Kyrgyzstan Off The Beaten Path

  Hunting with the eagles the Kirgiz way
by budapest8
 
  • Hunting with the eagles the Kirgiz way
      Hunting with the eagles the Kirgiz way
    by budapest8
  • Nino in front of the Gagarin monument Issik Kul
      Nino in front of the Gagarin monument...
    by budapest8
  • 1991 our visit to Barskoon school
      1991 our visit to Barskoon school
    by budapest8
  • View from Border of Kirgiz side
      View from Border of Kirgiz side
    by budapest8
  • A river crossing
      A river crossing
    by Eish
 
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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

The Torugart Pass, road to China and Kashgar

by budapest8

Being the first Westerners, or Capitalists as our reluctanthost Dr.Bek regarded us as, did cause even more suspicionswhen I spent a long time oogling the detailed Soviet maphe had of the area, and asked him all sorts of questions aboutborder crossings and which border crossings were open.I was dreaming of maybe coming back and making thetrek overland to Kashgar in China. I knew there were flights,but having spent since Sept 1989 in the Soviet Union/Russia,knew how tricky visa's and restricted borders were.I had heard rumours that some Westerners had crossed over,and there were some Tours getting through, but no hard data.The Torugart Pass (Elevation-3,752 m (12,310 ft)) is a remote mountain border crossing between Kyrgyzstan and China . Until 2002 when the Irkeshtam pass was opened for passenger traffic between the two countries it was the ONLY border crossing between China and the...

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Barskoon, the reason we came to Kirgizstan.

by budapest8

It all started some months before Yeltsin stood on a tank,before Kirgiztan gained independence, in the kitchen ofmy Russian girlfriend in Leningrad where I was living when chattingto a Kirgiz boy who was studying there in the city.The USSR was such a vaste nation and I wanted to seeplaces not yet seen by other westerners, hidden in thefar corners tucked away on the UNTRODDEN PATH:Dr.Bek was an olf friend of his family and we got an addressin Barskoon and a phone number.4 days and nights on a train to Alma Ata, a lift across the mountainsto Bishkek, then 4 more nights later we arrived.Barskoon. Barskoon and Tamga are twin Kyrgyz and Russian villages at the mouth of the Barskoon valley - which has an impressive waterfall and is a good centre for trekking and horsering.The 11th century scholar Mahumud al-Kashgari (also known as Barskhani) was a native of this area. He is best known as the...

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Ak-Shyrak. on the road from Barskoon.

by budapest8

We stayed in Barskoon several nights, we were the first ever Westerners tovisit this town. We stayed in the house of Dr.Bek and his wife was a school teacherin the local school in Barskoon. There were only Kirgiz people in the town/village,but up on a nearby hill, some Russians in some sort of scientific station.We visited many places surrounding and Ak-Shyrak was one just up the road.Ak-Shyrak. The furthest up the A364 that it is possible to reach following the A364 from Barskoon. Achaeologists have discovered evidence here of early ore excavations in the canyon here.

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At-Bashi & ruins of a small citadel at Kara-Suu

by budapest8

Although we spent 6 weeks in and around the Issik Kul Lake, because it was winter, we didn't make many places because the roads are blocked by snow and ice in the winter, or just darn dangereous.At-Bashi. a town, which stands on the site of settlements that date from the 8th to 14th centuries.The main road from Naryn to Torugart takes you over the Kyzyl-Bel pass with views along the crest of the At-Bashi mountain range, to the village of At-Bashi, and the nearby ruins of a small citadel at Kara-Suu dating from the 10th or 12th century. The 5 metre high walls are known as Koshoi-Korgon and are where the legendary Kyrgyz hero Manas is supposed to have buried his friend Koshoy. Just before the end of the asphalt, and the start of the gravel road - the highway widens and was an emergency military airstrip built in the Soviet period to be used in the event of hostilities with China...

Ala-Bash valley

by budapest8

Ala-Bash, valley - (southern shore of the Issyk-Kul). Ala-Bash is a small mountain, dotted with sharp black and red cliffs, which proudly stands in the center of the valley. By the south - eastern foot of the Ala-Bash was once a medieval village, the ruins of which are clearly visible from the slopes. Many Petroglyphs with hunting scenes and images of wild goats remained on the mountain. At the foot of the mountain is a rock with carved Buddhist mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum" on it

The Chinese mosque in Karakol

by lovesjetlag

I guess not so many mosques around the world have such a distinct Chinese style. This is because the border with China is so near. The Mosque is located 600 meters from the Main Bazaar in direction of Ak Suu; it was build without nails by architects and artisans belonging to the local Dungan community (Dunga: term used in the former Soviet People to define Muslim people of Chinese origin who feld China in the 19th century).Non Muslim women cannot enter the mosque itself, they have access to the gardens and to the backyard as besides in all the mosques I've seen in Kyrghyzstan.

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At Bashi in Naryn

by His_Beloved

At Bashi is pretty far off the normal beaten path, but well worth the visit just to see the majestic mountains here that seperate Kyrgyzstan from China. Shepherd's Life runs a program to let tourists stay with locals in their Yurts in this area, so be sure to look them up when you're in Naryn.

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Jety Oguz Valley

by His_Beloved

Meaning "7 bulls" in the local language, this valley is famous for the 7 red sandstone cliffs that local legend gives an interesting history to. On the other side of these cliffs is Broken Heart Rock, which has an entirely different legend to go with it. Even besides the interesting local legendry, the valley is beautiful and fully worth the effort to visit for a day hike or light camping. It's located about an hour from Karakol City on the south shore of Lake Issyk-Kul.CBT Karakol can help arrange transportation to and from the valley.

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Amazing little waterfall

by MrRandMcnally

Follow the Road From Song Kul to Naryn south. After an impossible number of switchbacks lead you down from the high vally the raod looks to level off as a mountian stream begins to parralel the road. Take a break, you'll need one after the hairraising downhill drive, and walk up stream a bit, maybe a 1/4 mile. Hidden from the raod is a beautiful and powerful waterfall. the fall is only about 20 feet high but the volume of water is impressive. A beautiful and hidden sight.

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Lenin at the Resoviour

by MrRandMcnally

Near Talas(ask directions in the town) there is a resoviour held into a valy by a large dam. Carved into the wall of the mountian, right over the dam, is a huge Lenin head. With his slightly asian looks he watches over the dam built by communist forces and watches a world very different from Lenins stomping grounds in St. Petersburg.

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Unique Places in Kyrgyzstan

Top 3 Hotels in Kyrgyzstan

Hyatt Regency Bishkek  Bishkek

 6 Reviews and 54 Opinions  Very nice hotel, but very expensive. Its location is best in the city. They don't have metal room... 

 Hotels in Bishkek

The Castle Hotel  Cholpon-Ata

 2 Reviews and 1 Opinions  Not exactly cheap compared to homestay or 'local accommodation", but if you enjoy your creature... 

 Hotels in Cholpon-Ata

Hotel Jannat  Bishkek

 1 Review and 9 Opinions  Jannat is located far from the city center. They claim to be a "5 star" hotel, but by the western... 

 Hotels in Bishkek

11 Hotels in Kyrgyzstan
 
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Reviews and photos of Kyrgyzstan attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Kyrgyzstan sightseeing.

Experience Kyrgyzstan
Off The Beaten Path: Cities in Kyrgyzstan
  1. Bishkek Off The Beaten Path
  2. Naryn Off The Beaten Path

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Popular Regions in Kyrgyzstan

Gorod Bishkek Off The Beaten Path  Ysyk-Kol Oblasty Off The Beaten Path  Naryn Oblasty Off The Beaten Path  Chuyskaya Oblast' Off The Beaten Path 

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Questions and Answers

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Q:  The 7 Ones... This is Jeff from Texas. I'm coming to Kyrgyzstan the first and second weeks of July and one thing I always try... 

sphynxxs profile photo

A: My knowledge on Kyrgyiztan is very limited, but I can help you on your first question - find one on Tshengiz Aitmatov´s books! He is dead now, but was called "the voice... 

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