The mountains of Kyrgyzstan are the setting for high, grassy meadows - it's not unheard of to look out a train or bus window on the open steppe and see a rushing herd of antelope. Marmots and pikas are preyed upon by eagles and lammergeiers while the elusive snow leopard hunts the ibex amongst the crags and rocky slopes. Forests of Tian Shan spruce, larch and juniper provide cover for lynx, wolf, wild boar and brown bear. In summer, the wildflowers are a riot of colour. The climate of this mountainous region is influenced by its distance from the sea and the sharp change of elevation from neighbouring plains.
Conditions vary from permanent snow in high-altitude cold deserts to hot deserts in the lowlands.
During the winter months, temperatures remain below freezing for about 40 days. The coldest month is January when winds blow in from Siberia. Lonely Planet Publications Pty. Ltd. All rights reserved.