Maria
Guide in Kazakhstan/KyrgyzstanFriendly, 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 (13)
Hello Hasmik,
I wanted to thank you for the wonderful trip you arranged for our family of five. My friend was absolutely right to recommend your company. We truly enjoyed our trip and all the countries, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan leaving a great place in our hearts. The countries offer a very authentic experience, despite some bad and bumpy roads, every site was worth visiting. Border crossing into and out of Turkmenistan was not as quick and easy as in the other countries, but we made it. Our guides were very helpful and knowledgeable. They shared lots of information but we never felt bored. Our guides Maria in Kazakhstan, Laila in Uzbekistan and Serdar in Turkmenistan were terrific and very fun. We loved our hotel in Samarkand with a great view to the city. The mosques, bazaars, museums, food, and people were amazing. We wholeheartedly recommend this tour to everyone.
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.
Hi Hayku,
we are back home in Canada now. What a wonderful trip we had! The 5 Stans were amazing. The food was delicious, and the people were so hospitable. We did face a small issue during our stay in Turkmenistan where our planned visit to a particular site was unexpectedly closed for maintenance. However, our tour manager, Hayku, quickly rearranged our schedule to include an alternative site, ensuring we still got to experience the best of Turkmenistan. This adjustment meant that our trip remained smooth and enjoyable without missing out on any key experiences. Please send our warmest greetings to Nazima, our guide in Tajikistan. She was excellent, sharing so much about the local culture.
Thank you, Arara Travel, for such an unforgettable experience.
Feedback Form
We highly appreciate your feedback about our services.