From the 3rd to the 16th century, merchants carrying silks, spices, and precious stones passed through the ancient city of Osh in Kyrgyzstan along the fabled Silk Road. They were travelling from the Mediterranean to China and back again, a trip that often took a lifetime.
Today, Osh is a fully modernized city with very little remaining of its storied past. Further out in the countryside and smaller towns, though, Kyrgyzstan citizens are still living traditional lifestyles as shepherds, farmers, and small artisans.
Many visitors come to Kyrgyzstan to sample its unique style of community-based tourism. This doesn't involve stays in large Kyrgyzstan hotels managed from afar, but rather in smaller venues in which the local community provides the accommodations. Kyrgyz citizens are famous for their hospitality.
The Kyrgyz capital is Bishkek, a city with a surprisingly Western appearance. Bishkek was founded as a Russian garrison in 1825. Don't miss the gigantic Dordoi Bazaar just north of the city, the point through which Chinese and Turkish goods enter all of Central Asia. You'll be able to track down cheap hotel deals in Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek because of the huge number of merchants who pass through the town.
Visit Lake Issyk-Köl in Kyrgyzstan's eastern Tian Shan Mountains. Lake Issyk-Köl is one of the world's largest alpine lakes. It's a perfectly safe place for recreation today, but it has a bit of gruesome history. Historians believe the Black Plague that devastated Europe in medieval times originated here. The Issyk Kul State Reserve, created to protect the endemic waterfowl, is part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves. There are a number of hotels in Kyrgyzstan around this area, as well as smaller guesthouses.
Lake Issyk-Köl offers travellers the opportunity to partake in recreational activities they're unlikely to find anywhere else on the planet. Hunt for rabbits with a trained eagle, or take a ride over the Tian Shan glaciers in a Soviet-era helicopter.
The Son Kul Lake in the northern part of the country is the heart of Kyrgyzstan's nomadic culture. You probably won't find a cheap Kyrgyzstan hotel deal here, but you may be able to buy supplies from local herders and rent a yurt so you can visit the area for a day.
There are Kyrgyzstan hotel deals, but language and cultural differences can make them difficult to track down once you're there. Doing your homework on Expedia before you leave can save you money and time on Kyrgyzstan hotel packages. Search through Expedia's extensive database and pinpoint the rooms that best fit your needs. Then book reservations to take advantage of Expedia's top prices and special discount rates.
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