On March 2nd, I embarked on my longest journey so far – a journey that took me through…
Times visited: 1
Cities visited: Bishkek, Karakol, Balykchy, Jalal-Abad and Osh
Towns and villages visited: Barskoon, Kochkor and Arslanbob
UNESCO sites visited: 1/3
Kyrgyzstan is easily one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It’s also incredibly safe, budget-friendly, and visa-free for citizens of 63 countries – yet somehow, it still escapes the tourist radar. That made it all the more appealing for my Asia journey in the spring of 2016.
After 2,5 months of solo travel, it was a real treat to reunite with my friend in Bishkek to kick off our month-long adventure through Central Asia. We spent 16 days in Kyrgyzstan, and it didn’t take long for the country to sweep us off our feet. Eager to escape the bustle of Bishkek, we headed straight for the charming town of Karakol by Lake Issyk Kul. Surrounded by towering mountain ranges, turquoise alpine lakes, vast pine forests, and a canyon that looked like it belonged in a fairytale, Karakol offered some of the most breathtaking scenery I’ve ever seen.
After four days there, we set off on a two-day horse trek to the stunning Song Kul Lake. There, we stayed in a traditional yurt, experienced true nomadic hospitality, and even tried fermented mare’s milk (an acquired taste, to say the least!). From there, we travelled south to the culturally rich city of Osh, where we unexpectedly fell head over heels for the hostel cat, Molly.
After a nine-day detour through Tajikistan and Afghanistan, we returned to Kyrgyzstan to explore Arslanbob, home to the world’s largest walnut forest. We wandered its shaded paths on foot and on horseback, soaking in the serenity. And in true spontaneous fashion, we made our way back to Osh – just for one more night with Molly – before parting ways with each other and a country we’d come to deeply love. I often find myself daydreaming about returning to Kyrgyzstan – I hope I can make it back soon!