Osh - Arkyt village

In the morning, we leave the southern capital of the country, Osh. The road from villages toward the fertile plains of the Ferghana Valley, passing orchards, small villages and cultivated fields that reveal the agricultural richness of southern Kyrgyzstan.

Our first stop is in the city of Uzgen, one of the historic jewels of the region and a former trading town on the Silk Road. Here we visit the remarkable medieval complex composed of an elegant minaret and several Karakhanid mausoleums decorated with intricate brick patterns. These monuments, dating from the 11th and 12th centuries, offer a fascinating glimpse into the architectural and cultural heritage of Central Asia.

A short drive further brings us to Manas (former Jalal-Abad), an important regional center known for its bustling markets and its multicultural atmosphere influenced by both Kyrgyz and Uzbek traditions. We take time to walk around the lively bazaar area and discover the daily rhythm of the city before continuing our journey across the fertile valley.

In the afternoon we reach the Chatkal range and the reserve of Sary Chelek lakes. We stop for the night at the village of Arkyt at the entrance of the park.

While the journey can be done in one long day, we recommend splitting it into two days to fully enjoy the rich cultural and historical stops of the Ferghana Valley — a choice that also supports a more sustainable, lower-emission approach to travel.