Fiona Highlights: Kyrgyzstan – A Felt Experience

Fiona Wright
Author: Fiona Wright

At Creative Arts Safaris, our mission is to foster sustainability and celebrate diversity through the enriching world of craft, textiles, and travel sketching. Each of our tours is crafted with purpose, blending hands-on workshops and local experiences with iconic sightseeing to offer more than just a trip—we provide a journey into the heart of every destination we visit. We believe in responsible travel that respects the environment and uplifts local communities. By working with local artisans, staying in locally-owned accommodations, and embracing cultural traditions, we support sustainable practices that have a positive impact. -Fiona Wright, Founder

Fiona Highlights is a series of posts where Fiona shares some of her favorite experiences in the tours she has enjoyed through her travel business, Creative Safaris.  Visit the website to explore upcoming destinations.  This highlight has a tour coming up in April 2026: Kyrgyzstan—a-felt-experience.

 

I chose this destination because …..

Felt!! And it turned out to be a heart-warming experience – I ‘felt’ a big warm welcome, my heart soared at the big, wide spaces and clear air, to be embraced by snow-capped mountains all along the way was to feel a very different space to my home place of Australia.

 

Heading towards Altyn- Arashan hot springs
Heading towards Altyn- Arashan hot springs

 

A lake
A lake

 

Ohh, and the felt making is extraordinary!

 

Shyrdak means stitched. The carpets are in laid together and stitched through
Shyrdak means stitched. The carpets are in laid together and stitched through.

 

shyrdak felted pillow
shyrdak felted pillow

 

Delicate Felting on silk
Delicate Felting on silk

 

Silk+felt
Silk+felt

 

three favourite reasons that I would love to go back:

People – the welcome and friendly attitude, the willingness to share their knowledge and experience.

 

Traditional welcome
traditional welcome

 

Fiona with friends in Kyrgyzstan
Fiona with friends in Kyrgyzstan

 

Clean – hiking up a gorge and no plastic, clear blue skies and fresh air. It is wonderful to experience.

 

Altyn-Arashan
Altyn-Arashan

 

Number 3 is a jumble of so many things- great food, great places to stay – yurts, family guesthouses, hotel…. wonderful nature, fabulous crafts. I can’t write this in 3 !!

 

Rishtan and his Golden Rahle
Rishtan and his Golden Rahle

 

Rishtan and his eagle
Rishtan and his eagle

 

my favourite architectural wonder:  yurts!!

 

I stayed in a luxury yurt with underfloor heating and an attached bathroom. There were big glass panels to see the snow-covered hills, inside were piles of carpets, beautifully woven yurt bands, it was so delightfully cosy.

 

Yurt view
Yurt view

Each yurt is assembled according to tradition, it faces the rising sun, there are protective symbols around the door, inside everything has its place.

 

an unforgettable workshop

I must have two to mention at least:

Making noodles with Mrs Fatima in Karakul. Ethnic Uygur people settled here a long time ago and brought noodles into the local cuisine.

 

 

Noodles and food in Kyrgyzstan
Noodles and food in Kyrgyzstan

 

Rolling felt by feet with Mrs Nurliza and Jypara, singing as we worked. So much fun!

 

Working on a shyrdak felted carpet
Working on a shyrdak felted carpet

 

Something amazing that’s happened on a past trip. Finding wild tulips growing amongst the wildflowers in the national park. They are vibrant yellow, some with a little red at the base and seem to glow in the field.

 

Every trip creates deep connections between people from different cultures, experiences that will never be forgotten!  Feel free to ask questions in the comments and follow our Facebook page for lots of photos! 

 


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