Journal · Gift ideas
What to buy in Kyrgyzstan: 10 handmade souvenirs worth bringing home
Felt carpets, wool slippers, a kalpak, silk scarves, Issyk-Kul honey and more: ten things made by Kyrgyz craftspeople, picked from the shelves of our shop in Karakol.
Every day at EthnoMir Point we help travellers choose something to take home. These ten are the things guests ask about most, all made by craftspeople from across Kyrgyzstan and picked for the shop by our founder, Albina Alimova.
1. A shyrdak felt carpet
The best known Kyrgyz craft: a mosaic carpet of natural felt, its pattern cut from two layers at once so the pieces fit like a mirror image. The motifs have names: dogs' tails, the horns of mountain goats and deer, birds' claws. Kyrgyz felt carpets are on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage. Too big for your bag? We can ship it.
2. Felt slippers
Warm and light to pack. We have slippers with a national ornament, slippers of 100% merino wool for men, women and children, and Tumar's “Taigan” outdoor shoes of wool and leather, sizes 36 to 47.
3. A kalpak
The national felt hat of Kyrgyz men, made by hand from natural felt. A gift with meaning, in several colours.
4. Silk scarves and stoles
Weightless silk, or wool felted onto silk, in many colours, including scarves by the Kyrgyz brand UULMAN. They fold into nothing.
5. Felt toys
Soft and handmade. Our own Tengri Wool sheep is named after Khan Tengri peak; you can also felt one yourself in our yurt.
6. Leather goods
Handmade belt bags, wallets and belts of natural leather, some with a national pattern, and bags with ethnic motifs by Jandan, sold in Karakol only at our shop.
7. Postcards by a Karakol artist
Angelina Mokh paints Karakol and Kyrgyz motifs. Write a card on our veranda and we'll post it for you: sending a postcard costs 350 som.
8. Issyk-Kul honey, tea and jams
More than ten kinds of honey, including NEKTAR; herbal teas “Bouquets of Issyk-Kul” made to traditional recipes; and jams of apricot, sea buckthorn, pine, dandelion and cherry.
9. Kyrgyz chocolate
Chocolate made in Kyrgyzstan, an easy gift for colleagues at home.
10. Handmade ceramics
Small ceramic brooches by Ptitz Ceramics: birds, fish and mountains.
Not sure what to choose?
Message us on WhatsApp with a photo of what you liked, or tell us who the gift is for. We put together and wrap gift sets, and if you've already left Karakol, we can send your purchase to you.