Inspired by the beauty of Issyk-Kul, the couple decided to organize tourist routes in this picturesque region.
They offer individual and group tours, developing unique routes to local attractions.
“The first time we visited this area as tourists, we went on a sports hike of 3rd category difficulty along the Teskey-Alatoo ridge, which lasted almost three weeks. After that, we decided to stay here. In Chyrpykty, we found a home and now run our own household, and we also have a cat and a dog. We are happy here. Despite being the only Russian family in the village, our neighbors are very friendly and always ready to help. So we immediately felt at home. Chyrpykty delights us with clean air and stunning nature,” shares Maria.
The main tourists for the family are guests from the CIS countries.
“Our main activity is organizing tours around Issyk-Kul. We meet guests in Bishkek, introduce them to the culture and traditions of Kyrgyzstan, as well as the peculiarities of nomadic life. We definitely show the natural beauties, from Martian canyons to green valleys. We offer 7-day tours with accommodation, meals, and workshops from local artisans,” adds M. Kalyuzhnaya.
The family actively participates in the development of Kyrgyzstan's tourism industry, including sports tourism.
“Sports tourism is a separate discipline with its own rules. In Kyrgyzstan, it is experiencing a revival, although its peak popularity was during the Soviet Union,” says Maria.
According to her, there are six categories of hiking difficulty, from the easiest to the most challenging, each requiring strict discipline. Sports tourism is similar to mountaineering, but unlike the latter, sports tourism focuses on overcoming routes rather than conquering peaks. Participants must be familiar with the use of special equipment, such as ropes and ice drills. We traverse difficult passes and glaciers, and this requires serious preparation,” she explains.
According to her, many tourists who have seen the local mountains once strive to return again.
“Everyone likes something different: some are impressed by canyons like Ak-Sai and Kok-Mainok, while others prefer green valleys, such as Altyn-Arashan. Many plan to visit again,” adds M. Kalyuzhnaya.
Additionally, the family engages in handicrafts, transforming an old shed into a workshop.
“In winter, we create wooden products, such as lamps, lights, and souvenirs. We collect branches during our travels and after drying, we make various items from them. This year, we participated in winter fairs in Karakol for the first time,” says Maria.
The prices for their products range from 300 to 5000 soms.
- Maria Kalyuzhnaya was born in 1988 in the Saratov region of Russia and is an economist by her first profession. Dmitry, born in 1989, previously worked in machinery repair. They both received a second profession as “sports tourism instructors with the right to teach.”
