Falconry in Kyrgyzstan
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This remarkable type of hunting, in which a bird assists a person in capturing prey, has been a part of Kyrgyzstan's culture for centuries. Researchers have discovered evidence within modern-day Kyrgyzstan that confirms the existence of falconry dating back to the 2nd millennium B.C.
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The Kyrgyz still value hunting birds, because once, one bird alone could feed the whole village. However, nowadays hunting has developed into an entertainment and modern falconers take falconry more for their own pleasure and for tourists.
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In Kyrgyzstan you can see a variety of hunting birds - from eagles and erne to vultures and falcons.
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Each hunter raises a chick for 3-4 years: feeds it, cares for it and talks so that the bird gets used to the owner's voice. Then the owner shows the bird the fur and skin of the animals it is supposed to hunt. Keep in mind that falconry is a spectacle for people with a strong spirit. You will see how a bird of prey attacks its prey and kills it.
Did you know that... 10 fascinating facts about Lake Issyk-Kul
Travel itinerary in Kyrgyzstan
Travel itinerary in Kyrgyzstan
Use our Kyrgyzstan itinerary as a rough guide which can be adapted according to your personal preferences and interests.
✅Bishkek – Far more than just a landing point, the capital offers an impressive variety of shopping, entertainment and dining options amidst wide boulevards and historically significant sites.
Attractions: Ala Too Square, Oak Park, Osh Bazaar
What else: Take a day trip to Ala-Archa Gorge or Burana Tower in ancient Balasagun.
✅Osh – Capital of southern Kyrgyzstan which is heavily influenced by Uzbek culture.
Attractions: Suleiman-Too Mountain, Lenin statue (largest in Central Asia), Navoi Park
What else: Relax at Kyrgyz-Ata National Park or explore Uzgen historical town and bazaar.
✅Jalalabad – Trailing only Bishkek and Osh in population, this former Silk Road power is regarded as a holy city.
Attractions: Lenin Street, mineral springs at Jalalabad Sanatorium, Arslanbob’s walnut forest
What else: Book a homestay in nearby Kara-Sulu Village or Sary-Chelek National Park.
✅Karakol – Traditional town on Lake Issyk-Kul, 4th-largest city in country and launching point for mountain treks.
Attractions: Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Dungan Mosque, Przhewalsky Memorial Museum
What else: Dine with a minority Uyghur or Dungan family or learn to make local bread while staying with a family in nearby Jergalan.
✅Cholpon-Ata – Resort and historical town along Lake Issyk-Kul.
Attractions: Cholpon-Ata Petroglyphs, Rukh Ordo Cultural Center, Issyk-Kul State Historical and Cultural Museum
What else: Overnight in a yurt camp in the mountains or go parasailing over Issyk-Kul.
✅Naryn – Regional capital of the most mountainous and traditional province in Kyrgyzstan.
Attractions: Koshoy Korgon Fortress, At-Bashi Village, Naryn River rafting
What else: Head to the Torugart Pass, stopping at Tash Rabat Caravanserai on the way.
✅Kochkor – Small but pleasant mountain town and convenient stop
Kyrgyz Republic honor guard
Exploring Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, is a key feature of many of our tours in the country. While touring the city, you can expect to witness a guard of honor at the Ala-Too Square.
On August 16, 1998, the honor guard company of the National Guard of the Kyrgyz Republic made history as they assumed their position at the flagpole with the State Flag on Ala-Too Square.
Every day, in any weather, the guard is carried by two employees of the National Guard. The changing of the guard of honor takes place several times a day and attracts the attention of not only foreign guests, but also residents of the capital.
✅The Kyrgyz honor guard is notable for its unique marching style, characterized by a precise angle of 90 degrees in their steps.
The honor guard has been relieved from its position at the post only three times. Firstly, in 2009, amidst the replacement of the 18-meter flagpole with a taller 45-meter one. Then, in 2016, the guard of honor was absent for two yeats due to repair works during the initial phase of the reconstruction of the State Historical Museum of the Kyrgyz Republic. Finally, in late 2023, the guard of honor was temporarily excused from its duties for four days to facilitate the reconstruction of the honor guard cabin.
✅Explore all tours available in Kyrgyzstan by clicking the link provided in the first comment.
Top 8 must-see attractions in Kyrgyzstan
1. Ala-Archa National Park - This renowned reserve boasts stunning mountain vistas, including notable peaks like Semenov-Tyan-Shansky Peak (4875 m) and Korona Peak (4860 m), attracting mountaineers worldwide.
2. Issyk-Kul - The world's second-largest high-mountain lake, enveloped by snow-capped peaks and known for its perpetually unfrozen waters, offering beautiful beaches and resorts.
3. Karakol - Situated on the eastern shore of Issyk-Kul, it serves as a gateway for mountain treks and harbors intriguing sights within the town itself.
4. Jety-Oguz - Seven striking red rock formations resembling bulls' outlines, making this gorge an iconic symbol of Kyrgyzstan.
5. Osh - One of Central Asia's oldest cities, featuring Mount Sulaiman-Too, a revered site for Muslims and a UNESCO World Heritage-listed mountain.
6. Arslanbob - Home to the world's largest walnut groves, offering a tranquil retreat amidst lush natural surroundings.
7. Burana Tower - The remnants of Balasagun city, once the capital of the Karakhanid Empire in the 9th century, showcasing historical significance.
8. Tash Rabat - A remarkably preserved caravanserai, steeped in legend as a former Christian monastery, providing insight into Kyrgyzstan's rich cultural heritage.
Guaranteed group tours from Advantour are those for which a set schedule of tours by dates is already established, with a promise of departure even if there is only a single traveler.
Check the schedule of the closest guaranteed tours in Kyrgyzstan.
✅Kyrgyzstan Small Group Tour - 7 Days (Bishkek, Cholpon Ata, Karakol, Kochkor, Son Kul) - 24 May, 7 Jun, 19 Jul, 9 Aug, 6 Sep
✅To the Heart of Tian Shan Trekking Group Tour - 14 Days (Bishkek, Karakol, Karkara Base camp, Inylchek Glacier, Putevodniy Glacier, Merzbacher Glade and Lake, Komsomolskiy Glacier, Dikiy Glacier, South Inylchek Base Camp, Lake Issyk-Kul) - 8 Jul, 22 Jul, 5 Aug
✅Mountains and Lakes of Tian Shan Trekking Group Tour - 11 Days (Bishkek, Son Kul Lake, Karakol, Karakol Gorge, Ala-Kul Lake, Altyn Arashan Gorge, Cholpon-Ata) - 19 Jul
✅Taste of Tian Shan Trekking Group Tour - 11 Days (Bishkek, Karakol, Jety Oguz Gorge, Foot of Telety Pass, Karakol Gorge, Ala-Kul Lake, Altyn Arashan Gorge, Cholpon-Ata) - 9 Aug
✅Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan Group Tour - 8 days (Astana, Almaty, Karakol, Kochkor, Son-Kul, Bishkek) - 6 Jun, 18 Jul, 8 Aug, 5 Sep
✅Central Asia Group Tour - 14 days (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan) - 15 Apr, 29 Apr, 13 May, 27 May, 3 Jun, 22 Jul, 5 Aug, 12 Aug, 19 Aug, 2 Sep, 9 Sep, 16 Sep, 30 Sep, 14 Oct, 4 Nov
✅Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Group Tour - 15 days (Bishkek, Cholpon-Ata, Karakol, Kochkor, Son-Kul, Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand) - 24 May, 7 Jun, 19 Jul, 9 Aug, 6 Sep
✅Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan-Tajikistan Group Tour - 18 days (Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan) - 24 May, 7 Jun, 19 Jul, 9 Aug, 6 Sep
Explore all the guaranteed group tours available in Kyrgyzstan by clicking the link provided in the first comment.
Did You Know That... 6 facts about Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan is adventurous, for where else can you live with a nomadic family in an authentic yurt?
Yurts are one of the most essential parts of Kyrgyz culture, and are more than just houses. They represent the family, the earth, and the universe, and cover everything from birth to death. Yurts hold much of Kyrgyz culture, from important rituals and ceremonies, to craftsmanship and traditional artistry.
Yurts can be found across Eurasia, though with slightly different materials, dimensions or traditions. Kyrgyz yurts are made of a cupola birch poles tied to a latticework that forms the vertical walls. The outside is made of felt and wool, which is water repellent and warm, and can be easily patched as needed. The top of the yurt is a wooden circle, called a tunduk, which forms one of the most essential symbols of family and the universe. A small flap of felt covers the tunduk, which can be opened when weather is nice to let in light and fresh air, and closed when the weather is cold and wet. The tunduk is one of the most essential designs in Kyrgyzstan, and is used on the flag. The whole design of yurts was centered around being both portable and flexible, suitable for any season or location.
Consider the elements when planning your trip, remembering that high-altitude yurt camps can be surprisingly chilly even in summer.