyk Kul is one of the largest and deepest lakes in the world. Due to its massive size and slight salinity, it never freezes in the winter either, a phenomenon that actually contributed to its name. The word Issyk Kul means “hot lake” in Kyrgyz language.

4. Trek to Ala-Kul

The trail to Ala-Kul is one of the most famous hikes in Kyrgyzstan at the moment. This trek has it all: mountain passes, dense woods, waterfalls, yurt stays, and a lake that contains quite possibly the most beautiful water in the country.

Ala-Kul refers to an alpine lake located at the top of mountain pass in between Karakol Valley and Altyn Arashan. In Kygyz, the name Ala-Kul actually means “Lake of Many Colors.” Locals gave this name to the lake because they believed it was never the same shade; it would constantly shift from blues to greens to even black on stormy days. When you visit Ala-Kul, you’ll find that the name is quite appropriate.

5. See an eagle hunting demonstration

Eagle hunting is a very old and very respected tradition in Krygz nomadic culture. As the name implies, eagle hunting is the act of raising local golden eagles to track and hunt prey either for sport or sustenance i.e. food, pelts, etc. It is the same tradition that you see in other Eurasian countries where nomadism is lauded, particularly in Kazakhstan and Mongolia.

It goes without saying that hunting with eagles isn’t really necessary in the modern era. In fact, most of the native Kyrgyz population has abandoned the tradition altogether. That being said, there are still a select group of people that are doing their best to keep the nomadic spirit alive.

6. Visit Song Kul

Song Kul is usually the first place in Kyrgyzstan I visit . At 3016 meters, it is the highest lake in Kyrgyzstan; it is also one of the most beautiful, even more so than Issyk Kul. It is alpine glory in the purest form; a raw, unfiltered landscape surrounded by imposing mountains and topped by an enormous sky. It is like a scene out of Alaska but far more accessible.

7. Visit a local bazaar or market

Kyrgz people love a good market. Besides being their one-stop-shop for everything from groceries to household products, the local markets also double as social gatherings. More than anything, locals often come to these markets just to drink tea and shoot the shit for the day.

There are several types of markets in Kyrgyzstan. The traditional bazaar is the most common type you’ll find and probably the most exciting. The bazaars are where the action happens; you’ll see people trading products with more enthusiasm than a broker in the Wolf of Wall Street at these. Osh, Karakol, and Bishkek all have their own local bazaars that you can check out.

8. Stop by the Burana Tower

It’s not much compared to other Central Asian architectural feats, like the madrassas of Registan or glittering towers of Nur-Sultan, but the Burana Tower is still worth seeing. Although humble, it is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Kyrgyzstan and offers a fascinating history lesson.

9. Buy or make some traditional felt accessories

Kyrgyz people use felt for all kinds of purposes, from building yurts to making clothing to ornamentation. Felt is strong, cheap, and does a great job of keeping the cold; all useful qualities when you live a nomadic lifestyle in a sometimes harsh environment.

When you visit Kyrgyzstan, there will be lots of opportunities to pick up some local handmade products. You can buy a handcrafted souvenirs in the bigger cities like Bishkek or Karakol but it’s better to go straight to the source. By something from a local family if you have the chance. If you’re passing through Kochkor, there’s a great felt shop in the center of town as well.

10. Learn about the Silk Road

Central Asia has a fascinating history due in part to its location smack-dab in the middle of the Silk Road. Because it has literally been the crossroads for one of the greatest routes in human history, Central Asia has lowkey had a big influence on both the Western and Eastern worlds.

There are many moments in Central Asian history worth talking about. Papermaking was introduced to the West following a great battle in modern-day Kyrgyzstan, where Chinese Tang prisoners were taken and forced to divulge their secrets. It was Kazak raiders that lead Barbur into exile over the Khyber Pass, where he would eventually found the Mughal Empire in India. These are just a few of many from the Silk Road.