Kyrgyzstan

Kyzyl-Tuu is a small village of about 1,800 inhabitants. It is located 230 km (143 miles) from Bishkek, on the south shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. This village is a fascinating destination for tourists interested in Kyrgyz nomadic culture.

Visiting Kyzyl Tuu

Kyzyl-Tuu is a charming village ideally located on the Issyk-Kul Lake shore. It’s an interesting stop for the day or to spend the night. The families living in Kyzyl Tuu are all craftsmen, specialist in fabricating yurts from A to Z. This tradition is what has saved the village form massive exodus to the cities or to other countries, like it is happening in neighboring villages.

You can stop by one of the houses to discover all of the secrets of yurts and try to put one up yourself. Spend a night in a comfortable guest house or yurt, to wake up to a splendid landscape of mountains and one of the world’s deepest lakes.

A little further, enjoy the Issyk Kul Lake on a wild beach. It’s a great sport to pitch your tent, too.

Although the village is usually very quiet throughout the year, it comes alive with the annual Kiiz Duino festival, dedicated to Kyrgyz traditions. Each year, thousands of people go to the village to enjoy the festivities and participate in different events. Horse racing, yurt construction, eagle hunting demonstration, local products and many other Kyrgyz traditions animate the festival.

How to get there?

There are long-distance buses from Bishkek to Kyzyl-Tuu. During your trip, you will go to Kyzyl Tuu with your car.