Once part of the USSR and now one of Central Asia's lesser-known "stans" (and that's saying a lot), this mountainous country's highlights include trekking; community tourism especially among nomads; and the huge, colorful outdoor marketplace of Osh. Definitely one of travel's new frontiers!

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Detained by the police in Kyrgyzstan!

The Osh Bazaar in the capital Bishkek was a hive of activity. Endless arrays of fruit and vegetables, clothes and mops, electrical components and everything else the locals could want were on offer. It also had a contingent of policemen, two of whom were watching me, though I didn’t know it at the time. After watching me sample - and be dramatically repulsed by - a cup of Kyrgyzstan’s national drink, kumis (fermented mare's milk), they moved in and pounced... keep reading

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  • Ed Wetschler June 1, 2026 at 3:01pm
    With all its "Stans," folks who want to explore Central Asia might be forgiven for being a bit at a loss between the differences. But here the U.K.´s top travel magazine, Wanderlust, lays out the differences between two of its top trending destinations, comparing Kyrghizstan with next-door Uzbekhistan to its west, depending on your priorities, and it´s an instructive read: https://www.wanderlustmagazine.com/inspiration/uzbekistan-vs-kyrgyz...
    Uzbekistan vs Kyrgyzstan: Which Central Asian country should you visit? - Wanderlust
    In 2019, you voted Uzbekistan as your top emerging destination; in 2020, Kyrgyzstan stole its neighbour’s crown. What is it about these Central Asian…
  • Joseba Basabe December 16, 2025 at 10:42am
    As usual, Lonely Planet lays it all out for us very well: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/top-things-to-do-in-kyrgyzstan
    The 16 best things to do in Kyrgyzstan
    Fuel your dream adventure with these cultural, culinary and mountain experiences.
  • Maria de los Angeles December 15, 2025 at 2:50pm
    The Tien Shan Mountain Range came in second on Intrepid Travel´s list of best underrated destinations for 2026. Described as a "trekker's paradise," they´re home to the Kyrgyz Nomad Trail, a more than 1,200-mile-long route that expanded this year, along which hikers overnight in community-run yurts. https://www.travelandleisure.com/intrepid-not-hot-underrated-destin...
  • Jordan Simon March 7, 2023 at 2:42pm
    Here's a look at capital Bishkek from a pair of Canadian vloggers: https://youtu.be/vytSLjPZmsg
  • Jeffrey Kunst April 20, 2022 at 11:35am
    A pretty good Kyrrgystan video overview from several months ago posted on YouTube by a 30something Londoner called Ucman Scher (BrownBoyTravels.com) who also puts his stuff out on his website as well as Instagram and TikTok: https://youtu.be/N9IQ-5ComTE
  • María José September 4, 2018 at 4:44pm

    krygysztanfeat-800x420.jpg

    Wow, I just happened across a photo essay called "My Photos of Kyrgyzstan, the Hidden Gem of Central Asia," and man, are they mind-blowing! Check it out: 

    https://petapixel.com/2018/08/27/my-photos-of-kyrgyzstan-the-hidden...

    My Photos of Kyrgyzstan, The Hidden Gem of Central Asia
    I just returned from 3 weeks in Kyrgyzstan. As a landscape photographer, I have traveled to lots of countries in the world so I guess I can say I am
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