Kyrgyzstan is historically situated on the Great Silk Road, between the markets in China and Europe, India and the Middle East. The caravans with silk, spices, gold, paper, ceramics, bronze etc. were going along the many different routes from the East to the West (and back). Not only trade flourished but there was also an exchange of ideas and philosophies. In the 15th century China retreated behind its Great Wall, and sea routes were discovered. The importance of the Great Silk Road declined.
Nowadays, a 'renaissance' of the historical Great Silk Road is underway and many tourists follow in the footsteps of the traders and travelers of the historical Silk Road and visit many countries in Central Asia.
Can we invite you to follow some tracks of the Great Silk Road through Kyrgyzstan?
Every year many cyclists come to mountainous Kyrgyzia to cycle; some go on individual tours, some come in groups. What we offer the cycle fan is three tours through our country, and the herewith mentioned tours are also the most 'famous' tours. More is possible, write us your wishes and if you have a good map, we help you to make your own special tour. For the individuals we can offer your our services, like picking you up from the Airport, store the cycle-boxes at our territory, etc. Type of bike: the roads in Kyrgyzstan have different quality, from asphalt roads to rocky ground roads paths in the mountains.
Travel on Horse-back. The most important means of transportation in Kyrgyzstan is the horse; all the chabans and herdsman of the numerous valleys and mountains, the farmers in other valleys have at least one horse. Type of horses used for horseriding are the Kyrgyz breed and a mix of this breed with the Donskaya breed. Not big horses, shaft between 140 and 165 (max.), but strong and sturdy. In the 'old' days breeding horses was a honorable occupation, Kyrgyz people love their horses.
Nowadays they still breed horses at the horsebreeding farm in Cholpon-Ata and in the Jailoo the herdsmen pasture horses. In Summer the mares have foals and are kept close to the yurta, because the women make the fermented mares' milk, kymyz. As soon as children start walking they teach them how to deal with horses, but first they have to practice on a donkey. In the countryside the skill with horses is very valuable. Games played on horseback and horse races that test speed and skill are very popular. In the history of the Kyrgyz stories are told of the many raids the famous Hero Manas held on the neighboring feud, always on horse. All the games on festival-days are also on horse, herewith some of the best known games: Wrestling on horseback for a goat's carcass 'Ulak Tartysh' (or 'kok boru') is a very widespread game of the Kyrghiz, Kazakh, Tajik, Uzbek and Afghan people. The words 'kok boru' mean 'grey wolf'. To seize a goat's carcass in the centre of the field and deliver it into the gates of the contesting team is the objective of the game. It lasts about 15 minutes, teams consists of 2-4 riders. Wrestling on horseback 'Oodarysh'. It is one of the most popular games. Two riders try to pull each other off the horseback. It is allowed to throw the rival together with his horse. According to the existing rules oodarysh competitions include four weight categories, there are individual and team championships. The time given for wrestling is 10 minutes. The rider who manages to pull the rival off his horse or throw him down together with the horse wins the competition. Chasing after the bride 'Kyz Kuumai'. In bygone days the game was a part of the wedding ritual. The bride, the bridegroom and djene (sister in law), with the friends took part in the game. The bride did her best to gallop away from her fiance, the sister-in-law assisted her in this. The bride was given the best racer and she was entitled to begin the races, so the bridegroom was given a handicap in distance. The bridegroom set out the pursuit, he had to catch up with her in this way proving his love for her and his right to marry her. Being at a disadvantage the bridegroom sometimes failed to catch up the girl. But she did not reject him and the wedding was not cancelled. Horseriding tours available in the Issyk-Kul Lake area, mainly and most importantly in the Terskey-Ala Too. Other popular areas are the Kyrgyz Ala Too and the area around the Son Kul Lake, all are the most suitable areas to go; good horses and good tracks are available. All these regions have also in common, that they are only one day drive from Bishkek, for logistical reasons a perfect place and compared to other regions in Kyrgyzstan greener and sunnier. Camping near clean water and possibilities for a campfire, in the 'jailoos' (summer meadows) is enough fresh grass for the horses, the climate is good (a lot of sunshine), a variety of paths (from small stone-paths to rocks) and on the top of the mountains ice, an arctic zone.
The advantages of climbing in the Tien Shan area: cheaper to climb than any other climbing area in Asia, for every type of climber there are possibilities to reach the summits, rather unspoilt nature, not (yet) overcrowded with climbers and easy to reach base-camps. Every year climbers find new routes to the peaks. In the ‘old days’ the strongest climbers of the former USSR made this their climbing paradise, in the new days professional climbers from all over the world flock in to make this area their new climbing spot.
In a country which boasts it’s hydro-electricity, it’s many mineral resources, it’s many mountains lakes, it’s waterfalls and it’s many, strong and long rivers, there are also many possibilities for going white-water rafting or kayaking.
Choose your area or your class of difficulty, in Kyrgyzstan available between 2-5, depending on the area and the time of the year. The water level in season varies, so for each of the mentioned rivers the rafting-season also varies.The season begins at the and of April or begining of May and in August,September,October.
The catamarans are locally made and are of excellent quality, the guides have special security training and are experts on water. But for the specialists we advice you to bring your equipment yourself.
Our company can organize the border zones, national parks, etc.
The international rafting grades will apply to our rivers, grades up to 4, sometimes 5 of difficulty.
Some rivers with superb possibilities:
Hereunder you can find according to their region.
The mountains of the Western Tien Shan hide in their heights a scattering of beautiful lakes, the most grandiose of which is Lake Sary-Chelek
We offer rental cars of any category to travel around the whole Kyrgyzstan with attractive prices. You can order a rental car with a driver, a guide and even a personal bodyguard, transfer and car delivery around the city and region. We guarantee high quality services and an individual approach to each customer.
