Talas, Kyrgyzstan

Capital City

With a population of just 32,886, Talas is a tiny outpost in the Kyrgyz mountains, far removed from the rest of the country. The town's economy has long been tied to the ancient city of Taraz in Kazakhstan, but since the collapse of the Soviet Union, rigid border controls have severely constrained trade and transportation links. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the only road within Kyrgyzstan to the capital Bishkek crosses two high mountain passes over 3,000 meters. This remote, isolated town is best suited for the hardiest of adventurers seeking an authentic Kyrgyz experience, far from the comforts of modern life.