A country situated above mountainous ranges in Central Asia –Kyrgyzstan is a real example of a rugged yet breathtaking montane country. One can define this nation by its exuberant pristine mountainscapes, sharp ridges that roll down to Yaylak (summer highland pastures). Kyrgyzstan’s unforgiving beauty is brought to life by the Kyrgyz nomadic and yurt-dwelling shepherds.

Due to recent developments in home-stays and visa-free travel, Kyrgyzstan is becoming an attraction to foreign tourists all over the world. The authentic Kyrgyzstani experience lies outside amid nature. The landscape and demography of this country have created an illustration of perfect outdoor adventurous activities. On that note, here are 5 Adventurous Things to Do in Kyrgyzstan.

1. Horseback Riding

One of the best ways to truly explore Kyrgyzstan is to go on horseback riding trips. The trips can be of a single day or even for several days. It's a real Kyrgyz style to travel on horseback to the remote nooks and corners of this country. And you will regret not taking horseback riding trips using some lame reasons! Guides are always with you, and horses are well-trained to take you on an exciting challenge.

Horse ridings and Horses have a deep historical significance in the lives of nomadic Kyrgyz people, and that connection remains strong today. Horseback riding will take you to ancient routes and teach you different cultures related to the routes. The ride in the ‘Mountains of Heaven’ will take you on the path of the real ‘Silk Road Trail.’ The ride takes almost 15 days, which passes via spectacular Lake Son Kul through one of the last remaining Silk Road Caravanserais of Tash Rabat and remote areas of the Altai region.

High altitude rides in the Tien Shan mountain ranges and the Fergana Valley are spectacles of ancient Chinese trade routes and are also listed under ‘World Heritage Sites.’ The routes are a tough challenge and will test your physical endurance. The experiences of the old kind are remarkably exhilarating and worth your time.

2. Mountaineering

It becomes quite evident that Kyrgyzstan has world-class adrenaline rushing mountaineering activities. The country with the highest peaks and ridges in Central Asia offers you the best climbing trips. One can visit Kyrgyzstan any time of the year to experience its relentless mountainscapes. The mountain ranges divide as Tien Shan in the North and Pamir in the South. These mountain systems have the highest peaks luring adventurers towards Kyrgyzstan.

The highest peak in Kyrgyzstan is Pobeda Peak, which is 7,439 meters high and is very difficult and challenging to climb. The peaks of this country have unusual names like Vladimir Putin, Lenin and Communism Peaks, etc. giving a weird twist to the adventure. The Western Tien Shan mountain territories, which range in altitude from 700 to 4,503 meters, are also under the title of ‘World Heritage Site.’

One can rent a 4x4 with the roof rack awning structures and drive to the base camp of the peaks. These base camps are also popular destinations that can provide camping activities before climbing complex mountainscapes.

3. Rafting

White water rafting is the new attraction in Kyrgyzstan, and there are several rivers marked as excellent eco rafting destinations in whole Central Asia. The elevation, crystal glaciers are slowly melting into waterways, and the summer season makes rafting a wild outdoor activity. The most popular destination for rafting is the Chu River that runs near the capital city of Bishkek. The river flows on the elevation of 1,500 meters and passes through the Boom Gorge, which is the best training site for rafting.

The Chon-Kemin River runs a 116km length through the gorges providing challenging class 5 rapids. The White Waters of the Kekemeren River runs through the heart of the valleys of Tien Shan “Celestial Mountains” – the backdrop of divine nature gives a peaceful and out of world rafting experience. The Naryn River is particularly best for an extra adrenaline rush, and the section of ‘Naryn Falls Canyon’ is awe-inspiring.

4. Trekking

Kyrgyzstan has endless trekking and hiking opportunities. There are never-ending magnificent gorges, lakes, glaciers, flora, and fauna all around the Tien Shan and Pamir mountains. One of the fascinating places for tourists is the Ala-Archa National Park, which is half an hour’s drive from the capital city. There are many places worth sightseeing, such as Tepshi Plato, Adygene Lake, Big Ala-Archa glacier, Ak-Sai waterfalls, and glaciers. The national park cover 200kms including the highest peaks of the gorge - Korona, Svobodnaya Korea, and Semenov-Tien-Shansky, etc.

Karavshan Gorge is also a fantastic place to have adventurous hiking. It is located on the Turkestan Range of the Pamir Mountains. This gorge is complex and challenging for hiking as it is very remote - you have to walk from a nearby village and it is a two-day journey to reach the base camp.

The Karakal Gorge is popular among the tourists due to its accessibility and unique natural characteristics. It is a high mountain gorge located in the eastern region of Terskey Ala-Too Range and on the shores of the Lake Issyk-Kul. There are tones of trekking routes in this gorge which connects to the highest peaks of Terskey Ala-Too – Karakol and Djigit.

5. Camping

Since there are infinite trekking and mountaineering activities in Kyrgyzstan, camping becomes an inseparable activity. Camping inside the traditional yurt is the must-do thing while visiting this beautiful country. The horseback riding or car renting to the different Kyrgyzstan locations offers multiple days and nights of camping.

One of the most popular locations is Lake Issyk-Kul, which is the third-largest mountain lake in the world. The water is cold and refreshing in summers, which feel more like being in the sea. The southern shores of the lake and Bel Tam are highly recommended for camping.

Other famous places to set camping are Skazka ‘Fairy Tale’ Canyon, the Jyrgalan Valley, Naryn Canyon, Ala-Kul Glacial Lake, and many more.

Bottom-line, Kyrgyzstan is unequivocally one of the Earth’s greatest sights, and those who have visited this country know that they are longing to go there once more. This country has many things to experience, which is not limited to adventure activities. There are ethnic cultures, traditions, and unique lifestyles to learning at these high altitudes and unforgiving mountain ridges. Kyrgyzstan is genuinely one of the most beautiful countries in the world.