Nature tourism is normally a reliable way to escape the crowds, but in many European hotspots, even that doesn’t always work anymore.
Some places have had to cap visitor numbers and increase fees for activities such as hiking, while others have introduced eco-taxes amid record tourist numbers.
For adventure lovers who really want to get away from it all, Kyrgyzstan is positioning itself as a prime destination.
With more than 90% of the country covered by mountain ranges, you’re all but guaranteed to find yourself enjoying stunning natural attractions without the crowds.
Connect with nature in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan offers visitors an impressive natural spectacle, said Erdenet Kasymov, Director of the Tourism Department under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic, during an interview with Euronews at the ITB Berlin tourism trade fair.
“We have three peaks that are over 7,000 metres and around 25 peaks over 6,000 metres,” he says. “We are therefore strongly associated with mountain tourism. In the mountains, visitors can connect with nature – pristine landscapes, rivers, lakes and gorges.”
Out in the wilderness, travellers can also meet Kyrgyzstan’s nomadic communities, who journey to high-altitude pastures during the summer.
They are known for their warm hospitality, introducing tourists to their traditional dishes like beshbarmak (boiled meat and noodles) and kumis (fermented mare’s milk).
Visitors can also learn about nomadic cultural traditions, such as horse riding, hunting with eagles and making felt carpets used to decorate yurts.
It’s a particularly good year to visit Kyrgyzstan if you want to discover nomadic culture, as it will host the sixth edition of the World Nomad Games from 31 August to 6 September 2026.
“As part of our ongoing efforts, Kyrgyzstan positions itself as a destination for adventure tourism, ecotourism and ethno-tourism, where travellers can truly feel at one with nature,” says Kasymov.
He recommends visiting in spring for mountaineering and climbing various peaks, as well as for gastronomic tourism, though he adds that tourism authorities are working towards making Kyrgyzstan a year-round destination.
Visa-free travel for Europeans
For Europeans, travelling to Kyrgyzstan is relatively admin-light. Travellers from more than 60 countries, including most European nations, can visit without needing to get a visa. Kasymov says the government is also working to expand the list.
Infrastructure is also being improved. “We are reconstructing our airports and creating favourable conditions for tourists,” he says. “Across the country, roads are being repaired.”
To improve tourist safety, Kasymov says the country is introducing mandatory insurance, as the majority of visitors come for extreme and adventure tourism.
He adds that a Sustainable Tourism Development Programme has been adopted up to 2030, which defines the priority areas for tourism development. Together with this, the country is working on a state classification system for accommodation facilities and sustainability criteria fully aligned with international standards.
Kasymov also shared that Kyrgyzstan and nearby Central Asian countries are planning to create a “unified tourism destination where tourists can visit several countries within one trip” on a single visa.