Kyrgyz Republic

Can you guess what’s firmly pressed in my mind when I think about my travels to the Kyrgyz Republic? Surprisingly, it’s the kumis (fermented horse milk). You heard me right. Horse milk – a rather acquired taste, is also known to cleanse one’s bowels if you drink too much of it the first time. And if you’re after a fresh batch, you’ll need to immerse yourself in a yurt experience, which also happens to be my favourite thing about the Kyrgyz Republic. 

There’s something magical about cosying up inside a yurt (essentially a portable, round tent structure made of wood and felt), seated on the floor, munching on torn bread spread across the table and enveloping cups of kumis and chai, late into the evening. You’ll find these beautiful domes in some of the most remote parts of the country, on green pastures and nestled alongside high-altitude lakes. And when you’re tucked inside, there’s a reassuring warmth and safety as you take cover from the elements – particularly the freezing cold. These are the sort of memories that will stick with you forever and what makes the Kyrgyz Republic utterly unique.