9 Days in Kyrgyzstan: Wild Beauty, Mountain Air, and the Unexpected Joys of Simplicity

In June 2025, I set off for a place I had only seen in photos and read about in niche travel blogs — Kyrgyzstan. A remote land in the heart of Central Asia, full of rugged landscapes, yurt camps, and stories that stretch across generations. I didn’t know much about this country before going — and that was exactly the point. I wanted to be surprised.

For nine days, I traveled on the road with a small group, a local guide, and a minivan that became our second home. Backpacks on, we changed accommodation almost every night, blending ruggedness with just enough comfort to recharge. Our guide was a true gem — someone who knew the land and its people like the back of his hand, and who patiently translated not only the language, but the culture.

Every day felt like a discovery. From waking up in a yurt camp surrounded by mountains to hiking at 2,600 meters (where I quickly realized how unprepared I was for altitude), Kyrgyzstan constantly kept me on my toes — literally and metaphorically.

One of the moments I remember most fondly didn’t happen on a mountain or at a tourist site — it was in a local supermarket. Locals would cut in front of us at the checkout, clearly unimpressed by our foreign faces and our endless fumbling with unfamiliar currency. We weren’t exactly unwelcome, but we were definitely outsiders — and I found that oddly refreshing.

Our guide told us stories about local traditions — especially weddings — and how quickly the country is changing. “In a few years,” he warned us, “these wild places will have long lines, ticket booths, and luxury toilets.” (Speaking of toilets… that was probably my biggest culture shock.)

What struck me most was the simplicity of life. No neon lights, no resort packages — just mountains, vast skies, dirt roads, and people living quietly with the rhythm of nature. It felt like stepping into a time capsule, but also into something deeply real.

Who Should Visit Kyrgyzstan?

Kyrgyzstan isn’t for everyone — and that’s okay. If your idea of a holiday involves beach clubs, poolside cocktails, and nightlife, this might not be the place for you. But if you’re drawn to raw nature, slow mornings, and the kind of silence that echoes, then Kyrgyzstan will steal your heart.

It’s for the curious. The respectful. The ones who can squat behind a bush without complaint, and who won’t ask why there’s no cappuccino in the middle of a mountain pass. If that sounds like you — pack your backpack. Kyrgyzstan is waiting.