Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬
June 2023
Kyrgyzstan facts
This relatively small country has been under influence from its neighbours since centuries, via culture and power. The Russians in the past while under the USSR, culturally from Mongolian tribes and recently by China. The countryside is quite different from its Western Stans as most of it is mountainous and much greener then the rest. Quite a few times there were familiar sights like back home.Â
Karakol & Issyk-Köl
The East is still sparsely populated. Crossing the land border from Kazakhstan is on a pretty basic dirt road which is being paved by, guess who, the Chinese. Karakol is the center of this region and having dinner at a private house was really nice and gave insight to current life. Issyk-Köl is the second largest alpine lake in the world and due to its depth and high saline content never freezes even in harsh and cold winters.
Son-Köl
Even just getting to this fabulous region is an adventure. The last 50+ km is a steep climbing mountain road traversing over a pass at 3550m reaching the lake at just over 3000m altitude. A few families who’s animals graze the land also offer Yurt-stays. We had the pleasure of being able to watch a local sport on horse in front of the a beautiful backdrop of lake and mountains. Apart from that this place just feels and is amazing, the open space takes you full in and the silence apart from some animal noises is just infectious. On top of great local food prepared right on site we were also able to enjoy a perfect sunset before sinking into our yurt beds. I can only strongly recommend this adventure!
Bishkek
The last day was spent driving to the capital of Bishkek where hot weather was back. The city and people are still under heavy Russian influence due to a lack of alternatives. Soviet style buildings mixed with newer structures and a lot of construction sites are all around. Unlike in the rest of the country Russian is still the predominant language and the influx of Russians fleeing from the war is apart. Other than that life is very western oriented, the restaurant, cafe and bar scene is flourishing and the locals are very friendly and easy-going.
