Blog 63: Kaleidoscopical Kyrgyzstan

A week was more than enough for me to realize that beauty does not just exist in the most happening and bustling areas where life seems to be ever so bold and bright, but also in the simplest of locations, where enjoyment means just taking a deep breath and allowing the rugged beauty of the mountains, lakeside and the vastness of greenery to sink in.

Everything— from the long bus rides and the off-road bumps to incredible hospitality and warm meals after a hike in the cold altitude— was nothing short of memorable — even the hard times such as not knowing when we would touchdown. I wouldn’t trade it for anything, because the experience gained from travel… tends to become a part of you.

I want to thank my travel companions Naufal, Ms Haleema, and Ghazal Malaak, along with my family, for making those days in the Kyrgyz landscapes enjoyable, entertaining, and exciting. The songs we sang in the van together, the walks by the lakeside, and sticking together during this journey have been the best parts yet. I frankly do not know what I would have done without the bursts of enthusiasm from Little Ghazal, who constantly keeps reminding us to find happiness in the smallest of things.

As a nature enthusiast and an outdoor freak, I loved Altyn Arashan— a beautiful valley, nearly 30 kilometres away from the tranquil city of Karakol. It was an extremely picturesque setting. It was very different from all the hikes we had done in the UAE, as this place was filled with greenery, fast-flowing streams, and many pine trees together— it almost looked like a Nordic utopia or even… Switzerland in a parallel universe.

I went on a 10-kilometre hike with Mr Naufal and Mr Elaman, two enthusiastic people who have a passion for scaling mountains and going uphill to explore more. As appealing as the mountainous vibes sound, I couldn’t possibly forget the hurdles that came along with the increasing altitude: I was short of breath for a while, I had lost sense of myself and there was a constant feeling of numbness throughout my body— not to mention that time I slipped on horseshit!  As someone who had been traversing the mountains quite effortlessly, I must admit that my pride was hurt for a bit, but it was only when the rest of the crew congratulated me for going on foot in pretty harsh weather conditions that I realized that maybe I was glad that I had gone through a bit of a challenge.

In addition, there were places (Bishkek, Karakol) such as Burana Tower, Grigorievka, Burskoon Valley, and, Seven Bulls Rock, which truly captivated me. What drew me to certain places— like Burana Tower— is the historical and cultural richness that lies in the myth behind it. I could feel the essence of each story in the dark and dingy ladder to the top. It reminded me much of the tower Rapunzel was locked in for years. Clue: The story behind Burana Tower is quite similar.

Something we can never forget about travel is the people and fellow travellers we meet along the way. Many of these include people from Kazakhstan, Belgium, Iran, Austria, etc. It was quite refreshing to see different outlooks on life (from hitchhikers to older couples who want to make the most of retirement life by travelling) at a rather amazing intersection: a foreign country. The fact that they were incredibly friendly and open to knowing about us helped break some stereotypes I didn’t know I even had!

Look, I could go on and on about my experiences in Kyrgyzstan, but it would be a little too long. Besides, I believe I have conveyed the main highlights.

Please visit Kyrgyzstan, if you want to know what truly living feels like. The food is extremely delicious and healthy— a combo that’s quite difficult to find. The people are very welcoming and warm-hearted. Also, I would suggest not sticking to a single location, and going to different parts of the country. Bishkek, the capital city, is quite urban and frankly quite dull, but the valleys, waterfalls, Issyk-Kul Lake, and rugged mountainside are must-sees that cannot be missed!

Be prepared to put aside your everyday comforts, because you’re going in for a fun-filled, breathtaking, marvellous, and bumpy ride!

Book your tickets… sooner or later!

This is a Yurt Camp. This is a part of the traditional aspect of the Kyrgyz lifestyle, where farmers would work. We got to stay in one towards the end of our stay

Horse-riding in Altyn Arashan was thrilling, for sure! This is an act of service in the purest form possible. I realised that living a simple life devoted to sharing your service in the epitome of pure nature doesn't seem like such a bad life choice!

Here is a beautiful cathedral in Karakol. An ethereal atmosphere in which silence is equivalent to time spent in devotion and self-reflection. In addition to the quiet setting, there were plenty of beautiful roses as well.

Warmest Regards,

Medha