Unknown Kyrgyzstan — Tours Inspired by the Books of Sergey Dudashvili
Asia Mountains is launching a new series of journeys across Kyrgyzstan inspired by the books of Sergey Dudashvili — an explorer, speleologist, traveller, photographer and writer.
The project is called “Unknown Kyrgyzstan”. These journeys are designed for those who want to venture beyond familiar tourist routes, discover lesser-known places and learn the stories connected with them.
Journeys Through the Pages of Books
The series draws inspiration from Sergey Dudashvili’s books about the nature, history, people and little-explored corners of Kyrgyzstan. These tours do not retrace his expeditions literally. Instead, they are new travel routes inspired by the places and events described in his books.
Participants will visit locations where traces of the past lie hidden behind mountain landscapes, and where an ordinary-looking road may lead to a natural phenomenon, an ancient monument or a small village with a unique story.
Each journey will combine:
• lesser-known natural and historical sites;
• original materials and photographs by the author;
• stories about explorations and expeditions;
• encounters with the culture and everyday life of different regions;
• routes rarely included in standard tourist programs.
It is an opportunity to travel across the map of Kyrgyzstan and through the pages of books at the same time.
Who Is Sergey Dudashvili?
Sergey Dudashvili was born in southern Kyrgyzstan. Mountains, caves and little-explored roads became not only his professional interest, but also a way of life.
For decades, he has explored the caves of Central Asia, travelled through remote gorges and mountain regions, taken part in expeditions and introduced international travellers to the lesser-known corners of Kyrgyzstan.
In 1999, Sergey Dudashvili founded Asia Mountains International Travel Centre. The knowledge, observations and photographs he accumulated during his journeys later became the foundation of his literary work.
Today, Sergey Dudashvili is the author of more than 16 books, many of which are devoted to Kyrgyzstan. They combine historical and geographical information with personal observations, photographs and stories about places far from the country’s best-known tourist routes.
His books encourage readers to see more behind familiar landscapes: traces of ancient people, unusual natural phenomena, forgotten roads and the stories of those living in different regions of the country.
An Opportunity to Meet the Author
The “Unknown Kyrgyzstan” tours are inspired by Sergey Dudashvili’s books, but he does not accompany the groups during their journeys.
If the dates align and circumstances allow, participants may have an opportunity to meet Sergey, hear stories about his expeditions, see archival photographs and discuss Kyrgyzstan with someone who has devoted a significant part of his life to exploring the country.
The possibility of arranging such a meeting will be confirmed separately for each group.
The First Route — “The Land Where I Leave My Heart”
The series will open with the journey “The Land Where I Leave My Heart.” Its itinerary is also inspired by a book by Sergey Dudashvili.
This journey introduces Kyrgyzstan through its nature, history and the author’s personal impressions. Participants will visit places rarely included in classic itineraries, learn the stories associated with them and see familiar landscapes from a different perspective.
More journeys exploring different regions of the country will be added to the series in the future.
A Kyrgyzstan Worth Discovering
“Unknown Kyrgyzstan” is a new travel concept from Asia Mountains. It brings together exploration, literature, photography and encounters with places rarely mentioned in conventional guidebooks.
It is an invitation to leave familiar routes behind, look more closely at the surrounding landscape and discover Kyrgyzstan through stories gathered over many years of travel.
Sergey Dudashvili does more than tell stories about Kyrgyzstan — he teaches us how to truly see it.
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