Kyrgyzstan boasts a wealth of natural beauty that will make you forget all about the ocean. From the astonishingly beautiful Issyk-Kul lake - not only one of the world's oldest, but also its second-largest alpine lake - to the mighty Naryn river, carving its way through the lush Fergana Valley, and towering mountains well, pretty much everywhere, get ready for Kyrgyzstan to take your breath away. Lovers of the great outdoors will find no shortage of ways to occupy themselves here. There is an old saying in Kyrgyzstan that horses are a person's wings, and galloping across the open field on horseback through a verdant valley fringed by a roaring river will make anyone feel just that. Trekking allows visitors to get up-close-and-personal with the country's varied and rare flora and fauna, while camping under the stars or staying in a traditional yurt tent is a memorable way to spend a night or two. Plus, to top it all off, the Kyrgyz people are some of the kindest, most hospitable the world has to offer, and are likely to welcome you into their homes for a cup of tea or freshly-set yogurt.