Naryn Region
Naryn is the largest region in Kyrgyzstan and occupies the central part of the country. And paradoxically, it is also the most sparsely populated. It is a land where Kyrgyz nomadic life has been preserved, with endless expanses and high mountains.
The Naryn region is ideal for long journeys: Trekking, cycling or travelling by car. The vastness of the region and the small population offer tourists many impressions. The region is famous for its large alpine lakes, the altitude of which does not drop below 3000 m, as well as for numerous beautiful and challenging mountain passes connecting the valleys of the Naryn region.
In Naryn, too, you have the opportunity to get to know the nomadic way of life of the Kyrgyz, which has hardly changed in the last 300 years. And if you are interested in cultural monuments, you should definitely visit Tash-Rabat, one of the oldest Silk Road caravanserais in Central Asia.
Naryn Province is the most extensive and highly mountainous region in the country. More than 70% of the oblast’s territory is occupied by mountain ranges, including the largest range of the Tien Shan, Kokshaal-Too, as well as the At-Bashy, Moldo-Too, Naryn-Too, Suusamyr-Too, etc. ranges. Their average altitude is 3,000-4,000 metres. The mountain ranges are separated by wide intermediate valleys, of which the Ak-Sai Valley, the Arpa Valley and the Kochkor Valley are the best known. The southern part of Naryn Province is the coldest place in Kyrgyzstan. In the aforementioned Ak-Sai Valley, for example, a temperature record of -53 degrees Celsius was set for the country.
Naryn oblast also has most of the country’s water reserves. The high mountain lakes of Son-Kul, Kel-Suu and Chatyr-Kul are very popular. The largest river of the Tien Shan, the Naryn, also rises here.
Historically, the region has always been inhabited by Kyrgyz nomads, who migrated to these areas in the XI to XIII centuries and still make up 99% of the population. In Naryn, more than elsewhere, the nomadic way of life has remained unchanged for many centuries: The area has always been relatively far from wars, trade routes, etc. This explains the relatively small number of historical and cultural monuments in the region. It was not until the Soviet era that settlements and towns were built in the oblast, roads were constructed, etc.
During the Soviet period, most of the Naryn region was closed to tourism in order to preserve and maintain the region’s amazing nature. As a result, today the Naryn region is an ideal place for ecotourism and excursions into nature.
