Kyrgyzstan's nomadic tent network opens mountain trails to hikers

The Ak-Suu Transverse trail (AST) in the Kyrgyz Tien-Shan mountains, often referred to as the ‘Mountains of Heaven’, has become more accessible to hikers through the repurposing of traditional nomadic accommodations.

Previously, the 110-kilometer trekking route required hikers to carry heavy gear, including tents and food, for multi-day expeditions. However, the entrepreneurial use of boz-uiyurts—traditional circular tents used by nomadic shepherds—has created a network of accommodations across the remote wilderness. This development allows trekkers to navigate the route with only a day pack, significantly lowering the barrier to exploring the region's glacial lakes and mountain ridges.