Photo credit: Jered Gorman
Postcard from the Road: A Visit to Remote Villages in Kyrgyzstan
Tour Manager Michel Behar shared some photos from the road while on traveling on MIR’s Pamir Highway: From the Tien Shan to the High Pamirs small group tour a few years ago.
While journeying through remote villages on “the Silk Road Less Traveled,” Michel and his tour group met with several families of semi-nomads in Kyrgyzstan. Michel shared details of the group’s visits:
We met a family with 4 children in Kurtka, some 30 miles away from Son Kul Lake. They offered us homemade bread and kymyz (fermented horse milk). Kymyz is known for its positive health benefits; some locals go on straight kymyz diets for weeks because they believe that kymyz is good for cleansing the body.
Our host was a 43-year-old man, who was intrigued by everyone’s age (he’s the man in the red sweater in the top photo). He had a weathered suntanned face and a broad smile, and told us that he usually spends his time herding hundreds of sheep up in the hills.
We also visited another family in nearby Ak Tala. Our host wore a traditional kalpak (a pointed white felt hat symbolizing the snow-capped mountains). It was a delight to meet with the families here. The kids were especially charming — they were quite curious, and intrigued by the sight of foreigners passing through.
During these visits to remote Kyrgyz villages, we were able to get a glimpse of some the families’ daily routines, such as milking the animals and making felt carpets. Afterwards, we went to a local yurt camp for the night.
Kyrgyzstan is often considered “Central Asia’s Best-Kept Secret.” The country’s dramatic beauty is balanced by deep-rooted cultural traditions and warm hospitality. Although tourism there has been heating up, Kyrgyzstan remains an unspoiled and adventurous place to explore.
Here are some more photos Michel shared with us from his time visiting remote Kyrgyz villages:
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Rolling out nan, a common component of many Kyrgyz meals. Photo credit: Michel Behar
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Fresh off the grill — a Kyrgyz woman toasts nan flatbread.
Photo credit: Michel Behar
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Warm greetings from semi-nomads in Ak Tala. Photo credit: Michel Behar
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The group’s host poses with a MIR traveler. Photo credit: Michel Behar
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A woman offers up servings of her batch of kymyz. Photo credit: Michel Behar
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The interiors of Kyrgyz yurts burst with color and personality. Photo credit: Michel Behar
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Friendly people and beautiful landscapes make Kyrgyzstan an unforgettable destination. Photo credit: Michel Behar
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A visit with semi-nomads in remote villages of Kyrgyzstan. Photo credit: Michel Behar
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