KYRGYZSTAN

With a name of mysterious origin thought to mean Land of the Forty Tribes, Kyrgyzstan is a destination of outstanding natural beauty – much of it untouched. Located in northeast Central Asia, this landlocked republic features soaring mountain ranges that cover over 90% of its terrain, with the rest defined by glassy lakes , flower-strewn valleys and grassy plains populated by wild horses.

In the wilderness, follow the peaceful pace set by yurt-dwelling Kyrgyz nomads, a people said to be born on horseback. Marvel at the towering peaks of the Tian Shan mountains, explore the red sandstone of Djety-Oguz (Seven Bulls) gorge, or simply unwind by the turquoise waters of Issyk Kul, the world’s second largest mountain lake.

As an integral crossroads on the legendary Silk Road, Kyrgyzstan also offers plenty of culture, from the Bronze Age petroglyphs of Cholpon-Ata to the 11th-century minaret of Burana Tower. In Soviet-styled capital Bishkek, traditional trade continues apace at the labyrinthine Osh Bazaar.