Maria
Guide in Kazakhstan/Kyrgyzstan
Friendly, positive and easy-going with high-level of professionalism
Favorite site in Kyrgyzstan
Maria's favorite site is Issyk-Kul Lake, located in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. It’s one of the largest and deepest alpine lakes in the world. What makes Issyk-Kul special is that it's surrounded by snowy peaks, yet it never freezes, even in winter — its name means “hot lake” in Kyrgyz. She loves this place because it combines natural beauty with a peaceful atmosphere. The clear blue water, fresh mountain air, and beautiful sunsets make it perfect for relaxing. In summer, you can swim, sunbathe, or take a boat ride. There are also nearby villages and historical sites to explore. Issyk-Kul is not just a lake — it's an adventure and a peaceful escape at the same time.
Why guide?
Maria chose to become a guide because she loves meeting and working with people. She enjoys helping others, sharing herhigh knowledge, and making their travel experiences special. Being a guide allows Maria to connect with people from different cultures, learn from them, and also show them the beauty of her country. It's exciting and interesting. Every day brings something new, and she loves the positive energy that comes from working with tourists.
Guide Reviews (11)
Hi Florena,
Just wanted to send a big thank you for this fantastic tour through Central Asia. Everything was so well-organized — the hotels, transportation, and especially the local guides.
Special thanks to Murat in Kyrgyzstan and Zarina in Uzbekistan – they were both super knowledgeable and fun to be around. We had a little hiccup at the Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan border (a delay due to traffic), but your team handled it quickly, and our driver made sure we stayed on schedule without feeling rushed.
Tajikistan and the Seven Lakes were a personal favorite — just stunning. I’ll be recommending this tour to my fellow travelers for sure. Thanks again!
Warm wishes,
Hannah P.
Dear Ani,
Thank you for checking in with me. I am safely back to London. I enjoyed the 5 Stans tour very much. The itinerary was perfectly paced, even though some roads in Turkmenistan were quite bumpy, I still enjoyed the sites and views. The accommodations exceeded my expectations, I did not feel they were 3* hotel, more looked like a 4*. Some really were, so thank you for booking those hotels for us. I especially enjoyed our time in Kyrgyzstan and the natural landscapes there. I will be in touch for my adventure already to the Caucasus region and maybe Mongolia with you next year!
Kind regards,
Thomas Joyce
I was a bit doubtful at first because I had never heard of the Arara tour, but their reviews are good and I would like to visit 5 stars. I'm so glad I booked it! The itinerary was well-planned, offering a mix of culture and beautiful landscapes. Florena was helpful from the start, and always quick to answer my questions. Our guide was fantastic. She is organized, informative, and speaks great English. We traveled by comfortable buses, local planes, and trains, all of which were of high quality. Our group of 12 was made up of travelers from around the world, which was a lot of fun. The locals were very friendly, and the hotels were great. I highly recommend Araratour to anyone planning to visit Central Asia.
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