Kyrgyzstan is the perfect off-the-beaten-track adventure holiday destination with stunning scenery and hospitable people. Here are the top five adventure activities recommended by travelbite.co.uk for a great holiday in Kyrgyzstan:

Horse Trekking from Kochkor

Saddle up and head for the jailoo, the summertime mountain pastures of the semi-nomadic Kyrgyz people. Ride south into the Terskei Alu mountain range or north into the Khyrgizia range. This is a land of horsemen. In the hills of central Kyrgyzstan they herd their flocks of fat-bottomed sheep, cattle and horses. The velvety green hills give way to steep oxidised-red cliffs and snowy mountains. Golden marmots scamper amongst the rocks in the late afternoon sun and the sheepdogs chase them with unfounded optimism.

Stay in a yurt at Lake Song-Kol

A yurt is a tent-like structure with a conical roof. It is made from thin willow frame covered in a thick layer of woolen felt. There is a round opening in the middle of the roof for ventilation and a pot belly stove inside. It smells of mutton fat and smoke.

The herding families come to the exquisite Song-Kul lake for the broad summer grasslands. When the grass is gone they pack up the yurt and move to greener pastures. They make fresh bread, homemade jam and the most amazing fresh cream you will ever taste. If you are there at the right time you may get to taste kymyz, the highly-prized fermented mare’s milk drink. There are plenty of trekking opportunities in the surrounding hills.

Shop in one of Asia’s oldest bazaars in Osh

People have been trading in Osh since the 5th century BC so they know how to do a bazaar. Shop here for everything from flip flops to a handy length of rope; have a spot of black-smithing done or buy the most delicious dried apricots you’ve ever tasted. You won’t be able to resist buying one of the black and white felt hats worn by Kyrgyz men.

Karakol

Karakol is an old Russian colonial town near the enormous and beautiful Issyk-Kul lake. The streets are lined with white-trunked poplars, cute Russian cottages decorated with wooden gingerbread, and blossoming apple and lilac trees. As always in Kyrgyzstan, there is a backdrop of snowy mountains, in this case the eastern end of the Terskei Alu range. Explore perfect alpine valleys with dark pointy fir trees and green grass meadows across which horse herds graze. The wildflowers in spring and summer are worth the walk alone. A lively animal market is held on Sundays.

The Alai Valley

The magnificent Pamir Alai mountain range runs along the border of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Approaching the mountains from the village of Sary Tash through soft green pastureland, the altitude is high enough for yak herds as well as horses. This is serious trekking and mountaineering territory. Unless you are good at organising serious expeditions, you need to hire a trekking company or guide in this region. Peak Lenin is a big draw-card. It is considered one of the best introductions to 7,000m plus climbing in the world with relatively straightforward ascent routes.

Natasha von Geldern