Kyrgyzstan

AK-Say, the least populated region of Kyrgyzstan


This region is situated in the mountains At-Bashy and the river Ak-Say, to the South of the country. To visit Ak-Say you must have a permission, you are asked again and again the military responsible for the security of the region, border with China. Despite belonging to Kyrgyzstan is considered no man's land and is highly monitored by the military of both countries.


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On one of my walks I see a Soviet truck kilometres away, they are once again the military, they come to ask for the permit and passport again, tourists must be dangerous; on the other hand not asked the Chinese citizens, that you are walking with their cars 4×4 luxury, they are the owners of a gold mine in this area.

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The border with China mountains called them "Crazy mountains", they say they are mad because it only rains on them.

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This is the least populated region of the country, where more than the 90% of the territory is mountainous. AK-Say is inaccessible most of the year, When it snows twice roads become impassable and the greater part of the population emigrated before the snowfall, the region is almost deserted, only a few are left isolated.
When pasture season comes again with cattle spend the summer. In winter most took refuge in small towns like Ozgorush , Taloly Suce, Bolshevik, Bash-Koiyndy, Kok Kyia, At-Bashy,…

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The population is divided between pastors and nomads. The only tourists who come to the area are interested in hunting, especially the FTSE and the Marco Polo, they are trophies more valued by hunters paying real fortunes for them. Wolf hunting is carried out throughout the country and don't need any special permit for this, the Wolf is considered public enemy number one in the country because it attacks the cattle.

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Each stop in a yurt or shepherds cottage is a secured invitation to take tea and something to eat, they tend to offer bread with jam and dairy products as for example butter, fermented milk yogurt,… everything that provides them with cattle, even the feces of animals are used as fuel. As we get closer to the regions more isolated from Ak-Say shortage of some products such as fruits and vegetables, the soil is not suitable for these crops, also because the winter is manifested 8 months of the year.

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They eat much meat and animal fats. Is tradition here to clean the bone with the knife to be completely meat-free and then break it, to show that it is already completely meat-free, This means that the wife who does so will be pretty. Bare bones are piled up on the table, Nobody wants to lose the chance to wish his wife beauty. This tradition is present elsewhere in the country but it is done with tea; who takes the last cup of tea ensures beauty to his wife.

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I recommend you visit the At-Bashy animal market. Pastors and interested bystanders gather every Sunday to buy or sell animals.


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Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan