It’s safe to say that I had no idea of what to expect when I traveled to the country of Kyrgyzstan for the 2016 World Nomad Games. Would it be safe? Did I have to dress a certain way? Would I struggle because I didn't know any Russian? Could I eat the food and drink the water? What would sleeping in a yurt (a Kyrgyz tent-like structure) be like? Knowing hardly anyone else … [Read more...] about What to Expect When Backpacking Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan
World Nomad Games: A Sports Competition in the Kyrchyn Gorge
I didn't know what to expect when attending the second ever World Nomad Games in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan. As someone who is decidedly not a fan of sport, I suspected that there would be other events and activities that would spike my interest, if not the natural beauty of the country of Kyrgyzstan itself. As it turned out, the games do go beyond traditional nomadic events, … [Read more...] about World Nomad Games: A Sports Competition in the Kyrchyn Gorge
Song Kol Lake: Horse Trekking in Kyrgyzstan
There's no end to the ways in which you can see a country. Boat, train, and bike have always been my favorites. Yet, after having spent two days trekking through the northern Naryn Region of Kyrgyzstan (from Kochkor to Song Kol Lake) in Central Asia by horseback, I think I'll have to revise. The journey started and ended in a yurt (a portable round tent used for shelter by … [Read more...] about Song Kol Lake: Horse Trekking in Kyrgyzstan
Adventure Activities in Kyrgyzstan
[W]hen people ask me what there is to do in Kyrgyzstan, besides talking about the unique cultural aspect, I often mention adventure activities – those of which are made possible by the mountainous landscape. Did you know that Kyrgyzstan is comprised of nearly 94% mountains? Yeah, that's a lot of mountains. These mountains are the reason the country has become known as … [Read more...] about Adventure Activities in Kyrgyzstan
How to Get Around Kyrgyzstan: The Real Adventure
[I]t seems that a few of my Kyrgyzstan-based articles, both here and on my personal blog, have been inspiring quite a few people to want to travel Kyrgyzstan. However, there are still questions, like how to get around the country, that are popping in my inbox. Well, I can say that getting around the country of Kyrgyzstan can be an adventure in itself. Several options are … [Read more...] about How to Get Around Kyrgyzstan: The Real Adventure
