Arslanbob is tucked away in an obscured valley in the Jalal-Abad region of western Kyrgyzstan. Sitting at 1,500m, the valley is flanked by the towering, jagged peaks of the Babash Ata Mountains.

It's famous for its forest, being the world's largest walnut forest, estimated to be millions of years old. In autumn, local families head into the forest to collect the walnuts for exporting or selling in the local market.

The village is also a picturesque place, with waterfalls hidden amongst the trees and in between rocky cliffs. Most travellers come for the serene nature and to get away from the big city of Osh. From waterfall chasing to hikes up to viewpoints, there are plenty of outdoor activities to do from the village itself.

Arslanbob is also a mostly Uzbek village, with a different cultural vibe to other parts of Kyrgyzstan. The locals are warm and welcoming, with accommodation available in homestays and guesthouses. This provides an incredible cultural immersion and insight into local life.

Although it's often skipped by those short on time in Kyrgyzstan, I highly recommend a few days in Arslanbob if you have the time. It's easiest to reach from Osh, but it's also possible to stop there on the long journey between Bishkek and Osh.

How to get there? From Osh, take the direct marshrutka from the main bus station which leaves once per day at 2pm and takes about 4 hours. Arrive at least an hour before so you can get a seat (it leaves when full). Otherwise, you'll have to change marshrutka a few times, from Osh to Jalal-Abad, then to Bazar Korgen and finally to Arslanbob. These all leave frequently throughout the day. From Bishkek, you'll have to take the Osh marshrutka in the early morning and get off in Jalal-Abad to change for Arslanbob.

Where to stay? Arslanbob has a network of local guesthouses and homestays. These support local families and are usually inside the family home. You can book through the local CBT office (community tourism office) or many of them are now popping up on booking.com. I stayed at Ibrahim's Guesthouse by contacting him directly. It was a highlight of my time in the village, so check out the separate entry/pin for more details.

Where to eat? There's only a couple of local restaurants in the small market in the middle of the village. Otherwise, you'll mostly have to rely on your guesthouse for meals. They generally provide breakfast and dinner.

Things to do in Arslanbob:

• Small waterfall is the most popular spot in the village to check out and easily reached on foot from the centre

• Big waterfall requires a bit more of a hike from the village out to the top of the valley where a long drop of water is falling over the cliffs

• Explore the walnut forest on foot by exploring the forest trails to the east of the village

• Take in local life by wandering the streets, chatting with locals, and finding unique viewpoints around town

Check out my complete guide here with my info on what to do in the village!