travel guide to kyrgyzstan

Tips and how to travel to Kyrgyzstan (2024)

By Joan Torres 43 Comments Last updated on May 8, 2024

From first-class treks to a very accessible nomadic culture, horse riding and hospitable people, traveling to Kyrgyzstan is the experience, and destination, for those seeking an off the beaten track (but easy) adventure.

After spending two entire months traveling in Kyrgyzstan , I have compiled all the necessary information that will help you plan your trip, from visas and bureaucracy to accommodation, transportation and plenty of cultural facts.

In this Kyrgyzstan travel guide you will find:

Table of Contents

Travel insurance
Best time to visit
How to get in
Is it safe?
Top 5 experiences
The country, people, and culture
Food and alcohol
Nomadic life
Accommodation
Transportation
More information

our recommended travel insurance for Kyrgyzstan

With its Backpacker plan, IATI Insurance is the best insurance for any kind of adventurous destination, like Kyrgyzstan.

Read: Packing list for trekking in Central Asia

🪪 Visa for traveling to Kyrgyzstan

The most liberal visa regime in central asia.

Most nationalities get a 60-day free visa on arrival, both at the airport and overland.

If you want to renew it, you just need to cross the Kazakh border (1 hour from Bishkek) and come back on the same day.

These countries are: EU countries (except for Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania), Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Kuwait, Monaco, New Zealand, Oman , Qatar, Saudi Arabia , Singapore, South Korea, United Arab Emirates , United States, Uzbekistan , Vatican City. Japan and Russia can get an indefinite stay.

The rest of nationalities can apply for a Kyrgyz e-visa

Since September 2017, most of the remaining countries can apply for an e-visa through the official portal . It takes around 1 week and costs 63USD.

Moreover, if you are in possession of an e-visa, you can travel to Kyrgyzstan both via land and air.

Be aware that when applying for an e-visa, most nationalities will also need to be in possession of an LOI, EXCEPT for citizens of:

Brazil, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Indonesia, Israel, Macedonia, Mexico, Philippines, Romania, San Marino, South Africa, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, Venezuela.

If you are not on any of the above lists, read the Kyrgyzstan visa section of Caravanistan for further information on visas.

Extending your visa does not seem to be possible anymore

We tried to extend our visa and they said that, since May 2017, extensions aren’t possible anymore. We tried to extend it in both Karakol and Bishkek.

It is easier to travel to Almaty and come back.

Overstaying can be expensive

If you overstayed, you won’t be let to get out of the country unless you are in possession of an exit visa, which you can get at the foreign office located at 58 Kievskaya street in Bishkek, after paying the respective fine.

🚑 Travel Insurance for Kyrgyzstan

If you visit Kyrgyzstan, travel insurance is a must, as accidents do happen in the mountains. Actually, during a horse trek in Tash Rabat , I fell off the horse and had to stay in bed for nearly 2 weeks.

It was a pretty bad (and scary accident). I had to go to the hospital, all the way to Bishkek, where they carried out different kinds of tests on me which, in the end, turned out to be expensive. Luckily, I was fully insured.

For Kyrgyzstan, I recommend IATI Insurance :

Different plans for all budgets
It covers a big bunch of adventure activities, including trekking in high altitudes
Covers both short-term trips and 1-year long trips.
Readers of this blog can get a 5% exclusive discount

⛅ Best time to visit Kyrgyzstan

My favorite month for traveling to kyrgyzstan: september.

Why? July & August would be the ideal season for trekking, especially if you plan to go high in the mountains as, during these two months, the weather is warmer and the likelihood of rain is lower. However, Kyrgyzstan is becoming a popular destination, which means that some areas may be crowded.

In September, nevertheless, most crowds will be gone, and the weather will still be warm enough for trekking, and that is why I consider September to be the best month for visiting Kyrgyzstan .

Travel in Kyrgyzstan during High season (mid-June to Mid-September)

Pros: Best season for trekking, loads of nomads
Cons: Crowded, plus it can be really hot in Bishkek and other low-altitude areas

Read my packing list for trekking in Central Asia

Travel in Kyrgyzstan during Shoulder season (Spring and Autumn)

Pros: In late spring and early autumn, you can do some cool treks
Cons: High mountains may be not accessible, unpredictable weather, nomads may not be there

Travel in Kyrgyzstan during Low season (mid-November to March)

Pros: Winter landscape, snow, no people
Cons: No trekking, no nomads

🛫 How to get to Kyrgyzstan

How to travel to kyrgyzstan by air.

Getting to the International Airport of Bishkek is fairly easy, as it has quite a few connections with several airports in Europe. Moreover, you should also check Pegasus, a budget airline from Istanbul with daily flights to Bishkek. Alternatively, check out the flights to Almaty, as they are usually cheaper and it is very close to Bishkek.

How to travel to Kyrgyzstan by land

Kyrgyzstan shares a border with:

China – There are 2 open borders, Irkeshtam and Torugart. Crossing at Torugart requires having a special, expensive Chinese permit. Crossing via Irkeshtam is fairly easy and you can read the full report here .
Tajikistan – There are 6 border crossings and 4 of them are open to foreigners. The most obvious is the Kyzyl Art border crossing , which is the one that follows the Pamir Highway. For more information, read the latest Caravanistan updates .
Kazakhstan – There are like 7 border crossings, but the easiest ones are Karkara and Kordai. For more information, read the latest Caravanistan updates .
Uzbekistan – There are nowadays 4 borders but only 3 are open as of 2019. For more information, read the latest Caravanistan updates .

⚠️ Is it safe to travel to Kyrgyzstan?

Something you need to know is that the term Stan doesn’t mean a place is dangerous, but Stan means land , so Kyrgyzstan means the land of Kyrgyz.

Kyrgyzstan is a safe destination. Period.

I mean, just check the FCO advice and you will see that all they say is that Kyrgyzstan is a very safe country, and here you need to take into account that the FCO advice is always absolutely biased, meaning that tends to see danger where there is not, especially in the Middle East .

Solo travelers will be just fine and whereas I can’t speak for women, I know many women who have been there, and all they told me was positive experiences.

The only potential danger you may hear about is that Bishkek used to be infamous for its after-midnight crime, mainly targeting drunk people on their way home from the bars. The situation, however, has dramatically improved but, if that is a concern for you, just take a taxi when you go back home.

🛖 Top 5 experiences in Kyrgyzstan

For all the places to visit, don’t forget to check my 1-month Kyrgyzstan itinerary

Stay with Kyrgyz nomads

Experiencing the nomadic life is one of the greatest Kyrgyz experiences. From staying in a yurt to helping them preparing kurut , their local cheese, during our 2-month journey across the country, we met loads of nomads with we had awesome experiences.

However, with the tourism increase, some nomadic camps have become too commercial, and what I recommend is that you try to find the most authentic ones. How? Well, by getting off the beaten track but also, if you go to Song Kul, instead of staying at the CBT camp where everybody stays, just go across the lake.

Watch nomad games, but try to find out where the local games happen (don’t go to the touristic ones)

The ancient nomad sports in Kyrgyzstan are just crazy, and bizarre.

From horse wrestling to playing polo with a dead goat instead of an actual ball (Ulak tariysh), the nomadic games of Kyrgyzstan are, definitely, a must-see.

Every summer, some tourist organizations, like CBT, organize nomad games for tourists, in Song Kul and places like that, but I recommend you find the local ones, as the vibe is just great, plus they do a larger variety of sports.

To be very honest, I didn’t manage to see a local game in Kyrgyzstan, but I did in Tajikistan, near the Kyrgyz border (where most Tajiks are ethnically Kyrgyz), and it was just awesome.

Go trekking on a horse

Many people may feel bad for riding a horse, but the truth is that Kyrgyzstan is the land of horses and even today, in the rural areas, they are the preferred way of transportation.

Those horses are really used to go over high altitude mountain passes, and you definitely get a different experience, and perspective than going on foot.

Go trekking in some of the most mind-blowing mountains ever

I truly believe that, in a matter of years, Kyrgyzstan will become the trekking destination of reference, competing directly with Nepal and Argentina, and the reason is that its mountains are absolutely jaw-dropping, plus they are much more accessible than any other destination I know.

Visit the remotest Silk Road Heritage sites

Kyrgyzstan has only a small bunch of Silk Road Heritage sites, but the few it has are truly epic, remote and placed in the most epic locations.

Kyrgyzstan is about nature and nomadic life With very few Silk Road Heritage sites compared to its neighbor Uzbekistan , in Kyrgyzstan, there’s not much to do besides wandering around its gorgeous mountains and experiencing the nomadic life. The truth is that, with the exception of Bishkek and Arslanbob, most towns in Kyrgyzstan are pretty boring as there is no distinctive architecture, soul and social life, as Kyrgyzstan has been a nomadic land for many centuries. When you travel in Kyrgyzstan, you will see that towns are merely used as a base to explore the mountains or take a rest from them.

📚 Books for traveling to Kyrgyzstan

For more books to Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia, check:

The best 28 books on Central Asia

Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide by Bradt

By far, the best and most complete book guide to Kyrgyzstan. Bradt writes the most awesome guides, as they are always filled with great cultural insights and personal experiences. I always buy their Kindle version for whatever country I go to.

Central Asia Guide by Lonely Planet

A classic. If you are traveling throughout the region, this might be a more economical option, rather than buying one guide per country but remember that it is not as insightful as Bradt’s.

Don’t forget to check my list of the best books on Central Asia and the Silk Road

🕌 15 facts about Kyrgyzstan, its people and culture

1 – Kyrgyzstan used to be part of the Soviet Union – It acquired its independence in 1991, with the collapse of the USSR.

2 – The origin of the Kyrgyz – Kyrgyz people are an ethnic nomadic group which is believed to have come from a region within Siberia, during the 10th and 15th centuries.

Originally, they used to have red hair but, over the centuries, they have mixed with all kinds of groups, especially Mongols and Turks.

3 – Kyrgyz make up 66% of the population – The biggest minority are Uzbeks (15%), followed by Russians (10%).

4 – It’s a Muslim country. Well, not really – Like in most Soviet countries, religion is not a big deal anymore, especially in the north of the country.

In the south, people tend to be more traditional, so you may see more mosques or men with beard and Muslim hats, but nothing relevant. During Ramadan, I was in Bishkek and didn’t see any sign of people fasting.

Alcohol is available everywhere and there is no sex segregation. You will see that women of all ages will always come to you to start a conversation.

5 – However, Saudi Arabia wants to reverse this – They are funding the construction of mosques across the country.

Read: 35 Tips for traveling to Kazakhstan

6 – Kyrgyz is the national language but Russian is widely spoken – Kyrgyz, a Turkic language, is the country’s official language.

Russian is spoken by most of the population, except in the south of the country, which has a significant Uzbek population who, for some reason, don’t really speak it.

7 – English is a problem – Communicating with people is one of the biggest issues in Kyrgyzstan, as very few people speak English.

8 – At least, you must learn the Cyrillic alphabet – Extremely useful, especially when it comes to reading restaurant menus and bus directions.

9 – Bishkek is surprisingly Westernized – When you arrive in Bishkek and discover all those restaurants and bars where local people hang out, who dress incredibly well, you realize that this is not what you were expecting.

10 – The rest of the country is more traditional – Outside of Bishkek, most people still live a traditional life, where people’s main life goal is getting married and having children as early as possible. I met several 20-year old women who already had two kids.

11 – Kidnapping brides is still a big deal – And what do I mean by kidnapping brides? In Kyrgyzstan, a man can take a random woman who is just walking on the street to his house and, if both parents agree, he can marry her and the woman can’t say anything.

I know, it’s not a real kidnapping but it’s a crazy tradition and, even today, some locals told me that this is practiced by 20% of the population, especially in small, rural villages.

If you want to know more about, check out this video:

12 – The most hospitable people in Central Asia – In this region, the Kyrgyz are famous for their hospitality. When we went trekking in the mountains, I remember that there was not a single day when someone didn’t invite us to his or her yurt to have some tea and bread with home-made jam and butter.

Traveling in Kyrgyzstan is very pleasant, as the Kyrgyz people, who will always bless you with their smiles, are kind and hospitable by nature.

13 – You can’t believe how clean they are – When you visit Kyrgyzstan , you will realize that these people have a real obsession with cleanliness.

Even in youth hostels, sometimes I could never go to the toilet because there was someone cleaning it. In guest houses and home-stays, women spend the entire day mopping the floor and cleaning the kitchen.

I don’t know whether it’s true or not but, a Russian man told me that, during Soviet times, Kyrgyz people had a bad reputation for being dirty. In order to change this general opinion, they became obsessed with cleanliness.

14 – Girls are pretty, very pretty – Kyrgyz women are stunning, especially in Bishkek. On the other hand, all foreign women say that, in general, Kyrgyz men are not very handsome.

15 – Always remove your shoes – You must always remove shoes when you enter any house, yurt and even hostels and guesthouses.

Read: 70 Tips for traveling to Pakistan

🐪 About nomadic life in Kyrgyzstan

The most accessible nomadic life in the world.

From time immemorial, the ethnic group known as the Kyrgyz have been a nomadic people who tend to move continuously throughout the mountains and valleys of the region with their cattle.

Today, a large proportion of the Kyrgyz population still live a nomadic, traditional life, not very different from their ancestors.

In summer, which is from June to September, you will find hundreds of nomad camps everywhere, either next to the road or in the remotest mountains, where they settle so their horses, cows and sheep can graze freely.

It’s their summer job

During the summer months, Kyrgyz nomads move from cities to the mountains, so their herds of cows, sheep, goats and horses can graze freely.

When the season is over, they sell some of these animals, as well as dairy products and meat. This is the only source of income most of them rely on.

They live in yurts

Yurts are perhaps the most iconic symbol of Kyrgyzstan. These cozy skin-made tents, which can be seen all across the country, can be incredibly warm during the freezing nights.

You can always stay with them, no matter where you go

Whether you just want to get a warm meal or spend the night, wherever you go trekking, the nomads will always welcome you, at least in my experience.

But remember that, even if they don’t ask, they may expect you to pay something.

Get off the beaten track because the touristic areas are too commercialized

If you go to popular places, such as Song Kul for example, most nomad families have spare yurts, which have been built for tourists.

Whereas there is nothing wrong with staying there, the experience won’t be very authentic.

If you have a chance, try to find yurts around the Alay Valley, the Pamirs or even in less popular treks around Karakol . In these yurt camps, you may sleep in the same yurt as the family and even join in with their daily tasks.

🍲 Facts about food and alcohol in Kyrgyzstan

1 – Food is not amazing but it’s OK to fill your stomach – You will not love it but, after traveling in Kyrgyzstan for 2 months, I was not especially bored of it.

2 – The typical food – Lagman (a hearty noodle soup), manty (meat dumplings) and shorpo (meat broth) are the staple food.

3 – But don’t trust mantys – While traveling in Kyrgyzstan, the only day I got slightly sick was after eating some street mantys . Be careful where you order them, as the meat they are filled with may have been outside of the fridge for days.

4 – In small towns and villages, only staple food – In bigger towns, you can easily find more choices, like salads, kebab or Western food. However, in villages, you’ll have to fill your stomach with lagman and mantys.

5 – You are expected to know what to order from the moment you enter the restaurant – It’s your first day in Kyrgyzstan, the first time you enter a restaurant, holding a menu written in an alphabet which you’ve never seen before.

However, they will expect you to know what to order within 10 seconds of giving you the menu. If you tell them to wait for 5 or 10 minutes, they won’t really understand you and will stand next to you. It’s very weird but you’ll get used to it.

6 – If you are vegetarian, you are fucked – It’s said that Kyrgyzstan is the country with the highest consumption of meat per capita in the world.

At most restaurants, it’s extremely difficult to find vegetarian dishes and, when you ask for something vegetarian, they kind of freak out.

Even sometimes, when I ordered a salad, it came with pieces of cooked beef in it. True story.

7 – Even chicken is difficult to find – If you find chicken on a menu, just order it!

8 – Beer and vodka are available everywhere – Welcome to the ex-Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan! Despite being a Muslim country, alcohol consumption is present everywhere, even in small villages and towns.

9 – Get used to people being completely smashed at 9am – You’ll definitely meet Kyrgyz men who are massively wasted, who can barely walk, quite early in the morning.

10 – You must try kymys – If you go to the mountains and stay with nomads, ask for kymys , which is fermented milk. Most people don’t like it, as it has a weirdly sour, strong taste.

It has some small percentage of alcohol. However, if you don’t like it the first time, give it another chance. I tasted it in four different places and in two of them it was surprisingly good.

11 – Kyryt is the snack in fashion – Kyryt are some sort of cheese and yogurt balls which are available all across Central Asia but Kyrgyzstan is where they are most prevalent.

Again, some people don’t like them but, like kymys , some of them were good, some of them weren’t.

12 – A fruit paradise – If you come during the season, markets are filled with all kinds of fruits, incredibly tasty and ridiculously cheap. In summer, you will find plenty of nectarines, watermelon, strawberries, raspberries and much, much more!

🐴 Horses in Kyrgyzstan

It’s the land of horses.

Horses are as much part of their culture as the yurts. From epic horse treks over 4,000-meter mountain passes to herds of tens of horses grazing in stunning meadows, if you like horses, you are going to love Kyrgyzstan.

They learn how to ride a horse at the same time as walking

When you are in the mountains, you will see plenty of kids (including little girls) riding big horses.

You must go horse trekking

Trekking over high mountain passes, riding one of those beautiful beasts is one of the highlights of Kyrgyzstan.

Ah, in case you are wondering, no, you don’t need any previous riding experience. A guide will always come with you.

But be careful!

Horses are no joke. They are dangerous so don’t try to gallop if you don’t have any experience.

I actually had a pretty bad accident, felling off a horse in Tash Rabat when I tried to gallop (I am a stupid, inexperienced man). I had to stay in bed for two weeks and fully recovered after one month. I could have been much, much worse, so be careful.

Hiring a horse is cheap

It costs around 700KGS ($10) a day plus 1,000KGS ($15) for the guide, which can be split between several people. If they try to charge you more, they are ripping you off.

But be aware that they eat them!

When you see a herd of horses grazing over a dreamy meadow, don’t get too much in love with them because many of them will end up in a butchery!

Horse games

Horses are so rooted in their culture that they are also main protagonists in their national sports. Among many others, Ulak Tsrtysh is the most popular game, which is a form of polo where they play with a dead goat which is beheaded right before the game begins. Violence in any match is more than guaranteed.

For more information on horses, read: Horse riding in Tash Rabat, Kyrgyzstan

🏔️ Trekking in Kyrgyzstan

Around 90% of the of the country is above 1,500 meters and with that, I’ve told you everything already.

Kyrgyzstan is home to some of the finest world-class hikes. For decades, travelers with a slight sense of adventure, who wanted to savor some first-class hikes, used to go to Argentina, Switzerland, and Nepal. However, just a couple of years ago, the most intrepid travelers quickly realized that trekking in Kyrgyzstan could easily rival Patagonia and the Himalayas.

For more information, check:

Hiking in Kyrgyzstan, everything you need to know

💻 Internet and connectivity in Kyrgyzstan

Esim for browsing, calling and traveling in kyrgyzstan.

Basically, an eSIM is a regular SIM card with a digital format that works like a normal physical SIM card, with the added benefit that you can buy it from home before the beginning of your trip, hence avoiding the hassle of buying it at your destination.

With Holafly , you can get a SIM Card for a wide range of destinations, including Kyrgyzstan .

Moreover, you can benefit from a 5% discount with the following code: AGAINSTTHECOMPASS

Kyrgyzstan has the best internet in Central Asia

High-speed Wi-Fi is available almost all across the country, even in high altitude towns such as Sary-Mogol and Sary-Tash, something I would have never expected.

About getting a SIM Card for traveling around Kyrgyzstan

If you get a local SIM-Card, 3G is also quite fast. Get a mobile company called O! For just a few dollars, they offer weekly deals for both internet data and calls. This mobile company has street stalls all over the country.

Get a VPN for traveling in Kyrgyzstan

You should always use a VPN when you travel, especially when you connect to public Wi-Fi networks.

Your connection will be much safer.

Moreover, you will be able to access content which is typically censored in Kyrgyzstan.

I recommend ExpressVPN – Extremely easy to use, fast and cheap.

If you want to learn more about VPN, check: Why you need a VPN for traveling .

💰 About money, budget and costs

In Kyrgyzstan, they use the Kyrgyz SOM and, approximately:

1 USD = 88.60 SOM

Kyrgyzstan is a very cheap country to travel, the cheapest country in Central Asia, and a budget backpacker’s dream. You can easily find home or yurt stays for 10USD a day, including dinner and breakfast. Meals cost around 1-2USD in local eateries and between 2-4USD in mid-range places.

Expect to pay 10-15% extra for service Except in cheap, local eateries, you will always pay an extra 10-15% for service when the bill comes.

Public transportation within cities costs 15c and buses between nearby towns, less than 1USD.

Budget backpackers can easily travel around Kyrgyzstan on 20USD a day .

ATMs are available everywhere and, in many of them, you can select the option that you want to cash out USD, instead of KGS. In my experience, the maximum I was able to get was 200USD at a time.

Exchanging money

I’ve never seen so many exchange offices, especially in Bishkek, where you find one in absolutely every corner.

Scams, getting ripped-off

I felt that nobody tried to rip me off – except for taxi drivers, of course, perhaps because mass tourism hasn’t arrived here (yet).

🏨 Accommodation: where to stay in Kyrgyzstan

Staying in a homestay in kyrgyzstan.

Everybody has a home stay. Kyrgyzstan has the peculiarity that, no matter where you go, locals offer their houses to foreigners for home stays.

Whether it is a remote village or a touristic destination, as soon as you arrive, women will approach you, asking if you want to stay at their house, and they are always superb: comfortable, clean and nicely decorated. You will not want to leave!

However, remember that they always expect you to pay, even if you are in a very remote village and you get randomly invited by someone to stay, even if they don’t ask you for money, they are expecting you to give something.

Price is always per person, not per room so, if you travel alone, Kyrgyzstan can be great

There are homestays all over the country, and you can easily find and book them online.

Staying in a yurt in Kyrgyzstan

A yurt is a round tent typically used by nomads in Central Asia and Mongolia, which is usually covered with animal skins.

In the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, if there are nomads, there will be also yurts, since that’s what they use for shelter.

They are incredibly warm and cozy and staying in one is a must-try experience for anyone traveling in Kyrgyzstan.

Staying in a hotel in Kyrgyzstan

In Bishkek, Osh and pretty much any larger city, you can also find regular hotels.

🛺 How to move around Kyrgyzstan – Transportation

Traveling around kyrgyzstan by public transportation, mashrutka is the way to go.

Mashrutkas are some kind of vans and mini-vans that connect all cities and towns in Kyrgyzstan.

They are extremely cheap and it’s very easy to move around with them, as you can find a station (or more) at every bazaar in absolutely every town. You just need to get on at the station and say which city or town you want to go.

Shared local taxis

Late in the evening, for long distances or in very remote towns, marshrutkas don’t run that often, so you will have to take a local shared taxi.

They are more expensive but, definitely, faster than marshrutkas . However, some drivers are completely nuts and may drive at over 120km per hour along narrow mountain roads.

A few things to keep in mind:

Remember that old women have the power – In any bus, marshrutka or taxi you go, women can choose any seat they want, even if you arrived one hour before them. In city buses, always give up your seat to any women over 40-50 years old. If you don’t, they will tell you to stand up. When I fell off the horse and had to stay in bed for 2 weeks, I was sitting in a marshrutka on the way to the hospital. I could barely stand up and, when a woman entered and told me to move and I couldn’t explain why I couldn’t, I created a lot of trouble until she understood.

At 40ºC, windows are still closed – Kyrgyz are afraid of air currents and no matter what time of the year it is, even if it’s the peak of the summer and 40ºC outside, they like to travel with the windows closed and the AC switched off. Sometimes, you can negotiate with the men but, if there are old ladies, forget about it.

Remember to be patient – Ninety percent of Kyrgyzstan is composed of high mountains which means that, every time you want to go from town to town, you will have to cross them, making your journey particularly slow. In addition, in some more remote destinations, shared taxis and marshrutkas leave once they are full and, sometimes, it takes some time to fill them. Just keep in mind that traveling in Kyrgyzstan can be particularly slow.

Hitchhiking in Kyrgyzstan

Hitchhiking is extremely easy and common among the locals. However, remember that, in Kyrgyzstan, everybody is a taxi driver so if you are looking for a free ride, you will need an extra dose of patience.

❗ More information for traveling in Kyrgyzstan

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

What is CBT?

CBT (Community Based Tourism) is a very popular tour agency in Kyrgyzstan that can arrange any kind of activity you want to, from yurt stays to trekking, taxis, permits and anything you can think of.

CBT has offices all over the country and it is so popular because, despite being a tour agency, they offer very cheap and competitive prices.

However, bear in mind that, of course, it will always be cheaper to arrange things on your own.

Check the best books about Central Asia and the Silk Road

All guides and articles for traveling in Kyrgyzstan destination

Kyrgyzstan Itinerary
Horse riding in Tash Rabat
Trekking in Kyrgyzstan
Trekking the Ala-Kul
Trekking in Karakol
China-Kyrgyzstan border crossing
Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan border crossing
Reasons to Visit Kyrgyzstan

Travel guides to other countries in Central Asia

Tajikistan Travel Guide
Travel Guide to Uzbekistan
Travel Guide to Kazakhstan
Pakistan Travel Guide
Afghanistan Travel Guide

43 comments

I wouldn’t say that’s all you need to know, but it’s a nice start 🙂

Do come back, you ain’t seen nuttin’ yet!

Hi Caravanistan, nice to meet you online 😉 It’s not all but writing more than 3,500 words would be too abusive 😉 More articles coming soon. Cheers!

Very informative blog, thanks! I’m looking at travelling to Kyrgystan on my bike (the northern half of the country, around Naryn, and wonder how much rain I should expect. The climate charts indicate it’s pretty dry, but most blogs mentions seemingly frequent downpours and rain. Would you say that rain is a serious downside there in July-August?

Hi Christian, July & August is mostly dry, but it can rain of course, especially in high altitudes

From past few posts of your’s i had an imaginary tour of this beautiful country. You have shared very nice things about this country.

You should definitely pay a visit! Cheers.

Thank you for providing such a wonderful list of a new website as I hardly needed them.Thank you so much once again. Keep it up.

Nice article! I never knew much about this country until I read your post. Now I really am curious about exploring this place. Thanks for sharing!!

You totally should put it on your next summer travel list 😉 Thanks!

Looks that all the things that I have heard about this country all are rumors. It looks that this city is very peaceful and beautiful. I will definitely visit this country.

I hope it’s true 😉 You’ll enjoy it!

Excellent article Joan. I appreciate the details you put in there. Few points like you are expected to know what to order from the menu and closed windows at 40ºC left me in splits 🙂 🙂

Thanks! Yeah, these a few curiosities which are important know 🙂 !

This was incredibly useful! Kyrgyzstan has been on my places to go and I will totally refer back to this when I plan to make that trip. Thanks for sharing!

I really hope you go and glad you found it useful 😉

hello is it possible to travel to Kazakhstan from Kyrgyzstan should i need to get transit visa or without visa i can travel ?

Hello, it may be possible but it depends on your nationality.

Completely true. Except #21. That russian man obviously exagarrated on his words saying “long back kyrgyz was dirty” (as if he existed long back). The thing is in kyrgyz culture, women take a main role in house keeping, caring of kids, while men as a main provider. Thats why from the early age mothers guide daughters to be independent and know how to cook, clean, and be a support for parents and her future husband. BTW #71 – as for the simcard, its freely distributed at the exit of the airport (beeline, o, megacom) with few free load inside. Tho u have to approach service senter within a few days along with your original passport and get it registered to continue the service. I advised you to avail megacom it has a fast and cheap internet data (20Gb per month – 3.6$, 50Gb – 5.8$, 100Gb – 8.7$, with free call and sms within a network). Its much better if your phone suports 4G. Thats it 🙂 For any inquires kindly contact my WhatsApp#: +996 700 800 900

Hello! Thank you for your feedback, very much appreciated 🙂 ! As per your first comment, I don’t really know what are the exact reasons, as I am just putting into a few words what some people told me! However, in any case, what you are describing (claiming that women take care of the household) is very generic and happens to almost every culture and country in the world, so it doesn’t really explain why Kyrgyz are so obsessed with cleaning. As per your second comment, I will update my post accordingly as soon as I can!

Thank you for this amazing article. Agree with everything,. If you need any guidance in Kyrgyzstan, I can help you

Tell me how are high crime rate in kyrgyz and how hight rare of safftey??

Hello AIgerim, I am planning a trip from US to either Almat (cheaper & still close to Bishkek) Looking for someone to guide through Nature. trekking, hiking, hot springs, polar plunge, experience falcon hunting, Yurt sleeping with authentic Nomads. On a budget, Waiting for a flight price drop in Aug. So no set time yet , But Aug-Sept.

This was a great read! I definitely want to visit this country! Thanks x

Hi! I am from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and I absolutely love the way you descibed our reality! You definetly noticed unique features of kyrgyzstani life. Shared your post on Facebook, hope you’ll get more view and we’ll get more tourists 😀 Thank you! BTW, there are several really good ski resorts (the best one in Karakol) in Kyrgyzstan, so turists are more than welcome in winter season!

Thanks for for sharing it, really 🙂 and it’s my pleasure to say nice things about Kyrgyzstan. It is actually one of my most favorite countries. Yes, I had heard about the ski resort and heard it’s great!

I had not had Kyrgyzstan on my radar at all, until reading this blog from you! I love to travel and I love to hike, so now you have me excited to give Kyrgyzstan a try this summer. However, I have reached out to each of the three companies that you recommend for guide services, as I am only English-speaking, so I will need a guide to help me navigate the trails and communicate with the locals.

I live in the US, so am trying to communicate with these companies by email, but it’s been over a week, and no reply from them. Do you recommend my going to Bishkek in June and trying to find an English-speaking guide then? Or is that not realistic? I’m a very experienced traveler and hiker, but as a woman, I am also cautious because I travel alone.

I appreciate your advice. Thank you! And thank you for the inspiration to travel to Kyrgyzstan. 🙂

Hey Lyenne! It is actually better if you go to their offices once you are in Bishkek, or even at the destination in particular, like in Karakol. You will definitely find guides and, most importantly, it will be cheaper

Hello Thank you for your detailed information, it looks amazing Last year also I and my boyfriend we visited all this places, it was taken 20 days. Before coming to Kyrgyzstan we contacted with local companies and got all informations. Decided to do it by ourselves. When we land to Bishkek airport it was difficult to communicate with people, because people’s are dont speak English or French. And in Bishkek we changed our plan booked tour for 19 days. Because our friends recommended. Everything was great. Our guide was professional and speaks English very well.

In Kyrgyzstan some places no internet connection where is big mountains. And you need to take warm clothes, during the summer we see some snow 🙂

Hey Joan 🙂 , I’m so glad to have come across your page. Its so exciting and deeply informative. The descriptions are stunning and have given me a Stronger YES to go to Kyrgyzstan already!

I would like to know your advice on the below, -How many number of days (minimum) would you recommend to see around Kyrgyzstan? (Song Kul, Issyk Kul, Ala Kul, Ak-suu, all these gems and horse-treks in my mind) -What time of the year would be ideal to do the visit? -What are the “you can’t afford to miss” things to do and or places to visit in Kyrgyzstan? -Is it safe to travel as a couple or groups traveling is better for safety? Looking forward to your responses; to plan our trip.

Thanks in advance 😀

Hey Fatima, thanks for your comment, here are my responses: – I think you’d need minimum 2 weeks to visit these places – June to September is best and when the weather in the mountains is warmer – Besides the places you mentioned, I loved Alay Vallay and Tash Rabat – Kyrgyzstan is safe for anyone 🙂

I like your style of writing – informative, honest with a sense of humour. I have a plan to visit just one country for a week in Central Asia in 2020. While googling and reading up, I came across your blog and find it has all the info I need in my deciding process. So, the idea I have now is if I’d like to experience a nomadic mountaineous life, go with Kyrgyzstan and if I’d like to explore bazaars and ancient towns/architectures, go with Uzbekistan.

yes, that’s right 🙂 thanks,

Absolutely wonderful descriptions. Very insightful and helpful, especially considering that you made it a point to inform your readers about certain subtler aspects of Kyrgyz culture that would otherwise surprise people when they visit, not knowing what to expect. Reading about all your travels and adventures here has only made me think strongly about visiting Kyrgyzstan this year 🙂

Keep up the good work, and all the best with your other travels and writing as well!

Thank you so much for your kind words, Cyd!

Hi Joan, thank you so much for your interesting and inspiring info on Kyrghystan! Based on that we would like to go there for a 10 days trip first half of September, after a 10 days trip in Uzbekistan. as we only have 10 days, we would like to do it by car with a driver in order not to loose too much time: do you have any suggestions or drivers we can contact?

Hi there, sorry but unfortunately, I don’t personally know of any guide/driver!

I loved Bishkek. I didn’t go to trek just to visit and fell in love with the city, culture, and how inexpensive it was! The clubs are fun, karaoke was incredible, food excellent, and very easy to get around via taxi. The hotel I stayed at was 5 star quality under $40USD a day and the food there was some of the best I had in the country. I went to the mountains as well and saw amazing scenery. Snow on the mountains, wild horses, and wildlife. I was shocked at how western Bishkek was. I honestly felt like I was in an Asian neighborhood in the middle of Los Angeles. The people were extremely friendly, the woman are beautiful, but there is some things as a westerner you have to get used to. Lots of pushing and shoving when its crowded seemed pretty normal and if you are shopping be aware of counterfeit items. Other than that the country was beyond what I expected and I will be back soon!!! Issyk Kul is the next destination for me next time I am there and I would love to visit Osh. My entire 3 week journey including plane ticket, food, going out, and my incredible hotel was less than $2000. Its the biggest hidden secret in the world right now.

Thanks for the article. I have lived in Kyrgyzstan for many years. Mountains, Bishkek, Issyk-Kul. It’s very beautiful there. The people are hospitable.

Is it possible to get visa on arrival? or need to apply thru online (e-visa) before coming to Kyrgyzstan?

what’s your nationality?

Hi I enjoyed your article about Kyrgystan. Most likely we will be going and hopefully this summer! That’s why I searched for the info online. So…. I’m a vegetarian. I was told to take a jar of jam with me but I don’t think this will cut it 😉 We are planning to hike and spend as little time in a city as possible. How f****d i quote :))) do you think I am?

We don’t want to carry our bags all day, we prefer them to be dropped off to the next location. Or maybe we can afford a porter for a day or two. My partner had a shoulder op. So he is still bit vulnerable. I also read that you recommend to book hikes when we get there.

Can you recommend any local tour companies? When I try the online places you mentioned prices are high.

Is it best to fly to Bishkek or other cities have better hikes in the area?

We don’t want to get to high up, I don’t like cold or be in snow.

We would do probably 2-3 weeks.

Can you please recommend me best trails and places, and give me advice on planning? Thanks Kat

Hello, sorry for late answer. Vegetarians may have a hard time, since even the local shorpo (soup) is meat based… Cheese, bread, nuts, jam, fruits… That’s the type of food you find in the mountains. You can also find instant noodles in shops.

I don’t know any specific tour company, but you can easily arrange or find many in specific villages and towns in Kyrgyzstan.

For trails and places, you can check following guides: https://againstthecompass.com/en/trekking-in-kyrgyzstan/ https://againstthecompass.com/en/backpacking-kyrgyzstan/

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52 Tips for Travelling in Kyrgyzstan (Backpacker’s Guide)

April 1, 2020.

Everything you need to know about travelling in Kyrgyzstan. Where to visit, how to get around, safety and more are covered in this comprehensive travel guide.

Thinking of a trip to Central Asia? You can’t miss Kyrgyzstan – it’s one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and it’s still undiscovered by most travellers.

I’ve spent over three months backpacking around Kyrgyzstan, and have fallen in love with its snowy mountains, nomadic culture, blue lakes, and friendly locals.

In this post, I’ll go over everything you need to know about travelling in Kyrgyzstan based on my experience.

After reading this guide, you’ll be ready to head out and experience Kyrgyzstan for yourself.

1 Backpacking Kyrgyzstan
2 Visas For Travelling To Kyrgyzstan
3 Safety in Kyrgyzstan
4 Travel Insurance for Kyrgyzstan
5 Money in Kyrgyzstan
6 Communication in Kyrgyzstan
7 Getting to Kyrgyzstan
8 People & Culture of Kyrgyzstan
9.1 Northern Kyrgyzstan
9.2 Issyk-Kul Region
9.3 Central Kyrgyzstan
9.4 Southern Kyrgyzstan
10 Getting Around Kyrgyzstan
11 Accommodation in Kyrgyzstan
12 Best Time to Visit Kyrgyzstan
13 Internet & SIM Cards in Kyrgyzstan
14 Solo Travel in Kyrgyzstan
15 Budget for Backpacking Kyrgyzstan
16 Kyrgyzstan Backpacking Guide Wrap-up

Sunrise in Kyrgyzstan's beautiful Alay Valley

Backpacking Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is the best Central Asian country for backpackers, in my opinion. It’s beautiful, cheap, and has a ton of stuff to see and do. If you like mountains, hiking, history, and unique culture, then Kyrgyzstan is the destination for you.

Kyrgyzstan is still a bit off the radar to most backpackers (much like Central Asia as a whole), but trust me, this is quite possibly the most incredible travel region in the world. You’ll fall in love with Central Asia, and will definitely want to get back soon.

Visas For Travelling To Kyrgyzstan

1 – You likely don’t need a visa to visit Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyzstan has the most liberal visa policy in all of Central Asia, making it a great place for first-timers to the region. Citizens of most developed countries are able to visit Kyrgyzstan visa-free for stays of up to 60-days.

For those not eligible for visa-free entry, you can easily apply for an e-visa.

To check visa eligibility, check out the official government e-visa site .

Safety in Kyrgyzstan

2 – Is it safe to travel to Kyrgyzstan? Kyrgyzstan is a perfectly safe travel destination, despite the fact that the countries name ends in ‘stan. I’ve never been shown anything but friendliness by the locals.

Of course, you should still exercise normal precautions when visiting Kyrgyzstan. Don’t walk down dark streets, watch your pockets in crowded areas, avoid talking about religion, and just be respectful to people.

Travel Insurance for Kyrgyzstan

3 – Travel Insurance for Kyrgyzstan: No matter where you go, you should always have travel insurance – Kyrgyzstan is no exception. Even though Kyrgyzstan is quite safe, accidents can still happen.

I personally use and recommend World Nomads. It’s designed for adventurous travellers with cover for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities (important if you plan on doing any hiking while in Kyrgyzstan!).

GET YOUR FREE QUOTE FROM WORLD NOMADS HERE

Money in Kyrgyzstan

4 – The Kyrgyz Som is the official currency of Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyzstan’s official currency is the som or KGS. The current exchange rate is $1 = 70 som as of March 2020. Check XE.com for the latest rates.

5 – ATM machines can be found in major towns: As a tourist, you’ll typically need to use cash unless you’re at a higher-end supermarket, hotel, or cafe that accepts credit cards.

Banks and ATMs (Bankomat in Russian) are common in Kyrgyzstan, and the ATMs from most large banks accept foreign cards (both VISA and MasterCard), so you can simply withdraw cash after you’ve arrived in Kyrgyzstan.

I’ve successfully withdrawn cash from ATMs including Demir Bank, Kazkommerzbank, and KICB. You will be able to find ATMs in the following cities: Bishkek, Osh, Naryn, Cholpon Ata, Kochkor, Jalal-Abad, and Karakol.

Some ATM machines can even dispense USD instead of KGS if you happen to need it.

6 – You can also convert USD to KGS: If for whatever reason you don’t want to use a Kyrgyz ATM, you can bring USD and convert it to som when you arrive in Kyrgyzstan. However, be careful if you’re travelling with large amounts of cash! Other major currencies are also exchangeable in Kyrgyzstan. Try to bring crisp bills.

I’ve found exchange rates to be very fair in Central Asia, but always double-check to make sure that they’re giving you a good rate.

Planning to visit Uzbekistan as well? Be sure to check out my 2-week Uzbekistan itinerary to help plan your trip!

Communication in Kyrgyzstan

7 – Russian and Kyrgyz are the most prominent languages in Kyrgyzstan: Due to Kyrgyzstan’s history as part of the Soviet Union, Russian is spoken throughout the country.

Russian is used as an inter-ethnic common tongue in Kyrgyzstan (and other former Soviet Central Asian countries). In Bishkek, you’ll hear Russian as the most common language.

Kyrgyz is a Turkic language and is spoken by almost all Kyrgyz people (some Bishkek-born Kyrgyz have never learned it).

8 – Kyrgyzstan has a few minority languages: While Russian and Kyrgyz are by far the most common, there are a few other languages spoken in certain parts of Kyrgyzstan.

In Southern Kyrgyzstan, there are a number of ethnic Uzbek people who speak Uzbek, which is another Turkic language.

Other minority languages include Uyghur and Dungan.

9 – Do you need to know Russian to visit Kyrgyzstan?: No, you don’t need to know Russian (or Kyrgyz) to travel around Kyrgystan. While knowing the local language of a country can provide much deeper experiences, it’s never 100% necessary.

You should try to learn the basics, though. Purchase a Russian phrasebook and you’ll be set. Google Translate is another lifesaver, especially with its offline option in case you don’t have internet access.

Plenty of people in Bishkek speak English, especially young university students. I found that people were always eager to practice their English with me! Also, most people working in the tourism industry (tour guides, hostel owners, etc) speak great English.

When all else fails, awkward hand gestures are usually able to save the day.

10 – Learn a few words in Kyrgyz to impress the locals!: It’s not very common for foreigners to know any Kyrgyz, so if you can learn a few basic words in Kyrgyz, you’ll make someone’s day. Easy ones are “ rakhmat ” (thank you) and “a s-salaam-alaikum ” (hello).

Getting to Kyrgyzstan

11 – Overlanding into Kyrgyzstan is possible: Kyrgyzstan shares land borders with China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. There are land borders between all of those countries, and they are open to foreigners.

Popular crossings that travellers use are the Irkeshtam Pass between Kashgar and Osh, the Kyzylart Pass between Sary-Tash and Murghab on the Pamir Highway , the Kordai crossing between Bishkek and Almaty, the Dostyk crossing between Osh and Andijan, and the Batken/Isfara crossing from Osh to Khujand .

Crossing the Irkeshtam Pass from China to Kyrgyzstan

12 – Flying to Kyrgyzstan can be a bit expensive: Kyrgyzstan isn’t the most well-connected by air, so flying to it (especially from North America) can be pricey.

When searching for flights, consider flying into Almaty or Tashkent if it is too expensive to fly into Bishkek.

Bishkek has direct international flights from Istanbul, Moscow, Dubai, Nur-Sultan, Tashkent, Dushanbe, Urumqi, and a number of other cities in Russia.

I recommend using Google Flights to find the cheapest flights to Kyrgyzstan.

13 – Kyrgyzstan’s flag carrier is Air Kyrgyzstan: Unfortunately, Air Kyrgyzstan doesn’t have many routes and is only really useful for people travelling to or from Russia. It also happens to be on the list of airlines banned in the EU .

Beautiful views on the domestic flight from Osh to Bishkek

People & Culture of Kyrgyzstan

14 – Kyrgyzstan is a majority Muslim country: 88% of Kyrgyzstan’s population is Muslim, with 85% of them being Sunni Muslims. Most of the remainder of the population is Christian (usually the Russians).

While many people are Muslim, they’re not nearly as religious as in places such as Pakistan or Saudi Arabia . Due to the long Soviet rule over Kyrgyzstan, many religious practices were wiped out and are only just now starting to gain any sort of traction again.

Most Kyrgyz people drink alcohol, and in the northern part of the country, hijabs are not very popular.

15 – Southern Kyrgyzstan is more religious than the north: The Ferghana Valley region of Kyrgyzstan (around the city of Osh) is the most religious part of the country. People here follow their religion much more closely than those in Bishkek, so you should be careful to dress appropriately when travelling in this part of the country.

16 – Kyrgyz people are proud of their traditions: Alongside their religious traditions, Kyrgyz people have plenty of other cultural traditions.

Kyrgyz society is very family-oriented, and events such as childbirth and weddings end up resulting in large celebrations. In the countryside, you’ll still see plenty of traditional Kyrgyz clothes and people living nomadic lives in yurts.

Where to visit in Kyrgyzstan

17 – You could spend months in Kyrgyzstan: While it looks tiny on a map, Kyrgyzstan has an endless amount of things to do. There are countless 5+ day treks to go on, plenty of 6,000-meter peaks to climb, and hundreds of little villages to discover.

Trust me, I’ve spent months in Kyrgyzstan and still feel as though I haven’t even scratched the surface of what this country has to offer.

Northern Kyrgyzstan

18 – Bishkek is Kyrgyzstan’s cool capital: While some people consider Bishkek to be a bit of a boring city, I really like it! The city has an interesting Russian-Kyrgyz vibe and is full of awesome little cafes, bars, and restaurants. It makes for a great place to spend some relaxation time after roughing it in the mountains.

19 – Ala Archa National Park – mountains right next to the city!: Another thing I like about Bishkek is it’s proximity to the mountains. Ala Archa National Park is located only an hour south of the city and is perfect for day or weekend trips. It’s got mountains nearly 5,000 meters tall and plenty of hiking trails.

20 – Burana Tower is one of Kyrgyzstan’s best historical sights: Burana Tower is an ancient Silk Road era minaret located only an hour and a half east of Bishkek. It’s easy to visit it using public transport as a day trip from Bishkek.

Check out my guide to visiting Burana Tower for more info!

Issyk-Kul Region

21 – Karakol is a paradise for hikers: Karakol is a medium-sized city located near the eastern end of Issy-Kul, and just south town are the massive peaks of the Tien Shan mountains. Karakol is the perfect place to base yourself and go hiking in the mountains. There are quite a few different trekking options around here – you could do a 2/3-day Ala Kul hike or even the longer 5-day Ak-Suu trek.

For more info on hiking options near Karakol, see the official Destination Karakol site.

22 – Like beaches? Head to the Issy-Kul!: After wrapping up a challenging hike, why not head to the beach? Issy-Kul has a number of different beach towns surrounding it. Cholpon-Ata is where Kyrgyz and Russians go for beach parties, whereas Tosor is a nice quiet place for a relaxing beach experience.

23 – Jyrgalan is a great off-the-beaten-path hiking destination: If you’re up for even more hiking, consider Jyrgalan. This small town near the Kazakh border is Kyrgyzstan’s fastest growing hiking destination – so check it out before everyone else does! See their official site for more info.

Central Kyrgyzstan

24 – Nomadic traditions are strong here: Central Kyrgyzstan is the land of mountains and yurts. It’s very sparsely populated and is a great place to get off-the-beaten-path. In these highlands, many Kyrgyz people still live traditional nomadic lives living in yurt camps and surviving off of the land.

25 – Song Kul is the most popular destination: Song Kul is a beautiful alpine lake surrounded by green pastures. Song Kul is surrounded by a number of different yurt camps where tourists can stay, and the area around the lake is wonderful for hiking and horseback riding.

Kyrgyzstan's Fairytale Canyon near Karakol

26 – Endless hiking opportunities: There are plenty of places to go hiking in Central Kyrgyzstan, from the beautiful Kol-Suu lake to the mountains near Toktogul. If you want to get away from everybody else, this is your place.

Southern Kyrgyzstan

27 – Osh is Kyrgyzstan’s southern capital: Osh is the second-largest city in Kyrgyzstan and a place you’ll definitely pass through if you want to explore the south of the country. It’s a nice place to eat some decent food, although it can get extremely hot in the summertime.

28 – Visit the walnut forests of Arslanbob: One of the most popular destinations in Southern Kyrgyzstan is the town of Arslanbob. It’s located just a few hours away from Osh, and is easily reached by public transport. Spending a few days here and relaxing in the walnut forests should be on everyone’s Kyrgyzstan itinerary.

Community-based tourism in Arslanbob is a fantastic way to stay in a homestay and experience local life, and I recommend looking into it if you’re planning on visiting!

Pamir Mountains viewed from Sary Tash, Kyrgyzstan

29 – The Alay Valley is incredibly beautiful: The Alay Valley is my favourite place in Kyrgyzstan – it’s a wide valley full of green grass surrounded by massive 7,000-meter peaks. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. Consider spending a couple of days in the towns of Sary-Tash or Sary-Mogul to take in the views here.

30 – If you’re into mountaineering, consider climbing Lenin Peak: Kyrgyzstan is a paradise for mountaineers, and one of it’s most popular climbs is the 7,134 meter Lenin Peak. It’s not an easy climb, but for climbers looking to get into high-altitude mountaineering, it is an accessible and affordable option.

Check out my guide to learn more about climbing Lenin Peak .

Getting Around Kyrgyzstan

31 – Marshrutkas go almost everywhere: Marshrutkas (minibus) are the backbone of transportation in Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian countries. They connect almost all cities and towns and are usually the cheapest mode of transport when there isn’t a train available.

Marshrutkas are cheap – for example, a 7-hour marshrutka ride from Bishkek to Karakol costs 350 som ($4.5). They operate on a fixed-price system, so you don’t need to worry about haggling with the driver.

The main downside to marshrutkas is that they can sometimes be a bit hot and cramped, which can be quite uncomfortable in the summer months.

Here's what a typical marshrutka in Kyrgyzstan looks like

32 – Here are some of the most useful marshrutka routes:

Bishkek to Karakol – 7 hours, 350 som
Bishkek to Naryn – 5 hours, 350 som
Karakol to Naryn – 7 hours, 450 som
Bishkek to Cholpon-Ata – 3.5 hours, 250 som
Osh to Sary-Mogul – 3.5 hours, 240 som
Osh to Jalal-Abad -2 hours, 120 som

33 – Shared taxis are a more comfortable alternative to marshrutkas: If you’re looking to travel in a bit more luxury, you can opt for a shared taxi.

You can usually find a shared taxi to the same destinations that marshrutkas run (and sometimes even smaller destinations), but you will need to wait until all seats in the car are filled before it departs (unless you want to pay for them all).

Shared taxis are typically a bit more expensive than a marshrutka, but are much more comfortable. You can often pay the driver a bit extra to sit in the front seat so that you’ve got a great window view.

34 – Bishkek to Osh takes an entire day: The journey from Bishkek to Osh is a long one. While just 670 kilometers, the trip can take up to 14 hours due to the windy mountain road that connects the two cities.

Try to travel this route during the daytime – it’s absolutely stunning. There are cheap domestic flights between the two cities if you don’t have enough time to spend an entire day in a car.

35 – There aren’t any useful train routes: Bishkek has a train station, but it is of little use for most travellers. There is a direct train from Bishkek to Moscow that takes 3-days, which could be useful if you want to get back to Europe overland.

There’s only one domestic train route in all of Kyrgyzstan, and it is the Bishkek – Balykchy line that takes about 5 hours. This train takes much longer than a marshrutka on the same route but it would be a nice experience if you’re into rail travel.

36 – Within Bishkek, use Yandex Taxi to get around: I’m sure you’re familiar with ride-sharing apps like Uber at this point. Yandex Taxi is a Russian ridesharing app that works in Bishkek, and I highly recommend you use it to get around the city. Rides are typically just 70 – 150 som and you can choose your pickup and dropoff locations on the app. It has an English setting, so no need to know Russian.

37 – Domestic flights are cheap: The busiest domestic flight route is between Bishkek and Osh, and one-way tickets are typically around $35 between the two cities.

Consider taking this flight if you’ve already seen the overland route between Bishkek and Osh and want to save some time.

Accommodation in Kyrgyzstan

38 – There are hostels in all of the major touristy towns: Kyrgyzstan has a well-developed network of backpacker-style hostels in all of its main cities. They’re a great place to meet other travellers, and they’re also very cheap.

Here are my favourite ones:

Interhouse Bishkek – A modern and popular hostel located right in the center of Bishkek, this is the perfect place to relax when you’re in Bishkek.
TES Hotel Osh – I’ve stayed at TES Hotel four times now. It has both private rooms and dormitories, and even a large outdoor area where you can pitch a tent. Breakfast is a tasty buffet. This is by far my favourite place to stay in Osh.
KbH Karakol Based Hostel – A medium-sized hostel right in central Karakol that’s run by friendly staff. They can help you with any trekking or transportation info that you need. Highly recommend this hostel!

39 – Homestays in Kyrgyzstan are great: There are a ton of fantastic homestays throughout Kyrgyzstan. Do some searching on your destinations and you’ll come across some well-reviewed ones.

One homestay that I really liked was the “Hotel Tatina” in Sary-Tash – 500 som per night including dinner and breakfast, and it was run by a super friendly family.

40 – Stay in a yurt at least once: Yurts are circular white tents that dot the countryside of Kyrgyzstan. They’re the traditional home of the nomadic people across Central Asia, and staying in one is a must-have experience if you’re in Kyrgyzstan.

41 – Airbnb is another good option in Bishkek: Airbnb isn’t super popular yet in Kyrgyzstan, but Bishkek does have a few decent options available. If it is your first time using Airbnb, you can use my referral link to get up to $65 off of your first booking!

GET $65 OFF YOUR FIRST AIRBNB BOOKING

Best Time to Visit Kyrgyzstan

42 – Kyrgyzstan can be visited year-round: No matter what time of year it is, you can visit Kyrgyzstan. The country is always beautiful, and each season brings a new look to its incredible landscapes. However, depending on your interests, there are certain seasons that are better than others.

43 – Summer is definitely the best time to visit if you’re into outdoor activities: If you want to do any sort of mountaineering or high-altitude hiking when you’re in Kyrgyzstan, then summer is the best time to visit.

Kyrgyzstan has a short hiking season – high-altitude yurt camps are only usually open in July, August, and early September. Outside of these times, conditions will be harsher and you’ll need to bring your own tent.

High-altitude hiking is only really doable during summertime

44 – In Autumn, Kyrgyzstan turns beautiful shades of orange and yellow: Autumn is a beautiful time to visit Kyrgyzstan, as the green mountains turn golden and the temperatures in the cities drop a bit.

If you’re into photography, you’ll love it at this time of year.

45 – Spring is a good time to visit, although many hikes will still be snow-covered: Spring in Kyrgyzstan is fairly warm in the cities, but still cold in the mountains. It’s a nice and quiet time of year to visit.

46 – If you’re into skiing, consider visiting Kyrgyzstan in the winter: Winter in Kyrgyzstan can be cold, especially in the mountains. However, the country has some awesome skiing near Bishkek and Karakol, so consider a winter visit if you want to hit the slopes. There aren’t many other tourists around in the winter, so you’ll likely have the whole place to yourself!

Consider a visit to Issyk-Kul's beaches if you're in Kyrgyzstan in the summer!

Internet & SIM Cards in Kyrgyzstan

47 – Internet access in Kyrgyzstan is very good: Kyrgyzstan has some pretty amazing internet when you consider that it is a mountainous developing country.

It’s about on par with Kazakhstan in terms of pricing and speeds, and far better than in neighbouring Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

48 – SIM cards are cheap: One of the first things you should do when you arrive in Kyrgyzstan is pick up a SIM card. There are a few major telecom companies, including Beeline, O!, and MegaCom.

My preference is O!, as I’ve found them to have the best signal in mountainous areas (even at Lenin Peak Base Camp!). They have a 40GB data plan available for 350 som – should be enough even for heavy users.

There are telecom branches selling SIM cards all over Bishkek and Osh – just be sure to bring your passport.

49 – WiFi is everywhere: If you don’t want to bother with a SIM card, don’t worry. You won’t have any issues finding WiFi in Kyrgyzstan. Even the tiny homestay I stayed at in Sary-Tash (3,000 meters above sea level) had great WiFi.

Solo Travel in Kyrgyzstan

50 – Kyrgyzstan is a great solo-travel destination: My two months in Kyrgyzstan was spent solo-travelling, and I found it to be a great destination for solo backpackers. It’s easy to meet other people in hostels, and locals are super friendly to foreigners as well.

Budget for Backpacking Kyrgyzstan

51 – Kyrgyzstan is a cheap country to travel in: Typical travel costs in Kyrgyzstan are around $20 – $40 per day , depending on what type of accommodation you choose and what mode of transport you opt for.

52 – This is what typical costs while travelling in Kyrgyzstan will look like:

Accommodation – $5 to $10 per night for a hostel dorm or homestay is a typical price. This usually includes breakfast as well. Airbnb and hotels will be a bit more expensive.
Food – $5 to $10 per day. Local street food is very cheap, but it’s easy to splurge a bit when you’re in Osh or Karakol. Coffee in a cafe is usually around $2, and a beer at a bar is $2-3.
Taxis – Taxis around Bishkek don’t usually cost more than $2 for normal trips. Use Yandex Taxi so you don’t need to negotiate with the driver.
Flights – Flights between Bishkek and Osh start at around $35 one-way.
Entrance tickets – As most sights in Kyrgyzstan are based around nature, they’re usually free or have a low park entrance fee (just a couple of dollars)
Visas & Permits – Most nationalities don’t need a visa to visit Kyrgyzstan, so this will be $0 for most people. Certain border regions of Kyrgyzstan require permits (easily arranged), and they tend to cost around $10 or $15.

Beautiful day in Jeti-Oguz, a perfect day trip from Karakol

Kyrgyzstan Backpacking Guide Wrap-up

I hope that this backpacker’s guide has helped you plan your trip to Kyrgyzstan! It’s a fantastic country, and I really hope that more people start visiting it.

If you’ve got any questions about Kyrgyzstan, feel free to ask in the comments below this post.

In the meantime, why not check out some of my other posts about travelling in Central Asia?

10-Day Pamir Highway Itinerary: A Backpacker’s Guide
The Perfect 2-Week Uzbekistan Itinerary
How To Visit Burana Tower From Bishkek
Useful Tips for Travelling the Silk Road (Backpacker’s Guide)
The Ultimate Guide to Climbing Lenin Peak
A Guide To Visiting Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor
Travel in Afghanistan: The Ultimate Backpacker’s Guide

Yay transparency! There are affiliate links in this guide. If you book or buy something using my links, I’ll make a bit of money at no extra cost to you.

21-year old Canadian dude who loves to visit off-the-beaten-path places, climb tall mountains, and try delicious foods.

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Itineraries

It makes little sense to try and propose a standard itinerary for Kyrgyzstan; hiking and staying in a yurt can be done in any part of the country, so it really just depends on your preference with regards to comfort, accessibility, other tourists and the landscapes on offer.

Also note: people with their own bicycle, motorcycle, jeep, or those with a tour company driver, will find it much easier to get off the beaten track compared to backpackers relying on public transport and shared taxis.

The map above highlights the most common tourist routes across Kyrgyzstan. The blue routes are accessible by public transport, for the red routes you need to have your own wheels, or get a driver.

If you are looking to book a horse ride or a yurt stay on the spot, this can be done in each of the towns on the map, the main tourist nodes of Kyrgyzstan.

Song Kul (4) is a bit special. It’s not the place to book anything, as there is no signal on this high mountain lake, but besides its status as a major attraction, it can serve as a kind of roundabout to cross from east to west. Backpackers relying on public transport usually go from the east of the country to the western Osh (6) / Pamir-Alay (7) area via Bishkek (1). It’s a long way overland, so the Osh-Bishkek flight is a popular alternative.

More independent travelers can use the lonely red routes.

North and East Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek is the capital of Kyrgyzstan, its biggest city and main transport hub. It’s unlikely to be the main reason you wanted to visit Kyrgyzstan, but it can teach you a lot about Kyrgyzstan’s recent past and tumultuous present.

The Issyk-Kul region east of the capital is the next logical move in many itineraries. Here you can find what Kyrgyzstan is all about in a small, easy-to-access area. Alpine lakes and mountain peaks, white water fit for rafting. Broad jailoo pastures with shepherds, horses and yurts.

With 1 or 2 weeks time, there’s no need to look any further if you are looking for a trekking holiday with a cultural touch.

To cool down from all the hiking and horse riding, Issyk-Kul has beaches. Karakol and Kochkor are the 2 main gateway towns to the lakes and mountains beyond.

Between the plains of the north and south, it’s all mountains in Central Kyrgyzstan . There are no big population centers here, only small towns and villages, and shepherd yurts on the high meadows in summer.

In the east, the Naryn region has not seen the same level of interest among hikers as other parts of Kyrgyzstan. The central Kazarman area is also one you have all to yourself.

Song Kol Lake on the other hand, smack-bang in the middle of the country at an altitude over 3000 m, is one of Kyrgyzstan’s biggest tourist draws. It is a beautiful area with glamping possibilities for those who enjoy it. If you don’t like the yurt camps on the lake shore, you can explore the surrounding mountains. Just follow the sheep trails.

On the western side of the lake, Suusamyr’s lower altitude green hills are known to produce top-of-the-range meat and dairy products.

Southern Kyrgyzstan

At the edge of the Ferghana Valley, Osh , Kyrgyzstan’s southern capital, has been playing an important role in travel itineraries since the days of Silk Road caravans. Placed centrally between China and Tajikistan’s Pamir Highway to the east, and valley towns like Andijan, Khujand , Ferghana and Kokand to the west, it’s difficult to miss.

As a busy bazaar town, Osh is a good place to prepare for the next leg of your journey. But it can also teach you a lot about the history of Central Asia, and Kyrgyzstan’s current social and political challenges.

Beyond Osh, the mountains beckon once more. The Pamir-Alay range south of Osh gives travelers a taste of Tajikistan’s Pamirs. You can stop over for a night to admire 7134 metre-high Peak Lenin on your way to Tajikistan, or take a tent and spend 3-5 days (there’s always room for more) on foot or on horseback in some of Kyrgyzstan’s highest and most beautiful mountain territory.

Heading north towards Bishkek, Arslanbob is a fixture on the tourist route, thanks to a splendid homestay network in a wonderful setting. Between Arslanbob and Bishkek, there are detours for the more persistent, like the quiet beauty of the Suusamyr region, the Talas area , homeland of national hero Manas or the national park surrounding Sary-Chelek lake .

Off the beaten track

First-ascent climbers, dedicated trekkers, independent kayakers, hard-nosed cyclists and long-haul horse riders: Kyrgyzstan is your oyster. If you’re not outdoorsy but would like to simply experience Kyrgyzstan away from the famous sights: you can find a homestay anywhere. You just have to arrive; before you know it, you have become part of village life.

A rail connection exists between Bishkek and Moscow, and with Tashkent in summer. Bishkek is the country’s flight hub. Osh also hosts international flights. Several local companies offer inexpensive flights between Osh and Bishkek ( forum Q&A ).

For all other places: if you do not have your own means of transport, you will be dependent on minibuses (marshrutkas) and (shared) taxis to take you places within Kyrgyzstan. They leave when full. If you want more comfort or leave earlier, pay for the other seats.

Ride-hailing and taxi apps are available.

Driving Kyrgyzstan is a great way to get around, and car and motorbike rental is a booming business – book in advance if you are coming in summer. There are some great routes for cyclists too.

For cross-border transport, see Kyrgyzstan’s border crossings and the transport guides for Bishkek and Osh .

Winter transport

As soon as winter falls over Kyrgyzstan, many places hidden behind high passes become very difficult to reach over land because of snow. The passage to Osh and the Irkeshtam and Torugart passes to China can get blocked because of heavy snowfall or avalanches. Snow is cleared quickly on these main roads, but take possible delays into account when planning a winter trip. Song Kol and the Naryn-Jalalabad road are difficult to access in winter.

Mudslides in spring are not a problem, unlike in Tajikistan. Between May and October all parts of the country are usually easily accessible.

Self-drive in Kyrgyzstan
Trains in Kyrgyzstan
Cycling in Kyrgyzstan

Practical details

Have a look first to see if you need a visa for Kyrgyzstan . It is a pretty safe country, all things considered, with traffic as the main danger. We discuss possible concerns for various types of people in detail on the safety in Central Asia page .

Health-wise , there are a few things you could worry about: diarrhea, smog, altitude sickness, tick-borne encephalitis and rabies.

Generally speaking, food in the region is unhealthy and of little variety, based primarily on meat, fat, pasta and dairy products. Few tourists become fans of the tastes of Central Asia. Unless you are a vegan, you should at least try kymys (fermented horse milk) and kurt (salty cheese balls) in Kyrgyzstan, though. We discuss your options as a picky eater .

Exchanging money and using ATMs is easy in Kyrgyzstan. Paying by card, less so. Buying a sim card and getting mobile internet is also not an issue at the moment, and internet is almost fully accessible without VPN. More details in our articles on money and banking and communications .

For orientation , Maps.me and 2GIS are often better than Google maps. If you are a reader, have a look at our favourite books on Kyrgyzstan .

The best time to visit Kyrgyzstan is the winter season from December to March, and the short summer during July and August.

In winter, you can ski or go horse riding while staying in yurts looking out over snow-blanketed landscapes with not a tourist in sight. In summer, all passes are snow-free for hikers, tourist events are held, and yurts are set up by shepherds.

The shoulder season is not the best time to be in Kyrgyzstan.

In spring (April-June) the snow has disappeared from the ski slopes, but the high passes are still covered, severely limiting your trekking options. The winter ski yurts are gone but the shepherd yurts of summer only set up in July and August.

Autumn (September-November) is the same. The yurts have gone, and the snow has started covering the passes, but not the slopes.

This is the time to visit Uzbekistan , Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan – the perfect weather to explore their deserts, steppes and cities. A more detailed seasonal breakdown can be found at When to visit Kyrgyzstan , and our Kyrgyzstan events calendar .

Budget and accommodation

Kyrgyzstan has very affordable travel services. Count on 2-3$ for a basic meal, 5-10$ for a hostel bed, 10-15$ for a yurtstay with half board, and a double room in a decent hotel starting at 25$.

Villages have homestays, mountains have yurtstays. Cities have hotels and hostels aplenty, as long as you are not looking for a luxury experience. We give some more tips for finding the right place in the accommodation chapter .

We go in depth on the budget question at the Kyrgyzstan travel budget page .

Tours and tour operators

We work together with a select few tour operators in Kyrgyzstan that, each in their own way, have developed the procedures, network and infrastructure to keep quality of service consistently high, even with the wide array of interests from the Caravanistan audience.

Talant is probably the best-connected, best-informed man in tourism in the south of Kyrgyzstan. He’s done a lot to develop the talents of youngsters in Osh and the Alay mountains.

Sergey’s team is our go-to for high-end jeep tours of Kyrgyzstan; he is always coming up with creative ways to surprise his guests.

There is also Vlad for car rental .

Have a look at our Kyrgyzstan tour template suggestions for ideas, or simply send us your own ideas for a customised tour .

Delve deeper

Find out more about Kyrgyzstan’s different regions.

Issyk-Kul region : Issyk-Kul and the mountains surrounding it have everything you need for a great outdoor holiday with a cultural touch.
The North : Bishkek and the mountains around. No one goes to Talas (yet).
The South : Osh is the second capital and the gateway to China, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Arslanbob is a highlight. Beyond, there’s more stunning mountain scenery.
The Center : A huge mountainous area. Song Kul is the star attraction. Beyond, much more mountains, lakes, yurts and jailoos.

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Roads We Take

Jun 24, 2021
15 min read

The PERFECT 1-Week Itinerary & Travel Guide to Kyrgyzstan!

In this day and age of the internet, where almost every place has been documented or photographed, it is the most wonderful feeling to stumble upon places that you probably had no idea even existed! When we'd decided to travel to Kyrgyzstan, little did we know that it would turn out to be THE TRIP of our lifetime! This little country, which was once part of the Soviet Union, went above and beyond our expectations, and just blew our minds! From unending mountains and glaciers, to lush green fields and canyons, the country boasts a multitude of picture-perfect landscapes and never ceases to surprise you.

Moreover, this happened to be our first international travel during the pandemic, as well as our first trip post our wedding! So Kyrgyzstan, and the beautiful friends we made along our journey, will always hold a special place in our hearts. ❤

We were in the country for 9 DAYS (this is a one-week itinerary , but we took extra two days for relaxation) and here are our TRIP HIGHLIGHTS >>

2 Days in Bishkek Day trips to Ala Archa National Park and Lake Kol Kogur

4 Days in Altyn Arashan Drove along the southern shore of Issyk Kul Lake >> Skazka Canyon >> Karakol Stayed in a 'YURT' for 3 nights in Altyn Arashan >> Hiked to Lake Ala Kul

1 Day in Issyk Kul Drove along the north shore of Issyk Kul Lake >> Tyup >> Cholpon Ata >> Back to Bishkek

2 Days in Bishkek If you are short of time you could go directly to the airport but we chose to relax and explore the city for 2 days

NOTE: In a week, we only covered a very little area of Kyrgyzstan. But if you have more days in hand , it is worth visiting Sary Chalek, Kel Suu, and areas around the Naryn River! We have been told by the locals that these places are incredibly beautiful albeit the drive to these areas is quite long (but again, WORTH IT) !

If you're in a hurry, you could skip the Q&A below and head straight to our detailed itinerary underneath .

Why Kyrgyzstan?

Kyrgyzstan has some of the most breathtaking locations , with many of them pristine and untouched . In fact, during many occasions, Arjun and I found ourselves in the middle of a surreal landscape, with not a soul around. ❤ From mountains and lakes, to flower fields and canyons, road trips through Kyrgyzstan is a sensory feast with views changing every few kilometers.

Yes! We experienced a different landscape almost every single day of our trip!

Kyrgyzstan also has some of the most challenging mountain trails we've come across, and is great for hikers and adrenaline junkies. To top it all, traveling in and around the country is very affordable as well.

Moreover, considering the pandemic , Kyrgyzstan at the time, seemed like a relatively safer option compared to some other countries that had opened their doors to tourists.

When is the best time to visit Kyrgyzstan?

Kyrgyzstan experiences all four seasons and is very beautiful to visit all year round. However, based on our experience we would highly recommend traveling during the summer months from June-August, or even up until early-October . Summer is the ideal time to explore the mountain regions and hiking trails, and the temperature is just perfect (with the possibility of snow in 'Ala Kul' region in early-June and other extreme mountain caps where it snows all year through).

How many days do you need in Kyrgyzstan?

There is never enough time to fully explore a country. However, we recommend AT LEAST a week to immerse into the Kyrgyz culture and fully experience some of the major sights.

BUT most importantly, if your itinerary like ours is filled with hikes, then we highly recommend providing 'off-days' in between to just relax and prep your body for the remainder of the trip. On these off-days we would spend time with our guides or the local family that was hosting us at the mountain tops.

We are huge believers in slow and intentional travel. :)

Visas & Flights

*Please note that this article was written in June 2021, and visa rules are subject to change*

This official Kyrgyzstan website link has a tool to check for visa eligibility and requirements for holders of passports of different countries. As Indian passport holders, we had to apply for an e-visa on the country's official visa portal - https://www.evisa.e-gov.kg . In the past, there used to be an option of visa-on-arrival, but for now an e-visa is the only way to go. While applying for the e-visa, you will be asked for :

Scanned copies of your passport

Digital copy of your passport photograph (A scanned image won't work. You might even get rejected for poor photo quality!)

Valid email address

Credit card details for payment

Visa Cost: A single entry tourist visa for 30 days costs 51.5 US$

Visa processing time: It took us about 10-11 working days for our e-visa.

Flight views somewhere above Kyrgyzstan :)

We traveled via FlyDubai Airlines that has direct flights between Dubai to Bishkek (Manas International Airport). We recommend running a quick search on Skyscanner to check for flight routes and rates based on your location. The airport is around 40 minutes from Bishkek by road.

Do I need an RT-PCR test for COVID -19 in Kyrgyzstan? Where can I get tested in Kyrgyzstan?

*Please note that this article was written in June 2021, and rules related to COVID-19 protocol are subject to change*

A negative COVID-19 (PCR) test is required to be taken within 72 hours before your arrival in Kyrgyzstan. While exiting the country, we got our RT-PCR test done in Bishkek at The Department for Disease Prevention and State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance.

Address: Bishkek city, Frunze Str. 535 Telephone: (0312) 323212, (0312) 323006

The test costs around 1574 KGS (approx. 18.59 US$) per person, and we got our results within 6 hours !

Can I travel around the place with my kids?

Most of the scenic sights in Kyrgyzstan are a couple of hours' drive from the capital city. They are mostly mountains, and the hikes here require a minimum level of physical fitness as the trails can be quite tough and physically demanding. With a heavy heart, we would probably not recommend Kyrgyzstan if you are traveling with infants and children up to the age of 11, and would ask you to wait a couple more years so that you and your family can fully enjoy the country. 😊

Getting Around in Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek is a very pedestrian-friendly city and so moving around by yourself is quite easy with the assistance of Google Maps. You can easily walk around and explore. We never took any cabs (yes, we walk A LOT), but you can still book for one on an app called ' Yandex Go ' which is the Kyrgyz version of Uber. Bear in mind that English is not widely spoken and most signages are in the local Kyrgyz or Russian languages. A pro-tip would be to download Google Translate on your phone - coolest invention ever!

However, most of the activities and sight-seeing is outside of Bishkek, where driving on your own can be quite challenging with not too many directions or signages on the roads. Moreover, the mountain hikes do not have designated trails or paths, and often these areas do not have good network coverage so being on your own in the wilderness without an experienced guide would not be the safest idea. We highly recommend reaching out to some local guides that are experienced hikers. You can opt for private or group tours but we always prefer private ones (safer in a pandemic, and moreover, you get to enjoy the place all to yourself without making the place seem 'touristy'!)

We HIGHLY recommend ' Kettik ' for its tours and guides! We first contacted them on their Instagram page and they later reached out to us with their details and quotes via WhatsApp. The guides at Kettik are young, friendly, and very responsible. In fact, we made so many memories with them and ended up being great friends!

Our special mountain van that would go on the most rugged of terrains!

You could get a SIM card at the airport or from any of the 'Globus' chain of stores in Bishkek.

'Beeline' and 'O!' are the two most popular network providers, and they are extremely affordable as well!

Budgeting for the trip

The currency in Kyrgyzstan is called the Kyrgyz Som (KGS) . The money exchange centers in Dubai did not have any Kyrgyz currency, so we carried US Dollars with us and converted it to Som at a local exchange centre in Bishkek.

1 US$ = 84.65 KGS (dated June 2021)

Food, accommodations, and getting around in general, is very affordable. Hotel accommodations in the capital start at around 50 US$ per room per night inclusive of breakfast, but you could even find cheaper options such as hostels and boarding lodges. In the countryside, the rates are much lower depending on the kind of accommodation. (Guesthouses and yurts are relatively much cheaper than hotels). As for food, you can have a complete meal for just 2 US$, but it could be twice (yet still affordable) in more fancier restaurants in the capital city.

A driver with a vehicle and an English-speaking guide, starts at around 100 US$ for two people for an entire day-trip. However, we we were traveling with ' Kettik ' and they have options of complete packages where they provide for day trips, food as well as all accommodations at different price points.

Accommodations in Kyrgyzstan

Throughout our week-long trip, we stayed at 4 different locations. These were recommended and arranged for us by Kettik .

> 2 Days in Bishkek ( Bugu Hotel - highly recommend for its spacious, clean rooms, excellent location, and value for money!)

> 4 Days in Altyn Arashan (a 'yurt' offered by EcoYurt Camp Arashan and Guesthouse 'Gulnara')

> 1 Day in Issyk Kul (a local resort which we would not recommend because of our poor experience)

> 2 Days in Bishkek (back to Bugu Hotel )

Staying in the traditional 'Yurt' at Altyn Arashan, far away from civilization, was the BEST experience of Kyrgyzstan!

Food in Kyrgyzstan

While Arjun is a complete vegan, and I am almost-vegan, we initially expected that finding good food would be a challenge in a predominantly meat-eating country. However, we were able to find some great options throughout our stay! And since it was summer, we feasted on some of the tastiest strawberries, cherries, and apricots we've ever had! The country is also famous for its assortment of nuts , so we were always snacking on those.

National Dishes to try:

Ashlyan Fu (a cold broth/soup with handmade wheat noodles. We had ours without eggs/meat Fun fact: This dish is popular among the locals for curing hangovers!

Lagman (a tangy noodle dish, usually served with meat but you can ask the restaurant to eliminate it)

Naan (Local bread sold at various street corners. The Kyrgyz love their naan with fresh berry jams!)

The traditional Ashlyan Fu soup served with a spicy paste

Russian dishes to try:

Bulgur (a brown-grain that is eaten in place of rice, often flavored in broth)

Borscht soup (a cold beet-soup with potatoes and other boiled vegetables)

Pulof (flavored rice, although we asked ours to be made in a vegetarian broth)

Mashed potatoes

The Kyrgyz love to have their hot tea with fresh bread and jam spreads at any time of the day.

Here is a delicious home-cooked meal of Plov (flavoured rice) and warm noodle soup,

prepared by our family host in Altyn Arashan.

Restaurant recommendations in Bishkek (capital city):

Baan Baan Thai Kitchen

Yellow Split Pea with Bulgur was a hit at BUBLIK!

Baan Baan Thai Bishkek Soup Vegan Food Kyrgyz

The Tom Yum Tofu Soup at Baan Baan Thai is a MUST!

Packing for Kyrgyzstan

This would totally depend on the season you are traveling in. But an important note is that temperatures in Bishkek are generally higher than the temperatures up in the mountains. Since we travelled during early-June, we wore our winter jackets in the mountains of Ala Archa and Altyn Arashan, where it was quite windy and the temperatures would even reach single-digit celsius.

We are currently working on an article explaining our hiking gear and backpack contents, and it should be out very soon!

And now finally, a Day-by-Day breakdown of our trip!

Day 1 - arrive in bishkek, hike at ala archa national park.

We arrived early morning at the Manas International Airport in Bishkek , and were welcomed by our guide and friend, Azim, who also drove us around for the entire duration of our trip. After a very scenic 40-minutes drive to the city centre, we checked into Bugu Hotel to freshen up after the long journey, and fuel ourselves with some breakfast. We highly recommend Bugu for its clean and spacious rooms, excellent location, and complete value for money.

By mid-day, we were well rested, got our currency exchanged at a local store nearby, and set off to Ala Archa National Park. Situated 40km to the south of Bishkek, Ala Archa ('Archa' actually means juniper tree) is straight out of a fairytale book! We were spellbound by the vast expanse of mountains, unending rows of juniper trees, melting glaciers, and such crisp, clean air. ❤

The national park has several hiking tours. We took the one leading to Ak-Sai Waterfall at about +2860m above sea level. The hike was a total of 8km (up and down). We recommend dedicating an entire day to this park, plus this is a great warm-up to the upcoming hikes on your trip.

Day 2 - Hike to Kol Kogur OR Hike to Kol Tor

After an early breakfast, we started our road trip for the day to Kemin district , around 170 km from Bishkek. The drive is around 3 hours one-way, and is absolutely scenic, with passing views of lush green mountains and Kyrgyz nomads leading their herds of horses, sheep and goats.

The hike is literally like a scene from a movie, and in many ways resembles landscapes from Switzerland! The hike is around 8km (up and down), but is totally worth the effort when you reach atop +2000m above sea level, to find beautiful Kol Kogur ! ('Kol' is Kyrgyz means lake!) There was not a soul around while we were there. You can just lay on the grass staring into space all day, listening to the sounds of nature! We had a little picnic lunch by the lake, organized by our lovely guides who so kindly packed food for us before we started our road trip. Note that there is no restaurant or grocery even within kilometers' radius of this quaint, little place.

OPTION 2 - We were initially supposed to hike to Kol Tor, which is much closer to Bishkek (around 80km only) than Kol Kogur. But we were told by our guides that early-June would not be the best time to visit Kol Tor. So it's best to check with your guide before you choose which lake to hike to!

Kol Kogur Lake Kyrgyzstan Hike Itinerary Travel

Day 3 - Visit the Gorgeous Canyons!

We checked out of our hotel, and set off on a long 8-hour journey (approx. 430 km) to our much-awaited destination - Altyn Arashan! Our guide drove us along the southern shore of Lake Issyk Kul , the biggest lake in Kyrgyzstan and en- route, we visited the Skazka Canyon (also called Fairytale Canyon) . Skazka is a world of its own, and the red-rock alien-like formations are a gorgeous change to the green mountains in the rest of the country.

Skazka is just one of the many canyon formations across Kyrgyzstan. There are many other popular ones such as Konorchek , which also happens to very closely resemble the Grand Canyon!

Can you spot Arjun?

After spending about two hours at Skazka, we continued our road trip, and by nightfall, finally reached Karakol - the starting base to get to Altyn Arashan! Here, we changed vehicles and hopped onto a 4WD mountain van with special tires that enable it to go on extremely rugged mountain terrains. This was, and probably will be the craziest vehicle journey we've ever experienced! No roads, extremely rocky trails, pitch darkness, with just the shadows of the mighty mountains, and terrifying sounds of the gushing rivers. We were moving farther from civilization and getting deeper into the wilderness of the Alytn Arashan Gorge ! ❤

We finally arrived at our destination, still pitch black around, and just guided by the starry night sky! We were greeted by our hosts (a local Kyrgyz woman and her two daughters) who manage the guesthouse 'Gulnara', and they showed us our way to our 'Yurt' - our humble place of stay for the next 3 nights!

Day 4 - Stay in a Yurt in Altyn Arashan

The previous day was a long journey from Bishkek, and the crazy ride from Karakol to Altyn Arashan got us all exhausted by the end of it! But waking up in our yurt the next morning to the views of Altyn Arashan was the most surreal experience we have ever had! We were transported back in time, far away from civilization - no network, bare minimum electricity, hardly any human souls. It was just Arjun and me, our guide and hosts, in the middle of acres and acres of endless green pastures dotted with beautiful animals grazing away to glory. ❤

Important Tips:

There are no regular toilets, well...it's more like a pit situated at least about 20 meters from our yurt! It would be best to carry wet wipes with you - super convenient in situations like these. :)

There are no electric lights in the yurt, so we used battery operated portable lights at night. We also had headbands with torchlights that were super useful when using the toilet at night.

There are no electricity outlets in the yurt, so you will definitely need a portable charger for your electronic devices.

Please make sure to carefully gather all your waste and dispose it at a bin in your host's house. The place is so pristine, and as responsible travelers it is so important to contribute to preserving this gem of a place.

On this day, I (Senora) actually woke up with an upset stomach and nausea because of the sudden change in altitude and pressure. Our hosts were so kind and helped me with some home medication, frequently feeding me hot tea with organic wild honey. So it was a day of rest for us but I felt so much better.... and well, I guess it was also my body's way of telling me to slow down and just soak in all the nature and beauty around!

Our makeshift toilet for four days at Altyn Arashan!

Day 5 - Hike to Lake Ala Kul

This was the most awaited day on our itinerary which turned out to be our most memorable one too! Even photographs do no justice to the magnitude and charm of this piece of heaven. ❤

To get to the base camp of Ala Kul , one needs to cross 14km of uneven terrain starting from our yurt at the Altyn Arashan gorge, and we did so with the help of horses. The entire journey was jaw-dropping, insanely stunning, and Arjun and I kept asking each other if we were living a dream. ❤ As we were going uphill, the temperature gradually dropped and views changed from green to white!

Upon reaching the base camp, we did a few warm-up exercises to gear up for what would be the most physically difficult experience of our life. The climb to the Ala Kul viewpoint is over +3900m above sea level, while the lake is tucked lower at +3530m above sea level. It all started well, when unexpectedly we were met by heavy snowfall which did not stop for hours until later. The climb alone is quite challenging with the incline being really steep, and the snow-filled terrains made it very slippery. Our guides, Elgiz and Azim, were our saviors ensuring our safety at every step along the way. We finally reached the top, but the lake was quite frozen and views were misty. But we were so thrilled to finally complete our crazy trek!

We climbed down the same route, and got to the point where our horses were waiting for us, and rode all 14km back to Altyn Arashan gorge. We were greeted by our loving hosts who served us some piping hot food next to a fireplace where we could warm ourselves. Post-dinner, we went to the nearby hot springs (which is a must-visit) after a hike like that - it is the perfect way to relax your sore muscles and just unwind.

Ala Kul Kyrgyzstan Horse Riding Hike Travel

Enchanting views on the way to Ala Kul

The views soon transitioned from green to white

Thanking our horses for guiding us safely to Ala Kul :D

Warming up before THE trek with Azim & Elgiz :D

And soon we were met by a surprise snowfall !

The best views come after the hardest climb. Misty views of frozen Ala Kul Lake from above +3900m ASL

Day 6 - Driving back and pit-stop at Lake Issyk Kul

We woke up early morning to spend our last few hours in the yurt and with our hosts at Altyn Arashan. We all had lunch together and it was the most emotional goodbye. :(

It was time to get back to Bishkek, but this time we drove along the northern shore of Issyk Kul Lake. The sceneries were so different from what we saw on our way to Karakol along the south shore. We drove past acres and acres of fields dotted by colorful flowers against the mountain backdrop. En-route, we had a pit-stop at Aurora Resort overlooking Lake Issyk Kul. This was a much needed break after our hike the previous day. The gardens and landscaping at Aurora are beautiful, but we would really not recommend it because of our poor experience with their disappointing rooms, unhygienic and poor service. :(

Day 7 - Explore North Shore of Lake Issyk Kul

The agenda for this day was to just...relax! After breakfast, we spent all morning relaxing by the waters of Issyk Kul, and explored the beautiful gardens in our resort. We checked-out later in the evening to finally head back to Bishkek. It took us about three hours by road, and the sunset views that evening were splendid!

After reaching Bishkek, we had dinner and later checked into Bugu Hotel . Yes! We came back to the same place where we started. :)

No, it's not a beach! It's the biggest lake in Kyrgyzstan - Issyk Kul!

Days 8, 9 - Back in Bishkek to explore the city!

The last two days of our trip were spent in Bishkek. We chose to take it easy and just explored around the city aimlessly by foot. Bishkek is very pedestrian-friendly and despite the summer heat, we were able to take respite in the numerous parks and shaded areas across the city. Bishkek is characterized by a number of historic and imposing Soviet concrete buildings, especially around the famous Ala Too Square . We also went to Osh Bazar , the central market area but we would recommend giving it a miss especially while traveling in a pandemic as it tends to get quite crowded.

The best part about traveling is the food. Arjun and I went restaurant-hopping in search for good vegan/vegetarian food. Our recommendations in the city would be Bublik, Avocado, and Baan Baan Thai Cafe ! You could also scroll to the 'Food' heading in this article above for specific food recommendations!

Stumbling upon old Soviet structures during our stroll in the capital city

Kyrgyzstan Guide Driver Travel Itinerary

With our guide and friend, Azim, at the airport. Happy Smiles. But very, very sad goodbyes. ❤

All in all, our trip to Kyrgyzstan will always be special. From the people we met and the scenic locations, to the insane adventures we had, this trip will always be one of our favourites. We hope this guide is useful and has answered all your questions. If there's anything more you would like to know, please drop us a comment below and we would love to help you out! ❤

The 25 most beautiful and best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan in 2024

Where to go in Kyrgyzstan? Here’s an overview of the most interesting, beautiful, and exciting places to visit in Kyrgyzstan, including famous landmarks in Kyrgyzstan and highlights, detailed info on how to get to all these places independently, and where to stay in each location.

My first visit to Kyrgyzstan in 2017 was a spontaneous trip while I was hitchhiking through Central Asia . I didn’t really know much about this destination as I hadn’t done any research. I was in for a big surprise!

I immediately fell in love with Kyrgyzstan. So much that I decided not to continue my overland journey and live here for nearly 11 months…

Kel Suu Lake - Cynthia Bil - Journal of Nomads Adventure Tour

Is Kyrgyzstan beautiful and worth visiting? Absolutely!! The country is defined by the beautiful Tien Shan mountain range which occupies 90% of the country, lush valleys and about 2000 crystal-clear alpine lakes.

Holy Lake Arslanbob Trekking Guide - The Complete Guide to Arslanbob Walnut forest Kyrgyzstan - Arslanbob Things to do

What is also special about Kyrgyzstan is that it still preserves and values centuries-old nomadic traditions .

If you love mountains and the outdoors and you’re interested in learning more about the nomadic lifestyle of Central Asia, then you’ll love traveling to Kyrgyzstan! It’s one of the few off-the-beaten-path countries where you can still get a taste of the authentic nomadic culture.

The 25 most beautiful and best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan in 2024

I return yearly to guide my Kyrgyzstan Tours and to visit new destinations in the country.

Would you love to go on an epic adventure on foot, on horseback or by 4×4 to the most beautiful places in Kyrgyzstan with a small group of adventurous travelers?

Check out my 6 Fantastic Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tours!

This post currently lists 25 places but it’s a work in progress. I’ll be adding more as I continue to explore Kyrgyzstan over the coming years. You’ll find links to my comprehensive destination guides for most of the locations mentioned in this article.

The best time to visit Kyrgyzstan and explore the places I’ve mentioned would be in late spring and summer, between the end of May and the end of September. Most of the destinations are located in the mountains, which are only accessible when the snow has cleared.

Here’s my (current) list with an overview of the most beautiful and best places in Kyrgyzstan to visit. I hope this guide will inspire you to travel to one of my favorite destinations in the world!

Tip: See my Kyrgyzstan Travel Page for a complete overview of all my travel guides and blog posts about Kyrgyzstan!

Traveling in Kyrgyzstan - Journal of Nomads

Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide: 20 things you should know before you go

Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tour - Camping at Lake Ala Kul

Disclaimer: This posts might contain affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn an affiliate commission. Thank you for helping to support this website!

Kyrgyzstan Travel Essentials

20 things you need to know before traveling to Kyrgyzstan
The 25 best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan
The top 28 things to do in Kyrgyzstan
The 14 best hikes & treks in Kyrgyzstan
The 9 best horse riding destinations in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan Budget Guide
Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tours & Kyrgyzstan Tour Planning
Visa: Required Kyrgyzstan travel documents
Getting there: Search for flights to Bishkek or Osh
Where to stay : Find a yurt camp,homestay, hotel, hostel or guesthouses
Travel Insurance: Choose the best travel insurance for Kyrgyzstan

Best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan Map

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Places to visit in Bishkek (Chuy Region)

What are the best things to do in Bishkek

Bishkek is the largest city in Kyrgyzstan and the country’s capital. It’ll very likely be the first place you visit in Kyrgyzstan as nearly all flights arrive at the international airport of Manas, only a 30-minute drive from Bishkek’s city center.

Bishkek is located at an altitude of 800 meters and borders the Central Asian Tian Shan Mountains. On a clear day, you can the spectacular peaks of the Kyrgyz Ala-Too Mountains in the city’s background.

What is special about Bishkek? Bishkek doesn’t feel like a capital city to me. It’s a busy and bustling place but whenever I walk through its streets and parks, I have the impression I’m in a big provincial town rather than a capital city.

It’s Central Asia’s greenest city, with rich biodiversity in its tree-lined streets and many parks. You also won’t see any skyscrapers here.

While Bishkek is a modern and continuously evolving cosmopolitan, it still preserves the essence of the Kyrgyz culture and Soviet architecture. There are a ton of cool brutalist architecture that offer you a glimpse of the Soviet influence during its occupation in the 20th century.

best places to see in Bishkek - Kyrgyzstan

I wouldn’t say that Bishkek is one of Kyrgyzstan’s highlights but it’s worth visiting the city for at least one full day to experience the mixture of modern and national culture.

You could go shopping at the colorful Osh Bazaar , Kyrgyzstan’s most famous market, in the morning and pop in a hipster cafe for a good cappuccino afterward. You could go on a self-made Soviet architecture tour in the afternoon and every now and then take a break and have ice cream in one of the many parks.

You can explore Bishkek’s nightlife scene in the evening in one of the many pubs, bars, and nightclubs. Or you can just relax with a cocktail and a nice meal on the outdoor terrace of one of the many restaurants in the city.

I highly recommend reading my Bishkek City Guide where you’ll find all the information from where to go and the top things to do, to where to eat and stay in Bishkek.

13 Top Things to do in Bishkek – Bishkek Travel Guide

I’d also recommend going on a guided city tour in Bishkek , to explore its highlights and history with a guide. You’ll learn so much!

How to get to Bishkek

Getting to Bishkek from other countries:

Manas International Airport is the main international airport in Kyrgyzstan, located 25 kilometers northwest of the capital Bishkek. This is where currently all international flights (with a connection in Istanbul, Dubai, or Moskow) arrive.

There will be plenty of taxi drivers greeting you upon arrival at the airport. The cost of a taxi from the airport to the city center in Bishkek is between 600 to 800 som (around €8 / $10).

You can also reach Bishkek by land if you’re coming from Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan . Read the following posts for more information:

How to get from Almaty (Kazakhstan) to Bishkek
How to get from Tashkent (Uzbekistan) to Bishkek
Getting to Bishkek from other cities in Kyrgyzstan:

As Bishkek is Kyrgyzstan’s capital city, you’ll find nearly in every big town or city a marshrutka (minibus) or a shared taxi going directly to Bishkek. They’ll overly likely drop you off at the Western Bus Station in Bishkek .

This bus station is a bit outside of the city center so I recommend installing the Yandex app to get a taxi to the city. This app works like Uber and has fixed rates so no need to waste time and energy on negotiating prices.

Where to stay in Bishkek:

Koisha Hostel : dorm or private room, great location, garden, budget friendly. Check the price availability here
Navat Hotel : private room, great location, swimming pool: Check the price and availability here
Orion Hotel Bishkek : deluxe rooms, great location, fitness and wellness center: Check the price and availability here.

2. Ala Archa National Park

Things to do around Bishkek - Ala Archa National Park - Journal of Nomads

Ala Archa National Park, located 40km south of Bishkek , is one of the few national parks in Kyrgyzstan that is easily accessible and fun to visit no matter what time of the year it is.

This National Park in the Tian Shan Mountains is the perfect introduction to the beauty of the Kyrgyz Mountains. It’s also a great place to acclimatize to hiking in high altitudes if you just arrived in the country.

There are some beautiful day hikes and multiple-day treks at Ala Archa starting at 1500 meters altitude and leading up to 2500 meters and higher.

Ala Archa National Park Kyrgyzstan- Best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan - Ala Archa Hiking

Ala Archa is a popular destination and one of the more touristic places in Kyrgyzstan, not only for travelers but also for locals.

I visited this park on more than one occasion and I was surprised to see so many locals having a picnic and spending time with their family and friends cozily nested under the trees of the park.

The accessibility of this park (it’s located only an hour drive away from the city center of Bishkek ) and the fact that it’s at the base of the beautiful Tian Shan mountains makes it the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the capital city.

If you’re planning on visiting Ala Archa, remember that this National Park is located in the mountains.

The weather will be a lot cooler than in Bishkek, especially if you’re going to hike to the waterfall (2500m) or to the Ratsek Hut (3300m) so always bring a warm sweater and foresee rain gear. The weather in the mountains is very unpredictable!

You should also wear hiking boots, even when going on the short hike to the waterfall. I’ve seen people hurting themselves on the trail to the waterfall on more than one occasion as they weren’t wearing proper footwear.

There aren’t any shops so pack some snacks and a reusable water bottle with filter, like a Lifestraw Water Filter Bottle , so you can refill your bottle with the water from the many streams and rivers.

When visiting Ala Archa in winter, you won’t be able to go on any hikes as the trails are covered in snow but it’s still beautiful to go there!!

Ala Archa National Park Bishkek Kyrgyzstan

The 8 Best Hikes and Day Trips from Bishkek

Best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan - Ala Archa National Park in Winter - Journal of Nomads

Day tours to Ala Archa

The easiest way would be to go on a day tour to Ala Archa . Nowadays, there are some really nice (and budget-friendly) day trips to the national park. Here are the ones I recommend:

How to get from Bishkek to Ala Archa by public transport

You can either take a taxi directly to the Alpager base (where the hiking trails start) or you can take a mashrutka (shared minibus) to the entrance of the national park and then hitchhike or take a taxi to cover the remaining 12 km of asphalt road to the Alpager base.

How to reach Ala Archa by mashrutka

In Bishkek, you’ll have to hop on mashrutka 265 . This shared minibus can be found at the bus stop at Moscow Street 229 ( near the entrance of Osh Bazaar ).

Keep in mind that this minibus will only leave once it’s completely full so this option won’t be the best one if you’re in a hurry to get to the park.

-> If you have an android phone, install the app Maps.me , type in ‘ mashrutka 265 ’ and the app will show you exactly on the map where to find the bus stop.-

The marshrutka will bring you for 25 som all the way to Kash- Kasuu, the nearest village to Ala Archa. You can also ask the driver if he can drop you off at the entrance gate of the National Park for an additional 50 som.

Once you’re at the entrance of the park you’ll have to pay 80 som to get in. At the entrance, you can catch a taxi that will bring you to the Alpager base for 500 som.

You could also hitchhike the remaining 12 km. If you’re there in summer, there will be a lot of cars with tourists and locals passing by and they’re likely to give you a lift for free.

How to reach Ala Archa by taxi

If you want to get to Ala Archa early, you could get a taxi from Bishkek all the way to the entrance gate of the park for 500 som.

If you want the taxi to drop you off at the Alpager base (At the beginning of the hiking trails), you’ll have to pay the entrance fee for the car (400 som) + an additional 500 som for the taxi to drive you that extra 12 km.

If you’re planning on returning the same day, you can negotiate a price with your driver so he waits for you at the parking lot. Otherwise, you’ll have to search for available taxis or try to hitchhike back.

If you’re just planning to spend the day at the park, I recommend requesting a private taxi for the day at your hostel/ hotel. This will be around €50 and covers all the costs, including the waiting time for the driver at the park.

GoBus operates a daily shuttle on Saturday and Sundays to Ala Archa for 800 som each way. The trip goes from Tommi Mall , so if you’re not staying near there it’s not entirely convenient. To get tickets, you need to use the GoBus App but unfortunately it’s not so user-friendly yet (particularly for non-Russian speakers).

WHERE TO STAY IN BISHKEK WHEN VISITING ALA ARCHA

It’s very convenient to do a quick day trip to Ala Archa and come back to the capital city in the evening if you don’t plan to camp in the park or go on a multi-day hike there .

In Bishkek, I recommend staying at Koisha Hostel or Bugu Hotel because it’s located very close to the bus stop at Osh Bazaar from where the marshrutkas to Ala Archa National Park leave.

3. Burana Tower

Burana Tower - Kyrgyzstan - historical monument - Landmark - Silk Road - Journal of Nomads

The Burana Tower is one of the most famous landmarks in Kyrgyzstan. This 25m high tower is all that remains of the ancient city of Balasagun , a once flourishing city that welcomed thousands of Silk Road caravans.

Although the tower itself might not seem very exciting to many people, if you’re interested in history, this will be a fascinating and one of the mysterious places to visit in Kyrgyzstan.

It’s crazy to imagine that this archaeological site used to be such a big city and was once considered the center of the world!

The book The Silk Roads: A New History of the World by Peter Frankopan explains it all and is a must-read if you’re a history lover!

Another remarkable sight is the collection of ancient bal-bals in the field near the Burana Tower. The bal-bals are gravestones, carved by the nomadic Turkic tribes who used to roam around Central Asia in the 6th century.

Burana Tower - Kyrgyzstan - Bal-bal Gravestones - Silk Road - Journal of Nomads

These gravestones were initially erected as a representation of slain enemies and later became memorials for the ancestors of the people who sculpted them. They are oddly proportioned, with strange heads and short torsos.

The Burana Tower and the Lost City of Balasagun

Day tours to Burana Tower

The easiest way to get to the Burana Tower is by going on a guided day tour . It’s an extra advantage if you have a guide so you can learn more about this historical place, making your visit much more interesting.

As you only need an hour to visit the historical site, most tour operators will offer a combination with another place of interest near Bishkek. Here are the best choice of day tours to Burana Tower:

How to get from Bishkek to the Burana Tower by public transportation

You can visit the Burana Tower as a day trip from Bishkek or on your way towards Lake Issy-Kul or Song Kul .

The Burana Tower is a 2-hour drive from Bishkek by public transport. For 50 som per person, you can take mashrutka#353 that goes directly from the Eastern bus station in Bishkek to the town of Tokmok .

Once you arrive with the mashrutka in Tokmok, you’ve got 3 options.

You could take a taxi to the tower and back (8km), which will cost you 300 som (around $4). Ask the driver to stay and wait while you visit the tower. You’ll probably only need 1 hour to visit the whole site (you could combine it with a trip to Issyk-Ata or Konorchek Canyons, read more below). Once the taxi drops you off in Tokmok, you can take a marshrutka back to Bishkek.

There are a few marshrutkas running between Tokmok and Burana. Ask the locals in Tokmok where you can take this minibus.

Your last option is to hitchhike. Getting a ride won’t be difficult but know from the start whether or not you have to pay for it.

It isn’t very common among the locals to give rides for free, however, some won’t ask you for money when they see you’re a foreigner (and others will try to ask you for more money than they should, read more about hitchhiking in Kyrgyzstan ).

If your driver wants you to pay for the ride, don’t give him/her more than 100 som!

You could also combine a visit to Burana Tower with a trip to another site near Bishkek.

4. Kol-Tor Lake

Things to do around Bishkek - hiking to Kel-Tor lake - photo by Stephen Lioy - Journal of Nomads

Kyrgyzstan has some of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the whole world and Kol-Tor lake is pretty high on that list. It shines in a bright turquoise shade and adopts different tones of blue throughout the day.

This lake is located at an altitude of 2700m above the village of Kegeti , around 92 km outside of Bishkek.

The two-hour moderate hike to the lake will take you across some gorgeous alpine meadows and coniferous forests. Although the trail to the lake is relatively short, I would suggest wearing good hiking boots to get there.

This lake is very popular and easily accessible from Bishkek so it can get a bit crowded during summer. It’s still possible to access the lake throughout the rest of the year and it’s lovely in winter. My friend Stephen Lioy has a great photo report of his hike there in November when the mountains surrounding the lake were already covered in snow.

Depending on whether or not you start hiking early, you could reach the lake in one day and be back in Bishkek in the evening. If you want to stay longer near the lake, you can also sleep in a mountain hut near the lake.

A Complete Guide to Trekking in Kyrgyzstan with the best and most beautiful hikes of the country - Journal of Nomads - Kol Tor Lake

Hiking tours to Kol Tor Lake

The easiest way to arrange your transportation is by going on a guided day tour to Kol Tor Lake. Here are the 2 tours I recommend:

HOW TO get to KOL-TOR LAKE FROM BISHKEK BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT

The hiking trail to Kol-Tor starts in the Kegeti Gorge. To get there by public transport, take at 9:30 am minibus 303 from the Eastern Bus Station in Bishkek towards the village of Kegeti . It takes about 2 hours to get there.

Tell the driver that you want to get out at Kegeti and get out off the bus just before crossing a riverbed into the village. From there it’s another 10 km to the end of the dirt road and the beginning of the trail. You could always hitchhike that last part.

It might be harder to get back by public transport as I read that the last minibus from Kegeti Gorge leaves at 3:30 pm. Of course, you can always hitchhike back to Bishkek.

WHERE TO STAY NEAR KOL-TOR LAKE

There are a few homestays where you could spend the night in Kegeti, the town near the hiking trail to Kol-Tor Lake:

Tazabek guesthouse
Guesthouse Temirlan

5. Chon Kemin National Park

Chon Kemin - Kyrgyzstan Travel - Kyrgyzstan Culture Tour - Journal of Nomads

The Chon Kemin National Park , located 150km east of Bishkek, covers an area of 500 hectares and is home to many species of plants and animals, including the snow leopard.

This National Park in the heart of the Chuy Valley is surrounded by three mountain ranges and has a wide variety of landscapes, from semi-deserts to lush forests, alpine lakes and stunning glaciers.

The Chon Kemin Valley offers a wide variety of activities such as hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and rafting on the Chu River. There are several trekking possibilities, from easy short walks along the Chong Kemin River to adventurous hikes over 3 000m passes.

You can visit the park all year through and you can choose to relax, go on an easy day hike or spend a few days horse riding, trekking, and rafting. You definitely won’t get bored here!

Chon Kemin Valley is part of my 9-day Overland Expedition . Click here for more information about my Kyrgyzstan Tours!

Horse riding tours to Chon Kemin

Chon Kemin is a great place for horse riding, especially if you’ve never ridden before and would like to experience it at least for one day! Here are some horse riding trips to Chon Kemin that I recommend:

How to get to Chon Kemin from Bishkek by public transport

First, you need to take a shared taxi or marshrutka from Bishkek’s Western Bus Station to Tokmok. The fare is around 100 KGS.

Once in Tokmok, you can find a shared taxi or marshrutka heading towards the Chon Kemin Valley. This leg of the trip should cost a similar amount.

The total travel time (one-way) by public transport can be up to 4 hours, due to waiting times and stops. If you only have one day and you like to do some hiking and/or horse riding, I would highly recommend going on a guided day tour to Chon Kemin!

Where to stay in Chon Kemin National Park

There are guesthouses and homestays run by local families near the Chon Kemin National Park:

KF Guesthouse Medina
Berdibektin Uiu
Guesthouse CBT Chon Kemin
Kemin Guesthouse

Are you looking for a customized guided tour in Kyrgyzstan and/or other countries in Central Asia ? Do you need help planning your itinerary ?

Have a look at my C e n t r a l A s i a tour and itinerary planning services !

Best Places to visit in Issyk Kul Region

6. issyk kul lake.

What are the best drones for travel - Lake Issyk Kul Kyrgyzstan - Journal of Nomads

Lake Issyk-Kul is the world’s second-largest alpine lake. It’s located at an elevation of 1609 meters in Northeastern Kyrgyzstan. It’s 182km long, 60km wide, and covers an area of 6236 km²!

The name Issyk-Kul means “warm lake”. It gets a lot of scientific interest as the lake never freezes because it’s so deep – its deepest point is at 668 meters – and fed by thermal springs. Don’t get fooled by the name tho, it’d still be very cold to go for a swim in winter…

The lake is bordered by two mountain ranges of the Central Tien Shan mountains. You can see the Kungei-Alatau range (meaning “facing the sun” in Turkic) in the north and the Terskei-Alatau (meaning “turned away from the sun”) in the south, and they make the scenery around the lake magnificent.

Issyk Kul Lake, best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan

There are a lot of resorts on its northern shore as it’s a popular holiday destination for local, Kazakh and Russian tourists.

The southern shore of Issyk Kul lake is, in my opinion, more interesting and beautiful to visit. It’s wilder than the northern side and has some very unique sights (which I mention below).

The region around Issyk Kul is rich in cultural heritage. You can visit petroglyph sites and ancient burial mounds on the northern shore. The villages on the southern shore offer an opportunity to experience traditional Kyrgyz hospitality and cuisine.

You can visit the village of Kyzyl-Tuu, the center of the yurt craftsmanship in Kyrgyzstan, where about 50 traditional yurt makers live and learn how to build a yurt there . You can participate in a culinary or felt-making workshop in Bokonbaevo, one of the biggest towns on Issyk Kul’s Southern Shore.

It’s also the place where you can visit the last remaining Eagle Hunters in Bakanbaevo, see a demonstration and learn all about this ancient Central Asian tradition. Some of my Kyrgyzstan Adventures Tours also include a demonstration by the eagle hunters.

Eagle Hunter Kyrgyzstan _ Journal of Nomads

The region offers opportunities for trekking, skiing in winter, and exploring off-the-beaten-path locations. The nearby canyons, gorges, and valleys (see below) provide some beautiful routes for climbers and trekkers.

Reading Tip: Top Things to do at Issyk Kul lake – a one-week itinerary

Tours to Issyk Kul Lake

We visit the southern shore of Issyk Kul lake, together with an eagle hunting demonstration and a folkloric music performance during my 10-day Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tour and 14-day Highlights of Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tour .

You can also go on the following shorter tours to Issyk Kul:

How to get from Bishkek to Issyk Kul Lake by public transport

The easiest way to get to Issyk Kul Lake from Bishkek is by marshrutka (minibus). They leave from the Western Bus Station in Bishkek.

If you want to go to the north shore of Issyk Kul, you have to take the marshrutka to Cholpon Ata . It costs 300 som per person and the journey takes about 4 hours.

If you want to travel to the southern shore of Issyk Kul, take the mashrutka heading for Karakol and get off at Bokonbayevo or any other place you’d like to visit on the southern shore, see below for more inspiration. The journey from Bishkek to Bakanbayevo takes around 5 hours and costs 400 som.

You can also take a shared taxi. A shared taxi picks up other people and baggage, meaning you may have to be stuffed in with several other people and their bags. Shared taxis are faster and usually cost slightly more than marshrutkas but they also pick up other people along the way.

A shared taxi from Bishkek to Cholpon Ata costs 500 som and you’ll pay around the same price for a shared taxi from Bishkek to Bokonbayevo.

Where to stay at Issyk Kul Lake

Here are some suggestions where to say on the southern shore of Issyk Kul Lake:

It’s one of my favorite tourist yurt camps in Kyrgyzstan and I also stay there with my groups during my adventure tours .

Bel Tam Yurt Camp is a fantastic yurt camp on the shores of the lake in Tong, not too far from Bokonbayevo (take a (shared) taxi to get there). Check the prices and availability of Bel Tam Yurt Camp.
Feel Nomad Yurt Camp is another beautiful yurt camp near Ak-Say, on the southern shores of the lake. This camp is quite remote so you’ll enjoy peace and tranquillity there!

Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tour - sunset at Issyk-Kul lake

If you want to stay in Bakanbaevo, I recommend:

Guesthouse Gulmira
Meerim Guesthouse

7. Skazka Canyon

Things to do around lake Issyk Kul - Fairytale Canyon Kyrgyzstan - Journal of Nomads

The Skazka Canyon , located between the villages of Tosor and Kaji-Say on the south shore of Issyk Kul, is one of the most spectacular canyons in Kyrgyzstan. It’s small compared to the Charyn Canyon in Kazakhstan but equally beautiful and impressive.

The Skazka Canyon is nicknamed “ Fairytale Canyon ” because of its irregular rock formations that resemble animals, fantastical characters and castles. Not only the shapes in this canyon are remarkable, but also the colors of the rocks are very unique.

You’ll find yourself in a world of red, pink, orange and yellow and it almost feels like you’re walking in a very colorful painting! The panoramic views in the canyon are spectacular, especially when you get to the higher rock formations and see lake Issyk Kul in the background.

Skazka is a small canyon and 1 to 2 hours is enough to enjoy the views.

Tours to the Skazka Canyon

A tour to the Skazka Canyon is offered in combination with a tour in the Issyk Kul Region (see above).

How to get to the Skazka Canyon

The Skazka Canyon is located on the road from Bishkek to Karakol along the southern shore of Issyk Kul and is easy to reach by public transport.

You can stop there on your way from Bishkek to Karakol (see How to get to Issyk Kul Lake in the section above).

If you’re coming from Bokonbayevo, take mashrutka #315 at the bus stop near the bazaar. It’s a 30-minute ride. Ask the driver to let you out at the Skazka Canyon. He’ll drop you off 2km from the entrance of the canyon. If you’re coming from Karakol, ask the driver to do the same.

The entrance fee to visit the canyon is 150 som. After spending some time there, catch a marshrutka to Karakol, Bokonbayevo or Bishkek from the main road before 4 pm.

Where to stay at the Skazka Canyon

There are no accommodation options at the canyon itself but you can stay either in Bokonbayevo (30 minutes), Kaji-Say (10 minutes) or Karakol (1,5 hours).

If you want to stay in Kaji-Say, I recommend Eco Summer House Garden
For Bokonbaevo, I recommend Guesthouse Gulmira and Meerim Guesthouse .
Hostels: Snow Leopard Hostel
Guesthouses: Guesthouse Altay
Hotel: Karagat Hotel

8. Barskoon Waterfall

Places to visit in Kyrgyzstan - Things to do at lake Issyk Kul - Barskoon Waterfall - Kyrgyzstan Itinerary - Journal of Nomads

The Barskoon Waterfalls are one of the most famous waterfalls in Kyrgyzstan. They’re located in the equally stunning Barskoon Valley near Issyk Kul’s South Shore. The high mountains and thick spruce forests give you the impression that you’ve suddenly arrived in Switzerland.

The Barskoon Falls, which means “snow leopard tears”, is a chain of 3 waterfalls. The first small waterfall can easily be reached by following the uphill path behind a small yurt camp. It’s a 20-minute walk and not too steep.

The second waterfall, with an impressive height of 24 meters, is another 30-minute hike and is a bit harder to reach. The steep path leading to the waterfall takes you through a spruce forest and small meadows along the edge of the gorge. Be careful walking on slippery rocks!

The third waterfall is another 45 minutes of climbing but I don’t recommend going there by yourself as you’ll have to hike through wild and rough terrain. When you reach the top, you’ll also get a spectacular view of the Barskoon Valley and Issyk Kul lake in the distance.

Best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan -Issyk Kul - Barskoon Waterfall - Kyrgyzstan Itinerary - Journal of Nomads

How to get to the Barskoon Waterfalls

When you’re coming from Bishkek, Bokonbaevo or Karakol by mashrutka or shared taxi, you’ll have to ask the driver to drop you off at Barskoon Village. From there it’s a 15km walk to the waterfalls. You can also try to hitchhike from the village to the trailhead.

If you’re staying in Bokonbaevo or Karakol, you could also ask your guesthouse or hotel to arrange a private taxi for you and combine it with a visit to the Skazka Canyon (see above) and Jeti Oguz (see below).

Where to stay in Barskoon

I recommend visiting the Barskoon Waterfalls as part of your trip to or from Karakol.

There are also a few guesthouses neaby if you want to spend the night there:

Barskoon Guesthouse
Macedon Guest House
Guest House Ugra

9. Jeti Oguz

Jeti Oguz Kyrgyzstan - Rock formation - Best places in Kyrgyzstan - Journal of Nomads

Jeti Oguz is the name of a valley but also of a stunning sandstone rock formation about 25 km southwest of Karakol.

This sandstone crag used to resemble 7 bulls and that’s where its name comes from. It was a sacred place for the original inhabitants of the area and once you see it, you’ll totally understand why.

The original formation was eroded with time and there are now 9 or 10 different reddish bluffs that overlook the valley below.

Jeti-Oguz is a very popular day trip from Karakol. People go there to see a few other rock formations apart from the seven bulls such as one called the Broken Heart which is the source of many tragic love stories.

In summer, you’ll also come across plenty of beekeepers in the area who bring their beehives to the valley filled with flowers around the protruding rocks.

1 0 – d a y I t i n e r a r y t o v i s i t K y r g y z s t a n i n w i n t e r

HOW TO GET TO JETI-OGUZ FROM KARAKOL BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

If you are going to Jeti-Oguz with public transport, you’ll have to make sure you reach Jeti-Oguz Korort , a small village beside the seven bulls and not the town of Jeti-Oguz , which is located 12km away from the stone formation.

To get to Jeti-Oguz Kurort from Karakol, first go to the Ak-Tilek Market in Karakol . From there, you’ll need to catch mashrutka 355 to Jeti-Oguz Korort. The mashrutka doesn’t have a fixed schedule and departs only a few times a week from Karakol, typically late morning and possibly mid-afternoon. It costs 100 som and takes about 45 minutes to reach Jeti-Oguz Korort from Karakol.

A much better option to reach the seven bulls rock formation would be to take a shared taxi from Karakol to Jeti-Oguz Korort. This should cost, at most, around 250 som per person. You’ll have to make it clear with the driver that you are going all the way to Jeti-Oguz Kurort and not Jeti-Oguz town.

WHERE TO STAY IN JETI OGUZ

There aren’t many guest houses or hotels in Jeti-Oguz Kurort. If you want to stay in a place that offers a fantastic view of the seven bulls, I recommend staying in Guesthouse Emir . It’s located literally just below the Seven Bulls, with a view of it out of almost every bedroom window.

The view of the rock formation is quite spectacular in the morning from this guest house. They have an amazing breakfast served every morning on location and the guest house is also located very close to shops and restaurants. If you would like to cook your own meal, the kitchen is available.

Click to check out rates and availability for “Guesthouse Emir”

10. Altyn Arashan Valley & Hot Springs

Altyn Arashan , which means ”Golden Spa” in Kyrgyz, is a lush green valley near Karakol and Lake Ala Kul. The place is famous for its pristine untouched landscapes and natural hot springs.

It’s also a very popular trekking destination and attracts hikers and mountain enthusiasts from all over the world. It’s a valley in which I have hiked many times while in Kyrgyzstan.

Walking there always feels very soothing and it seems to recharge my soul and spirit with so much energy. The valley is breathtaking and could easily be used as a picture for a postcard.

This environment is ideal for camping, horseback riding, and hiking in nature. The area is a pristine nature reserve but the main attraction of the place are its natural hot springs.

The hot springs of Altyn Arashan are probably the most famous hot springs in Kyrgyzstan. The water is generally around 45 ºC and is known to help with diseases related to the nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems.

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HOW TO HIKE AND TREK IN THE ALTYN ARASHAN VALLEY FROM AK-SUU

If you want to start the trek from Ak-Suu, you’ll have to reach this small village first by public transport or with your own car from Karakol.

The starting point of the trek to the hot springs is located south of Ak-Suu. The first part of the trek will take you along the beautiful Arashan river. You’ll be walking along pastures filled with flowers and grazing horses.

A few kilometers later you’ll start seeing the beautiful snow-capped mountain peaks that dominate the valley. At this point, the trail becomes steeper and steeper and goes through patches of pine forest before finally reaching an open area where the hot springs are located.

Along the way to the hot springs, you might come across mountain goats, horses and groundhogs.

leaving Altyn-Arashan valley - Journal of Nomads

HOW TO REACH THE ALTYN ARASHAN VALLEY FROM ALA KUL LAKE

It’s also possible to reach the valley coming north from Ala Kul lake as part of a 4-day trek . You can read how to reach this valley from the alpine lake here .

Visit Altyn Arashan by joining one of my Adventure Tours in Kyrgyzstan !

Altyn Arashan Valley - Best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan - Journal of Nomads

WHERE TO STAY IN THE ALTYN ARASHAN VALLEY

If you have your tent, you can camp almost anywhere in the valley during summer as the weather is really ideal and there are tons of gorgeous flat areas where you can pitch camp.

There are a few yurts where you can stay in the valley and a few lodges and guest houses next to the hot springs. You can’t book them online as there’s no wi-fi reception in the valley.

I recommend staying at the Guesthouse Elza . It’s a guest house where it’s possible to stay in a room or in a yurt and it has its own private hot spring.

11. Ala Kul Lake

Ala Kul lake Kyrgyzstan - Adventure Travel Tour Kyrgyzstan - Journal of Nomads

I’m at a lack of words when it comes to describing the beauty of lake Ala Kul , located at an altitude of 3500m in the Terskey Alatau mountains. It’s so beautiful that the locals often refer to it as the ‘ pristine diamond of the Karakol Canyon ’ and it’s absolutely one of the most beautiful places to visit in Kyrgyzstan!

The water of this glacier lake changes hourly from azure to violet, depending on the weather conditions and the time of the year.

This lake is only accessible by going on a long strenuous multiple-day hike . I yearly make the trek to Lake Ala Kul during my adventure tours and I would absolutely recommend anyone visiting the country to try hiking providing they are in shape.

Kyrgyzstan Tour - Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tour - Best of Kyrgyzstan - Rondreis Kirgizie - Journal of Nomads

HOW TO GET TO ALA KUL

It’s impossible to reach this lake by car or by public transport. The only way to get there is by hiking. Reaching Ala Kul can be done independently or with a guide.

To get there, you will need to reach the Ala Kul Nature Reserve first and hike from there.

From the center of Karakol, you can take marshrutka 101 to the entrance of the park. You can also take a taxi for 400 KGS that will stop between the entrance and a broken bridge farther along the trail saving at least 1 hour of walk.

Once you have reached the park, you can follow the day-by-day instructions on how to hike to the lake here .

How to hike to lake Ala Kul: a day-by-day trekking itinerary

Tip → Download the Maps.me app and get a map of the region. The app has the whole trail mapped and is really useful. People occasionally get lost along this trail so check the app to stay on the right track.

If you don’t want to hike there by yourself and you’d rather go with a mountain guide and a fun group of international travelers, you could join one of my Adventure Tours!

Another option is to go on a private hiking tour to Ala Kul, but this can get quite pricey if you’re by yourself or with a small group:

WHERE TO STAY IN ALA KUL

There are no guesthouses near the lake. There are a couple of yurt camps along the way but they are put there for the trekkers and I don’t recommend staying there. They’re not well-kept and the prices are ridiculously high!

If you have your tent, it’s possible to camp around the lake in various areas where the terrain is flat. Be aware that it’s very cold and windy up there so prepare well!

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Adventure Trekking in Kyrgyzstan July 2019 - camping at Ala Kul Lake

12. Jyrgalan Valley

Jyrgalan Valley Kyrgyzstan - best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan - Journal of Nomads

The Jyrgalan Valley is nestled between the snow-capped Tian Shan mountains east of lake Issyk Kul and it’s probably one of Kyrgyzstan’s most picturesque regions. Right in the center of this valley, there is a small village with the same name.

Jyrgalan used to be a small coal-mining town. It was thriving at first under the Soviet regime but things changed after the fall of the empire. Many families abandoned the town in search of work elsewhere. What was once a booming center quickly became a ghost town.

Luckily things have been changing a lot for this region in the last few years. There are now a few guest houses in town and new hiking trails, some horse treks, and even mountain biking routes are being developed. Jyrgalan Valley is slowly becoming the next best hiking destinations in Kyrgyzstan .

A Complete Guide to Trekking in Kyrgyzstan with the best and most beautiful hikes of the country - What you need to know before hiking in Kyrgyzstan - Journal of Nomads

When it comes to Jyrgalan valley, the question isn’t whether or not you should trek there but rather which day-hike or multi-day trek will inspire you the most. There are plenty of awesome treks to choose from and they cover a wide range of difficulty levels.

Whether you have been hiking for years or you are an absolute beginner, you’ll find something that will be appropriate for your level in this untouched environment.

They go from short half-day hikes to multiple days treks that climb almost up to 4000 meters. I cover a few of them in my hiking guide to Karakol and Jyrgalan.

Karakol Trekking - Best hikes in Karakol - Kyrgyzstan Trekking - Journal of Nomads

The 21 Best Hikes in Karakol and Jyrgalan

Hiking in Jyrgalan Valley - A Complete Guide to Trekking in Kyrgyzstan with the best and most beautiful hikes of the country - Journal of Nomads

HOW TO GET TO JYRGALAN VALLEY FROM KARAKOL BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT

To get to Jyrgalan from Karakol, you can take the number 331 marshrutka from the Big Bazaar bus station. They leave three times a day – 8:30 am, 1:30 pm and at 5:30 pm and the journey will take you around 2 hours. A ticket will cost you 90 KGS, and it’s good to know that the buses fill up quickly, so make sure to arrive early to secure a seat.

You can also take a (shared) taxi from Karakol to Jyrgalan. You’ll find taxi’s at the Big Bazaar bus station.

WHERE TO STAY IN JYRGALAN VALLEY

There are now many guest houses in Jyrgalan. Here are the ones I recommend:

Darya Hostel
Alakol-Jyrgalan Guest House
Jyrgalan Yurt Lodge

13. Sary Jaz Valley

Sary Jaz Valley Kyrgyzstan- beautiful places to visit in Kyrgyzstan

The Sary Jaz Valley , located 150km from Karakol, is a hidden beauty I’ve only discovered during my 4 th visit to Kyrgyzstan.

The valley is part of the Khan-Tengri National Park, the largest national park of Kyrgyzstan. It’s a stunning and wild place with vast landscapes as far as the eye can see.

It’s so remote that you won’t see people here, with the exception of a few sheep and yak shepherds and the guards at the checkpoints (you need a border permit to get here, more about that in How to get to Sary Jaz).

Sary Jaz Kyrgyzstan yaks remote places in Kyrgyzstan

Sary Jaz means yellow spring and you’ll understand how it’s gotten its name when you see the rolling yellow hills with breathtaking views of the snowcapped Celestial Mountains in the background. Only in the months of April and May are the hills green.

Several powerful rivers cut the valley and bring water from the mountain glaciers, the main source of freshwater in Kyrgyzstan. You’ll also see some of Kyrgyzstan’s highest mountain peaks, including the Khan Tengri Peak at 7010m and Victory Peak at 7439m.

Sary Jaz offers some great hiking possibilities but it’s also nice to just drive there along the stunning scenery and imagine you’re all alone in the world.

Sary Jaz Kyrgyzstan - Places to visit in Kyrgyzstan

How to get to the Sary Jaz Valley from Karakol

The Sary Jaz Valley is a restricted area and border zone so you need to have a border permit. You have to apply for this permit at least 14 days in advance and include a copy of your passport with your application. The costs of a border permit are between $20 and $30 per person.

I made the trip to the Sary Jaz Valley with Aydarbek from Hiking in Kyrgyzstan and he helped me with the application process.

You can only get to the Sary Jaz valley by 4×4 car. It’s a real off-road trip along windy gravel roads and steep mountain passes. If you want to drive yourself, you need to be a confident driver and know how to handle a 4×4 vehicle well.

You can also arrange a tour with a private driver and a 4×4 SUV vehicle.

The Sary Jaz Valley is a 6-hour drive from Karakol. You’ll be driving next to the border of Kazakhstan, close to Jyrgalan. There you’ll have the first military checkpoint where you need to show your passport and border permit. The road then continues through the lush Turuk Gorge across the Turuk Pass (3481m) into the Sary Jaz Valley.

It’s also possible to take a different road through the Turgen Valley and across the beautiful Chong Ashu Pass (3800m). While you skip the bordering road with Kazakhstan, there is another military checkpoint on this road.

You can do this road trip as a day trip from Karakol. However, it’s a very long road and a lot of effort to just go there for one day.

My recommendation would be to combine it with a visit to the old USSR mine town Engilchek (see below) and make it into a 2- or 3-day trip.

Where to stay at the Sary Jaz Valley

Aside from some nomadic settlements, there’s absolutely nothing in the Sary Jaz Valley. Your only option is to camp here.

I loved the camping experience, the feeling of being completely alone in this wonderful part of the world and, the silence and the closeness to nature.

14. Engilchek Ghost Town and Hot Springs

I wouldn’t call Engilchek beautiful but it’s definitely one of the most fascinating places to visit in Kyrgyzstan!

The town of Engilchek (Inylchek) was once a prosperous mining town during the Soviet Union. It’s located in the isolated Engilchek Valley near the border with China.

Many young people came to work here in the early 1980s when the mining industry in the region was developing. A whole town including a school and a hospital got built to house the employees of the mine and entire families moved to Engilchek in the hope of building a good life and future here.

There were around 5000 people living here when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. The mining was stopped, people lost their jobs and were forced to move to search for work elsewhere. Engilchek became a ghost town.

Engilchek Ghost Town USSR Kyrgyzstan interesting places to visit Kyrgyzstan

There are nowadays about 100 people living in Engilchek, many of them working with livestock in the mountains. I’ve been told that a Chinese company reopened the mines and is slowly providing new working opportunities.

I’ll be honest, I really wouldn’t want to live between these deteriorated buildings. It was very interesting to spend a day and an evening there, to experience how it must be to live in such a remote and abandoned place and to witness the daily life of the few people living there.

If you decide to visit Engilchek, don’t skip the Kara Tash hot springs. They’re wedged between the Sary Jaz River and a cliff, about 15 minutes driving from Engilchek town towards At Jailoo.

These hot springs consist of two open-air pools. One is so hot that you could boil an egg in there, but you can bathe in the other one and enjoy the surrounding views.

Engilchek Kyrgyzstan Hot Springs - Best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan

Remember that the Kara Tash hot springs aren’t always accessible – usually halfway spring – when the river level becomes so high that it covers the springs.

Engilchek hot springs Best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan

This region is also home to the Engilchek Glacier, one of the longest and largest glaciers of the Tian Shan Mountains. The Engilchek glacier is only accessible on foot. The trek starts at the At Jailoo base camp and it takes 2 to 3 days and 8 hours walking a day before reaching the glacier.

Don’t undertake this trek by yourself as the terrain is rough and dangerous! If you have $750 per person to spare, you can also go on a helicopter excursion to the glacier.

How to get to Engilchek Ghost Town

The Engilchek Valley lies right next to the Sary Jaz Valley and borders China so you’ll need a border permit to get there. Apply for this permit at least 14 days in advance and include a copy of your passport with your application. The costs of a border permit are between $20 and $30 per person.

I combined my visit to Engilchek with the trip to Sary Jaz, organized by Hiking in Kyrgyzstan , who also took care of arranging my permit.

Engilchek can’t be reached by public transport. You can only get there with your own vehicle or by renting a 4×4 car (with an optional driver). You’ll be driving on one of the highest roads in the country surrounded by spectacular sceneries and via the Chong Ashu Pass (3800m).

The accessibility to the village is limited during the winter due to large amounts of snow blocking the road and mountain passes.

Where to stay in Engilchek

I’d highly recommend spending one night in the only homestay in Engilchek as it will give you an insight into the daily life of the few families living there.

Nellie, who’s an English teacher at the school in Engilchek, is always happy to host visitors at her home. She’ll treat you to delicious homemade meals and will very likely invite you to visit the school with her and show you around.

You can’t book your stay in advance as there’s no cellphone or wi-fi reception. Just ask for Nellie when you arrive in Engilchek and people will show you the way.

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15. song kol lake.

Song Kol lake is definitely one of the most beautiful places to visit in Kyrgyzstan! I was charmed from the first moment I set foot on its shores! It’s not an easy place to access but any traveler worth his salt knows that the more challenging it is to reach a destination, the more rewarding it will be. This is exactly the case with Song Kol.

Adventure Trekking in Kyrgyzstan July 2019 - horseback trek in Kyrgyzstan - Song Kol lake

I visited it for the first time while marking hiking trails with Discover Kyrgyzstan . I was left breathless by the vastness of the mountains surrounding it and by how pristine and untouched the area around the lake was!

Song Kol is the second largest lake of Kyrgyzstan and lies at an altitude of 3000m (9895 feet). The area around the lake is largely unspoiled, offering a chance to experience raw, unfiltered nature. The clear blue waters of the lake contrast beautifully with the rolling hills and snow-capped peaks.

Nomadic herders have used these meadows as pastureland for their flocks for hundreds of years and today there are still a lot of semi-nomadic shepherds who settle here for the summer and live in their yurts while tending to their herds.

Son Kul lake - Kyrgyzstan Tours - Journal of Nomads

The area offers numerous trails for hiking and horseback riding , allowing adventurers to explore the surrounding mountains and valleys. Kyrgyzstan is a country known for its horse culture and going on a horseback trek to this pristine lake almost feels like the epitome of everything Kyrgyzstan has to offer.

How to organize a horse trip to Son Kul Lake

Song Kul is less crowded than many other tourist destinations which makes it an ideal spot for those seeking tranquility and connecting with nature.

HOW TO GET TO SONG KOL LAKE BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT

A great option is to take a marshrutka from Bishkek to Kochkor and then hitchhike or take a taxi from there to Kyzart. You can get to Kyzart by shared local taxi for 250 – 300 KGS (around €3). If you want to go by private taxi, you will pay at least 2000 KGS (€20).

Kochkor is one of the biggest towns near Song Kol and it’s easily reached from Bishkek. You can get a shared taxi or a marshrutka to this town from the western bus station in Bishkek .

A marshrutka ticket from Bishkek to Kochkor costs around 400 som and the journey to get there from the capital should take less than 3 hours.

Once in Kyzart, you can hike to the lake of Song-Kol over the course of two days.

Hiking to Song Kul Lake – 2 Trekking Itineraries

HOW TO REACH SONG KuL LAKE WITH A LOCAL GUIDE

Song Kul is quite a remote lake and definitely not the easiest one to access. There are many tour companies offering a multi-day trip to Song Kul lake.

If you’d like to visit Son Kul lake by horse in combination with other fantastic destinations and with a small group of like-minded travelers, check out my Adventure Tours in Kyrgyzstan !

WHERE TO STAY AROUND SONG KOL LAKE

There are nowadays many yurt camps spread around the lake, operated by different travel organizers and families. You can arrange your stay in these yurt camps ahead of time or directly with the yurt owners upon arriving there. A night at a yurt camp in Song Kul, including breakfast and dinner, cost around 2500 KGS. Prices can vary.

Yurt Camp Azamat
Yurt Camp Ali-Nur

Son Kul Northern Yurt Camp

Remember that these yurt camps are only there from the end of May/ beginning of June until mid-September!

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16. Kel Suu Lake

Although this fantastic canyon lake is hard to get to, it’s one of Kyrgyzstan’s beautiful points of interest! Kel Suu was formed in the 1980s when part of the mountains around it collapsed and created a massive natural reservoir. It’s surrounded by cliffs so tall that it defies the imagination.

There are numerous caves and alcoves in the rocky crags around Kel Suu that you can explore on foot and there’s a small island in the center of the lake that you can reach by boat.

There are plenty of fun activities to do in the vicinity of the lake. The whole area can be explored on foot, on horseback, or by boat.

If you want to explore the farthest parts of the lake, you can rent a boat from the locals. If you like horseback riding, you can always rent a horse from the local shepherds. You could also go for a swim, however, the water is freezing (around 5ºC)!

This natural gem is considered to be one of the most beautiful and spectacular mountain lakes in the Kyrgyz Republic and it’s also one of the highest lakes in the world.

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The 8 most beautiful lakes in Kyrgyzstan

Kel Suu is located in a valley called Kok-Kiya at an elevation of about 3,520 meters altitude and not too far from the Chinese border. You’ll need a border permit to get here.

You can occasionally see eagles flying over the mountains and herds of wild yaks grazing in the distance. This is a place that would fit very well the description of untouched nature.

Since this lake is not completely closed off, its water level tends to vary considerably throughout the year. When I went there with a group of travelers during one of my Overland Expedition Tours in 2018, Kel-Suu was empty but it was still beautiful and special to walk in the dry lake bed.

Trekking to Kel Suu Lake - A Complete Guide to Trekking in Kyrgyzstan with the best and most beautiful hikes of the country - Journal of Nomads

Reaching this lake requires a border permit that you can get by contacting the local CBT office in Naryn. The lake is also so remote that you will need a 4×4 vehicle to get there.

Kel Suu Lake Kyrgyzstan - The Complete Travel Guide how to visit Kel Suu Lake in Kyrgyzstan

Travel Guide to Kel Suu Lake and the Kok Kiya Valley

HOW TO GET TO KEL-SUU LAKE

This lake is very remote. The only road to get there is very rough and bumpy and there are many river crossings where there is no bridge. Even with a 4×4 car, the water level in these rivers might be higher than the floorboards. Rental car companies won’t let you go there with a rented car.

There are also no marshrutkas or taxis that go there either so I would advise contacting a local tour company to arrange transportation to this lake.

You can also join my Kyrgyzstan Overlanding Tour or Highlights of Kyrgyzstan Adventure as Kel Suu is one of the destination on the tour itinerary.

Best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan - How to get to kel Suu lake

WHERE TO STAY NEAR KEL-SUU LAKE

There is plenty of space for wild camping in the valley near Kel-Suu lake.

There are also a few yurt camps around Kel-Suu. You can arrange your stay there upon your arrival at the Kok Kiya Valley.

Kyrgyzstan Travel Tour - Overland Trip to Kel Suu Lake - Yurt camp Kyrgyzstan

17. Tash Rabat

Tash Rabat was a very important place during the period when the Silk Road was used actively by Asian traders and merchants. It’s a place known as a Caravanserai, a roadside inn where the merchants could stop and rest for a few days.

On top of being the perfect place to rest for travelers, it was also a place where the various animals transporting the wagons along the silk road could be well fed and taken care of.

Caravanserais were scattered all along the silk road and were providing shelter in isolated regions from the hostile environment and from bandits.

What is so interesting about Tash Rabat is the unusual architecture of the place which leads many researchers to believe it was originally a Buddhist monastery before being used as a caravanserai.

This unusual building really stands out against the green mountains that surround it. It gives the place very peaceful and calm energy.

The whole area is very quiet and the silence is only occasionally broken by herds of horses running down from the hills.

Travelers coming here can spend a few days relaxing in the yurt camps nearby and go for a few hikes in the quiet mountains around the caravanserai.

If you are more adventurous, I would recommend renting a horse from one of the camps to go explore the valley more in-depth and spend some time on the trails that used to be part of the silk road.

You can rent a horse for about 3 USD an hour at the yurt camps and go ride by yourself or you can go on a longer guided tour to some of the more remote peaks of the region.

The Complete Guide to Tash Rabat Caravanseria Kyrgyzstan - Journal of Nomads

How to visit mysterious Tash Rabat Caravanserai – The Complete Travel Guide

HOW TO GET TO TASH RABAT BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT

There are marshrutkas and shared taxis going directly from the bus station in Naryn city to Tash Rabat.

The distance between Naryn and Tash Rabat is 117 km and getting there by shared taxi should cost around 3000som.

You could also visit Tash Rabat by joining one of my Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tours !

Things to do in Tash Rabat - Tash Rabat hikes - Hiking to Tash Rabat Panda Pass Chatyr Kul Viewpoint - Horse Riding Tash Rabat- The Complete Guide to Tash Rabat Kyrgyzstan - Journal of Nomads

WHERE TO STAY NEAR TASH RABAT

Tash Rabat is the ideal place to pitch your tent if you enjoy camping. There are a lot of flat areas in the valley near this archaeological site and you should be able to camp there without being bothered.

If you would prefer to have a typical Kyrgyz experience, you can sleep in a yurt in one of the various yurt camps that you will encounter near the caravanserai.

They charge around 2000 som per person, dinner and breakfast included in this price. You can arrange your stay in the yurts by walking directly to the camps and talking with the owners.

Beautiful Places to visit in the Jalal-Abad Region

18. too ashuu mountain pass.

Ala Bel Mountain Pass - best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan - Journal of Nomads

The Too Ashuu mountain pass (3594 m) is on the mountainous road connecting Bishkek to Osh. It’s one of the most beautiful mountain passes in Kyrgyzstan and it’s easily accessed by car.

It’s located above two gorgeous valleys and the whole panorama there is truly a feast for the eyes. From one side of the pass, you can admire Chichkan Valley and from the other side, you can see the Susamir Valley.

This place also looks incredibly in winter. The whole area becomes buried under big layers of snow and looks like a vast white desert. The road can be a bit dangerous if you drive there when there is a lot of snow so drive with caution.

In spring, the alpine meadows that are visible from the pass are blooming with more flowers than the mind can imagine and it’s likely you’ll see shepherds moving their animals across the pass in fall.

Ala Bell Mountain Pass in winter - best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan - Journal of Nomads

HOW TO REACH THE Too Ashuu MOUNTAIN PASS FROM BISHKEK BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

You can get to the Too Ashuu pass by public transport from Bishkek by (shared) taxi and marshrutka. You can take a shared taxi or hop on a marshrutka in Bishkek at the Western bus station or at the bus stand south of the Osh Bazaar.

You will need to take a shared taxi or a marshrutka going in the direction of Osh or Jalal-Abad to reach the Too Ashuu pass.

WHERE TO STAY NEAR THE Too Ashuu PASS

Since Too Ashuu is a very high mountain pass, staying there is practically impossible. There aren’t any hotels or hostels and camping there could be hard because there isn’t much flat ground in the surroundings.

What I would recommend is to continue your journey from the Too Ashuu pass towards the south until you reach Toktogul (see the next place to visit in Kyrgyzstan below).

19. Toktogul Reservoir

Places to visit in Kyrgyzstan - Lake Toktogul in Kyrgyzstan - Hitchhiking in Kyrgyzstan - Journal of Nomads

Toktogul Reservoir is the largest water reservoir in Kyrgyzstan and in the whole of Central Asia. It covers 284 km² and has an average depth of about 215 m.

Toktogul is also home to Kyrgyzstan’s biggest hydro-electric station. The reservoir is sourced from the Naryn River, whose waters flow from the northern part of the Jalal-Abad region. The deep turquoise color of the water is a stunning contrast to the red hills surrounding the reservoir.

You can go for a quick stop at the reservoir or spend more time hiking up to the Toktogul Kyzyl-Too Panoramic view (around 6km) and camp at the reservoir. You’re even allowed to swim in certain permitted locations in the reservoir (the water is around 28 ° C in summer!).

HOw to get to Tokotogul Reservoir

Toktogul Reservoir lies on the main road between Bishkek and Osh. You can get there by marshrutka or shared taxi, coming from either direction and ask the driver to let you out at the reservoir.

Where to stay at Toktogul reservoir

If you have a tent, you can easily (wild) camp on the shores of the reservoir. There are also a few guesthouses in Toktogul town.

The one I recommend is the RAHAT Hostel in Toktogul . This place is owned and operated by a sweet elderly couple who will do their utmost best to ensure you have a comfortable stay.

The location of this hostel is very good. It’s located right on the main street, three minutes from the bus station and five minutes from the bazaar.

Click to check out rates and availability for “RAHAT Hostel in Toktogul”

20. Sary Chelek Lake and National Reserve

Sary Chelek Lake Kyrgyzstan - Sary Chelek Travel Guide - Journal of Nomads

Sary Chelek is located in the Jalal-Abad region in the west of Kyrgyzstan, tucked into the Western Tien Shan Mountains at the foot of the Chatkal Mountain Range.

This alpine lake is the highlight of a larger area called Sary Chelek Nature Reserve which has been declared as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978.

The reserve has seven alpine lakes with Sary Chelek Lake being the largest one. Located at an altitude of 1887 meters and created by a landslide, the lake covers almost 500 hectares. The depth varies across the lake, with its deepest point at 245 meters.

Beautiful places to visit in Kyrgyzstan - Visit Sary Chelek Lake Kyrgyzstan - Sary Chelek Travel Guide - Journal of Nomads

The other six lakes in the area are smaller but nonetheless beautiful! There’s a hiking trail in the park that allows you to visit almost all the lakes in one day.

The dense forest with its wild fruit and walnut trees and the valleys surrounding the lakes are a habitat for thousands of plant species, hundreds of birds, and around 40 species of mammals, such as bears and lynx.

I think Sary Chelek is a must-see destination as it’s absolutely one of the most beautiful places to visit, especially if you’re a nature and outdoor lover!

Best Travel Drones - Places to visit in Kyrgyzstan - Sary Chelek Lake Kyrgyzstan - Sary Chelek Travel Guide - Journal of Nomads

How to get to Sary Chelek Nature reserve and things to do at Sary Chelek

How to get to Sary Chelek Lake

The entrance gate to Sary Chelek Nature Reserve is located in the village of Arkit. Getting there by public transport from Osh or Jalal-Abad is the easiest but it’s also possible to travel to Arkit from Bishkek.

Read here in detail on how to get to Sary Chelek Nature Reserve and Arkit .

You can also visit Sary Chelek during the 10-day Feel Like a Nomad Horse Riding Adventure !

Where to Stay in Sary chelek

You can stay in one of the many guesthouses and homestays in Arkit village . They also offer meals at an additional price as there are no restaurants in the village.

The prices vary between €10 and €35 per person per night. Breakfast is usually included. If you want to have lunch or dinner, count on an extra €5 per person per meal.

There are no guesthouses or homestays in the nature reserve. The only way to spend a night near the lake(s) is by camping.

Camping Sary Chelek Nature Reserve - Sary Chelek Lake Kyrgyzstan - Sary Chelek Travel Guide - Journal of Nomads

21. Arslanbob

Arslanbob Valley - The Complete Guide to Arslanbob Walnut forest Kyrgyzstan - Arslanbob Things to do

Arslanbob is a village tucked in the eponymous valley in the Chatkal mountain range in the south of Kyrgyzstan .

It’s a destination that is popular for its hikes, horseback riding, and skiing but more than anything else, it’s famous for having the world’s largest walnut forest (nowadays around 11,000 hectares) right at its doorstep.

The Arslanbob walnut forest is estimated to be 50 million years old and is also home to 130 varieties of other nut and fruit trees. Some of the trees are more than 1000 years old!

There are about 16000 people living in Arslanbob and the main population is mainly ethnic Uzbek. They speak a local Uzbek dialect and still wear their traditional clothing. This is one of the things that makes Arslanbob special and different from other places in Kyrgyzstan.

Families in Arslanbob spend fall harvesting nuts in this forest and it’s very interesting to be there and take part in the whole process. They will be more than happy to welcome you and show you how the walnut harvest is done if you offer a helping hand.

The ancient walnut forest isn’t the only reason why you should visit Arslanbob. There’s a variety of things to do and you don’t have to go far to visit the waterfalls, walk to the panoramic viewpoint, have a picnic in the forest or enjoy the village life and the picturesque mountainous views.

For those seeking more action and adventure, there are a number of outdoor activities, such a multiple-day hikes, horse treks, and options to go rock climbing and mountain biking.

12 Wonderful Things to do in Arslanbob Walnut Forest

HOW TO GET TO ARSLANBOB FROM OSH BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

There’s a marshrutka (minibus) that goes directly from Osh to Arslanbob village. This marshrutka leaves daily around 1.30 pm at the new bus station in Osh , located on the corner of Lenin and Kasymbekova street.

The mashrutka from Osh to Arslanbob costs 200 som per person and the journey takes around 4 to 5 hours, including the 30-minute stop at Bazar Korgon.

WHERE TO STAY IN ARSLANBOB

There are a number of CBT guesthouses in Arslanbob Village that offer food and accommodation. You can book some online in advance or you can go to the CBT office to help you arrange your stay.

Most guesthouses are equipped with warm showers and (outdoor) toilets and have beautiful courtyards filled with fruits and flower gardens.

The average cost is around €15 to €20 per person per night, including breakfast. Your host will also provide dinner at an additional cost of 500 som. Note: these prices are subject to change .

Best Places to visit in Osh Region

Sunset in Osh Kyrgyzstan - Osh, Places to visit in Kyrygzstan - Journal of Nomads

Osh , located in the Ferghana Valley in the south of Kyrgyzstan, is the country’s second-largest city. It’s a great transit point to explore the south of the country and it’s also the gateway to the Pamir Highway and the Ferghana Valley, both leading to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan .

That’s why Osh is very often seen as the cultural capital of Kyrgyzstan as it’s a melting pot of Kyrgyz, Tajik and Uzbek cultures. It’s also one of the best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan to try several regional dishes that reflect the multicultural nature of the city.

Osh - Best places in Kyrgyzstan - Journal of Nomads

Osh was also the first and therefore the oldest city of the country with a history of over 3000 years as the fertile soil of the Ferghana Valley attracted the nomadic people to settle down. From the 8th century, it developed into an important center of silk production.

The Suleiman Too mountain is the heart of the city. This sacred mountain has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and houses several mosques, a museum, and sacred caves, some of which women visit to increase their fertility.

Panoramic view Osh Kyrgyzstan City Guide - Things to do in Osh Kyrgyzstan - Journal of Nomads

1 4 Top Things to do in Osh – Osh City Guide

28 top things to do in Kyrgyzstan - Journal of Nomads - Sulaiman-Too Mountain Osh

Osh is definitely worth visiting for a couple of days and I’d highly suggest taking a guided tour around the city as there’s so much history and places to be explored.

I highly recommend Atabek from Best of Osh as your guide. He speaks fluent English, is very knowledgeable and is highly passionate to show people the incredible features of his hometown. You can book a tour with him here:

HOW TO GET TO OSH

By public transport

Most towns and cities have marshrutkas or (shared) taxi’s going directly to Osh. The road between Bishkek and Osh is a long one (10 to 12 hours!) but it takes you through some of the most beautiful mountain passes in the country.

Since the road between the two cities is really winding and quite narrow in certain areas, it’s inappropriate for large vehicles, even for marshrutkas. The only way to get there by local transport is by shared taxi. A shared taxi between the two cities costs around 2500 per person.

Taking a domestic flight from Bishkek to Osh

With really cheap flights between the two cities, the easiest and fastest way to travel to Osh is to fly directly from Bishkek.

There are many flights linking the two cities throughout the day and travel time is very short. It takes about 45 minutes to reach the southern city from Bishkek by plane so it’s a great option if you’re on a tight schedule. A one-way flight costs around €50.

The airport in Osh is not very far from the city center and you can reach the city center by taxi for about 250 som.

WHERE TO STAY IN OSH

Osh is the second biggest city in Kyrgyzstan and the number of high-quality guest houses and hotels operating there is increasing every year.

This destination offers a good quantity of budget hostels for backpackers who want to save money to explore during the day and swap stories with fellow backpackers in the shared kitchen or bar in the evening.

If you are looking for more comfort and a place to wind down after the long journey there, the city also offers some fancy but affordable hotels .

These are the hostels, guesthouses, and hotels I recommend in Osh:

Lovely Home For You : dorm or private room, great location, beautiful garden, budget friendly
Ethno Boutique Hotel : beautiful private rooms with mountain views
Rayan Hotel : deluxe rooms, great location, wellness center

23. the Alay Mountains

Ak Tor Pass Trek - Alay Mountains Hikes - Hiking in Kyrgyzstan - Trekking Guide - Journal of Nomads

The Alay Mountains, also referred to as the Alay Valley, are a stunning sub-range of the Pamir-Alay Mountain system in the southwest of Kyrgyzstan.

They are known for being some of Central Asia’s most beautiful and dramatic mountains with their green and alpine landscapes.

The Alay region has small traditional villages with many nomadic shepherds living in yurt camps during summer. It’s a great place to learn more about local life, gain insight into the nomadic culture, and, of course, go on hikes to enjoy the wild and fabulous nature.

Horseback trek Kyrgyzstan - Hiking in Kyrgyzstan - Alay Mountains - Kyrgyzstan Trekking Tours - Journal of Nomads

There are many hiking trails in the Alay Mountains – from day hikes to multiple-day treks – along luxuriant valleys and pastures filled with grazing horses, yaks, sheep, and cows, crystal-clear alpine lakes, and rugged mountain passes with panoramic views over snow-capped peaks and glaciers.

Sary Mogul Pass - Best of Alay Mountains Trek - Alay Mountains - Kyrgyzstan Trekking Tours - Journal of Nomads

Some of the hiking trails are just one hour away from Osh in the Kichik Alay , which means lower Alay Mountains.

The higher Alay Mountains in the southern part of the Alay mountain range have passes above 4000 meters altitude. The trailheads of the hikes in the higher Alay are close to Sary Mogul Village (about 4 hours driving from Osh).

There are just so many beautiful places to visit within the Alay Mountain region that it’s hard to point out just a couple.

Join the 12-day Best of Alay Trekking Adventure in Kyrgyzstan!

Alay Mountains Hikes - Hiking in Kyrgyzstan - Trekking Guide - Journal of Nomads

If you’re a physically fit person, then I highly recommend doing the Best of Alay Trek as this 12-day trek takes you to all the highlights of the higher Alay Mountains.

I’ve written a very comprehensive guide of all the most beautiful destinations and hikes within the Alay Mountains and how to reach them.

7 Best Hikes in the Alay Mountains

24. Tulpar Kol Lake

Places to visit in Kyrgyzstan - Kyrgyzstan beautiful places - Tulpar Kul Lake - Lenin Peak Basecamp - Alay Mountains - Kyrgyzstan Trekking Tours - Journal of Nomads

Tulpar Kol is one of the several small alpine lakes in the Alay Valley in the south of Kyrgyzstan. This alpine lake lies at an altitude of 3500m. On clear days, the view of Lenin Peak, one of the highest mountains in Central Asia, is reflected on the surface of the lake.

Tulpar Kol is the largest of a string of 42 lakes. The surrounding landscapes are very colorful! The hills around these lakes consist of red soil, then you have the green grass growing around and the white snowcapped peaks of the Trans-Alay mountain range in the background.

I stayed a couple of nights in a yurt camp on the shores of this lake during my trek towards Lenin Peak Basecamp and Travellers Pass (see next best place to visit in Kyrgyzstan below).

It was such a good base for hiking in the area or just relaxing and enjoying the incredible beauty and peace of the place!

This destination is also part of my 12-day Kyrgyzstan Trekking Adventure !

How to get to Tulpar Kol lake

There’s no public transport going directly from Osh to Tulpar Kol Lake. You’ll first have to get to Sary Mogul Village.

Sary Mogul Village - Alay Mountains - Kyrgyzstan Trekking Tours - Journal of Nomads

You can get from Osh to Sary Mogul by (shared) taxi or marshrutka.

There’s one daily marshrutka that goes from Osh to Daraut-Korgon via Sary Mogul. It usually leaves around 2 pm from the Old Bus Station, which is located in the city center at the head of Osh Bazaar near Aravanskaya.

You can also take a shared taxi to Sary Mogul at the New Bus Station. These also don’t leave until the car is full, but several shared taxis run throughout the day. It costs 500 som, and the journey takes around 4-5 hours.

Tulpar Kul is a 25km drive from Sary Mogul Village. You can take a taxi or try and hitch a ride there.

You can also book a direct transfer from Osh to Tulpar Kol (5 hours) with CBT Osh , which would be around 6500 som per car.

Remember that you need a Border Zone Permit to visit Tulpar Kol Lake (the same one as for Lenin Peak Basecamp) as it’s close to the border with Tajikistan . It takes 10 to 20 days to issue the permit, so you need to apply and pay in advance. CBT Osh can help you obtain this permit.

Where to stay at Tulpar Kol Lake

There are just a couple of yurt camps on the shores of Lake Tulpar Kol. I stayed at the family-owned Pamir Nomad Yurt Camp .

25. Peak Lenin Basecamp & Traveller’s Pass

Best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan - Lenin Peak Basecamp - Travelers Pass - Alay Mountains - Kyrgyzstan Trekking Tours - Journal of Nomads

Peak Lenin is one of the highest mountains in Central Asia. This 7134 meters tall mountain, straddling the border of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in the Pamir-Alay mountains, is on a clear day almost always visible from a distance.

When you go on the day hike to Traveller’s Pass, you’ll get a fantastic close view of Lenin Peak and its surrounding glaciers from this 4150m high ridge.

Lenin Peak - Peak Lenin Basecamp - travelers pass - Alay Mountains Hikes - Hiking in Kyrgyzstan - Trekking Guide - Journal of Nomads

The trail to Traveller’s Pass starts right behind the yurt camp on the southern shore of Tulpar Kul. You’ll also pass Peak Lenin Basecamp along the way.

Lenin Peak Basecamp - Lenin Peak - Alai Mountains - Alay Mountains - Kyrgyzstan Trekking Tours - Journal of Nomads

You might meet some mountaineers who are preparing for the climb to Lenin Peak. It’s quite a popular climb as it’s known to be the “easiest” 7000-meter summit in the world.

However, many people underestimate this climb. It’s not something you do in a day. Climbing Peak Lenin is a 3-week expedition and it’s a dangerous one!

Once you’ve reached the top of the ridge of Traveller’s Pass and see the magnificent view of glaciers tumbling off the majestic Lenin Peak, I guarantee that you won’t stop smiling for a while!

GETTING A BORDER PERMIT TO VISIT PEAK LENIN

Since Peak Lenin is located on the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, getting there requires a border permit. There are a few military checks on the road to the base camp of the mountain and you will be required to show your permit to proceed.

It can take anywhere between 10 days to 3 weeks to get the permit and you can do so by contacting CBT Osh .

It is better to get the border permit through the CBT office instead of through a travel agency because most travel agencies will tell you that you have to organize an official tour there with them to get the permit which is absolutely not the case.

HOW TO GET TO Peak Lenin Basecamp and traveller’s Pass

Peak Lenin Basecamp and Traveller’s Pass can only be reached on foot or on horse.

The trail starts right behind the yurt camp on the southern shore of Tulpar Kol. Read the full description of this hike here .

WHERE TO STAY NEAR PEAK LENIN Basecamp

You can camp anywhere you like along the trail or you could stay in one of the yurt camps near Tulpar Kol Lake and go on a day hike to Lenin Peak Basecamp and Traveller’s Pass.

Join one of my Kyrgyzstan Trekking Adventures to visit these places!

I hope this guide has inspired you to visit Kyrgyzstan and helped you plan your trip! Please let me know in the comments below if you have any questions left!

Plan your trip to Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan Money Guide: Costs of Living and traveling in Kyrgyzstan in 2024

Traveling in Central Asia Packing List - what to wear in Central Asia - Kyrgyzstan - The Complete Travel Guide how to visit Kel Suu Lake in Kyrgyzstan

Best Tips and complete Packing List for Traveling in Central Asia in 2024 – When to go and what to wear when visiting Central Asia

Kol Ukok - Son Kul - Chelpek Lakes - Zhashyl Kul - Ydryk Lakes - Horse Riding in Kyrgyzstan - Best destinations horseback trek Kyrgyzstan - Horse riding Song Kul Naryn

Kyrgyzstan Horseback riding: Everything you need to know about horse riding in Kyrgyzstan+ the 9 best horse Riding destinations

Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide - Backpacking in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide: 20 Useful Things you should know to visit Kyrgyzstan in 2024

Culturele Rondreis Kirgizie - People of Kyrgyzstan - Folkloric clothes - traditional clothes - Alay Mountains - Journal of Nomads

The 28 Best Things to Do in Kyrgyzstan – culture, nature, history, and sights

Is it safe to travel in Kyrgyzstan? - Kyrgyzstan travel safety tips - is it safe to travel to kyrgyzstan in 2019? - Journal of nomads

Is Kyrgyzstan safe? 15 Useful Things to Know before you go in 2024

More kyrgyzstan travel resources.

The Complete Travel Guide to Kyrgyzstan
The 14 best hikes in Kyrgyzstan
The 25 most beautiful places in Kyrgyzstan
8 beautiful lakes in Kyrgyzstan
15 useful safety tips for Kyrgyzstan
The complete packing list for Kyrgyzstan
28 Things to do in Kyrgyzstan
13 Top Things to do in Bishkek – City Guide
How to visit the Osh Bazaar in Bishkek
14 Top Things to do in Osh – City Guide
15 Best Things to do in Karakol – City Guide
The 21 best hikes in Karakol and Jyrgalan
Tash Rabat Travel Guide
The complete travel guide to Kel Suu Lake
The complete travel guide to Arslanbob
How to visit Sary Chelek Lake and Nature Reserve
Top things to do around Issyk Kul Lake, a one week itinerary
Facts and legends of the Burana Tower
Everything you need to know about horse riding to Song Kul lake
A comprehensive guide to skiing in Kyrgyzstan
6 reasons why you should visit Kyrgyzstan in winter
Visit Kyrgyzstan in winter by using this 10-day Kyrgyzstan winter itinerary
Here are the 7 best hikes in the Alay Mountains near Osh
Use this day-by-day itinerary to hike independently to Ala Kul lake
Hike independently to Son Kul lake by using these 2 itineraries
8 great day trips and hikes near Bishkek
Ready steady goat! An insight into Kok Boru, Kyrgyzstan’s unusual national sport
Meet the Golden Eagle Hunters of Kyrgyzstan

12 thoughts on “The 25 most beautiful and best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan in 2024”

Lovely….

Thank you 🙂

Hi, the detailed information provided in your central Asia travel blog is simply captivating & very helpful to those wanting an adventure in central asia. Well done & 2 thumbs up for your contribution. Keep it up.

with thanks, Ivan Lai

Thank you so much Ivan!

We are two seniors and would like to explore this beautiful country in September. Is there a tour to see all of these places in 8 days? Is it possible for a female to rent a car? Love your article, thank you so much.

Hi Arlene, I’m happy you loved the article!

I’m afraid it won’t be possible to see all these places in 8 days. Kyrgyzstan might be a small country in comparison with its neighbors (with the exception of Tajikistan) but it’s still quite a big country. The distances between all these places require a lot of driving and not all the roads are very good, which adds even more driving time. You’re always welcome to contact me and I can help you with an itinerary suggestion. It is also definitely possible to rent a car as a woman!

hey! great article! thank you very much for sharing to much experience and knowledge.

Thank you Roger!

What a great write up and stunning photos! We are planning a trip end of March/early Apr but looks like its not the right time to be visiting Kyrgystan. Were you there around that time? Please could you advise. Thank you!

Hello Ranjani, thank you! 🙂 It’s still very cold end of March/ early April and there won’t be many yurt camps around as most semi-nomads set up their camps from May on. But if you prepare for the cold temperatures, you can still get a very beautiful experience in Kyrgyzstan as the winter landscapes are stunning!

Great article! Do you still have a high resolution version of this picture? https://www.journalofnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/IMG_6488-1.jpg I’d love to use it as my laptop’s wallpaper. Cheers! Bob

Hi Bob, if you’re interested in one of our photos, please send us an email at hello(at)journalofnomads(dot)com or use the contact form on our website! 🙂

Kyrgyz’ what?! A complete travel guide for Kyrgyzstan.

By Sarah Steiner
Updated On April 6, 2024

Making plans for travel to Kyrgyzstan doesn’t register on every travellers bucket list…

But why not?

After visiting Mongolia we were certain; the nomadic herder culture is one of our favourites in the world! The horsie-ness and vastness nomadic herder culture entails, suits us and our style of travel. It’s wild. It’s remote. And it’s still very real.

The chance to visit Kyrgyzstan definitely meant stepping away from the mainstream. And we couldn’t wait to get there…

Travel to Kyrgyzstan

About Kyrgyzstan
Fear of the ‘Stans
Best time to visit

Places to visit in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz hospitality.

Travel to Kyrgyzstan with kids
Getting around
Connectivity and wifi

Accommodation in Kyrgyzstan

Where we stayed.

Read more about travel to Kyrgyzstan

About Kyrgyzstan, quickly

Capital: Bishkek
Land area: 199,951 km 2
Population: 6,533,500
Official language: Kyrgyz
Co-official language: Russian
Religion: 90% Islam, 7% Christianity, 3% other
Drives on: Right
Calling code: +996
Time zone: Universal Coordinated Time ( UTC+06:00 )
Outlets: Plug Type C, F (220 V / 50 Hz)

Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous, landlocked country. It is bordered to the north by Kazakhstan , Uzbekistan to the west and southwest, China to the east and Tajikistan to the southwest.

Flag of Kyrgyzstan in our Kyrgyzstan travel guide.

Fear of travel to the ‘Stans

Let’s be honest; first thoughts of the ‘- stan ‘ poses connotations that bring fear. History and media presents a certain image abroad, and for the seven countries in Asia that end with the suffix ‘Stan, our first reaction is not instinctively smooth.

But the word stan actually means land in the Persian language of Farsi; a word for “place of” or “country”. Moreover it’s a bit like the suffix of names in English titles such as Eng land , Scot land , Switzer land .

And rightly so. Central Asia is a region of diverse geography and land with a lot of fascinating history behind it. And I admit, we didn’t tell our family we were heading to Central Asia until we were actually there. Namely because we didn’t want to be put off when they freaked out on hearing the word ending with ‘Stan.

But don’t let it put you off. It’s ok for families to worry about us. That’s their prerogative and that’s ok.

Definitely don’t miss out of the land of travel and adventure in the ‘Stans. Travel to Kyrgyzstan is incredible.

Visas for Kyrgyzstan

The good news for travel to Kyrgyzstan is that it’s visa-free for a growing number of passports.

Passport holders from 69 different nations are not required to obtain a visa in advance for travel to Kyrgyzstan for travel up to the length of 30, 60 or 90 days. It is also possible for a lot of those nations to arrange a visa on arrival for an extended stay of up to 90 days.

If you aren’t one of the countries to qualify for visa-free entry, you can apply through an e-visa system or in person at a Kyrgyz embassy. You can apply via the E-visa government website .

Tip: Always check for updated details of visas before you travel to Kyrgyzstan .

Best time to visit Kyrgyzstan

Unlike Uzbekistan just over the border, the usual tourist season for Kyrgyzstan travel is the high summer.

Summertime is also the holiday time for Kyrgyz nomads and therefore the time when summer pastures are full of yurts. Even semi-nomads who live life in the cities during the year go to the mountain summer pastures during the school holidays and warmest times of the year.

Aside from that, fruits and vegetables are ripe and the weather is as warm as it gets.

Yurt camps set up in summer pastures offer yurt stays from mid-May to mid-September (and trust me, it’s getting cold up in the Tien Shan mountains by early September). After their holidays the camps are slowly packed away and the families move back to the cities.

In the cities however, summertime is hot. Temperatures in Osh and Bishkek get up to over 40°C. This is due to the distance in the cities from any large bodies of water (remember, Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked country).

The largest lake is Issyk Kul, which becomes a popular summer beach destination in Kyrgyzstan. It is even (just) warm enough to swim here (whilst surrounded by surreal snowcapped mountains in the distance).

Visit Song Kol Lake. Read our complete Kyrgyzstan travel guide.

Kyrgyz language

In Kyrgyzstan, the Kyrgyz language is co-official with Russian. In the cities Russian is the predominant language (especially in Bishkek), but in the smaller towns and rural areas the main language used is Kyrgyz.

Kyrgyz is a Turkic language with a written alphabet using Cyrillic.

A few Kyrgyz basics

Hello: Salamatsuzbu
Hello (informal): Salam
Thank you: Rahmat
How much is it?: Kanchadan?

A lot of Kyrgyzstan travel will have you feeling like you are quite literally in the middle of nowhere.

For the days we weren’t in Bishkek, every day we ended up somewhere random and unheard of. The landscape challenged us. Not only because it is so different from our previous months of travel in East Asia , but because it is a challenging landscape in itself.

However, this is exactly why travel in Kyrgyzstan is so appealing.

Because out of the city, people are living in this landscape as they have done for generations…

In Kyrgyzstan, we spent time in:

Chong-Kemin National Park

Song Kol Lake

Kyrgyzstan’s capital city has a population of around one million people.

However, as a culture Kyrgyzstan is known for its rich nomadic history. So it makes sense then that the urban areas of Kyrgyzstan don’t showcase the best of what the country has to offer.

Bishkek is no exception.

Picture huge tree-lined streets, boulevards and very Soviet style architecture. It’s easy to get lost in the serious bustle of Bishkek, and slightly tricky to find a local place to eat.

But like it or lump it, Bishkek most commonly serves as the gateway to the amazing outdoor activities and vistas of Kyrgyzstan.

Plus, as far as Kyrgyzstan travel, the country has the most liberal tourist visa regime in the area of Central Asia, so the chances are you’re going to visit. And it’s worth making the most of it…

Things to do in Bishkek

Osh Bazaar: This is the biggest and most colourful market in Bishkek and a great place to start exploring the city from. You can find anything here: pastries, cooked food, dried fruit, vegetables, souvenirs and cheap Chinese knock offs.
Panfilov Park: This is a very Soviet style amusement park that gets busy with locals. Part of the park is ticket-entry only, but there is also a spacious play area and free playground for kids.
Ala Too Square: Another unmistakably Soviet style feature of Bishkek, this was built to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Kyrgyz Soviet Republic. It’s marginally interesting to visit and another chance to soak in all the Soviet influence that is such a huge part of the city history.
Eat: Bishkek isn’t honestly the most relaxing place to wander aimlessly, but if in doubt you can focus on finding a good place to eat. Beshbarmak is the Kyrgyz national dish; a soup and noodle bowl that is worth hunting out if you are there.

Read our complete Kyrgyzstan travel guide. Where to stay in Bishkek and where to eat in Bishkek.

Note: Osh Bazaar is notorious for pickpocketing. I haven’t any photos from inside the bazaar as didn’t take my camera or phone out on any visit.

We still can’t decide if Gavin had his small, reusable-cutlery bag snatched from his backpack or if we just lost it while staying in Bishkek. Keep your valuables safe.

That aside, we only had two days in Bishkek but it felt like enough.

We had jobs to do including finding an English-speaking witness to sign paperwork we needed to send home, and a post office to send them by mail. That kept us sufficiently busy in Bishkek and less touristy to be fair.

General vibes are of a busy city with sights to see if you are looking and have the time. And if you don’t, then get yourself out of there and on to the rest of Kyrgyzstan…

Chong Kemin National Park

Chong Kemin National Park covers 500 hectares of land in the north of Kyrgyzstan, in an area once known as Chong Kemin River Valley.

Setting out from Bishkek, Chong Kemin is often the first stop on a tour for a night in rural Kyrgyzstan. And most tours include a stop of the ancient Burana Tower on the way.

We found Chong Kemin to be a beautiful area. Landscape within the park starts from desert-like stretches of flat, vast land, winding up into the hills through coniferous forests, mountain-scapes and glacial fed rivers.

We stayed our first night out of the city at a guesthouse somewhere in the park. And even to this day we still don’t know exactly where we were.

Cellphone reception cuts out at the base of the park, before winding up into the hills past vast farms and herds and herds of horses. We stopped in a village to ask a passing horseman for directions, because even our driver hadn’t been there before.

Chong Kemin is blissfully off the beaten track alright.

Read our complete Kyrgyzstan travel guide. Travel to Kyrgyzstan with kids.

Things to do in Chong Kemin

Hiking in the National Park: Chong Kemin has a range of different hiking trails in the park. Or, like us, you can put on your hiking shoes and explore from the homestay.
Horse riding: Our homestay in Chong Kemin was surrounded by horses. We went to sleep with the sound of horses in the paddock outside and woke up with one right at the window.
Get adventurous, try something new: Our kids were in awe of the young boys practising with a homemade bow and arrow. If you aren’t in a hurry, take the time to try something different. I mean, how often do you get the chance to try archery in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan?
Burana Tower: Not technically in Chong Kemin, but on the way. Burana Tower is large minaret in the Chuy Valley. The tower was built during the 11th century (though it has been partially restored) and claims fame as the earliest architectural wonder of Central Asia.

Staying at our guest house in Chong Kemin. Where to stay in Kyrgyzstan read our Kyrgyzstan travel guide.

Experiencing nomadic herder life in Kyrgyzstan is one of our best travel experiences to date. Song Kol is an alpine lake in the Tien Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan, just over 3000m above sea level.

Albeit cold, but stunning.

Song Kol Lake is one of the highlights of Kyrgyzstan travel.

Things to do at Song Kol

Horse riding: Horses are the livelihood and heart of nomadic Kyrgyz herder culture. You can ride along the shore line or trek up into the surrounding foothills of Song Kol.
Stay in a yurt: There is nothing quite like the smell of a yurt fire burning from the warmth of your yurt home for the night. Waking up in the hills of Kyrgyzstan is a dreamlike tick for the bucket list.
Hiking: Song Kol is beautiful and peaceful. There are plenty of options to enjoy short or long hikes.
Help out: Learn to make curd and cream from fresh milk, and help collect water for the camp on donkeys.
Try kymyz: This is the Kyrgyz national beverage of fermented horse milk.

It is strong and sour to taste, and mildly alcoholic but it’s deemed to be healthy and good for digestion. Perhaps healthier than vodka and cognac at least (which also seems to be a popular beverage with Kyrgyz people here!).

How to visit Song Kol Lake. Read our complete Kyrgyzstan travel guide. Best time to travel to Kyrgyzstan.

Read all about our stay at Song Kol Lake with a nomadic family here .

Issyk Kul Region

Issyk Kul is an ancient lake in Kyrgyzstan, estimated to be 25 millions years old and the second largest alpine lake on the planet. (Pretty cool, right?).

The lake is surrounded by the snowcapped Tian Shan mountain range which is uncannily beautiful (and ironic, if you are arriving from anywhere desert-like in Central Asia).

Things to do in Issyk Kul Region

Lake Issyk Kul: Want to go swimming in Kyrgyzstan?

No, seriously. If the weather is warm enough, the lake is Kyrgyzstan’s most popular summer ‘beach’ destination. (Don’t let the snow capped mountinas in the distance put you off too much!).

Kyrgyzstan with kids, swimming in Lake Issyk Kul in summer. Read our complete Kyrgyzstan travel guide.

Karakol seems to have it all. It is a smallish town in eastern Kyrgyzstan. Most often it is known as a starting point for day hikes in the Tien Shan mountains and a base to see some of Kyrgyzstans most famous natural scenery.

It is in a unique location geographically, with China to the east and the rest of Central Asia to the west, in an area that was once part of Turkestan. Not only is there Chinese influence in the cuisine and culture of Karakol, but you can see the vestiges of Soviet influence again, in architecture, cuisine and culture.

Jeti Oguz and Fairytale Canyon are near to Karakol and can easily be done as day trips.

Things to do in Karakol

Hiking: Karakol is considered the gateway to the Tien Shan mountain range, famous for beautiful alpine multi day hikes. There is also a range of short day walks (many in Jeti Oguz) without going to far from Karakol.
Jeti Oguz: If you are in Kyrgyzstan with kids and/or not planning for long hikes, Jeti Oguz is a great choice for a day trip from Karakol. It is only 40 minutes drive from town.
Seven Bulls : A striking rock formation. There are short walks along the river and up to a great lookout point.
Dungan Mosque: The Dungan mosque was built between 1907and 1910 by a group of Chinese Muslims—known as Dungans.

The mosque is beautiful and eye-catching, with bright colours and patterns. But what is most interesting is that the wooden mosque is constructed entirely without the use of nails.

Karakol Bazaar: Karakol Bazaar is interesting because due to its location, sellers originate from a range of Kyrgyz, Russian, Dungan, Uzbek, Uighur and Kalmak backgrounds.

Obviously, we have a thing for bazaars in Central Asia! But you can’t help but be drawn in by the bustle and energy of an Asian market. (Plus, the boys found extremely cheap knock-off Bakugan cards and thought it was the best bazaar ever. Not an authentic travel tip I know, but it’s worth sharing, just in case).

Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral: Another cultural sight of Karakol that differs again from the norm.

The first church in Karakol was built from stone in 1869 but was destroyed by an earthquake. The current cathedral is built out of wood on a brick base.

The Russian Orthodox Church in Karakol. Things to do in Karakol in our Kyrgyzstan travel guide.

Food in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz food is similar to it’s surrounding neighbours (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan).

In restaurants and roadside cafes, choices can often be simple and limited in variety.

And in summary, traditional Kyrgyz food is based around horse, mutton, and beef meat, as well as various dairy products. (And spoiler alert; Kyrgyzstan travel as far as food is concerned, is a different kind of adventure itself!). Meat is usually served on top of pasta or noodles, inside dumplings, or with potatoes.

There isn’t a lot more choice than that, but we didn’t find anything we really didn’t like. And meals are always served with a pot of hot tea.

Some of the most popular Kyrgyz foods include:

Beshbarmak : Horse meat (or mutton) boiled in broth, served over soft homemade noodles.
Chuchvara : Meat dumplings served in soup.
Kuurdak: grilled mutton, fat and onions served on flat pasta noodles.
Monti: meat, onion and fat filled steamed dumplings.
Samsy: similar to a samosa, these are pockets of meat and onions.

Samsy is a great snack choice from a roadside stall or bakery-style cafe in the city. (aka: a staple food traveling in Kyrgyzstan with kids).

Lagman: meat, vegetables and noodles served in a broth. (A cross between laksa and noodle soup?).
Ashlam-fu : A spicy lunch dish made with cold noodles, vinegar, and eggs. This one didn’t grow on us but it is supposedly a refreshing cold lunch dish to eat in summer.
Kurut : Small snack balls made of dried sheep’s cheese or fermented yogurt. Sounds worse than it is, and I was put off after eating them in Uzbekistan. But , kurut doesn’t taste too bad as a snack with a cold beer sitting in the sunshine outside a yurt…
Shashlyk kebabs : Cubes of meat on skewers cooked over embers.
Plov : Rice dish made with mixed boiled or fried meat, onions, carrots and garlic (similar to Indian pilau).
Lepeshki: Kyrgyz bread served with almost every meal.

Beshbarmak for dinner. Food in Kyrgyzstan with kids. Read our travel Kyrgyzstan travel guide.

Food choices in Kyrgyzstan with kids

Kyrgyz cuisine doesn’t offer too much choice, which made it fairly easy to find food the kids were happy to eat. They even found some things they really enjoyed (a travel-win!).

Some Kyrgyz foods our kids enjoyed:

Samsy: similar to a samosa, these are pockets of meat and onions. Samsy is a great snack choice from a roadside stall or bakery-style cafe in the city. (aka: a staple food traveling in Kyrgyzstan with kids).
Bread (lepeshki): Round and flat breads are commonly served with most meals.

Touring Kyrgyzstan with kids, what will they eat? This is a typical lunch table set up in Kyrgyzstan. See our complete Kyrgyzstan travel guide.

Side note: a lot of the time the tables are laid with small bowls of treats and sweets included as part of the lunch spread. And the dinner spread. Even sometimes with breakfast. (Don’t worry about finding Kyrgyz food kids will eat!).

Kyrgyzstan travel with kids

When you think of telling people you are planning to visit Kyrgyzstan with kids, first responses are liikely the same. Where ? Albeit there isn’t a lot of information online about Kyrgyzstan travel with kids, so this response is somewhat justified. And we too felt a heightened parental nervousness prior to travel.

Arriving in Bishkek surrounded by the solemn Soviet style of city architecture doesn’t exactly scream welcome to Kyrgyzstan with kids …

But, the good news is that as soon as you head out of the city, travel with kids feels as it does anywhere else; like a new adventure.

Kyrgyzstan is a very welcoming country. We were humbled and welcomed by other families who were genuinely pleased to see us traveling in Kyrgyzstan with kids. We traveled around the rural areas with a driver, and felt safe in the country with kids.

The landscape of Kyrgyzstan is exciting and varied; perfect for children. Our kids loved the freedom of being outdoors.

At Chong-Kemin they easily made themselves at home making homemade bows and arrows with local kids.

In Song Kol they were in awe of the local boys riding horses and donkeys and jumped at any chance to spend time with them. And at Issyk-Kul they swam in the biggest of Kyrgyzstan’s lakes and watched kids practising training with an eagle.

Experiencing that kind of nomadic lifestyle in Kyrgyzstan with kids really is the most incredible opportunity for learning and adventure.

Hospitality in Kyrgyzstan is one of the best stories from our travels. Kyrgyz people are somewhat shy on meeting, but welcoming without question.

Don’t be concerned by the language barrier. We found that even without language we found we could understand and enjoy meeting locals and especially learning about the nomadic lifestyle of Kyrgyzstan.

It feels like a real honour to be welcomed into the homes of nomadic families, farmers, herders and Kyrgyz families.

And one of the best things about travel to Kyrgyzstan with kids is that Kyrgyz people love children. The boys were given sweets and biscuits everywhere we went. Families we met and stayed with welcomed them and genuinely seemed to be thrilled to have them play with their kids.

In Karakol, we spent four days in between Bokonbaevo and Kazakhstan, and met our drivers family. He ended up giving his boy a day off school especially to hang out with us. We couldn’t speak as little Russian and they spoke English, but we went out for dinner with the whole family and his wife even gave us all haircuts!

Hospitality in Kyrgyzstan is definitely an asset of Kyrgyz traditions.

Travel in Kyrgyzstan with kids in our complete Kyrgyzstan travel guide.

Travel to Kyrgyzstan – Money

The local currency in Kyrgyzstan is called the som . It exists in bills and coins, with the largest denomination of note 5000 KGS (about $65 USD).

ATM’s are common in the cities and larger towns, but definitely carry cash with you to Song Kol as the nearest town is half a days drive away.

Tip: At bigger hotels in Bishkek and other cities you might be able to pay by card, but at smaller guesthouses you will be expected to pay in cash.

Licensed money exchange booths (marked obmen valyot ) will exchange US dollars and other major currencies. In Karakol we found a money-changer next door to a bank to exchange Kyrgyz som for Kazakh tenge .

Tip: It is always a good idea to carry US dollars on you for travel in Central Asia.

Bargaining is common in Kyrgyzstan. It’s definitely worth negotiating when buying souvenirs at the bazaar as prices are often initially inflated for tourists. (We learnt this the hard way trying to buy souvenirs at Osh Bazaar).

Travel to Kyrgyzstan – Budget

Heres the catch. In theory, backpacking or travel to Kyrgyzstan on a budget is doable. Quite doable in fact. However, in our case we were travelling Kyrgyzstan with kids and we didn’t quite know what to expect.

We booked ahead to confirm a tour with a CBT office and this isn’t cheap. But it made it easy, and accommodation, meals and transport were included in the price for the days we were on the tour.

As a guide for budget travel to Kyrgyzstan , here are some of the costs we found:

Samsy/streetfood snack: 50 som
Bottle of water: 40 som
Domestic beer: 150 som
Entry to Burana Tower: 150 som per adult
Roadside cafe lunch meal: 100-150 som
Restaurant meal in Karakol: 600-1200 som
Hotel in Bishkek: US $50-70

Communications: Phone and wifi

Kyrgyzstan has two main telecommunications operators; Megacom and Beeline. Mobile internet is not expensive with either provider, and tourist/short-stay packages are available.

Wifi is available in accommodation in the city, and we found good wifi in Karakol as well. 3G is available in the larger towns, although very spotty driving between sights along the south side of Issyk Kul. Roaming on an international sim should work in Kyrgyzstan as well.

Kyrgyzstan has a wide range of accommodation options. Looking online for hostels in Bishkek, you will find everything from budget range dorm-style hostels to top end hotels. We stayed in a total of five different yurtstays/homestays and guesthouses during our time in Kyrgyzstan. I booked the accommodation in Bishkek and Karakol online through booking.com. The yurt stays and homestay in Chong-Kemin were booked for us by Kyrgyz Tourism , based in Bishkek.

Staying in a yurt stay means basic accommodation, but the best thing about any homestay in Kyrgyzstan is that is likely includes breakfast and sometimes even dinner.

Bishkek: Hotel Koisha
Chong-Kemin/Boo Jeptes Area: Homestay
Song-Kol Lake: Yurtstay
Bokonbaevo: Yurtstay
Karakol: Jamilya Eje’s Guesthouse

Hotel Koisha in Bishkek is a great place to start. The family room has two seperate rooms and a private bathroom. And you wouldn’t guess it from the outside, but the hotel has a huge courtyard, kitchen, outdoor kitchen and BBQ area, and indoor/outdoor common space.

The hotel is only 100m from Osh Bazaar, and affordable at US $38 per night for a family room. I would recommend Hotel Koisha as a good choice for arrival in Bishkek. It made day one for us in Kyrgyzstan with kids feel safe and smooth.

In Karakol, Jamilya Eje’s Guesthouse was a great find. We stayed four nights, relaxing in between our Kyrgyzstan tour and starting our next leg over the border to Kazakhstan . The quadruple room is a decent size with a double bed and two single beds. Cost: US $55 per night. Dinner is available in the restaurant room most nights. Breakfast is included. The guesthouse is in walking distance of playgrounds in Karakol and the main Karakol Bazaar.

Getting around Kyrgyzstan

The main ways to travel within Kyrgyzstan are by private taxi, marshrutkas (shared taxi van) or bus.

In Bishkek and Karakol we used taxis to get around. Taxis are cheap and it is easy for your hostel or hotel to call and book a taxi if you need to go somewhere. On the street you can wave down a registered taxi vehicle and negotiate a fixed price for a ride.

Marshrutkas are a a form of shared taxi, most commonly a minivan and are the most common form of transport. They act as buses, departing from central stations in the larger towns and cities and bus stops in rural areas. Some are scheduled but most line up and wait until they are full before departing.

Tip: In a smaller marshrutkas is you pay for all four seats it will essentially act a private taxi).

We booked a driver for our time in Kyrgyzstan through Kyrgyz Tourism , based in Bishkek.

Tip: I recommend you email Aisha at Kyrgyz Tourism who is amazing to deal with.

She answered all of my questions and was fantastic in understanding and adapting a tour that would suit us to get around Kyrgyzstan with the kids.

Visiting Song Kol Lake and staying in a yurt at Song Kol. How to visit Kyrgyzstan with kids. And Kyrgyzstan itinerary.

One challenge in our travels to Kyrgyzstan

High altitude temperatures at Song-Kol lake mean it gets COLD! Early September is technically summer, but it hits zero degrees at night time.

Arriving in Kyrgyzstan having traveled for months prior in South East and East Asia, we were traveling light and had only been in temperate climates. (Not to mention arriving directly to Kyrgyzstan travel after the past few weeks sweltering in the Karakalpakstan desert and taking an overnight train across the desert in Uzbekistan !).

We knew Song-Kol Lake would take us to the highest point of our travels for the year and in truth we were fine. The kids had long pants and layered up with singlets, long sleeves, jumpers, and light jackets.

Our host Mum at our yurt camp even came in during the night to re-stock our yurt fire with cow poo. BUT , we could have been better prepared.

Our driver lent me a warm jumper to wear under my light jacket, and I have to be honest – I was so appreciative!

If we went again…

Now with hindsight, if we went again we would head to the op-shop in Bishkek to stock up with warm clothes BEFORE hitting sub-zero temperatures at Song-Kol lake.

There are plenty of op-shops in Kyrgyzstan (they get knock-offs and near-new labelled clothing directly from South Korea ), but we didn’t think of that before heading out of the city.

Stock up with jackets or jumpers first!

Travel in Kyrgyzstan with kids in our Kyrgyzstan travel guide.

Useful links for travel to Kyrgyzstan and beyond…

These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.

Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. And it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally. (We love their flexible cancellation policy!).
Skyscanner – This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner!
GetYourGuide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. It includes everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have insurance for your Kyrgyzstan travel and adventures!

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1 thought on “Kyrgyz’ what?! A complete travel guide for Kyrgyzstan.”

Hey there, author! I just finished reading your travel guide on Kyrgyzstan, and I couldn’t resist dropping a comment. First off, let me say, wow! Your article is like a virtual tour of this incredible country. It’s clear that you have a genuine passion for exploring new places, and that enthusiasm shines through every word.

Your detailed descriptions of Kyrgyzstan’s landscapes, from the rugged mountains to the serene lakes, had me daydreaming about my next adventure. And your practical tips, like the advice on local cuisine and the importance of respecting the culture, are invaluable for anyone planning a trip there. I also loved the personal anecdotes you sprinkled throughout the article; it made me feel like I was right there with you, experiencing everything firsthand.

I’m seriously considering Kyrgyzstan as my next travel destination, all thanks to your inspiring article. Keep up the fantastic work, and please keep sharing your adventures with us! Can’t wait to see where you’ll take us next. Safe travels!

24 Incredible Places to Visit in Kyrgyzstan (2024 Edition)

Last Updated: February 6, 2024

Kyrgyzstan is jam-packed with places to visit and things to do. The landlocked Central Asian nation is home to some of the world’s most spectacular trekking, both on foot and on a horse.

However, the majority of these trails are not accessible until the summer months due to the country’s high altitude.

When planning on what places to visit in Kyrgyzstan it’s important to know that there are many places where you can base yourself to take in a large number of different destinations in the surrounding area.

Travelling around the eastern and western portions is reasonably easy but can be time-consuming in some cases. But generally, you can utilise marshrutka to get around.

However, getting from the east to the west or vice versa can be particularly challenging and complex so make sure you plan ahead accordingly. It’s usually a good idea to budget an entire day for travel.

READ MORE: Check out our Kyrgyzstan travel guide to help you plan all of the details for your travels.

Table of Contents

1) Bishkek

2) ala archa, 3) burana tower, 4) jyrgalan, 5) karakol , 6) altyn arashan , 7) jeti oguz, 8) inylchek glacier, 9) issyk kul, 10) chong kemin, 11) kochkor , 12) kol ukok, 13) osh , 14) song kul , 15) naryn , 16) kol suu , 17) tash rabat, 18) sary mogol and sary tash, 19) arslanbob, 20) kol tor lake, 21) lenin peak, 22) ala bel mountain pass, 23) kyzyl-oi mountains, 24) tuz-kol lake, the best places to visit in kyrgyzstan.

We love Kyrgyzstan! So narrowing down our favourite places to visit was difficult.

But if you’re planning your first trip to Kyrgyzstan, be sure to add these to your list of places to visit!

For many, this is their entry point into Kyrgyzstan, via Manas Airport or overland from Kazakhstan. Time spent in Bishkek is usually short, with many hot-footing it out to the country’s more spectacular destinations.

Kyrgyzstan’s only city may not be the reason people visit, however, there is enough to keep you busy for a couple of days. Check out Panfilov and Dubovy Parks for a relaxing afternoon stroll.

The city’s heart is Ala-Too Square, which is particularly pretty at night. Heading west from the square is the city’s busiest area with plenty of restaurants, bars and shops to check out.

For a slightly stranger experience take a wander around the deserted circus to the north of Ala-Too. If you want to try out your bargaining skills then head over to Osh Bazaar.

One thing to take advantage of here is the food. Bishkek is blessed with a plethora of food options not found elsewhere in Kyrgyzstan.

Trust me you will plenty of shashlik, manti, plov and lagman during your time in Kyrgyzstan (and Central Asia in general) so grasp the opportunity to get some variety.

For some culinary variety, this is absolutely one of the best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan.

Bishkek is only a short drive from the stunning Ala Aracha National Park . If you’re only here for a short period of time then Ala Archa is a great opportunity to get stuck into Kyrgyzstan’s famous mountain scenery.

When taking a taxi up here make sure you go to the alplager which is beyond the main gate.

There are quite a few hiking trails on offer and some accommodation in the park itself. However, the vast majority of people will do it as a day trip.

Want to visit Kyrgyzstan on a unique and adventurous small group tour? Check out our incredible Kyrgyzstan tour here!

Poking out of the field with snow-capped mountains as a backdrop, the Bruana Tower is located somewhere between Bishkek and the shore of Issyk Kul.

As Kyrgyzstan is a country with a strong nomadic history , it isn’t blessed with the same architectural wonders as it’s neighbours, Uzbekistan and China.

However, the Burana Tower is Kyrgyzstan’s ode to a distant, non-nomadic past.

Getting here can be a wee bit tricky as not many buses stop en route, so a day trip from Bishkek is probably the best bet.

READ MORE: Check out this post for all you need to know about visiting Burana Tower.

Jyrgalan is an area of Kyrgyzstan that Alesha and Jarryd know very well! In fact, they helped to plot a number of hiking trails in the area in conjunction with the Kyrgyz tourism authorities!

Located in Kyrgyzstan’s northeastern corner close to the Kazakh border Jyrgalan is one of the country’s premier hiking destinations.

If you are unsure of which of Kyrgyzstan’s epic hiking areas to check out then this is a pretty solid start.

The area is full of awesome day treks. There are also plenty of longer trails in the area as well.

Karakol is probably the most well-known town in Kyrgyzstan. Nestled in the southeastern corner of Issyk Kul, Karakol is a great place to base yourself for treks into the wilderness and is probably one of the most popular places to visit in Kyrgyzstan.

If you plan on doing some trekking during your time in Kyrgyzstan then this is an excellent place to take advantage of Kyrgyzstan’s spectacular mountain scenery.

The town itself is probably not what you would call beautiful. However, its surrounding areas are rather spectacular, and that’s what people come to see.

If you have some time in the Karakul itself then the Holy Trinity Church and Dungan Mosque are worth checking out.

One of the most popular hiking trails in the Karakol area, Altyn Arashan is a great introduction to Kyrgyzstan at its most spectacular!

Altyn Arashan is connected to a number of other trails, with the Karakol Valley and Jeti-Oguz being the most well known. This makes for some spectacular multi-day options.

Sadly when I visited the previous winter had been a long a brutal one, meaning that these trails were not safely accessible, even in mid-June!

Any Kyrgyzstan trip is likely to include a visit to this area of the country. As a result, the hiking trails in the area are clear and easy to follow.

However, do check in with tour operators for weather advice if planning on heading up to the mountain passes.

Altyn Arashan itself is stunning, with picture-postcard alpine vistas as you descend down into the valley itself. In the valley itself, you can rest and recuperate in the hot springs (do not take the word hot lightly here).

There is a yurt camp at Altyn Arashan that can be booked via tour operators, alternatively, it is possible to camp.

A 30 minute or so drive from Karakol is the home of the best one-day hikes in Kyrgyzstan.

Lush jailoos roll through the valleys before giving way to pristine snow-capped peaks. It is possible to spend the night here. However, it’s only really worth doing if you’re on a multi-day trek.

In Jeti Oguz itself, the best hiking trail is probably one to a hard to find a waterfall in a forest atop hills overlooking the jailoos. Fortunately, this route can be found on the excellent maps.me .

The trail to the waterfall offers some spectacular views over the jailoos, a perfect place to lay down with a book, making it absolutely one of the best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan.

At the entrance of Jeti Oguz itself its the seven bulls, 7 rock formations looking over the trailhead.

A taxi is the only way to get out here. Drivers can be found in the town centre close to the market and central square.

Do not expect drivers to speak English, however. Like elsewhere in Central Asia a little bit of Russian will go a long way.

It’s actually surprisingly easy to get a taxi back from the entrance, so it’s not necessary to book a return trip.

Located in Kyrgyzstan’s most western corner, nestled up against the Chinese border, is the Inylchek Glacier.

Even by Kyrgyzstan standards, this is one of the most remote hiking destinations in the country. As a result, a trip out here is going to be at the higher end of your budget.

The glacier itself is one of the longest non-polar glaciers in the world.

In this region of Kyrgyzstan the two highest peaks, Pobedy and Khan Tengri. From treks to the Inylchek glacier’s base camp it is possible to catch breathtaking views of these two peaks.

Inylchek Glacier is definitely one of Kyrgyzstan’s most rewarding and challenging destinations.

Issyk Kul is a popular tourist destination for both Kyrgyz and Russian holidaymakers, with the majority visiting the more developed north shore.

In the summertime, beaches fill up and techno music can be heard from some of the bars as the sun sets.

If you prefer things to at a slower pace then the lake’s southern shores may be the best bet. The tiny town of Tamga is close to the Skazka canyon, which is absolutely worth a visit.

As a word of warning the lake is very, very cold. However, it’s definitely one of the best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan.

The Chong Kemin Valley is close to Bishkek and worth a visit. Running for 80km it’s home to numerous hiking and trekking routes ranging from day hikes to epic 6-day treks through the wilderness.

This is a great place to roll up your sleeping bag and head into the beauty of the vast Kyrgyzstan landscape.

Public transport may be a little tricky getting out there, so a shared taxi maybe your best option.

Another excellent town to base yourself, Kochkor is the gateway to Song Kul and Kol-Ukok. Many guesthouses will run their own horse treks to Song-Kul, which can be cheaper and better than the options through CBT.

Additionally, many guesthouse owners can help you to book yurt camps for Kol-Ukok and other multi-day hikes in the area.

There is not a huge amount to do in the town itself, so make sure you have your hiking routes planned.

One of the most epic hikes around Kochkor is to Kol Ukok. This two day hike takes in some of the most spectacular scenery in the area.

You can book the yurt camp through your guesthouse. The yurt camp is 1.5 days or so from the edges of Kol Ukok, so you have 2 choices: hike to the yurt camp on day 1, and then up to the Kol Ukok and back again on day 2, or vice versa.

Get ready for some very sore legs, but the scenery is absolutely worth it!

Kyrgyzstan’s second city is in the heart of the Fergana Range, a mere hop and a skip from Uzbekistan’s Fergana Valley. The city has a long history and there’s some interesting museums to check out, as well as Osh’s famous bazaar.

Getting here can be a tricky affair, with the only link between the eastern and western regions of Kyrgyzstan (essentially Bishkek and Osh) is a seasonal 4wd road over two mountain passes or a 40-minute flight.

Whilst the scenery close to Osh is not some of Kyrgyzstan’s most photogenic (to be fair, the competition is quite tough), Kojo Kelen, 110km to the south is a great hiking and trekking destination with plenty of spectacular scenery to drain those camera batteries.

Incidentally, Osh is a budget-friendly flight destination within Central Asia, so it’s worth bearing that in mind when you book your flights.

Song Kul is simply breathtaking. Of all of the places to visit in Kyrgyzstan, this is one of the most spectacular. Although it is possible to hike here, many will take on this epic trek on the back of a horse.

Whilst your legs will be thanking you for a break, your backside certainly will not be!

Generally, horse treks are done over 3 days, with the second day spent by the lake itself where you can hike around, enjoy the views or even take a cheeky dip in the lake.

Whilst this is breathtaking, my personal favourite section was crossing a pass and descending down towards the lake’s edge. Absolutely one of the top places to go in Kyrgyzstan.

This tiny little town is the base to access Kol Suu and the surrounding area. There’s not much on offer in the town itself but there are quite a few decent hiking trails in the surrounding area.

For all of your hiking needs and questions, the town’s CBT office is the best bet. They can also arrange drivers out to places like Kol Suu.

This lake is one of Kyrgyzstan’s most spectacular. The journey from Naryn is a long one. However, the scenery en route is rather easy on the eye.

It truly demonstrates the wilderness of Kyrgyzstan, with vast plateaus running up to mountains and shepherds herding their sheep.

The scenery around the yurt camp is amazing, with the light at sunset being particularly lovely. The hike to the lake itself is a tough one.

Keep on following the river uphill and then cross the river near the top. Sadly when we went, the waters were high so we couldn’t actually get to the lake, but the scenery around more than made up for it.

This deserted caravanserai, close the Torugat Pass is a tip of the hat to Kyrgyzstan’s silk road history.

However it’s not the caravanserai that it the real draw. It’s the spectacular scenery that surrounds it.

It is possible to access Tash Rabat with the aid of a driver when heading to or from the border.

Sary Mogol and Sary Tash are both in the very south of Kyrgyzstan on the edges of the Alay Valley, close to the border of Tajikistan.

Sary Tash is the smaller of the two, with minimal infrastructure and stunning scenery. Sary Tash sits at the convergence of roads leading to Osh in Kyrgyzstan and Murgab in Tajikistan, the start, or indeed endpoint of the Pamir Highway.

It is also on the route to the Irkeshtam Pass heading into China.

Sary Mogol has a bit more going on than it’s smaller cousin 30km down the road. There is a CBT homestay operating in the centre of the village.

From here you can arrange guides and horse treks into the spectacular scenery that surrounds.

The most popular and well-known trek in the area is the one to Lake Tolpur, this seven-hour trek takes in some absolutely spectacular scenery including amazing views of Lenin-Peak.

This is the closest you can get to Lenin-Peak without requiring a permit (which can be a bit of a hassle).

Home to the world’s largest walnut forest, Arslanbob is nestled in the heart of the Babash-Ata Mountains. The area plays host to numerous hiking, horse trekking and skiing options, which you can arrange through the town’s CBT.

Arslanbob is home to a couple of waterfalls which are popular with locals to take a dip during the summer months if you fancy a break from hiking.

There are numerous multi-day treks that can be arranged from Arslanbob into the surrounding mountains and valleys.

One of the most popular horse treks routes takes in the Kol Mazar, the four holy lakes. On foot, Kon Kol is a bit of a stunner.

Close to Bishkek is the rather spectacular Kol Tor lake. However, it’s a challenging hike, roughly 6 kilometres each way with a 1000m ascent.

It is possible to do this as a day trip from Bishkek. There may be some hiking groups that go out there at the weekends.

However, you’ll probably be better off getting a private driver.

One of the highest peaks in Central Asia, Lenin Peak lies on the Kyrgyz/Tajik border, with many hikers accessing from the Kyrgyz side.

The climb is actually surprisingly straightforward, making it one of the most accessible peaks over 7000 metres.

However, the weather and changeable weather can make this climb both challenging and potentially dangerous.

It is possible to visit the base camp from Sary-Mogol . The base camp can be visited by non-climbers. However, you will need a border permit in advance.

Part of the road route from Bishkek to Osh takes you through the stunning Ala Bel Mountain Pass.

Surprisingly, at 3,175 metres above sea level, it’s not quite as high as some of the country’s other more famous mountain passes.

The pass is located between two valleys, making the views particular spectacular with the Chicken Valley on one side and the Susamir Valley on the other.

It is possible to get here via marshrutka from Bishkek. However, the driver may not be willing to stop, unsurprisingly.

Therefore if you want to truly soak in the scenery then a private taxi is best. Bishkek’s bus station would be the best place to pick up transport.

This tiny village hidden in the mountains of the same name is located somewhere between Bishkek and Kochkor and is something of a rarity.

It is one of the few silk road villages that existed before the Soviet Union’s formation. It is especially unique since Kyrgyzstan is historically a nation of nomads. So a fixed silk road village is certainly a rarity.

There are plenty of hiking and horse trekking trails in the area. And it’s one of the less common places to visit in Kyrgyzstan so you’ll probably need to take a private taxi.

This tiny lake sits on the southwestern shore of Lake Issyk Kol. Known as the Dead Lake of Issyk-Kul due to its high levels of salt, it’s believed that it’s water has magical healing properties.

Visiting Tuz-Kol Lake is possibly a good place to heal your aching muscles from all the trekking you’ve done.

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Richard Barnes

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

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The 23 Best Things to do in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (2024 Guide)

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Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide

Updated May 2024 , The Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide was originally written in April 2018

Kyrgyzstan is a highlight for many travelers that head to Central Asia with its alpine sceneries, fascinating culture, and its relaxed visa policies for many countries. Not to mention Kyrgyzstan is an easy and fairly inexpensive destination to visit thanks to community based tourism projects.

The Kyrgyz Republic sits smack in the middle of Central Asia at the crossroads of the ancient Silk Road. The entire country is pretty mountainous with nearly 90% of its land being dotted with the Tien Shan Mountains. So if you want a taste of nomadic life, high altitude peaks, and warm traditions, Kyrgyzstan is the perfect trip for you.

Here is what you’ll find in this Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide:

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Need some visual inspiration? 34 Photos That Will Make You Book a Ticket to Kyrgyzstan

Issykul, Tamga, Tien Shan, Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide, Kyrgyzstan

Practical Information

The official currency of Kyrgyzstan is the Kyrgyz Som ( KGS ). The current exchange rate ( May 2024 ) is:

$1 USD = 89.30 KGS

ATMs are widely available in Osh and Bishkek. Many ATMs dispense both KGS and USD.

Tipping isn’t something that’s widely taken off in Kyrgyzstan, although people who work in the tourism sector will probably expect a tip. Restaurant bills will typically add a 10-15% service charge onto the bill as well, so tipping in restaurants is not usual.

Kyrgyz and Russian are the official languages of Kyrgyzstan. Uzbek and Tajik are spoken in the Fergana Valley. You can find Dungan speakers scattered about the country in Sokuluk, Ivanovka, Karakol, Osh, and Bishkek.

I highly recommend learning some basic Russian and/or Kyrgyz phrases, as well as learning to read the Cyrillic alphabet. Grab the Lonely Planet Central Asia Phrasebook to help you learn some useful phrases on the road.

Islam is the dominant religion in Kyrgyzstan with 80% of the population practicing the religion. Christians, of mostly Russian Orthodox faith, make up 17% of the population and 3% of the country’s people practice all other religions. The majority of Kyrgyzstan’s Muslims are non-denominational.

Plan the perfect trip: A two week Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan itinerary

What To Wear

As Kyrgyzstan is mostly an Islamic country, conservative dress is the best practice especially in rural parts of the country. Women do not have to cover their hair, and you will see many Kyrgyz women without any sort of head covering out and about. The only time you need to cover hair is when entering a mosque.

In cities like Bishkek and Osh people wear clothing seen in many other western cities.

How long to spend in Kyrgyzstan is largely up to you and what your plans are. Many nationalities get 60 days visa-free giving you roughly two months to explore.

One of the nice things about Kyrgyzstan is that it’s not huge and many of the hotspots most who visit Kyrgyzstan want to see are easily reached by public transport (shared taxi or marshrutka).

Summer is by and far the most popular time to visit. From June to September is when alpine treks are the most accessible. Kyrgyzstan can also make for a great winter destination with several ski resorts around the country.

The most common way for getting around in Kyrgyzstan is by shared taxi (marshrutka). These are 15 passenger minibuses that leave when full and pick up people along the way, so sometimes they get quite crowded. There are some shared taxis and 4×4’s that will act as shared taxis as well.

Hitchhiking is simple in Kyrgyzstan, however, you’ll probably have difficulty finding a free ride as most anyone with a car in Kyrgyzstan is a taxi driver. So do expect to pay something if hitchhiking.

Most enter the country by plane through Osh or Bishkek , or by land from Kazakhstan , Uzbekistan , Tajikistan , or China . You can read up on Kyrgyz border crossings (as well as the whole of Central Asia) on Caravanistan . Make sure to check the forums for information from recent travelers.

Note that as of 2022 all Tajik-Kyrgyz border crossings are still closed to foreign travelers owing to the Vorukh Conflict.

Kyrgyzstan has the most relaxed visa policy of all of Central Asia with many visitors being able to visit visa-free.

Check out the Central Asia Visa Guide for more info

Kyrgyz food is similar to its Central Asian neighbors, very meat-centric, and can be somewhat bland in taste to some. Generally, food isn’t a highlight of traveling Kyrgyzstan or the region, but that isn’t to say that there’s no good food in Kyrgyzstan.

A great way to introduce yourself to Kyrgyz food is at the Osh Bazaar in Bishkek, where you can find just about any Kyrgyz food being served up.

The best meal I ever had in Kyrgyzstan was a feast put on by a Dungan family in Karakol (you can also find great Dungan dishes at Dordoi Bazaar, just outside Bishkek).

In Bishkek and Osh, you can expect to find Kyrgyz dishes as well as International food served up at restaurants. Outside cities you can expect to find a lot of the following foods.

non, non bread, nan, nan bread, Osh Bazaar, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyz bread, Kyrgyzstan bread, Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide

For the best food in all of Kyrgyzstan read why Foodies Should Flock to Karakol

Plov – Essentially a plate of greasy fried rice that is dished up all over Central Asia. Typically will have mutton or beef, shredded carrot, and garlic fried up in it. Sometimes you’ll see it with onions, peppers, garbanzo beans, and more.
Non – Non is a flatbread that accompanies just about every meal in Kyrgyzstan. You can buy fresh non with pretty designs in bazaars in the cities and towns.
Baursok – Delicious little fried pieces of bread commonly served as an appetizer.
Manti – Manti are dumplings served up all over Central Asia, Russia, Caucasus, and Western China. Typically they are stuffed with spiced meat and onion, sometimes even some other vegetables. Sometimes you can find manti being served with mashed potato or even pumpkin for a change and for those vegetarians and vegans wanting to visit this corner of the world.
Besbarmak – boiled meat and noodles with an oniony sauce served over it that is typically eaten with your hands.
Shashlik – Skewers of meat, typically mutton or beef cooked over a grill. Widely available throughout Central Asia. Sometimes you can find chicken or even veggie shashliks.
Kuurdak – Usually made of mutton, mutton fat, and onions. Kuurdak translates out to ‘roasted fried’ in Kyrgyz.
Shorpo – A Central Asian soup of meat broth from mutton or beef, spices, and various vegetables- usually potato and onion.
Lagman – A Chinese noodle dish that is very popular in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Xinxiang, and Kazakhstan and considered a national dish of the Uyghur and Dungan peoples.
Ashlan Fu — A spicy, cold noodle soup brought to Kyrgyzstan by the waves of Dungan people who escaped over the mountains from China over the years.
Kurut – Dried yogurt balls you’ll find sold all over the country.
Kumis – An alcoholic drink of fermented milk.
Fruits – In summer try melons, strawberry, raspberry, cherry, apricot, plum, and nectarine.

*If you’re a vegetarian plan to eat A LOT of potatoes, non, tomatoes and cucumbers. Kyrgyz eat a lot of meat, actually more than almost anywhere else on Earth. With that said, it’s not impossible to travel to Kyrgyzstan as a vegetarian or vegan but it will be difficult at times. I traveled Kyrgyzstan with a vegan and a vegetarian on my first trip, they survived.

Where To Go In Kyrgyzstan

The most popular places to visit in Kyrgyzstan are Bishkek, Osh, Issykul, and Song Kul. There are tons of trekking ( and horse-trekking ) opportunities in the country that you could easily stay the entire 60 days of your entry and still have more to do.

Bishkek & Around

If you are only visiting Bishkek on a brief trip to Kyrgyzstan there are several things you can go do around Bishkek to fill up your time. Naturally with Bishkek being the capital city, it is also the largest in the country.

Bishkek isn’t the most exciting city, but that’s a part of its charm. Traveling extensively in Central Asia can be exhausting, so the fact that Bishkek doesn’t have 1,001 attractions makes it a great city to relax in.

A few things to check out while in Bishkek include Osh Bazaar, Ala-Too Square, Dubovy Park, and the State Historical Museum (whenever it opens up again). If you haven’t gotten your fill of Lenin Statues in Central Asia there is one located right behind the State Museum (he used to reside in Ala-Too Square until 2003). There are several other parks within the city, as well as a couple of western-style shopping malls.

Check out: 10 Things to do in Bishkek

Bishkek Opera & Ballet Theatre, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, Chuy, Kyrgyzstan

Make sure and pay a visit to Osh Bazaar while you’re in Bishkek as it’s a great place to try out local Kyrgyz dishes. Popular Central Asian restaurants to try in Bishkek are Navat and Chaikhana Jalalabad. If you’re tired of the typical Central Asian fare, grab some great Korean food and coffee at Chicken Star , a pizza from Dolce Vita , or Pur-Pur for Georgian food.

For places to stay in Bishkek I can personally recommend Viva Hotel, and Hotel Asia Mountains 1. Hotel Asia Mountains 1 , is located a bit south of Chuy Avenue but is in a quiet neighborhood near the train tracks. The same owners have another similar hotel called Hotel Asia nearby. Another highly recommended hostel in Bishkek is the Apple Hostel .

Where To Stay In Bishkek

Budget Apple Hostel | Booking.com | Hotels.com |

Midrange Salut Hotel | Booking.com | Hotels.com |

Splurge Hotel Asia Mountains 1 | Booking.com | Hotels.com |

Bishkek, Chuy, Kyrgyzstan, Chuy avenue, scale Bishkek, weigh Bishkek

Just a quick 30 km drive south of Bishkek will take you to Ala Archa National Park. There are several treks that can be done ranging from day trips or longer. There is an 80 KGS entry fee for foreigners at the park gate.

There are marshrutka that leave from Osh Bazaar , look for Marshrutka #265 . It will take you to the park gate in the summertime (outside summer it usually stops about 7 km before in Kashka-Suu). Marshrutka #265 to Kashka-Suu will set you back 30 KGS (each way), but if you are wanting to go to the park gate and it doesn’t appear that the marshrutka will continue on, you can usually talk the driver into taking you there for another 50 KGS.

The first marshrutka from Osh Bazaar departs around 8 am, and the final one returning from Ala Archa departs at 5:30 pm. You can also arrange a taxi for 2000 KGS, which can be split amongst other travelers.

Ala Archa National Park Ala Aracha, Ala Archa National Park, Bishkek Day trips, Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide, Kyrgyzstan

Alamedin Valley & Tyoplye Klyuchi

A great alpine valley perfect for a day or overnight trip from Bishkek. There is no entry fee to visit the valley. On the walk out to Alamedin Valley just after the end of the road, you can make a stop for Tyoplye Klyuchi for a soak in the mineral baths (150 KGS pp).

Sokuluk Canyon

Take Marshruka #367 from the Osh Bazaar in Bishkek (25 KGS), and then find a taxi in Belogorka Village (750-1,000 KGS) to reach Sokuluk Canyon. The canyon is known for its 60 meter waterfall.

The not-so-famous leaning tower. Burana Tower is an 11th-century minaret that stands (leans) about 24m high. Originally Burana (then Balasagun) was the ancient Sogdian capital.

Take Marshrutka #353 from the Bishkek’s East Bus Station to Tokmok Village for 40 KGS. Once in Tokmok, find a taxi driver to take you to/from Burana (plan to pay no more than 300 KGS roundtrip).

The entrance fee is 150 KGS for Burana Tower, open 9 am-5 pm. Don’t miss the field of balbals from the 6th-10th centuries. Balbals are ancient Turkic gravestones that bear some similarity to North American Totem Poles. Burana can be easily visited as a day trip from Bishkek, or as a stop en route to Issykul.

Plan a day trip to Burana Tower & The Sunday Tokmok Animal Market

Kyrgyzstan, Burana, Burana Tower, Chuy, Balbal, Balbals, Burana statues, Burana, Burana Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan statue, Kyrgyz statue, Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia

Northern Issykul

Issykul is the second largest alpine lake in the world behind Lake Titicaca. The Lake never freezes due to its small percentage of salinity and thermal activity underneath, which is why it was given the name Issykul, meaning ‘hot lake’ in Kyrgyz. The northern coast of Issykul has numerous places of interest for most tourists.

Chong-Kemin Valley

With great trekking and beautiful sceneries, Chong Kemin Valley will be well worth the visit. Chong Kemin is one of Kyrgyzstan’s national parks and runs 80 km in length. Several treks can be done in Chong Kemin ranging from day hikes to 6+ days.

Activities to do in Chong Kemin Valley include trekking to Jasy Kul, Kul Kanur, or Kul-Tor; white water rafting, bicycling, horseback riding, and steaming it up in an old Soviet-style banya.

You can take a marshrutka from the East Bus Station in Bishkek to the village of Kaindy in Chong Kemin Valley for 120 KGS. You can book homestays in Chong Kemin Valley through CBT (Community-based Tourism in Kyrgyzstan). There are guesthouses available in Tar Suu starting at 1,780 KGS per night per person.

There is a 3 day, 2 night trek that can be done from Baikishi-Jailuu to Kul Kanur and Kul Tor lakes up through 3400m Tamchy Pass to Achyk Tash Jailoo and finally to end at Tamchy Village, just 35 km west of Cholpon Ata.

Chong Kemin, Chon Kemin, Chong Kemin Valley, Chon Kemin Valley, Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide, Kyrgyzstan

Cholpon Ata

By summer Cholpon Ata is Kyrgyzstan’s premier beach resort. The main activities to do around Cholpon Ata is swimming in Lake Issykul, jet skiing, and relaxing.

The main attraction for most tourists are the petroglyphs dating back to the late Bronze age. From Cholpon Ata center walk up Akmatbay Ata to the end of the asphalt and veer left onto Almakuchov and walk past the iron gate.

Marshrutka in the summer connect Cholpon Ata with Bishkek several times per day from Bishkek’s East Bus Station to the Avtovokzal in Cholpon Ata for 250 KGS. Marshrutka bound for Karakol leave from the Karakol Bus Stand for 120 KGS.

There is a wide range of accommodation choices in Cholpon Ata, shop them here .

The first three World Nomad Games took place just outside of Cholpon Ata in 2014, 2016, and 2018. This biennial event is basically the olympics of Central Asian nomads. The first World Nomad Games took place in 2014 and has grown in popularity over time.

The 2020 games (now postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic) will be held in Turkey, location TBA. But, if the World Nomad Games ever return to Cholpon Ata, its a spectacle not to be missed. I was blown away by the 2018 games.

Where To Stay In Cholpon Ata

Budget Issykul Visit | Booking.com |

Midrange Sunny Beach Hotel | Booking.com |

Splurge Kapriz Issykul Resort | Booking.com | Agoda.com |

Chong Ak-Suu Valley

35 km east of Cholpon Ata is village of Grigorievka. The main highlight here is to leave north from the village to Chong Ak-Suu Valley. In the summertime you will find yurtstays along the valley and horse trekking is a popular activity.

Karakol itself isn’t the most exciting town, but it is a great place to base yourself between trekking or skiing destinations in the area. If you happen to be in Karakol on a Sunday, do pay a visit to the Animal Market that takes place from dawn until 10 am with locals selling livestock.

Other popular spots around Karakol to check out are the Holy Trinity Cathedral, the Dungan Mosque, and the Ak-Tilek Bazaar.

Make sure and sample some Dungan foods at the Ak-Tilek Bazaar, and if you’d like to go to a Dungan house to experience a family dinner definitely opt to set up a dinner tour with Destination Karakol here . Trust me, the 1,400 KGS per person is well worth the experience as I found Dungan food to be the absolute best dishes I had in Central Asia.

Plan your visit: The Karakol Travel Guide + 13 Things To Do In Karakol

Drool over Karakol’s Best Dishes & plan your food tour of the city

Holy Trinity Cathedral, Holy Trinity Cathedral Kyrgyzstan, Holy Trinity Cathedral Karakol, Karakol Cathedral, Kyrgyzstan Cathedral, Karakol, Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide, Kyrgyzstan

From my own personal experience, I can recommend Hotel Amir and Memo’s Guesthouse for accommodations. You can shop for additional Karakol accommodations here .

Karakol is a transport hub on Lake Issykul. Several buses, minibusses, and shared taxis per day depart Karakol along the northern shore to Bishkek (300-600 KGS) and stopping in Cholpon Ata (100-300 KGS).

From Karakol along the southern shore to Balykchy buses, minibusses, and shared taxis stopping in/near Bokonbayevo, Barskoon and Tamga depart a few times per day.

Transport to Balykchy should cost between 200-400 KGS, Barskoon (80-200 KGS), and Tamga (80-200 KGS).

Karkara Valley

A visit to Karkara Valley is a perfect stop for those traveling between Karakol and Almaty via the border post at Kegen. There’s no public transport, so you will need to arrange drivers (on either side of the border).

Karkara Valley can be used as a base camp to visit South and North Inylchek Glaciers, Khan Tengri Peak, and Pobeda Peak.

Activities include trekking, horseback riding, watching migratory birds, mountain biking, and more. If you happen to be in the valley in late August, definitely check out the Shepherd’s Festival near Char-Kurduk village where you can watch eagle hunting and horse sports. Note that the area is usually open from May until late October.

Read about how you can cross the Karkara Border between Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan here

Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide, Altyn Arashan, Kyrgyzstan

Altyn Arashan & Ala-Kul Nature Reserve

Altyn Arashan is a settlement set in the stunningly beautiful Anyior Valley that is easily accessed from Karakol. There are numerous hot springs developments in the valley that can be used for 200 KGS.

There are plenty of trekking opportunities in Altyn Arashan, including the 5 hour trek to reach the face of Palatka Glacier. Another great trek is from Altyn Arashan up and over Ala-Kul Pass to reach Ala-Kul Lake and beyond to the gate of Ala-Kul Nature Reserve.

There is a 250 KGS entrance fee per person for the Ala-Kul Nature Reserve, and a 100 KGS fee per tent per night.

To reach Altyn Arashan you can do so by arranging 4×4 transport to either bring you to Altyn Arashan for 400 KGS, or take the Marshrutka #350 from Karakol that drops you at Ak-Suu Sanitorium and trek the remaining 14 km between Ak-Suu Sanirotium and Altyn Arashan (the road is one of the worst on Earth and trekking takes about the same amount of time as driving). Marshrutka #101 runs between Karakol and the gate of Ala-Kul Nature Reserve. There are rooms for rent in Altyn Arashan.

If you want to get off the beaten path when you’re already traveling an off the beaten path country like Kyrgyzstan, then Jyrgalan is the perfect place to explore.

Trekking into the beautiful valley, unique cultural experiences, and Kyrgyz yurtstays all await you here in Jyrgalan. If you want to find out more and arrange treks, tours, and more in the Jyrgalan area, head to Destination Jyrgalan to start planning.

Southern Issykul

Southern Issykul is less touristed than the northern side of the saline lake. The south is equally as scenic, but will have a more deserted feel to it, especially in the summer.

Jeti Oguz, Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide, Jeti Oguz, Jeti Oguz Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia, red rock Kyrgyzstan

This is Switzerland meets Utah if that could ever exist. With green alpine forests and burnt red rock cliffs, Jeti Oguz is definitely one of the most striking parts of Kyrgyzstan. Visiting Jeti Oguz can easily be visited from Karakol as a day trip, or can be made into a multi-day trek to connect with Altyn Arashan and Ala-Kul.

Don’t miss the ‘Seven Bulls’- the rock formation Jeti Oguz was named after. Broken Heart is another famous sight from Jeti Oguz. Continue from Jeti Oguz to arrive at Kok-Jaiyk, the valley of flowers which will have you thinking you really are in alpine Europe as you trek across the valley of flowers.

If you want to sleep in Jeti Oguz but don’t want to tent it, try Emir Guesthouse . There is also the Sanatorium that will set you back 800 KGS for a double.

Marshrutka #371 runs between Jeti Oguz Village and Karakol several times per day for 100 KGS. There is another, Marshrutka #355 that runs between Korort and Karakol usually leaving in the morning from Korort. Getting a car to take you between Jeti Oguz Village and Korort will only cost 120 KGS for the entire car, and 1,000 KGS between Jeti Oguz Village and Karakol if you don’t want to wait on the marshrutka.

Plan your own visit to Jeti Oguz here

Issykul, Tamga, Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide, Kyrgyzstan

Barskoon Valley

The little village of Barskoon is a great jumping-off point into the Barskoon Valley, Tamga, and Tosor. If you’d like to arrange horse treks into Barskoon Valley you can easily arrange them from the village.

There is a waterfall worth checking out in Barskoon Valley. The road out here can get quite dusty from the nearby goldmine.

Turn off the main road at the Soviet-era plane (trust me, you won’t miss it) and drive about 2km in to reach Tamga. One of the most fascinating things about Tamga is visiting the cemetery in the town, with a stunning backdrop of the Teskei Ala-Too Mountain Range in the distance.

Tamga is a great jumping-off point for trekking and horse trekking adventures into the Teskei Ala-Too Range. You can arrange 1-3 day treks to Ochincheck Lake and Tamga Gorge, and even a 4 day trek to Chakury Kul. A good option to sleep as well as arrange horse and trekking trips from is the Teremok .

Skazka Canyon

Red and orange eroded spiny rocks with Issykul in the distance is the attraction to Skazka Canyon, nicknamed Fairytale Canyon. You can easily walk back from Skazka Canyon to nearby Tosor as they’re only about 3.5 km apart, but walking from Tosor to Skazka without a local guide isn’t recommended.

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For those wanting to stay beachfront, Tosor is an alternative to Tamga, and just a few km apart. Try Eldos-Ata Eco Hotel .

Bokonbayevo

Bokonbayevo is southern Issykul’s largest town, but the main reason most tourists pay a visit is to meet an eagle hunter ( the same can be said about nearby Kaji-Sai).If you happen to be around the area in mid-August it would be worth it to make the stop for the Birds of Prey Festival at the yurt camp. Try Meiman Ordo Yurt Camp if planning to spend the night. Treks can be arranged from Bokonbayevo into the nearby mountains as well.

Central Kyrgyzstan

Central Kyrgyzstan is one of the best regions for exploring Kyrgyzstan’s Central Tien Shan and Teskei Ala-Too Mountains. Tourism in the area is centered around Lake Song Kul, which is a highlight for many traveling in Kyrgyzstan.

Kochkor isn’t much to look at itself but is a great jumping-off point to the nearby mountains as well as Song Kul.

Do make a stop in at Altyn-Kul to purchase felt and handmade crafts from around the Naryn Oblast. You can even get a demonstration of how the women make the felt and even try your hand at it. Altyn-Kul is located right next to Kochkor’s CBT office .

A mirror-like lake surrounded by green summer pastures, yurt camps, Kyrgyz horse riders, and jagged peaks. Song Kul is the postcard picture that people know of Kyrgyzstan. The yurt camps are around Song Kul from mid-July to mid-September and outside that time the lake is a ghost town.

Be aware that snow can fall any time of year at Song Kul. There are several routes into Song Kul, so you should choose according to your plans and what you’d like to do out there.

The easiest access to the lake is from Kochkor by car. If planning to trek in independently arriving from Kyzart Tuz-Ashu, and from Klemche. Other hikers will opt to trek in from Kyzart and Jumgal, but a local trekking guide is recommended through here. If planning to stay in Kochkor try Gues thouse B&B , the family is very friendly and makes good meals.

You can shop other Kochkor accommodations here.

If you happen to be in the region in July or August and you’re looking for an alternative to Song Kul, Kul Ukok is a great option. The trek to Kul Ukok can be done on horseback or on foot if wanting to arrange a guide you can set one up through CBT in Kochkor.

The trek begins from Kupke which can be reached by taxi from Kochkor for 150-200 KGS to arrive at the trailhead, which is just past Isakaev Village. You can expect to reach the beautiful glacial lake in 6-8 hours depending on your speed and fitness level.

Kyzyl-Oi is a Kyrgyz mountain village of red clay homes surrounded by jagged peaks. It’s a good jumping-off point for trekking, horseback riding, and river rafting in the Ala-Too Mountains.

Kumbel Pass, Balyk Kul, and Char Valley are a few of the excursions you could go on from here. Check out CBT Kyzyl Oi for more information and to set up homestays. Elvira’s Homestay in Kyzyl Oi is recommended.

There’s not much in way of must-see sites in Naryn, but it’s a good place to arrange adventures into the mountains and lakes nearby. It’s also a good place to meet other travelers to split costs on activities or transportation as it is a hub for those headed for Osh via Kazarman, Tash-Rabat, and the Tourugart Pass into China. Search Naryn homestays and hotels here .

To get out of Naryn you’ll find minibus and shared taxi headed for Bishkek (400-600 KGS), Karakol ( 400-600 KGS ), and Kazarman (800-1100 KGS). If you plan to head to Tash-Rabat you’ll need to charter your own taxi (which can obviously be split amongst a group of travelers) for about 3,500 KGS. There is a CBT office in Naryn where you can arrange tours, treks, homestays, and cultural experiences.

Naryn River, Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide, Kyrgyzstan

Kazarman is set with a picturesque backdrop around the not-so-picturesque buildings in town. The main reason most stop in through Kazarman are those getting between Naryn and the Fergana Valley, as well as those headed to Salimaluu Tash.

Usually, Kazarman is only reachable in the summer months as heavy snow blocks both passes connecting it to Naryn and Jalalabad.

A couple shared taxis depart in the morning for Jalalabad on most days taking about 4 hours for 600 KGS. Shared taxis to Bishkek leave in the mornings for 1200-1500 KGS, taking about 12 hours. Cars bound for Naryn don’t leave every day, usually only 1-3 per week. A seat in a shared taxi will usually go for around 800 KGS and take about 5 hours.

If you don’t have time to spare and it looks like the shared taxi isn’t going to fill you can always pay the full 3200 KGS to charter the entire car. You can arrange homestays in Kazarman via CBT Kazarman .

Sailmaluu Tash

Sailmaluu Tash is one of Central Asia’s best collections of petroglyphs. You will need to buy an entrance ticket to the park from the Sailmaluu Park office in Kazarman for 100 KGS.

Usually, the trip to Sailmaluu Tash is done as a long day trip from Kazarman with a two hour 4×4 ride (each way) and then a steep 6-hour hike to reach the petroglyphs. You can arrange a guide as well as transport through CBT in Kazarman , Guides typically go for 1,000 KGS for the trip.

The Kyrgyz Fergana Valley

The Kyrgyz Fergana Valley will feel like a completely different country from Bishkek and Issykul for those that have begun their Kyrgyz travels in the north or east. The Fergana Valley can be a bit tumultuous at times when tensions rise between the Kyrgyz, Uzbek, and Tajiks that all inhabit this region with haphazardly drawn borders.

You’ll likely notice that the Kyrgyz Fergana Valley is much hotter than the remainder of the country and has a less Russified feeling and appearance.

Osh is mainly a jumping-off point for travelers headed to take on the Pamir Highway south into Tajikistan , those headed toward either China or Uzbekistan , or for further trekking adventures south into the Alay Valley, or into the Fergana Valley. With that said there are a few sites of interest around Osh to keep you occupied for a couple of days.

Osh is Kyrgyzstan’s second-largest city and has over 3,000 years of history. A few things not to miss while in Osh are: Suleiman Too- the impossible to miss craggy mountain smack in the middle of the city with a museum, the Dom Babura, and giving panoramic views of Osh from the top.

The Bazaar, one of the largest in all of Central Asia and the best place to pick up just about anything. The Lenin Statue in the middle of the city is one of the largest in all of Central Asia. And of course, there is the Sunday Animal Market where shepherds bring sheep, goats, cows, and donkeys to sell.

Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide, Kyrgyzstan, Osh, Suleiman, Suleiman Too

If you’ve been traveling Central Asia for some time and want something different, try Izyum. They have a huge international menu, my favorite is the butter paneer. If you’re looking for a good Central Asian restaurant try Ala-Too. It’s more of a chaikhana style restaurant, I recommend ordering the laghman. You won’t be disappointed.

Plan your stay in Osh with my Osh Travel Guide

Where To Stay In Osh

Budget Sunny Hostel | Booking.com | Agoda.com |

Midrange Silk Way Boutique Hotel | Booking.com | Hotels.com |

Splurge Jannat Resort Osh | Booking.com | Agoda.com |

For cheap accommodations with a friendly and helpful staff stay over at Sunny Hostel . For those with a slightly higher budget, you can opt for the comfortable Silk Way Boutique Hotel . Shop more Osh accommodations here .

Note that when leaving Osh there are several bus stations and taxi stands that transport departs from. To read a more thorough guide to transport in Osh, and the rest of Kyrgyzstan, head here .

Jalalabad is Kyrgyzstan’s third-largest city. The only reason that brings most to Jalalabad is a stopover between Kazarman and Osh, Osh and Arslanbob, or Osh and Sary Chelek. You can shop Jalalabad accommodations here .

The draw to Arslanbob for most tourists is trekking and horseback riding into the Babash-Ata mountains, as well as being home to the largest walnut forest in the world. Arslanbob is mostly an overgrown Uzbek village giving you the opportunity to experience shepherding and rural life.

You can arrange different activities and homestays through CBT Arslanbob . You can reach Arslanbob by marshrutka from Osh directly for 200 KGS, they depart at 8:30 am and 2:10 pm, but I would recommend arriving at the bus station early. They leave from the new bus station on the northern outskirts of Osh.

If you are coming from Jalalabad you will need to take a marshrutka to Bazarkurgan, and then another from Bazarkurgan to Arslanbob, the entire joinery shouldn’t cost more than 120 KGS.

Sary Chelek

Sary Chelek is a beautiful mountain lake in the Kyrgyz Fergana Valley that can be reached in about a day from Osh. There is an Osh to Arkit direct marshrutka that leaves from Osh’s new bus station on the northern outskirts of the city at 7:45 am every day for 370 KGS. I recommend arriving at the bus station by 7 am, because the day I went the bus did leave early.

You will need to either pay an extortionate amount of money for a taxi from Arkit to Sary Chelek, hitch a ride on one of the passing UAZ dump trucks, or hike the road to the shore of the lake. There are CBT homestays in Sary Chelek, or you can plan to camp at the lake (there is a fee). From Sary Chelek it is possible to do trekking further into the nature reserve.

Read: How to Visit Sary Chelek

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There’s not much to note about Batken, aside from it being the border for the Kyrgyz/Tajik Fergana Valley where you’ll cross to reach Khujand. Minibus #537 departs Osh for Batken for 300 KGS from the Batken minibus stand at 7:15 am, 8:30 am, 10 am, and 12 pm typically.

Southeastern Kyrgyzstan

The corner of Kyrgyzstan nearing the Chinese border.

Koshoykurgan

Usually is only visited as a quick stop en route between Naryn and Tash Rabat. Koshoykurgan is home to what remains of the walls from the powerful 10th-century city.

Tash Rabat is a small 15th-century caravanserai that was once an important stop along the Silk Road. Tash Rabat can be used as a base for treks into Chatyr-Kul and Kul-Suu, although a border zone permit will need to be arranged through CBT Naryn at least 5 days in advance to trek to both these locations.

There is a yurt camp in Tash Rabat that you can usually sleep at. It is possible to rent horses and ride to Chatyr-Kul and Kul-Suu.

Chatyr-Kul is an alpine lake located near the Chinese border.

A 6-hour hike from Tash Rabat will bring you to the top of the ridgeline overlooking the lake, and another 2 hours down will bring you to the Chatyr-Kul Yurt Camp at the shores of the lake. You can arrange to stay at the yurts at the lake by speaking to the owners of the yurts in Tash Rabat.

In order to visit Chatyr-Kul, you must obtain a border permit from CBT Naryn , which takes about 5 business days (1,000 KGS) for them to process. All you will need to do is contact CBT Naryn and send a copy of your passport info page and they will arrange the permit and have it waiting for you at CBT you arrive. It is possible for 1,700 KGS to get a permit issued in about 1 business day.

Kul-Suu is a lovely turquoise lake set in a rocky canyon near the border with China, that is fairly off the beaten path.

In order to visit Kul-Suu, you must obtain a border permit from CBT Naryn , which takes about 5 business days (1,000 KGS) for them to process. All you will need to do is contact CBT Naryn and send a copy of your passport info page and they will arrange the permit and have it waiting for you at CBT when you arrive. It is possible for 1,700 KGS to get a permit issued in about 1 business day.

The best way to get to Kul-Suu is by getting a taxi to Tash Rabat, then combining a trip to Chatyr-Kul Pass and Kul-Suu, using the Tash Rabat Yurt Camp as a base. You can make a day trip up to Chatyr-Kul Pass and back to Tash Rabat one day and then another day trip to Kul-Suu and back. To arrange trips and tours to Kul-Suu contact CBT Naryn .

Alay Valley

The Alay Valley is the last bit of Kyrgyzstan before the Tajik border and onto the Pamir Highway with views of the ominous Peak Lenin situated right on the border between the two countries. Using Sary Tash as a jumping-off point into the region there are plenty of opportunities for yurt stays, camping, trekking, horseback riding, and more.

Sary Tash is a small village with great views of the mountains all abound and sits at the crossroads of the Irkeshtam Pass into China , the Kyzyl-Art Pass into Tajikistan , and the road north onto Osh and Bishkek . There isn’t much in Sary Tash per se, but there is a decent trucker style cafe as you pass through town that will take payment in Chinese Yuan and Tajik Somoni (sometimes they can even exchange money).

Shared taxis bound for Osh depart most days for 350 KGS, the Irkeshtam border for 300 KGS, and taxis toward Sary Mogul for 700 KGS.

Peak Lenin, Kyrgyzstan, Sary Tash, Pamir, Pamirs, Pamir Mountains

Head to Sary Mogul, just 30 km west of Sary Tash to take in views of Peak Lenin and around, as well as organize trekking to Tolpur Kul, and trips to Peak Lenin base camp, and more. If going beyond Lake Tolpur, you are supposed to get a border zone permit for 2,054 KGS, which can be arranged by CBT or trekking agencies.

Much like the Chinese border zone permit, these can take time to process, so best to get in contact well in advance so that you can pick up the necessary permit.

Peak Lenin is the highest peak in the Pamir-Alai Range, and one of the most accessible and popular 7,000 meter summits in the world. Most who do summit Peak Lenin do so from the Kyrgyz side of the border because it is more straightforward and there aren’t the fees you’d incur if climbing the Tajik side.

Note that you are supposed to have the border zone permit to visit Peak Lenin or the base camp at Achik Tash, so arrange that with CBT to avoid any troubles.

Trekking Kyrgyzstan

The trekking opportunities in Kyrgyzstan are endless. Here are just a few of the treks that can be taken in the country and links to more information on them.

Jeti Oguz, Jeti Oghuz, Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide, Kyrgyzstan, Kok Jayik

Around Bishkek

Ala Archa National Park 1-2 day treks.
Alamedin Valley 1-2 day treks.
Altyn Arashan to Ala Kul 3-5 day trek.
Archa Tor Pass 3-5 day trek.
Keskenkija Loop in Jyrgalan 4 day trek. There are also other treks to take on Jyrgalan .
Chong Kemin Valley 1-6 day treks
Karkara Valley to Inylchek Glacier 10 day trek.
Ak-Suu Traverse 6+ day trek that starts near to Jeti Oghuz.
Jeti Oguz Several 1-7 day treks.
Tamga Gorge & Ochinchek Lake 1-3 day trek, Tamga Guesthouse can arrange horse trek or local guide.
Tamga to Chakury Kul 4 day trek, Tamga Guesthouse can arrange horse trek or local guide.
Kyzart to Song Kul 2-4 day trek.
Kyzart-Tuz-Ashu to Song Kul 1-2 day trek.
Klemche to Song Kul 2 day trek.
Jumgal to Song Kul 2 day trek.
Kochkor to Kul Ukok 2-3 day trek.
Kyzyl Oi to Balyk Kul 1-2 day trek.

Fergana Valley

Arslanbob to Kol Mazar 4 day trek.
Arslanbob Waterfalls 1-2 day trek.

Alai Valley & Southeast Kyrgyzstan

Tash Rabat to Chatyr Kul 1-2 day trek.
Tash Rabat to Kul-Suu 1-2 trek.
Sary Mogul to Tulpar Kul or Peak Lenin Base Camp ( Achik Tash ) 1-2 day trek. Note that you can actually drive to Tulpar Kul and Achik Kul .
Peak Lenin Base Camp ( Achick Tash ) to Advanced Base Camp 2 2-4 day trek, not including the time needed for acclimatization.
Summiting Peak Lenin Roughly 21 days to reach the top of Peak Lenin and return.

Kyrgyz Festivals & Events

Uzbek Cuisine Festival – Held in mid-July in Jalalabad, celebrating traditional Uzbek cuisine.
Yak & Horse Games Festival– Held in late July in Sary Mogul. Come watch ulak-tartysh, kyz-kuumai, tyin-enmei, and er-enish games. Sample traditional Kyrgyz cuisine as well.
National Horse Games– Held in late July in Song Kul. Watch on as athletes compete in Kyrgyz horse games in the high pasture.
National Horse Games Festival– Held in late July in Kyzyl Oi. Watch on as horse games are competed and learn about Kyrgyz traditions.
Birds of Prey Festival– Held in mid-August in Bokonbayevo. Watch golden eagle hunting demonstrations, sample Kyrgyz cuisine, and see work from some of Kyrgyzstan’s best artisans.
World Nomad Games– Held in early September in Cholpon Ata for the last three games (they are held every other year). This was Kyrgyzstan’s largest event celebrating nomadic sport and culture but will be held in Turkey in 2020, location TBA.

Eagle hunting Kyrgyzstan, Eagle hunting, Issykul, golden eagle, Kyrgyz eagle hunter

These are rough estimates based on different styles of traveling.

1,710 KGS/$25 USD per day

This is assuming you will be staying in hostel dorms and homestays, using marshrutka, eating at local chaikhanas and taking unguided treks.

2,738 KGS/$40 USD per day

Staying in decent double rooms in cities and yurt or homestays in rural areas, traveling by shared taxi, and taking guided treks periodically.

6,845 KGS/$100 USD per day

Sleeping in boutique hotels when possible, eating at finer restuarants, traveling by private car hire, or taking a tour of the country.

Packing List

Here are a few items I recommend for traveling in Kyrgyzstan.

The Inreach Explorer+ . A GPS & SOS beacon, that can also send and receive text messages. Can be handy if planning on doing more remote treks and/or mountaineering. Delorme/Garmin offers some good monthly plans when in use.
A solar charger can be a great way to keep your electronics and batteries charged when hiking around in areas where you may go a bit without electricity.
An external battery pack can also help you out in a pinch when batteries are dead and you’re in the middle of nowhere.
I use the Osprey Ariel 65L backpack and recommend Osprey’s products because of their guarantee. Shop backpacks here !
A tent is handy if you plan to do any trekking, or are planning to cycle or hitchhike the Pamir Highway. I use the MSR NX Hubba-Hubba solo tent and love it.
A sleeping bag can prove useful if you’re going to be doing any camping, especially at higher altitudes and in the fall or spring. I use a Nemo sleeping bag cold rated to 20ºF/-7ºC.
A good pair of hiking boots. My personal favorite is the La Sportiva Nucleo High GTX hiking boot.
If planning on trekking/camping and you like to enjoy a warm meal I recommend a lightweight cooking camp set .
I personally use the Katadyn water filter . Tap water in the entire country is unsafe for drinking and natural water sources can be contaminated.
A headlamp will come in handy!
Don’t forget the sunscreen! Don’t let the cold fool you.
Mosquito Repellant can prove handy in springtime at lower elevations, although I’ve personally never run into many bugs out here in my late summer and fall adventures.
The Bradt Kyrgyzstan Guidebook and the Lonely Planet’s Central Asia Guidebook can come in handy, as well as their phrasebook .

Burana, Burana Tower, Bishkek day trips, Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide, Kyrgyzstan

Internet & Mobile service

You can expect to find decent working wifi in most hotels and hostels in Kyrgyzstan’s cities. Mobile service is surprisingly good, I use O! when traveling in Kyrgyzstan as they have cheap data plans.

In general, Kyrgyzstan is a safe country to travel in. Likely your biggest dangers will be hazardous driving, being injured while horseback riding, or having an accident in the mountains while on a trek.

Theft does happen, but it’s not an incredibly common occurrence. There is some corruption present in the country and you may be bribed or hassled by border guards or police (although, I’ve not personally ever had a run-in with these problems on either of my trips into Kyrgyzstan).

There are reports of police extorting bribes out of tourists (typically men) at Osh Bazaar in Bishkek.

Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide, Kyrgyzstan, Tamga

Have Any Questions About This Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide?

Ask your Kyrgyzstan travel questions in the comments section below.

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12 thoughts on “kyrgyzstan travel guide”.

Hi! Where would you recommend in Kyrgyzstan for a non-hiker (short hikes at most) in October?

Hi Stephanie, I’d recommend Ala Archa National Park as there are some nice little day hikes there if looking to remain closer to Bishkek. Otherwise I would definitely recommend going out to Karakol as there are plenty of day hikes to do in the area that can be reached usually with a short drive.

Kyrgyzstan has the most liberal visa policy of any Central Asian country, making travel to the country easier and more straightforward than ever. Upon arrival, citizens of a number of countries (mostly Western or developed nations) are granted a 30- or 60-day visa. This country, territory, or region should not be visited. Your personal safety and security are jeopardized. If you are already there, consider leaving if it is safe to do so.

Nice article with useful details !!!

Hi I want to Travel this year in September, and Kyrgyzstan is opening borders https://pegas-adventure.com/tours This company informed me anyone crossed border this summer. Please if you’re crossed, please inform me

Hi Alex, I did see an article just this morning stating that Kyrgyzstan had opened its borders to 31 nationalities. It did sound like those trying to get from Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan have been turned away at border crossings though from what I read here , but I have not heard yet on others trying to enter, so it is hard to say if you will be able to enter or not (in theory if you’re on the 31-country list you should be able to). I’d also recommend keeping an eye on the Caravanistan Forums for other travelers updates on the matter.

Hi Nicole, Thanks for a great post. I am going to Central Asia in April (to Astana) and I am wondering which countries to visit in 17 days that I have there. I’ve always wanted to go to Kyrgyzstan mountains, but I am aware that this is not the best time. Would you still recommend going and if yes in which area? Alternatively, I was thinking about Uzbekistan and area around Almaty. Many thanks!

Hi Aga, I’d say Uzbekistan is probably a better bet in April (heat isn’t boiling yet). Kyrgyzstan is doable though if you’d like to get into the mountains it could be a bit messy! Almaty and it’s surroundings are beautiful and you can easily spend a week or more exploring around there.

I’m happy I came across your blog. I have wanted to visit Central Asia for quite some time now and I think 2019 will be the year. This page on Kyrgyzstan has been so so helpful.

I hope you enjoy Kyrgyzstan, I actually am about to head back in a couple weeks myself. Let me know if you have any questions

Hey Nicki, Im glad to have stumbled across your blog and photos. Thank you for returning my email so quickly the other day, and directing me to this guide here. Has been very helpful, my only problem is now I need to decide what all I want to do. I plan to go in August, can’t wait!

Hi Trent, I hope you have an amazing time in Kyrgyzstan! Let me know if you have more questions.

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Part of the Soviet Union until Independence in 1991, but with a history going back a thousand years earlier, Kyrgyzstan lies in Central Asia between Uzbekistan and China. The country was part of the Silk Road and its beautiful alpine landscapes remain a place to see a semi-nomadic way of life that can seem unchanged since ancient times. If you're thinking of exploring this beautiful place where centuries-old traditions still reign supreme, read on for our beginner's guide to Kyrgyzstan

The Kyrgyz people were originally a group of nomadic tribes, among whom hospitality was often a matter of life and death. Guests are still treated as well as the host can afford, and most travellers return from Kyrgyzstan with epic stories of the warmth and generosity they meet.

Horses remain central to the traditional way of life and a riding tour is among the very best ways to experience the countryside. During the summer, you’ll often see horse riders engaged in the national sport of Kok Boru (“Blue Wolf”). With origins in the constant battle that the tribes once fought to protect their flocks against wolves, it pits two teams of fluid size against each other in a fierce fight for a goat carcass. Horsemanship and bravery are a prerequisite to taking part, never mind winning.

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Yurts in a nomad village in Tash-Rabat in Kyrgyzstan

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written by Franzi Wirth

updated 26.04.2021

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Home » Asia » Backpacking Guide

Backpacking Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide 2024

Let me fill you in on a (not so secret) secret: Kyrgyzstan is set to be the next BIG backpacker destination and if you are thinking of planning a trip here, congratulations! You are making an excellent choice. It is a wild, wild country full of off the beaten path potential, yet relatively easy to travel in and get about on the cheap.

Nowhere else in Central Asia (or most of the world for that matter) will you find such a perfectly set stage for backpacker exploration and adventure. Kyrgyzstan truly offers up the perfect recipe for keen backpackers looking for a powerful, uniquely personal, travel experience.

While Kyrgyzstan may be the easiest of the “Stans” to travel in, this complex country does take a bit of time to figure out and connect with. I am here to show you the way…

Below, I provide honest, fresh advice on where to go backpacking in Kyrgyzstan, backpacker accommodation, suggested Kyrgyzstan itineraries, top things to do in Kyrgyzstan, how to travel the country, daily travel costs, best treks, Kyrgyzstan budget travel hacks, and all the other nuts and bolts that go into making an epic Kyrgyzstan travel guide.

Settle in amigos, let me show you what backpacking in Kyrgyzstan is all about…

Why Go Backpacking in Kyrgyzstan?

Kyrgyzstan ticks all of the boxes that light my backpacker fire. You’ll find inspiring alpine landscapes, endless trekking opportunities, exposure to Kyrgyz nomadic culture, azure high-altitude lakes, 7000-meter mountains, delicious cheap food, reasonable budget accommodation options, well connected public transport, yurt camps, gold-toothed smiling locals, oh, and some of the cheapest Vodka found this side of mother Russia.

Let’s take a look at where to stay in Kyrgyzstan . Kyrgyzstan’s geography is very important to understand from a cultural and activity perspective. Northern Kyrgyzstan is a popular adventure playground for backpackers looking to connect with Kyrgyz culture and truly special trekking destinations.

The majority of Kyrgyzstan’s tourism infrastructure is located in the north, which makes it one of the easiest and most approachable areas to travel in the country.

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From the capital Bishkek , most places of interest are less than 6 hours drive away, and sometimes far less than that. The famous Song Kol and Issyk Kul lakes are in the north, as is the Tian Shan range (Celestial Mountains).

Numerous well-established yurt camps and hiking trails are found throughout the mix of the rugged steppe, forest, and desert landscapes in Karakol , Jyrgalan , Fairy Tail Canyon , Chon Kemin , and Barkskoon Gorge , and the above-mentioned lakes.

The south is another matter entirely. From the southern city of Osh and beyond, there is a palpable difference in the air. Southern Kyrgyzstan is the wild west in many respects.

There is little to no backpacker infrastructure apart from a few hot spots like Lenin Peak Base Camp/Tulpar Kol . Southern Kyrgyzstan is also much more religious (Muslim majority) and conservative.

The Fergana valley — which has shared borders in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan— has been a place of constant ethnic tensions and sporadic violence for decades.

Kyrgyzstan is exceptionally diverse and taking the time to appreciate its different areas is a clear must.

Best Travel Itineraries for Backpacking Kyrgyzstan

Below I have crafted a few Kyrgyzstan travel itineraries to help you form a logical route for your time in the country.

These routes are just suggestions based on the itineraries I utilized during my time spent backpacking Kyrgyzstan. Each of these routes can be customized, reversed, or reworked to fit your interests and schedule.

#1 Kyrgyzstan Itinerary – 8-10 Days: Highlights of the North

If you have come to Kyrgyzstan for only eight days, then you certainly want to be armed with a plan to ensure you can see and do as much as humanly possible. This trip length will be quite hectic and action-packed.

That said, because of the relatively short distances, you can have an awesome set of experiences in just an eight-day window. Here are my suggestions:

Start your trip in Bishkek but save the exploration of the capital to the end of the trip. Drive to Song Kul from Bishkek via a stop at Burana Tower and stay the night with a nomadic family at a yurt camp.

Horse trekking can also be organized at Song Kol (either as a day trip or an overnight horse trek). Song Kol is an excellent place to chill out after your long journey by plane (or road) to Kyrgyzstan.

From Song Kul head to Issyuk Kul . Here you can check out the spectacular Fairy Tale Canyon , found on the south side of the lake. Eagle hunting demonstrations are also available in the villages around the southern shore.

altyn arashan hot springs near issyk kul kyrgyzstan

Because you are short on time, I recommend hiring a car/jeep to take you to Karakol Valley so that you can start a three-night trek in the Celestial Mountains .

You don’t need a guide to do this trek, but if you are doing it solo, you’ll need to stock up on food and other supplies in Karakol . The three nights of the trek are spent at Karakol Valley , Ala Kul lake , and Altyn Arashan .

You can opt for a rest day in Karakol following the trek. For the next day, you have several options: go check out Jeti Oguz, Barksoon Gorge, or simply chill out at Issyk Kul with wine and a good book (after a swim).

Then it’s back to Bishkek or a night of craft beer and amazing food before flying out the next day. Breathe.

#2 Kyrgyzstan Itinerary 2 Weeks: A Proper Look at the North

With two weeks at your discretion, you suddenly have a few more options. This route can follow most or all of the eight-day route mentioned above with a few tasty additions along the way.

I would still stick to the north because you don’t have enough time to make the journey south. Plus, there is plenty to do and experience in the north anyway.

In addition to what the eight-day itinerary has to offer, here are some suggestions to help you fill an additional (almost) week in Kyrgyzstan’s northern areas…

Check out Sary Jaz , a region bordering with China. Permits are required to get in here, but the juice is worth the squeeze. You won’t find many other foreigners here. When done in a jeep, the Ring of Sary Jaz is a spectacular way to take in a big chunk of the landscape in two days.

Another place to check out in Sary Jaz is the old Soviet mining town, Engilchek the nearby Kara-Tash hot springs.

Go for a horse trek in Jyrgalan, one of the most popular horse trekking destinations in Kyrgyzstan, and probably the easiest place to organize a horse trek as well. Jyrgalan is a nice place to check out if you don’t mind sharing the trail with other foreigners.

You could head further south of Bishkek to Naryn for a couple of days for more off the beaten path trekking options.

Ala Archa National Park is just 40 km from Bishkek. This place is excellent if you want to get some nature time in without being too far from the city.

If you have had enough of the mountains (how could you though?!) you can head back to Bishkek for two or three days and enjoy the cosmopolitan side of the capital. Though anything more than two or three days and you’ll likely get bored.

#3 Kyrgyzstan Itinerary 1 Month: North and South Highlights

With a month on your hand, you can certainly head south to check out the scene. You can opt to start in the south if you wish.

After taking in the north (see above itineraries), you can opt for a flight from Bishkek to Kyrgyzstan’s second-biggest city, Osh (about 45 minutes). You can take a small bus overland, but it takes about 12 hours. If you have time and you are on a budget, the bus makes more economic sense.

Osh is worth spending a couple of days in, though the highlights of the south lie a few hours south of the city.

Head to Sary Mogul, a dusty, rather ugly ramshackle village five hours south of Osh. Sary Mogul is the jumping-off point to Tulpar Kul and Lenin Peak Base Camp . Tulpar Kul is worth the visit whether you plan to make the trek to Lenis Peak or not.

For those with a serious adventure appetite, an amazing way to spend eight days in the south is to tackle a big trek in the Batken/Karavshin Valley region. Deemed the “ Patagonia of Central Asia “, This place is truly wild, also requires permits to visit, and is as about as off the beaten path as you can get in Kyrgyzstan. More on trekking in the Batken later in this Kyrgyzstan travel guide.

#4 Kyrgyzstan Itinerary 2+ Months: The Whole Damn Thing

One can never actually see the “ whole damn thing ” on one trip (unless you visit Monaco or another 3-kilometer long country). That said, with two months in Kyrgyzstan, you can give it an honest go.

Since most travelers from Western countries get a 60-day tourist visa on arrival it isn’t hard to stay in this Central Asian outdoor mecca for that amount of time.

If you plan on using up your entire 60-day tourist visa in Kyrgyzstan then you can move at a sloooooooow pace.

In my opinion, the only real reason why you would want to stay in Kyrgyzstan for two months would be to 1. go on numerous multi-day treks in many different parts of the country or 2. settle down in Bishkek for a month to live out the digital nomad dream working online.

So, building on the above-mentioned itineraries, I have the following suggestions for you to fill an additional month in Kyrgyzstan:

Take the time to discover more unique destinations in southern Kyrgyzstan . Explore the Fergana Valley . Go trekking in the Alay Mountains .

For a challenging, lengthy, and drop-dead gorgeous trek through the Alay, tackle the 8-day trek which crosses the epic Jiptick Pass . Don’t worry, more details about all of these epic treks later in this Kyrgyzstan travel guide.

My advice: take the time to really get to know a place instead of just passing through on a whirlwind tour. Spend time with locals and make the effort to learn a bit of the Kyrgyz and/or Russian languages. Travel overland, hitchhike and generally travel like you are in no hurry, because friend, you aren’t.

Places to Visit in Kyrgyzstan

From the lakes, mountains, and steppe country of the north to the rugged and dusty south, Kyrgyzstan is a vast land with many interesting places to check out. For the most part, traveling in Kyrgyzstan is safe and there are only a handful of areas that require special government permission to enter.

Each region of Kyrgyzstan has something special and rewarding to offer backpackers if you know where to look. From my experience, I found only a handful of places that were bust with foreigners, which is a positive sign that Kyrgyzstan has yet to fully erupt into a Nepal-like adventure destination.

Apart from the popular Karakol area and Song Kol, backpackers are far and few between. Exploration potential is limitless… at the moment .

Again, the overall vibe in the north versus the south is markedly different and you will find the largest practicing Muslim populations living in the south. The rural areas of the north are still home to large numbers of seasonal nomadic herders, though these numbers are a fraction of what they were in centuries past (especially pre the Soviet Union).

Let’s take a look at some of the top places to visit in Kyrgyzstan…

Backpacking Bishkek

Except for neighboring Almaty, Bishkek is hands down one of the most liberal and fun capital cities in Central Asia.

For being a capital, the streets are pretty quiet, and just about everywhere you go there is a huge presence of university students from all over the world. Though it may not seem so at first, a lot is going on at night as well – you just need to know where to look.

While Bishkek lacks impressive monuments, mosques, and world-class museums, it does win huge points for its craft beer scene, cheap accommodation, and tasty, affordable eateries. I am sure with time Bishkek will only become cooler (and it is in a pretty good spot as it is).

The only notable attractions around town are probably Ala-Too Square and Osh Bazaar. Personally, my favorite thing to do in Bishkek is to visit the amazing (and underrated) craft beer bars. A few breweries to check out are Save the Ales, Blonder, Brewster, and Steninbrau . Ask the staff for the “beer cheese”; they will know what you’re talking about.

If you need to change cash and a local SIM card, go to the GUM Shopping Mall . If you need electronics, go TSUM Center . Hiking equipment? Red Fox is a popular chain but expensive; Alex.kg is more affordable.

There’s quite a bit to do outside of Bishkek as well. Ala Archa National Park, home to several nearly-5000m peaks, is only 45 minutes away by car. Burana Tower, one of the most significant cultural landmarks in Kyrgyzstan, is 90 minutes away. If you’d like to organize a tour to either of these, our friends at Show me Bishkek can help.

Bishkek is the central transportation hub of the country. You can sort out public transport or a taxi to just about anywhere from here.

Backpacking Song Kol

If Song Kol (also spelled Song Kul and Son Kul) happens to be your first real destination outside of Bishkek, then you won’t be disappointed. Song Kul is a super green, hilly area of high altitude Central Asian steppe centered around a large salty lake. Traditionally, this area was used by nomadic herders during the summer months as grazing ground for their animals.

Depending on what you want to do, your experience in Song Kul can either be very chill or very active. The main draw of Song Kul, apart from the obvious beauty, is the yurt camps. Small, family-run yurt camps dot the shore and offer up an authentic taste of nomadic life. Some yurt camps are more authentic than others, however.

For backpackers, I suggest seeking out a yurt camp that has no frills: no super fancy beds, yurts, or neon lights. These high-end yurt camps are expensive and will not give you the desired experience of staying with a family.

The real yurt camps are nice too, and often they just bear the name of the family.

Horse trekking is also a popular activity around the lake. One can combine a multi-day hike with horse trekking to Song Kol if you have the time and budget to do so.

I’d say a few hours of riding horses around the lake is enough as the area is rather flat (hills are in the background) and the landscape doesn’t change much. The best option would be to do the hike/horse trekking combo if you have the budget for it. Horses cost about $20 an hour for day trips. If you are doing a multi-day adventure, there is more room for negotiation.

Backpacking Issyk Kul

Issyk Kul is a sight to behold. It is the seventh deepest lake in the world, the tenth-largest lake in the world by volume, and the second-largest saline lake after the Caspian Sea. In any case, the lake is MASSIVE and takes some time to properly explore.

Before heading onwards to Karakol, you should spend a night or two exploring the southern area of Issyk Kul. The south side is the much quieter, more backpacker-friendly part of the lake. The north side of the lake is built up, expensive, and full of Russian’s on holiday.

There is a WHOLE LOT to do around Issyk Kul. Fairytale Canyon aka Skazka is full of surreal rock formations and vivid colors. There’s a pretty waterfall in Barskoon Gorge and beyond is the Arabel Plateau , which sometimes requires permits to access.

The one thing you have to do is be a part of an eagle hunting demonstration. The Salburun Federation , based in nearby Bokonbayevo , organizes these at $50 a pop. They’ll explain to you the cultural significance of the eagle hunter while demonstrating.

Among the various yurt camps, Bel Tam is one of the oldest and best run. Continue down the road from Bel Tam, and you will find other, more quiet yurt camps. Some even have wifi! You should not have to pay more than 2000-3000 SOM per person night (includes breakfast).

The key to picking the best place to stay in Issyk Kul is to make sure the camp has good beach access. There isn’t a whole lot to do once you arrive at a remote yurt camp, so having the option to go for a swim off a beautiful red-sand beach is an obvious must. (The best beaches are after the Bel Tam yurt camp FYI.)

To visit the top sites in the area, you will either need to rent a car or hire a taxi. There are public buses that run along the lakeshore en route to Karakol or Bishkek, but these will prove to be unhelpful when it comes to seeing the sites in Issyk Kul.

Backpacking Chon Kemin

Chon Kemin makes for another excellent base for adventure activities. This wide, green, almost Swiss-like valley has a little of everything. For backpackers after a little white water rafting, Chon Kemin is the place to do it.

There are also several fine treks in the area, pretty much all of which can either be done on foot or with horses (or a combination of both).

If you are looking for cultural experiences, I’d say you can find that in Chon Kemin; you’ll just have to pay for it. Like a few other places in Kyrgyzstan, the interesting cultural elements of Kyrgyz traditional life are not practiced often enough that you will just stumble across them.

Things like Kyrgyz folk shows/music, eagle hunting, nomadic games, etc must be organized in advance (and sometimes are not all that cheap).

For me, this kind of takes the authenticity out of what backpacking is about, and doesn’t make sense financially for solo/couple backpackers. If you plan to come to Chon Kemin, come for the adventure activities and stay for beautiful views and nice people.

You can organize just about anything in Chon Kemi through our friend, Aziz, from Kemin Guest House. Here is his Whatsapp: +996 703295919.

I would advise you not to stay at his guesthouse, for the sole reason that it is almost too nice, and thus quite expensive, with a single room costing around $60.

Backpacking Karakol

Karakol is the uncontested adventure capital of Kyrgyzstan. Endless treks, jeep excursions, climbing trips, and cultural events can be organized in the city. But if you are expecting an Aspen or Chamonix vibe, you will be sorely disappointed.

I was pretty surprised to find that despite Karakol being the most popular city for foreigners in Kyrgyzstan, it remains largely undeveloped, dusty, and has the feel of an old Soviet frontier town of sorts.

In terms of on the ground attractions in Karakol, there are a few interesting spots to check out. The Holy Trinty Cathedral is the most beautiful building in the city.

On the opposite side of town, you’ll find the Dungan Mosque , a rather uninspiring, yet curious structure resembling a Buddhist temple. The coolest thing about this mosque is the fact that it survived the wrath of the Bolsheviks (who destroyed all of the other mosques in the city).

The biggest highlight for me in Karakol was getting down on some seriously good BBQ pre and post trekking. The Kafe Aychurok (on the main street) has the best shashlik (meat skewers) of all time. The prices are reasonable and the feasting is next level. This is a bring-your-own-beer sort of joint and is well worth doing. Bring your meat-eating A-game.

There are also a few decent groceries and bakeries in town, so you should have no problem cooking a few meals and getting food supplies for your upcoming trek.

There are a handful of hostels in town too, but I recommend staying at Duet Hostel.

Backpacking Sary Jaz

A little known gem lies just a few hours from Karakol. If you have the time, you should 100% go check it out.

Sary Jaz is a border region between Kyrgyzstan and China. The landscapes found here are every photographer’s dream. Better yet, you are very likely to not see another single backpacker out there. There are a few different options for where to go and what to do in Sary Jaz.

Sary Jaz area is part of Khan-Tengri National Park. It is the largest national park in Kyrgyzstan and has greatly contributed to the protection of rare and endangered species of flora and fauna, primarily the snow leopard population.

I should note that to enter into Sary Jaz you need to obtain a government permit (which costs about $35) and you also need to take a local guide with you. If you have a little extra cash in your budget, the 1 – 4 day trip (depending on how you plan it) is well worth it.

Option 1: Ring of Sary Jaz : Epic mountain views, a high pass, braided river systems, awesome campsites, stunning star photography opportunities.

Option 2: Sary Jaz to Enylchek and Hot Springs: This route takes you to another part of the Sary Jaz region. Here, you can visit an old abandoned Soviet mining town (Enylchek). There are still people living nearby, but there are numerous massive dilapidated brick apart blocks that you can walkthrough. It is a pretty eerie experience, but cool nonetheless.

The cost of doing this trip: up to 3 people – 265 USD per person with an SUV 4×4 for transport. I know, I know, these ain’t backpacker prices, but it is worth it, I tell you!!

Backpacking Jyrgalan

The hill country around Jyrgalan is the most popular horse trekking destination in Kyrgyzstan. Its green meadows, picturesque mountains, and accessibility from Karakol have helped to skyrocket its popularity.

Most people opt to base themselves in the village of Jyrgalan , where there are various guesthouses and yurt stays available. Expect to pay around 3000 SOM per person per night.

If you visit from the middle of July onward, it is possible to do the iconic Echkili Tash trek , which takes 4 days and around 70 kilometers to complete. Be sure to ask locals if the passes are indeed free of heavy snowpack or not.

Multiday horse treks are the name of the game in Jyrgalan as well, and if you hire a local guide and cook, there almost certainly will be a couple of pack horses rolling with you.

You certainly do not NEED a guide to go trekking in Jyrgalan. If you plan on setting off on your own, be sure to come prepared with supplies bought in Karakol as the options for buying decent trekking food are quite limited in the village.

Backpacking Osh

Osh is located in the south of Kyrgyzstan in the Fergana Valley and is the country’s 2nd largest city. Osh has quite the storied past and was a major outpost for traders on the Silk Road. The city is also one of the oldest settlements in Central Asia.

After recovering from spats of ethnic violence in 2010, Osh is now experiencing a period of relative calm, though there will always be noticeable tension between the Kyrgyz and Uzbek communities.

Like most cities in Kyrgyzstan, Osh is more of a jumping-off point than it is a destination. One can spend a few days roaming the bust streets, trying tasty food, and utilizing the decent internet connections found in the cafes.

Accommodation in Osh is cheaper than in Bishkek and a decent guesthouse or apartment should cost between USD 20-30.

Here some things to do in Osh:

Visit the massive Lenin Monument : the monument is located on the edge of Park Im. T.satylganova.
Street Art : Check out all of the cool street art and graffiti plastered across the buildings in the city center.
Stop by the new Sulayman Mosque : To get there is about a 30-minute walk from the city center.
Climb Sulayman Mountain : For epic views of the city and the mosque, hike up to the top of the iconic Sulayman Mountain.
Eat Pizza and Drink Beer : California Cafe is an awesome spot to grab a cold beer and to chow down on some damn good pizza. Brio Cafe has, without question, the best coffee in town. For authentic Kyrgyzstani food, go to Kurmanzhan Datka Cafe.

Backpacking Arslanbob

When it comes to picturesque mountain towns in Kyrgyzstan, Arslanabob can hold its own with the best of them.

A good place to start upon arriving in town is to check into the CBT guesthouse. From here, you can organize and/or get up to date information on fishing in the area, horse trekking adventures, and just about anything else outdoor-related that Arslanbob has to offer.

There is an awesome day trip to the walnut forest waterfalls. You don’t need a guide to do this trek, so don’t trust the locals if they tell you that you need a guide!

From Osh, the journey to Arslanbob takes about 3 1/2 hours.

Backpacking Sary Mogul

In terms of dusty, scruffy towns in Kyrgyzstan go, Sary Mogul is pretty damn dusty and scruffy. Upon arrival, I determined that it was best to not even spend the night there, though the folks at the local CBT guesthouse were very nice and helped me organize a jeep to Tulpar Kul yurt camp.

There isn’t anything of interest in Sary Mogul, so like me, you will probably just pass through en route to Tulpar Kul and Lenin Peak Base Camp. A few locals-only cafe shacks serve fried bread, tea, and strong instant coffee.

Backpacking Tulapr Kul

To reach Tulpar Kul takes about an hour and a half by jeep via a bumpy 4×4 track. Tulpar Kul is a medium-sized yurt camp surrounded by small lakes. One can get a cozy yurt (with a fire inside), nice meals, and a good base for exploring the surrounding mountain trails.

Because the camp sits at around 3500 meters, it can be cold here (it snowed on me when I was there) so come with the appropriate clothing.

Marmots are about as common here as gold teeth are in all of Kyrgyzstan! Lenin peak Base Camp is only a short walk (around 25 minutes) from Tulapar Kul. In the height of the season, it will be busy with climbing expeditions and not the most peaceful place to stay.

From Tulpar Kol, it is a 3-hour walk up (2 hours down) with roughly 500 meters of altitude gain to the famous Traveller’s Pass (4000 meters).

From the top of the pass, you have a perfect view of Lenin Peak standing tall almost 3 kilometers above. Pray for clear skies and prepare to be wowed.

Ask anyone working at the yurt camp in Tulpar Kul or Lenin Peak Base Camp for directions, the route to the pass is straight forward. Note that heavy snow can be present at any time of the year. Ask about conditions before setting off. Hiking with proper waterproof boots and gaiters is a must if there is some snow on the trail.

Getting Off the Beaten Track In Kyrgyzstan

If you have found your self rambling along through Central Asia, congratulations! In terms of backpacker scenes, Central Asia is raw and in the infant stages of tourism.

That said, Kyrgyzstan does have its hot spots where you will almost certainly find foreigners. Apart from places like the Karakol area treks, Song Kol and Issyk Kul, fellow backpackers are far and few between.

If you want to experience a truly wild part of Kyrgyzstan, head south the Batken/Karavshin valley region. There is relatively no information online about this place (we aim to change that soon). You’ll want to organize a local guide in Bishkek before going south. The Batken region is one of the most remote places I have ever been, and you need a guide to go there.

Don’t listen to people who tell you that Jyrgalan is off the beaten path. That’s bullshit .

Jyrgalan is now one of the most popular places in the whole country. Trust us, if you want REAL adventure, head to the Batken. Our friend Aslabek at the CBT office in Bishkek can help sort you out. Tell him we sent you and maybe he will give you a special price.

Request that your guide be Suliman from the village of Ozgorush (were the trek starts); he is a wonder of a man and a badass guide.

A 9-day (!) trek in the Batken will cost you between $600-700 and will include transport to/from Osh horses for supplies, food, guides, and a cook.

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

Things to Do in Kyrgyzstan

The activities listed here are only a few of many. If you’d like to hear some more ideas, be sure to visit our comprehensive article on what to do in Kyrgyzstan!

1. Go for a Multiday Trek

If you come to Kyrgyzstan and do not go for a badass trek somewhere, then you have failed miserably.

2. Attend a Nomadic Games Event

From goats head polo matches (Koko Boru) to strength competitions to javelin throwing, the Kyrgyz people are serious about their brand of sport… and seeing them in action is quite the sight to behold. Nomadic sports are well entrenched in modern-day Kyrgyz society and occur at various times all over the country.

The ultimate competition takes place at the World Nomad Games, which occurs every year, though not always in Kyrgyzstan. For the past three years, the games have been held in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, but this year (2019) the games are taking place in Turkey.

3. Take a Swim in Issyk Kul

When that fierce sun is shining down, perhaps nothing else in the world is as refreshing as a dip in the crisp waters of Issyk Kul. Have beers on standby.

4. Try Kumis

What the hell is Kumis ? Well, my friends, Kumis is a slightly alcoholic concoction of fermented mares milk. To be honest with you I kind of hated kumis, but trying it is a sort of right of passage for people backpacking in Kyrgyzstan.

5. Horse Trekking

Kyrgyzstan is a land of horse culture. It is in the blood of the people like baseball is in the blood of Americans. Get yourself on a horse and head into the mountains. Kyrgy horse treks are a great reason to visit Kyrgyzstan.

6. Check out an Eagle Hunting Demonstration

Over the centuries, nomadic people’s honed their falcon husbandry skills to an art. When you see a demonstration, no actual animal is hunted, but watching how the hunters work with their birds is quite amazing.

7. Stay in a Yurt

Similar to trekking, you can not visit Kyrgyzstan and NOT stay in a yurt. If you want to learn more about yurts, it is possible to help build one at some yurt camps.

8. Eat Manta

Manta is the Kyrgyz version of dumplings. They are delicious and they are prone to be eaten in glutinous quantity.

9. Visit Sary Jaz

You may have gathered by now that the Sary Jaz region is one of my favorite places in Kyrgyzstan. Get off the beaten path, hire a jeep, and go see it for yourself. If possible, try to camp out there.

10. Try Kyrgyz Booze

From brandy to vodka to whiskey, there is no shortage of tasty spirts to try. In Bishkek, sampling some of the craft beers is a must.

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

Backpacker Accommodation in Kyrgyzstan

It’s pretty easy to find reasonably priced backpacker accommodation in Kyrgyzstan. You won’t find dirt cheap accommodation as one can in South East Asia or Nepal, but the going rate hovers between $25 – 40 USD, depending on what you are after.

The hostel scene in the country is limited to just a few cities, but when you do stumble across a hostel, they are typically super cheap (like $6-8), basic, and just what the budget backpacker ordered.

Most yurt camps charge between 2000-3000 SOMS per night and usually come with breakfast.

Luxury chalets and fancy yurt camps are cost-prohibitive and should be avoided.

Camping is part of Kyrgyz/nomadic culture, so there are limitless locations across the country where you can pitch your tent for free. Of course, always make sure that you are not camping on someone’s private land and always practice Leave No Trace principles.

Couchsurfing is also slowly gaining traction, though I did not personally Couchsurf whilst backpacking in Kyrgyzstan.

Best Places to Stay in Kyrgyzstan

Are you wondering which is the best part of Kyrgyzstan to stay in? Well, let me give you a few suggestions.

Number one on many lists of the attractions of this country awash with natural beauty is Issyk Kul. The ‘hot lake’, as it translates from Kyrgyz, is a national treasure and a source of pride to its people.

The capital of the country, and home to 25% of its people, Bishkek is an easy winner for where to stay in Kyrgyzstan for nightlife.

The whole of Kyrgyzstan is a hiker’s paradise, with trails and mountains every which way you turn. Karakol is the gem in the east, near Issyk Kul, and is our pick for the best place in Kyrgyzstan to stay for hiking.

Song Kul is set in a vast grassy pasture land in the mountains, though the area itself is a flat plain. It’s where millenia of nomads have pitched their yurts for the summer grazing, and where you can pitch your yurt too!

Located in central Kyrgyzstan, near the Uzbek border, Arslanbob is a stunning village and region nestled in the mountains (where else!?). t’s best known for its enormous walnut forest, the largest walnut grove on earth, covering 11,000 hectares.

Osh is in the Fergana Valley, in the south of Kyrgyzstan and is the second-largest city in the country, after Bishkek. It has over 3000 years of history and is where a number of cultures collide.

Kyrgyzstan Travel Costs

Perhaps the most important information for backpackers visiting Kyrgyzstan is cost. Backpackers on a tight budget may find certain aspects of traveling in the country expensive, whereas other stuff may come across as cheap.

Eating in Kyrgyzstan is pretty inexpensive. You can get a solid meal for between $3-7, more of course if you are eating at a fancy brewpub in Bishkek.

Public transport is also very affordable. When you can find them, hostels are cheap as chips.

So, when is where is Kyrgyzstan expensive? Activities. Organizing a guide/cook/porter team can be very expensive, especially for solo backpackers. Horse trekking isn’t too expensive, but if you are going for multiple days, it certainly will not be cheap.

Also, yurt stays are not quite as cheap as I thought they would be. All and all you can travel Kyrgyzstan on a tight budget, but you need to anticipate some high costs if you plan on going on any 4×4 jeep trips, hiking with a guide, white water rafting, etc.

Groceries from a supermarket or small shop are reasonable and one can easily cook an excellent meal for $10 worth of store-bought ingredients.

I recommend Couchsurfing as much as you possibly can. The more you Couchsurf and hitchhike, the more money you can spend on wine, good hummus, and activities like paragliding. Pure and simple.

Having a good tent and sleeping bag are crucial to budget backpacking. Both will save you a ton of money on accommodation. Whilst backpacking in a place with few hostels, having the right gear and ability to camp out (when possible) is very important to keep costs to an absolute minimum.

Below is a list of what you can expect to spend daily (excluding car hire) whilst backpacking Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyzstan Daily Budget

Money in kyrgyzstan.

The currency of Kyrgyzstan is the SOM. At the time of writing $1 = 69.74 SOM.

ATMs are widely available in all major cities. I do recommend bringing in foreign currency like dollars, euros, or pounds to change in Bishkek, Osh, or Karakol.

If you do plan on changing hard currency, I suggest that you shop around at a few different money exchanges as the rates can vary slightly and you want to get the best bang for your buck.

I found that Kyrgyzstan is mostly a cash-based economy, so outside of Bishkek, you likely will not be able to use your debit/credit cards to pay for things.

Tip : Find out whether or not your bank in your home country has fee-free international withdrawal. If so, activate it for your trip or for whenever you travel abroad. Once I discovered my bank card had that option, I saved a huge amount in ATM fees! When traveling to Kyrgyzstan on a budget, every SOM counts right?

Travel Tips – Kyrgyzstan on a Budget

Camp : With plenty of stunning mountains and forests to explore, camping saves you money and can help you get off of the beaten path on an epic adventure. You have no excuse not to camp in Kyrgyzstan.
Cook your own food: Travel with a portable backpacking stove or stay at a hostel with a fully-equipped kitchen. Cooking your own food to save some serious cash whilst backpacking across Kyrgyzstan. Camping gas is available at any of the outdoor shops in Bishkek or Karakol.
If you plan to do some overnight hiking trips or camping without a local guide/cook team having a backpacking stove will be ESSENTIAL to your success. My two personal go-to stoves are the MSR Pocket Rocket 2 and my Jetboil .
Pack a Grayl Geopress : save money (and the planet) every day! Stop buying bottled water!

Why You Should Travel to Kyrgyzstan with a Water Bottle

Plastic washes up on even the most pristine beaches… so do your part and keep the Big Blue beautiful

You aren’t going to save the world overnight, but you might as well be part of the solution and not the problem. When you travel to some of the world’s most remote places, you come to realise the full extent of the plastic problem. And I hope you become more inspired to continue being a responsible traveller .

Plus, now you won’t be buying overpriced bottles of water from the supermarkets either! Travel with a filtered water bottle instead and never waste a cent nor a turtle’s life again.

backpacker drinking using grayl geopress filter bottle

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress rigorously from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

Best Time to Travel to Kyrgyzstan

Due to its geographical location on the Central Asian steppe, the weather window to visit Kyrgyzstan is quite short. Since the main attraction of the country is the mountains and the trekking adventures you can have, the most obvious time to visit Kyrgyzstan is from June – September .

If you arrive too early or too late, many of the best treks in the country will likely be inaccessible due to heavy snow and ice conditions. Many of the high mountain passes can be covered under a mass of snow well into June and early July.

July and August is the best time to be in Kyrgyzstan from a weather perspective. The result is that these months are also when the country receives the most foreign visitors.

Beyond early-mid October, the weather will start to turn cold again and snowfall in the mountains is almost a given.

Keep in mind that snow can fall at any time of the year in the mountains (especially when you get above 3500 meters).

Wintertime in Kyrgyzstan is super quiet, so if you don’t mind the cold, you are likely to find very few other backpackers around during the cold season. Activities like snowshoeing, skiing and ice climbing are all possible in the winter.

Festivals in Kyrgyzstan

Throughout the year there are various festivals and events taking place across the country. Since the location and dates of any given event may differ from year to year, it is always best to ask locals for up-to-date information.

Nooruz : This springtime festival is celebrated throughout Central Asia. Song, feasting, and sports just about sum up the activities. March 21st is when it usually goes down.
Bishkek Jazz Festival : 3 days of smooth tunes in the capital. April.
Summer Nomadic Festivals : Nomadic games take place in various regions of the country. Locals along with Community Based Tourism (CBT) help to organize various horse sports, eagle hunting and song/dance. These events are attended by locals as well as foreigners. According to Caravanistan, The most important events are the horse games festival in Kyzyl-Oi (end of July), the eagle hunting festival in Bokonbayevo (end of August), the games in Sary-Mogol, and the shepherds festival in Karkara valley , near Char Kuduk (end of August). Contact CBT to find out exact dates and planning.
Kurban Ait: This is the Muslim holiday Eid Al-Adha, only Kyrgyz style. As in the Arabic world, this holiday involves a sheep/goat sacrifice and big BBQ’s. Kyrgyz people love it.
Orozo Ait: Date changes.Called Eid Al-Fitr in the Arabic world, this celebration ends Ramadan with tons and tons of food. For ethnic Uzbeks, Ramadan is an important holiday. Kyrgyz people take a more lackadaisical approach to the holiday.

What to Pack for Kyrgyzstan

On every adventure, there are five things I never go traveling without:

Travel Security Belt

This is a regular looking belt with a concealed pocket on the inside – you can hide up to twenty notes inside and wear it through airport scanners without it setting them off.

Microfiber Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Petzl Actik Core Headlamp

A decent head torch could save your life. If you want to explore caves, unlit temples, or simply find your way to the bathroom during a blackout, a headtorch is a must.

‘Monopoly Deal’

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

For plenty more inspiration on what to pack, check out my full packing list for Kyrgyzstan !

Staying Safe in Kyrgyzstan

Is Kyrgyzstan Safe? In general, I found Kyrgyzstan to be one of the safest countries I have ever visited. That said, Kyrgyzstan is not immune to problems.

Some things to be aware of:

Political/Ethnic Tension : Kyrgyzstan is a melting pot of different cultures and political factions. Occasionally, these tensions flare up and rioting and violence threaten the stability of any given city or region. Though no major violence episodes have happened since 2010 (Bishkek riots), just recently (August 2019, there were reports that Kyrgyz ex-President Atambayev was plotting a coup, and some days of rioting erupted again in the capital because of it.
Natural Hazards : Kyrgyzstan is a wild place full of real wilderness areas. When setting off on treks, always be mindful of potential rockfall, dangerous river crossings, landslides, ticks, extreme cold, heavy snowfall, and icy alpine passes. Always check in with locals regarding trail conditions and hazards before setting off on your trek.
Petty Theft : The “big” cities in Kyrgyzstan are generally safe, but as always, do not leave your valuables in plain sight, and don’t walk around late at night drunk and loaded with cash. It’s common sense!
Police Bribery/Corruption : Kyrgyz police are corrupt. Not all of them, but many of them, especially the highway cops. If you are driving a rental car around the country, you will almost certainly get stopped at some point and asked to pay a bribe of some sort even if you did not break any driving laws. The best strategy is to be patient and stay cool/calm whilst trying to make it clear that you don’t know what the hell they are talking about. The is a game of stalling for time. After enough time has passed and it is clear that the cops won’t be getting any money from you, they will let you go, probably out of boredom. Resist paying bribes at all cost!

Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz people like to get down. You would never know that Kyrgyzstan is a Muslim majority country since alcohol is available everywhere. Perhaps due to the long-lasting Russian/Soviet influence, Kyrgyz folks like to celebrate with vodka, beer, brandy (like Cognac), and just about everything else.

During my time there, I did not come across any weed/hash smoking or drug use, but I am sure it is around (people smoke weed in every country, right?).

Alcohol is definitely the name of the game in Kyrgyzstan. If you find yourself at a Kyrgyzstani birthday party or around a campfire with the right people, be prepared to get a little tipsy and then some.

The dating scene in the cities is a complex topic. In Bishkek, there is a western-style dating culture, and apps like Tinder will prove to be useful to you (for men and women).

In the southern parts of the country, especially in rural areas, alcohol consumption is less common as people are more conservative and religious. If you end up at a conservative Muslim persons house in the south, do show some respect and do not drink around them unless they offer booze to you.

Travel Insurance for Kyrgyzstan

Traveling without insurance would be risky so do consider getting good backpacker insurance sorted before you head off on an adventure.

I have been using World Nomads for some time now and made a few claims over the years. They’re easy to use, professional and relatively affordable. They may also let you buy or extend a policy once you’ve started your trip and are already abroad which is super handy.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Getting Into Kyrgyzstan

Being a landlocked country, there are only two ways into Kyrgyzstan: by land and by air.

Most people arriving by air will need to catch a connection in Istanbul, Moscow, or Dubai. There are some particularly cheap flights from Istanbul with Pegasus Airways. There is no national Kyrgyz airline.

One option is flying into Almaty and then transferring to Bishkek by bus or plane. Almaty is much more connected and there are several local airlines with daily international arrivals.

Kyrgyzstan shares a land border with almost every other Central Asian nation. If coming from Uzbekistan, you’ll cross into Kyrgyzstan via the Ferghana Valley, either at Batken or Osh.

From Tajikstan, the only option is in the south near Sary Mogul; this probably the most used land crossing thanks to the Pamir Highway.

From Kazahkstan, crossing via Almaty into Kyrgyzstan is the most obvious way. But there’s another land-border near the eastern edge of Issyk Kul that is also open to tourists in the summer. This is a convenient crossing if you’re coming from Charyn Canyon or Altan Emil.

Entry Requirements for Kyrgyzstan

Good news my friends! Kyrgyzstan has the most relaxed visa policies of any Central Asian nation. Foreigners holding passports from Europe, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and many others can get a 30 or 60-day visa on arrival with zero hassle attached.

If you have been traveling around other parts of Central Asia, I am sure you will find this headache-free visa a welcomed relief.

Extending a Kyrgyz visa is possible in Bishkek, Karakol, and Osh. You will for sure need a copy of your passport and your visa, your passport, a letter stating your reason for extension (you can write in English), a passport picture and money (of course!).

Overstaying your visa: Do not do it, is the short answer. If you do overstay your tourist visa, you will like have to pay fines above 10,000+ SOM. Better to get an extension or leave the country before your visa is up.

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How to Get Around Kyrgyzstan

When planning out how to get around Kyrgyzstan, you do have several options:

The most popular means of transport in Kyrgyzstan is the Marshrutka, which is a shared public minibus. They are not the comfiest and can be appallingly hot without the windows open, but they are cheap and a good way to go between cities in the country.

Marshrutka’s are not just long-distance buses. They also operate in all of the cities across Kyrgyzstan. Navigating which bus is going where is quite difficult, especially because the route displayed on the window screen is in the Russian alphabet (though the buses have numbers too). Once you decide where you want to go, ask a local or the hostel staff which bus number you need to take.

Yandex is the Kyrgyz version of Uber (Uber does not work in Kyrgyzstan). I had a love-hate relationship with Yandex. On the one hand, using the apps helps you to get a fair price every time. The part I found very frustrating was that the destinations are often only in Russian, which made it difficult to select my intended destination. Also if and when I was able to choose my selected destination through the app, the driver would often turn up and ask, “so where do you want to go?”, which meant I had to explain it all over again.

Taxi drivers in Bishkek, in particular, will try at every opportunity to rip you off. Despite the shortcomings of the Yandex app, I found that dealing with Kyrgyz taxi drivers was quite the struggle. Rides around the Bishkek city center should NEVER cost more than 80-100 SOM.

If you are in a hurry to head south, you can catch one of the daily flights from Bishkek to Osh. The tickets cost roughly USD 30-35 one way.

YES, you can actually travel around Kyrgyzstan by horse! It is totally possible to buy one at a local animal market and ride it around the country, living at all of your wildest Lord of the Rings dreams.

A horse usually costs around $500-$600 (last I checked). Unless you know how to spot a healthy horse, you should try to enlist a local to help as well.

It should also be said that whilst the horses in Kyrgyzstan are pretty well trained, they’re still wild animals. Find a local to give you some lessons before heading out.

Don’t expect to travel very far either. The average horse can only ride about 25-30 miles a day, and your hips will be sore WAY before that.

Renting a Car in Kyrgyzstan

If you want to see the country with the aid of your own wheels, renting a car is definitely an awesome option.

You can sort your car rental in just a few minutes. Booking in advance is the best way to ensure you score the lowest price and your choice of vehicle. Often, you can find the best car rental prices when you pick up the rental from the airport.

Make sure you cover your rental car with a RentalCover.com policy . It covers your car against any common damages such as tires, windscreens, theft, and more at a fraction of the price you would pay at the rental desk.

The main roads in Kyrgyzstan are pretty good and the drivers in the country are not nearly as reckless as I have seen in other countries.

If you have the time (and money) you can try for an epic Pamir Highway road trip, which would take you from Southern Kyrgyzstan into Tajikistan. If you rent a car and plan on crossing international borders, make sure that your car rental policy allows for that.

Hitchhiking in Krygyzstan

Hitchhiking is quite common here. I often saw locals hitching on the side of the road. Often, they are only getting short distance rides.

For foreigners, you may find that some locals will be keen to give you a lift, whilst others are not interested. On the busy roads around Issyk Kul, hitchhiking short distances should prove to be reasonably easy.

As always, if someone stops to pick you up and they give you bad vibes, do not take the ride. There will always be another one. Also, you should take care that you don’t accidentally flag down a taxi driver. In your mind, it is a free ride (because you were hitchhiking), and for them, they are expecting a payment, which can lead to some pretty awkward (and potentially expensive) circumstances.

Onwards Travel From Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is surrounded by many fascinating countries. The easiest countries to visit from Kyrgyzstan are Tajikistan and Kazahkstan as both of these countries also have pretty relaxed visa policies.

To get into China or Uzbekistan, you will need to apply for a visa in advance. You’ll also need to arrange for a guide in China because you’ll be arriving in the province of Xingjiang. Right now, the region is very tightly controlled by the Chinese government. Uzbekistan is slightly less traveled, but well worth it as there are many beautiful places to visit in Uzbekistan .

If you have plans to go to Afganistan after Tajikistan, it is possible to apply for your visa in Biskek.

Check out my friend Alex at Lost With Purpose for an account of her experience applying for an Afghan Visa in Bishkek . Check out her other article about applying for an Uzbek visa in Bishkek here.

Working in Kyrgyzstan

It may not be there yet, but I think that Bishkek could be a legit digital nomad spot. There are lots of places to work, the cost of living is reasonable, and the internet is (mostly) reliable. I am tempted to move to Bishkek solely based on the nice cafes and quality beer!

Bishkek has some truly awesome cafes to work out of. If you are a digital nomad, you will love the cafe culture in the city. Even if you don’t work online and want to pop into one to drink a legit espresso, there are many options to choose from. My favorite place to get my coffee is the Kiwi-owned Sierra Coffee.

Outside of the cities, there is not much in the way of wifi or internet connection. Large swaths of the country are undeveloped and have not yet been overrun by data towers.

In Bishkek, I went to the O! (the top cellular company in Kyrgyzstan) store and picked myself up a SIM card. Depending on the kind of package you take, you can pick up a SIM and some 4G data for between 500 – 1000 SOM.

I also bought an O! wifi USB stick, which proved to be very, very handy for someone like me who works online. The stick costs about $30 and came with more data than I needed. If you need a reliable internet connection on the go, I suggest that you buy one, as the free wifi you get around Bishkek is not always good.

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and ditch the plastic .

Volunteer in Kyrgyzstan

Volunteering overseas is a great way to experience a culture whilst doing some good in the world. There are lots of different volunteer projects in Kyrgyzstan which you can join ranging from teaching, to animal care, to agriculture to pretty much anything!

Voluntourism is pretty new to Kyrgyzstan, so there aren’t many options as of yet. Language exchanges are becoming more common throughout the country, although English teaching is not widely demanded. More rural locations sometimes provide opportunities to help with animal care and digital marketing. Keep in mind that volunteers in Kyrgyzstan require a visa prior to arrival.

Our go-to platform for finding volunteering gigs is Worldpackers who connect travellers with host projects. Have a look at the Worldpackers site and see if they have any exciting opportunities in Kyrgyzstan before signing up.

Alternatively, Workaway is another excellent common platform used by travellers searching for volunteering opportunities. You can read our review of Workaway for more info on using this terrific platform.

Volunteer programs run through reputable work exchange programs like Worldpackers and platforms like Workaway are usually very well-managed and reputable. However, whenever you are volunteering do stay vigilant, especially when working with animals or children.

Worldpackers: connecting travellers with meaningful travel experiences.

What to Eat in Kyrgyzstan

One of the best parts about backpacking is all of the new tasty food that you get to try.

Kyrgyz food is pretty heavy on the meat dishes, but if you can handle copious amounts of animal protein than you are going to love Kyrgyz cuisine. Vegetarians do have some options, but be aware that vegetarianism is a foreign concept here.

If you’re in Bishkek, you’ll have the most variety as the culinary options in the city are vast. In addition to amazing Kyrgyz and Russian food, you can find Indian, Italian, Chinese, Kebabs, and endless burger and pizza joints of varying quality.

Whatever you do, do NOT make the mistake of getting the Mexican food at Chili Peppers . It was one of the most disappointing and overpriced meals I have had in the last 10 years of traveling.

Russian Salad : Lettuce and other vegetables in a mayonnaise sauce.
Borscht : Beet based soup with chunks of meat and veggies.
Goulash : Stew of meat and vegetables usually seasoned with paprika and other spices.
Beshbarmak Five Finger Noodles : A noodle dish heavy on the onions and meat.
Laghman : A tasty noodle dish with meat, veggies, and spices.
Manta : Delicious Kyrgyz style dumplings.
Kumis : Fermented mares milk. Proceed with caution.
Beer Cheese : A stringy, smoked dry cheese best eaten with—you guessed it— a tasty glass of suds.
Shashlik : Skewered BBQ meat, usually mutton, beef, or chicken. Mutton is best.

Kyrgyz Culture

Kyrgyz hospitality is a thing of beauty. I met some of the nicest people in nearly a decade of traveling here, and I must say the people in Kyrgyzstan are wonderful.

Sometimes people can indeed come across as a little cold or distant, but I think that is a product of 1. not being confident in English/speaking with foreigners and 2. leftover social norms of the Soviet Union days.

For the most part, Kyrgyz people are welcoming, generous, happy, and confident; all of which make for pleasurable interactions as a foreigner.

At first glance, some Kyrgyz males may appear a bit rough around the edges (and some of them are), but once you get them to open up a little bit (perhaps after a shot of vodka or 6), they will be putting their arm around you and laughing stoutly in no time.

Take the time to get to know some locals and you will likely have made friends for life.

Books to Read whilst Backpacking Kyrgyzstan

Reading on the road has always been an important part of my travels. There is nothing like a good book about a place to help you connect with the country you are visiting. Here are a few awesome books set in Kyrgyzstan for you to check out!

Life at the Edge of the Empire: Oral Histories of Soviet Kyrgyzstan : The 35 oral histories in this English-language anthology touch on events including: Urkun; World War I; sedentarization; collectivization; World War II; the post-war reconstruction period; Stalin s death; the Khrushchev and Brezhnev eras; independence; and privatization.
Jamila : The Second World War is at its peak, and Jamilia’s husband is off fighting at the front. Accompanied by Daniyar, a sullen newcomer who was wounded on the battlefield, Jamilia spends her days hauling sacks of grain from the threshing floor to the train station in their village in the Caucasus. Spurning men’s advances and wincing at the dispassionate letters she receives from her husband, Jamilia falls helplessly in love with the mysterious Daniyar in this heartbreakingly epic tale.
Manas: Lost and Found : Rural Kyrgyz, far from the Judeo-Christian world, has many striking biblical traditions. A comparative analysis of Kyrgyzstan’s national epic Manas and Hebrew scripture reinforces the bond.
The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years : Set in the vast windswept Central Asian steppes and the infinite reaches of galactic space, this powerful novel offers a vivid view of the culture and values of the Soviet Union’s Central Asian peoples.
Inside Central Asia : A Political and Cultural History of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz stan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Iran: In this comprehensive new treatment, renowned political writer and historian Dilip Hiro places the politics, peoples, and cultural background of this critical region firmly into the context of current international focus.
The Silk Roads : Far more than a history book of the Silk Roads, this is truly a revelatory new history of the world, promising to destabilize notions of where we come from and where we are headed next.

Travel Phrases for Backpacking Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan has two official languages: Kyrgyz and Russian . English is becoming more common, but I experienced plenty of lost in translation moments all the same.

The thing I found the most challenging was my lack of knowledge of the Russian/Cyrillic alphabet. If you have the time to learn the alphabet and a few words of Russian, you will be able to read all of the confusing signs and menus.

Here are a few helpful Kyrgyz phrases to help you on your journey:

Thank you – Rahmat
Hello – S alam
Is this the bus to…? – Bul avtobus turat ?
Do you have shorpa ? – Siz shorpa bar?
Where is the toilet? – Tualet kayda?
Please – Otünömün
Let’s go – Kettik
How’s it going? — Kandaysz?
No plastic bag please — Eç kanday jelim batk suranç.
How much? — Kança ?
I am lost – Men jogolgon jatam?
Beer – Pivo
Can I camp here? – Men bul jerde tikse bolot?

A Brief History of Kyrgyzstan

The history of the Kyrgyz people and the land now called Kyrgyzstan goes back more than 2,000 years. As the Silk Road trade routes became more and more utilized over the centuries, Kyrgyzstan became an important trading and migrant hub. Historically, Kyrgyzstan was a nation of nomadic people. Much of that way of life was impacted when the Soviets rolled into town.

Over the last two hundred years or so, Kyrgyzstan has seen plenty of major changes and developments. Until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Kyrgyzstan remained stuck behind the Iron Curtain.

Soviet power was initially established in the region in 1918, and in 1924, the Kara-Kyrgyz Autonomous Oblast was created within the Russian SFSR.

In 1924, an Arabic-based Kyrgyz alphabet was introduced, which was replaced by Latin script in 1928. In 1941 Cyrillic script was adopted. Many aspects of the Kyrgyz national culture were retained despite the suppression of nationalist activity under Joseph Stalin, who controlled the Soviet Union from the late 1920s until 1953.

Kyrgyzstan gained/declared its full independence from the USSR on August 31, 1991.

Kyrgyzstan in Modern Times

Since the fall of the USSR, Kyrgyzstan has slowly been finding its way in the world. Modern life in Kyrgyzstan seems to be headed in an overall positive direction, though some areas do suffer from high rates of unemployment and poor education.

The Kyrgyz Revolution of 2010 , also known as the Second Kyrgyz Revolution , the Melon Revolution , the April Events or officially as the People’s April Revolution , began on April 2010 with the ousting of Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek Bakiyev in the capital Bishkek.

It was followed by increased ethnic tension involving Kyrgyz people and Uzbeks in the south of the country, which escalated in June 2010. The violence ultimately led to the consolidation of a new parliamentary system in Kyrgyzstan.

During the general mayhem, exiles from the Uzbek minority claim they were assaulted and driven to Uzbekistan, with some 400,000 Kyrgyzstani citizens becoming internally displaced.

Victims interviewed by media and aid workers testify to mass killing, gang rape, and torture. Then-head of the Interim government Roza Otunbayeva indicated that the death toll is tenfold higher than was previously reported, which brings the number of the dead to 2,000 people.

On 9 June violence erupted in the southern city of Osh with ethnic Kyrgyz rioting, attacking minority Uzbeks and lighting their property ablaze. By the 12th the violence had spread to the city of Jalal-Abad.

The spreading of the violence required the Russian-endorsed interim government led by Roza Otunbayeva to declare a state of emergency on 12 June, in an attempt to take control of the situation. Uzbekistan launched a limited troop incursion early on, but withdrew and opened its borders to Uzbek refugees. The clashes killed up to 2,000 people, mostly Uzbeks, and another 100,000 were displaced.

As of 2019, Kyrgyzstan is experiencing a period of calm, though as I said before, the ethnic tensions between the various groups will probably always exist. For the sake of all of the people involved, I hope that peace lasts and that the country continues to prosper.

Trekking in Kyrgyzstan

When it comes to trekking, you should know by now that Kyrgyzstan is a hiker’s paradise. To be honest with you, there is a lifetime worth of noteworthy trekking experiences in Kyrgyzstan .

But, since you likely do not have a lifetime to spend in the country, here are a few of my personal favorites:

Ala Kul/Celestial Mountains trek : This trek is probably the most famous multi-day hike in Kyrgyzstan. One can tackle this hike in 4 days (by starting around Jeit Orguz) or it can be done in three days (starting from the Karakol Gorge). The obvious highlight is the landscape around Ala Kul, a very impressive alpine lake set against jagged mountain peaks. Plus the hike finishes at Altyn-Arashan where you will find hot spring pools (and wine). If you only do one trek in Kyrgyzstan, then this is the one for you. Note: you do NOT need a guide to do this trek.
Kyzart Village to Song Kol Lake trek: If you want another classic Kgryz trek with far fewer crowds, the hike from Kyzart village to Song Kol Lake is where it’s at. This trek combines stunning alpine scenery, mountain passes, rolling green pasture land, and a cultural yurt stay all in one sweet package. This trek can also be done as a combination horse/hiking trek.
The Patagonia of Central Asia trek : I have already described this trek in the Batken/Karavshin valley region of the south, but alas here it is again. This challenging 9-12 day trek is NOT for beginners, but those with some experience will find this hike one of the best adventures experiences to had anywhere. If numerous alpine passes, desert landscapes, raging rivers, juniper forests, and towering granite walls sounds like your idea of a good time, go to the Batken.
Ala Archa National Park treks: You do not have to stray far from the capital Bishkek to get into some awesome mountains. Several marked trails run throughout the park, offering access to some fine day hikes. The Ak-Sai waterfall trek (7km) makes for a good warmup to other more demanding hikes in the area.
Lenin Peak Summit : You may hear people say that Lenin Peak is the easiest 7,000-meter mountain to climb in the world. Whilst this may be true to a degree, let’s be clear: 7,000 meters is 7,000 meters. To climb Lenin Peak is not so much a technical challenge as it is a physical and mental one. If you are an experienced hiker with a decent level of fitness, climbing Lenin Peak could be very rewarding. Climbing the peak takes roughly three weeks and will cost you a pretty penny as you do need to be on a guided trip. If Lenin Peak is in your future, best of luck!

Final Thoughts on Backpacking Kyrgyzstan – Being Respectful

Go to Kyrgyzstan, trek your ass off and have the time of your life, do the things you’ve dreamed of, but be respectful along the way. Traveling the world makes you an ambassador for your country , which is awesome. We can make a positive impact on people when we travel and get rid of any ugly stereotypes that may be associated with your country…

Always be respectful when entering churches, mosques, or conservative communities.

Climbing on ancient shrines or mosques, national monuments of martyrs (or Lenin), or other historical artifacts should be avoided. Duh! Learn to appreciate the cultural treasures Kyrgyzstan and don’t be that dickhead who adds to their demise.

Responsible travel is the best kind of travel. Be kind to the planet that we all love to explore so that the people in the future will still have a planet worth exploring.

Well there you have it, amigos, we have come to the final act of this epic Kyrgyzstan travel guide.

I hope you have found this guide inspiring and helpful! Kyrgyzstan is an amazing country and I had the time of my life exploring it with my brother in arms, Ralph Cope.

I hope you also have an amazing time traveling in Kyrgyzstan. Have a nice shot of kumis on me (the joke is on you)!

Will Hatton

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Looks amazing. I and with my friend we visited Kyrgyzstan 2019 July for 2 weeks. I think is the best Song Kol lake and Karakol. We booked tour with Pegas Adventure. If yiu have time more than 2 weeks need.

Hey Carlos! Indeed Kyrgyzstan is one of my favorite countries I have ever been to! Glad you enjoyed it as well.

Welcome traveler!

We're Andre & Lisa, adventurers and experienced budget travelers.

We have over two decades of travel experience and since 2018 have led a full-time nomadic lifestyle.

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Thank you for visiting and we hope you find value in our destination pages! We thoroughly research and curate all content ourselves and everything you find on this site is put together by only the two of us.

KYRGYZSTAN TRAVEL GUIDE

What would become modern Kyrgyzstan was annexed by Russia in 1876 and became an independent country with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. It has the most liberal tourist visa policy in Central Asia and one of the more progressive post-Soviet governments in the region.

Kyrgyzstan is one of the friendliest, warmest and most hospitable countries in Central Asia. The Kyrgyz welcome you into their country and homes with true nomadic spirit: for the nomads living in the mountains, life has not really changed since the days of caravans trailing along the Silk Route.

Kyrgyzstan has been called The Land of the Tian Shan – Oasis on the Great Silk Route because of its importance as a trading post between Europe and Asia. Though the country is still struggling to find its feet after the break up of the Soviet Union, modern Kyrgyzstan has done much to promote tourism.

Capital : Bishkek
Currency : Kyrgyz som (KGS)
Area : 198,500 km2
Population : 6,316 million (2018)
Language : Kyrgyz, Russian
Religion :Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%
Electricity : 220V/50Hz, European plug

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Kyrgyzstan.

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SEASONS AT A GLANCE

Most destinations have different times of the year when they’re more or less popular with tourists.

Peak Season

Shoulder Season

Off Peak Season

Climate Chart with avergae monthly temperatues and rainfall

BEST TIME FOR

The snow season in Kyrgyzstan can start as early as November and last until April at the higher altitudes. The best months for skiing are January and February.

Kyrgyzstan is a cheap skiing destination when compared to ski resorts in Western Europe. Kyrgyzstan is emerging as a hidden gem for snow sports enthusiasts. With its vast, rugged landscapes and the majestic Tian Shan mountains, the country offers a variety of winter activities, including skiing and snowboarding.

The ski resorts like Karakol and Jyrgalan provide well-groomed slopes for all skill levels, and the region's extreme continental climate ensures light, fluffy snowfalls, perfect for powder skiing.

For those seeking adventure beyond the groomed trails, Kyrgyzstan's backcountry skiing options are abundant, promising a unique and thrilling experience in the untouched snow.

BEST TIME TO VISIT KYRGYZSTAN

Kyrgyzstan has four distinct seasons:

Winter (December-February) - During this time, temperatures can drop to well below freezing and heavy snowfall is common, making it ideal for winter sports such as skiing.
Spring (March-May) - The weather starts to warm up, and the snow begins to melt. This is a great time to visit as the scenery is beautiful with the snow-capped mountains and the colorful flowers starting to bloom.
Summer (June-August) - This is the warmest season, with temperatures reaching up to 35°C (95°F) in some parts of the country. It's the perfect time for hiking, trekking, and other outdoor activities.
Fall (September-November) - The weather starts to cool down again, and the leaves on the trees change color. This is also the time when traditional Kyrgyz festivals take place.

It's worth noting that Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country and the weather can vary greatly depending on the altitude and region you are visiting.

The best time to visit Kyrgyzstan depends on what you plan to do during your visit. If you plan to go hiking or trekking in the mountains, the best time to visit is from June to September when the weather is warm and dry. If you plan to enjoy winter sports, then December to March would be the best time to visit. In terms of cultural events, the traditional Kyrgyz festivals like the "Nomad Games" and "Kyrgyzstan Manas" happen in September.

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KYRGYZSTAN TRAVEL COSTS

The cost of traveling to Kyrgyzstan can vary widely depending on various factors such as your travel style, duration of stay, accommodation preferences, activities planned, and where you're traveling from. Here are some key expenses to consider:

Transportation: Flights: The cost of airfare to Kyrgyzstan will depend on your departure location, the time of booking, and the airline you choose. Flights from neighboring countries in Central Asia or Russia might be cheaper compared to flights from Europe or North America. Prices can range from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars for a round-trip ticket.

Visa Fees: Visa requirements vary depending on your nationality. Some nationalities may be eligible for visa-free entry or visa-on-arrival, while others may need to apply for a visa in advance. Visa fees, if applicable, can range from $30 to $100 or more.

Accommodation: Accommodation costs vary depending on your preferences. Budget travelers can find hostels or guesthouses for as low as $10-20 per night, while mid-range hotels typically range from $30-50 per night. Luxury accommodations can cost $70-150 or more per night.

Food and Dining: Food expenses can vary depending on where you eat and your dietary preferences. Street food and local restaurants offer affordable options ranging from $1-10 per meal, while dining at Western-style restaurants may cost $10-25 or more per meal.

Transportation within Kyrgyzstan: Public transportation such as buses and marshrutkas (shared taxis) is affordable, typically costing $1-5 per ride. Taxis for shorter rides within cities may range from $2-10. Renting a car can cost $30-50 or more per day, excluding fuel.

Activities and Excursions: The cost of activities and excursions in Kyrgyzstan can vary widely depending on the type and duration of the activity. Entrance fees to museums and sights are generally low, ranging from $1-10. Guided tours and outdoor activities like trekking or horseback riding can range from $20-100 or more per person.

Additional Expenses: Other expenses to consider include travel insurance, SIM cards with data for communication, souvenirs, tips, and any unforeseen expenses.

Overall, a budget traveler can expect to spend around $30-50 per day, while mid-range travelers may spend $50-100 per day or more, depending on their preferences and activities. Luxury travelers can expect to spend $100 or more per day. It's essential to budget wisely and plan ahead to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable trip to Kyrgyzstan.

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Here are some travel tips for visiting Kyrgyzstan:

Make sure to have a valid visa before traveling to Kyrgyzstan.

Bring warm clothing, as temperatures can drop significantly in the mountains.

Learn some basic Russian or Kyrgyz, as many locals may not speak English.

Bring cash, as credit card acceptance is limited outside of major cities.

Research the cultural customs and dress appropriately when visiting rural or religious sites.

Pack a first aid kit, as medical facilities can be limited in rural areas.

Respect the local wildlife and follow guidelines for responsible trekking and camping.

Consider hiring a guide to help navigate the country and make the most of your trip.

GETTING AROUND KYRGYZSTAN

In Kyrgyzstan, you have several options for local transportation, ranging from public buses and marshrutkas (shared taxis) to taxis and renting a car. Here are some common modes of local transport:

Public Buses operate in major cities like Bishkek and Osh, providing an affordable way to travel within city limits. However, routes may be limited, and schedules may not always be reliable.

Marshrutkas (Shared Taxis) are minivans or minibusses that operate on fixed routes between cities and towns. They are a popular and inexpensive mode of transportation for both locals and tourists. Marshrutkas can be crowded, but they offer flexibility and frequent departures.

Taxis are readily available in urban areas and can be hailed on the street or booked through ride-hailing apps. Negotiate the fare before starting your journey, or ensure the meter is used if available. Taxis are more expensive than buses or marshrutkas but offer convenience and comfort, especially for shorter distances.

Renting a Car is an option for travelers who want to explore Kyrgyzstan independently, especially in rural or remote areas where public transportation may be scarce. Several rental agencies operate in major cities, offering a range of vehicles from economy cars to 4x4s suitable for off-road driving. Be aware of road conditions and consider hiring a driver if you're not comfortable driving in mountainous terrain.

Shared Taxis , known as " Tazalyk ," are a common mode of transport between cities and towns, especially in rural areas where marshrutkas may not operate. Passengers share the cost of the journey, and the taxi departs once it's full. Shared taxis are faster than buses but may be cramped and less comfortable for long journeys.

Hitchhiking is a common practice in rural areas of Kyrgyzstan, where formal transportation options may be limited. It's relatively safe and culturally accepted, but exercise caution and use your judgment when accepting rides from strangers.

When using local transport in Kyrgyzstan, it's essential to be flexible, patient, and prepared for varying levels of comfort and reliability. Additionally, consider the time of year and weather conditions, as road conditions can change, especially in mountainous regions.

REGIONS & HIGHLIGHTS OF KYRGYZSTAN

Sights & highlights of kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyzstan is a country of stunning natural beauty, with diverse landscapes that include snow-capped mountains, lush valleys, pristine lakes, and vast steppes. Each region offers its own unique attractions and highlights. Here are some of the main regions worth visiting in Kyrgyzstan and their highlights:

Issyk-Kul Region:

Issyk-Kul Lake: Known as the "Pearl of Central Asia," Issyk-Kul is one of the largest alpine lakes in the world. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and water sports during the summer months.

Karakol: A charming town near Issyk-Kul Lake, Karakol is a gateway to the surrounding mountains and offers opportunities for trekking, skiing (in winter), and exploring cultural sites like the Russian Orthodox Church and Dungan Mosque.

Jeti-Oguz: Famous for its "Seven Bulls" and "Broken Heart" rock formations, Jeti-Oguz is a picturesque valley ideal for hiking, horseback riding, and camping.

Tian Shan Mountains:

Ala Archa National Park: Located near Bishkek, Ala Archa offers stunning alpine scenery, hiking trails of varying difficulty levels, and opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife spotting.

Chon-Kemin Valley: A beautiful valley surrounded by mountains, Chon-Kemin is known for its horseback riding tours, homestay experiences, and traditional Kyrgyz hospitality.

Naryn Region:

Song Kul Lake: Situated at an altitude of over 3,000 meters, Song Kul is a high-mountain lake surrounded by expansive meadows where nomadic herders graze their livestock. Visitors can stay in yurts, experience traditional nomadic culture, and enjoy horseback riding and hiking.

Tash Rabat Caravanserai: A well-preserved 15th-century stone caravanserai located in the Tian Shan Mountains, Tash Rabat served as a resting place for Silk Road travelers. It's a fascinating historical site accessible via a scenic drive and short hike.

Osh Region:

Osh: One of the oldest cities in Central Asia, Osh boasts a rich history and vibrant bazaar. Highlights include Suleiman-Too Sacred Mountain, which offers panoramic views of the city, and Jayma Bazaar, a bustling market selling local goods and crafts.

Arslanbob: Known for having the world's largest walnut forest, Arslanbob is a scenic area ideal for hiking, horseback riding, and exploring waterfalls and fruit orchards.

Pamir-Alai Mountains (Batken Region):

Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve: A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Sary-Chelek is home to a pristine mountain lake surrounded by forests and wildlife. Visitors can hike, swim, and explore the reserve's diverse ecosystems.

Kyzyl-Oi: A tranquil village nestled in the mountains, Kyzyl-Oi offers opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and experiencing traditional Kyrgyz village life.

TRAVEL ITINERARY FOR KYRGYZSTAN

For first-time visitors to Kyrgyzstan, here are suggested one-week and two-week itineraries that encompass some of the country's highlights:

ONE WEEK ITINERARY:

Day 1-2: bishkek.

Arrive in Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan.

Explore Ala-Too Square, Victory Square, and Oak Park.

Visit the State History Museum and the Osh Bazaar for a taste of local culture.

Enjoy the vibrant nightlife and dining scene in Bishkek.

Day 3-4: Issyk-Kul Lake

Travel to Issyk-Kul Lake, stopping at Burana Tower and Konorchek Canyon along the way.

Relax at Issyk-Kul Lake, swim, sunbathe, or try water sports.

Visit the petroglyphs at Cholpon-Ata and the Ruh Ordo Cultural Complex.

Day 5-6: Karakol

Head to Karakol and explore the town's Russian Orthodox Church and Dungan Mosque.

Take a day trip to Jeti-Oguz and hike to the "Seven Bulls" rock formations.

Visit the Issyk-Kul Nomad Museum and enjoy local cuisine.

Day 7: Ala Archa National Park

Return to Bishkek and take a day trip to Ala Archa National Park.

Hike one of the park's trails, enjoy a picnic, and take in the stunning mountain scenery.

Depart from Bishkek or extend your stay as desired.

TWO WEEK ITINERARY:

Follow the same itinerary as the one-week itinerary for exploring Bishkek.

Day 3-4: Ala Archa National Park

Spend an extra day exploring Ala Archa National Park, perhaps trying a different hiking trail or enjoying more outdoor activities.

Day 5-6: Issyk-Kul Lake

Spend an additional day at Issyk-Kul Lake, exploring more of its beaches, villages, or trying additional water activities like sailing or kayaking.

Day 7-8: Karakol and Jeti-Oguz

Extend your stay in Karakol to explore more of the town and its surroundings.

Take a day trip to Altyn Arashan hot springs for a relaxing soak and scenic hike.

Day 9-10: Song Kul Lake

Journey to Song Kul Lake and spend a couple of days experiencing nomadic culture, staying in a yurt, and enjoying horseback riding and hiking.

Day 11-12: Tash Rabat and Naryn

Travel to Tash Rabat Caravanserai and explore this historical site.

Continue to Naryn and explore the town's bazaar and nearby attractions.

Day 13-14: Osh and Suleiman-Too

Fly or drive to Osh, one of the oldest cities in Central Asia.

Explore Suleiman-Too Sacred Mountain, the city's bazaars, and enjoy local cuisine.

Depart from Osh or extend your stay to explore more of southern Kyrgyzstan.

These itineraries offer a mix of cultural exploration, outdoor adventure, and relaxation, providing a comprehensive introduction to the diverse landscapes and cultural heritage of Kyrgyzstan.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN KYRGYZSTAN

When visiting Kyrgyzstan, there are numerous incredible sights and activities to experience, reflecting its rich cultural heritage and stunning natural landscapes. Here are some of the best things to see and do in Kyrgyzstan:

Trekking and Hiking: Explore Kyrgyzstan's vast network of hiking trails, ranging from easy day hikes to multi-day treks through mountains, valleys, and alpine meadows. Popular trekking destinations include the Ala Archa National Park, Tian Shan Mountains, and the stunning trails around Issyk-Kul Lake.

Nomadic Culture and Yurt Stays: Experience traditional Kyrgyz nomadic culture by staying in a yurt, the portable dwellings used by nomadic herders. Many communities offer homestay experiences where you can learn about nomadic traditions, participate in daily activities, and enjoy authentic Kyrgyz hospitality.

Issyk-Kul Lake: Relax and unwind at Issyk-Kul Lake, one of the largest alpine lakes in the world. Enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and water sports during the summer months, or simply admire the breathtaking scenery of crystal-clear waters surrounded by snow-capped peaks.

Song Kul Lake: Visit Song Kul Lake, a high-mountain lake located at an altitude of over 3,000 meters. Stay in a yurt camp, experience the traditional nomadic way of life, and enjoy horseback riding, hiking, and stargazing in this pristine natural setting.

Historical and Cultural Sites: Explore historical and cultural sites such as the Burana Tower, a minaret dating back to the 11th century; the ancient city of Osh with its bustling bazaars and Suleiman-Too Sacred Mountain; and Tash Rabat Caravanserai, a well-preserved Silk Road outpost in the Tian Shan Mountains.

Adventure Sports: Indulge in adrenaline-pumping activities such as whitewater rafting on the Chuy River, paragliding over the breathtaking landscapes of Ala Archa National Park, skiing and snowboarding in winter resorts like Karakol, and rock climbing in the Ala Archa and Chong-Kemin valleys.

Wildlife Watching: Discover Kyrgyzstan's diverse wildlife by visiting natural reserves and national parks such as Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve and Chon-Kemin National Park. Look out for rare species like snow leopards, ibex, Marco Polo sheep, and a variety of bird species.

Cultural Festivals: Attend cultural festivals and events to experience Kyrgyz music, dance, and traditional sports such as kok-boru (a traditional horseback game) and eagle hunting competitions. The World Nomad Games, held biennially, showcase the rich cultural heritage of nomadic peoples from around the world.

WHAT TO EAT IN KYRGYZSTAN

When visiting Kyrgyzstan, you should try some of the following traditional dishes:

Beshbarmak : This is the national dish of Kyrgyzstan and is made of boiled meat (usually mutton or horse), served with thin noodles and a sour cream sauce.
Lagman : This is a popular dish of hand-pulled noodles, meat, and vegetables. It can be served in a soup or stir-fry.
Plov : This is a rice dish that is typically made with meat and vegetables. It is a popular dish in Central Asia and is often served at special occasions.
Kyrgyz-style dumpling s: These dumplings are called "manti" and are similar to Chinese dumplings, but are typically filled with meat or potatoes and often served with a sour cream sauce.
Shashlik : This is a popular grilled dish that is made with skewers of meat, usually lamb or beef.
Kyrgyz-style bread : The bread is made with a variety of grains, such as wheat, barley, and corn, and is often served with meals.
Kyrgyz-style yogurt : the yogurt is made from mare's milk and is often served with meals.
Kyrgyz-style tea : The tea is made with a special blend of black tea, milk and salt, it is a staple in the Kyrgyz diet and is often served with meals.

It's important to note that meat is a staple in Kyrgyz cuisine, so vegetarians may find it difficult to find meat-free options.

LGBTQ IN KYRGYZSTAN

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WHERE TO STAY IN KYRGYZSTAN

For a first-time visit to Kyrgyzstan, it's recommended to base yourself in Bishkek, the capital city, due to its central location, transportation connections, and abundance of attractions. Here's why:

Where to stay in Bishkek:

Bishkek is the cultural, economic, and political center of Kyrgyzstan, offering a blend of Soviet-era architecture, bustling bazaars, and green parks. Explore attractions like Ala-Too Square, Osh Bazaar, and Victory Square.

Budget : Capsule Hotel Technocave is a budget-friendly option offering dormitory-style accommodations with shared facilities, located in the city center near major attractions.

Mid-range : Smart Hotel Bishkek provides comfortable rooms and modern amenities with a convenient location in the downtown area, close to shops, restaurants, and public transportation.

Luxury : Hyatt Regency Bishkek offers luxurious accommodations with upscale facilities, including a spa, fitness center, and rooftop pool with panoramic views of the city.

Tip : Visit Bishkek during the summer months (June to August) for pleasant weather and outdoor activities, and consider booking accommodations in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons like the World Nomad Games.

Where to stay in the Issyk-Kul Region:

Issyk-Kul is the largest alpine lake in Central Asia, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and pristine landscapes, offering opportunities for swimming, hiking, and horseback riding.

Budget : Bel Tam Yurt Camp offers budget-friendly accommodations in traditional yurts with basic facilities, located near the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul.

Mid-range : Karven Four Seasons Resort provides comfortable rooms and resort-style amenities with direct access to the beach and recreational activities.

Luxury : Hyatt Regency Lake Issyk-Kul Resort offers luxurious accommodations with upscale facilities, including a spa, fitness center, and private beach access.

Tip : Consider visiting Kyrgyzstan during the shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) for milder weather, fewer crowds, and better rates on accommodations and activities.

For hassle-free bookings, use platforms like Booking.com for competitive rates or Holiday Swap for unique homes worldwide. Ensure to book in advance, especially during peak seasons, and align your preferences with nearby activities such as surfing, snorkeling, or cultural exploration.

CHOOSE ANOTHER DESTINATION

Recent blog posts, plan your trip, visa services, let ivisa take the pain out of travel planning and assist you with electronic visas, travel authorizations, visas on arrival, and even paper visas. they can also help with health declarations and embassy registrations. if you're from the us, they also provide a one-stop shop to renew your passport securely and error-free..

FLIGHTS Find a cheap flight by using Sky scanner or Momondo . These are our favorite flight search engines. They index other travel websites and airlines across the globe to easily find you the best deal.

ACCOMMODATION

Booking.com is our number one resource for researching and booking accommodation. In addition to Booking.com , we have found Agoda.com to consistently returns the cheapest rates in Southeast Asia. For longer stays, find unique homes worldwide on Holiday Swap , the most affordable travel platform that allows you to book homes anytime, anywhere in only a few clicks.

TRANSPORT

DiscoverCars.com is a leader in online car rental bookings; we compare car rental deals from many companies so that you can choose which is best for your trip. 12Go connects the world door-to-door, from transfers to flights, under the same user-friendly ticket.

INSURANCE Travel insurance can protect you against unexpecte d illness, injury, theft, and cancellations.

Heymondo (International Travel Insurance)

World Nomads (Travel / medical insurance for long-term travelers and nomads)

SafetyWing Nomad Insurance (Travel / medical insurance for long-term travelers and nomads)

SafetyWing Remote Health (Global Health Insurance for Nomads)

Need more help to book your trip? Check our complete resource page for all the best companies to use when you travel. You will only find the companies we use ourselves.

Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you,

we may earn a commission if you end up making a purchase and the income goes to keeping the site ad free.

Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide

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Living in yurts

Discover Kyrgyzstan Start Travelling

Discover Kyrgyzstan Start Travelling Chatyr-Kol Lake

Top destinations

Bishkek Bishkek

SULAIMAN TOO Osh

ISSYK-KUL LAKE Issykkul

ALA-TOO SQUARE Bishkek

Land of celestial mountains

Kyrgyzstan, nestled in the heart of Central Asia, is a land of stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and warm hospitality. With its diverse attractions and unique experiences, Kyrgyzstan has become an increasingly popular destination for travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure. Let's delve into the wonders of Kyrgyzstan and discover why it should be on your travel bucket list.

Kyrgyzstan offers various travel opportunities catering to different interests and preferences. Nature enthusiasts will be captivated by the country's breathtaking landscapes, including the majestic Tien Shan Mountains, crystal-clear lakes such as Issyk-Kul and Song Kol, and picturesque valleys like the Ala-Archa National Park. These natural wonders provide a perfect backdrop for hiking, trekking, horseback riding, and camping.

Traveling to Kyrgyzstan allows you to engage with the warm and welcoming local communities. Experience the hospitality of Kyrgyz nomads by staying in yurts, traditional nomadic dwellings. Enjoy authentic Kyrgyz cuisine, which features hearty dishes like beshbarmak and manti, and sip on fragrant tea while listening to traditional music and folklore.

Kyrgyzstan is also gaining recognition as a destination for adventure tourism. Embark on thrilling outdoor activities, including mountaineering, skiing, paragliding, and white-water rafting. The country's pristine nature and untouched landscapes offer an exhilarating playground for adrenaline seekers.

When planning your trip to Kyrgyzstan, consider exploring the unique cultural events and festivals throughout the year. The Nomad Games, World Nomad Games, and Kyrgyzstan's Independence Day celebrations are just a few examples of the vibrant festivities that showcase the country's traditions, arts, and sports.

Kyrgyzstan's tourism industry is growing, and the government has taken steps to facilitate travel to the country. Visa requirements have been eased for many nationalities, making it more accessible for international visitors. Additionally, a range of accommodations, from budget-friendly guesthouses to luxury yurt camps and boutique hotels, caters to various traveler preferences.

Visiting Kyrgyzstan will undoubtedly leave you with unforgettable memories and a deep appreciation for its natural beauty and cultural heritage. Kyrgyzstan has everything if you're seeking outdoor adventures, cultural immersion, or a unique travel experience. So pack your bags, embark on a journey to this enchanting destination, and let Kyrgyzstan's wonders mesmerize you.

Thing to do

Tourism types

SULAYMAN-TOO Osh

UZGEN MINARET Osh

MANAS PEAK Talas

KIROV RESERVOIR Talas

GUMBEZ OF MANAS Talas

BESH TASH NATIONAL PARK Talas

UZGEN (OZGON) MINARET Osh

KYRGYZ ATA NATIONAL PARK Osh

ALAI VALLEY Osh

ABSHYR ATA WATERFALL Osh

TASH RABAT CARAVANSERAI Naryn

SONG-KUL LAKE Naryn

ORTO TOKOY RESERVOIR Naryn

NARYN STATE RESERVE Naryn

KEL-SUU LAKE Naryn

EKI NARYN VALLEY Naryn

CHATYR-KUL LAKE Naryn

AK-SAI VALLEY Naryn

SARY CHELEK LAKE Jalalabad

SAIMALUU TASH STATE NATURAL PARK Jalalabad

MAUSOLEUM OF SHAH FAZIL Jalalabad

ARSLANBOB WALNUT FORESTS Jalalabad

TUZ-KOL (KARA-KOL) Issykkul

SARYCHAT-EERTASH STATE RESERVE Issykkul

RUH ORDO CULTURAL CENTER Issykkul

ORNOK PETROGLYPHS Issykkul

MANJYLY ATA VALLEY Issykkul

JETI OGUZ GORGE Issykkul

HOLY TRINITY ORTHODOX CHURCH Issykkul

FAIRY TALE CANYON Issykkul

DUNGAN MOSQUE Issykkul

CHONG AK SUU GORGE Issykkul

BARSKOON GORGE Issykkul

ALTYN ARASHAN THERMAL RESORT Issykkul

ALAKUL LAKE Issykkul

AK-SUU GORGE Issykkul

ZIL SKI RESORT Chui

TOO-ASHU PASS Chui

SUUSAMYR VALLEY Chui

KORONA PEAK Chui

KONORCHEK CANYONS Chui

KEL-TOR GORGE Chui

KEGETY GORGE Chui

ISSYK-ATA GORGE Chui

CHUNKURCHAK SKI RESORT Chui

CHONG-KEMIN VALLEY Chui

BURANA TOWER Chui

BOOM GORGE Chui

ALAMEDIN GORGE Chui

ALA-ARCHA NATIONAL PARK Chui

ATA BEYIT MEMORIAL COMPLEX Bishkek

SARKENT NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE Batken

AI KÖL LAKE Batken

KARAVSHIN GORGE Batken

AIGUL TASH MOUNTAIN Batken

Annual International Tourism Winter Fair Art-and-Cool_Karakol

The Issyk-Kul Lake is located in the northwestern part of Kyrgyzstan, 1600 meters above sea level. It is the second largest mountain lake in the world, after Titicaca in South America. This lake, with its slight salty water and framework of forests and mountain ranges, is a true miracle of nature.

General caution: As in any other country, it is advised to be careful with personal belongings and valuables, especially in public places and tourist areas. Watch your belongings, do not leave them unattended.

Public Safety: In general, public safety in Kyrgyzstan is good. However, it is recommended to take general precautions, avoid large crowds, especially during public events, and be aware of your surroundings.

Public transport in Bishkek:

Buses: The city has a network of bus routes covering the main areas. They are an affordable and budget-friendly way to get around. Minibuses: Popular means of transportation are fixed-route taxis (minibuses). They are more flexible and can take you to different parts of the city. Taxi: Taxis are also widely available and may be a more convenient option. It is recommended to use licensed taxis or ask the locals for advice on reliable companies.

Sights worth visiting in Bishkek:

Ala-Too Square: The central square of the city, where government buildings and monuments are located. Panoramic mountain views: Bishkek is surrounded by majestic mountains, and the panoramic view from Liberty Mountain is one of the main attractions. Museums: There are several interesting museums in Bishkek, such as the National Museum of Art, the Museum of History and Archeology, and the Museum of the Frunze Time.

Local customs and traditions in Kyrgyzstan:

Hospitality: Kyrgyzstan is famous for its hospitality. When visiting the home of local residents, tea and national treats are usually offered. Ethnic Festivals: Kyrgyzstan is rich in numerous ethnic groups, and national festivals such as Navruz (new year), Cholpon-Ata (koumiss games) and Urayum (grazing in the mountains) offer a unique opportunity to experience local culture and traditions.

Local dishes and drinks worth trying:

Beshbarmak: National Kyrgyz dish consisting of cuts of meat (usually lamb) and thinly sliced dough. Manti: Steam dumplings, usually stuffed with meat. Lagman: Thin noodles with meat, vegetables and spices. Koumiss: Fermented mare's milk, which is the national drink and has medicinal properties.

Does “Central Asia” conjure up images of craggy mountains, vast grasslands, nomadic tribes on horseback, and meandering rivers in your mind? You would get to see all this and more in Kyrgyzstan, a favorite travel destination in Central Asia for discerning travelers from around the world.

With a visa-free regime for citizens of more than 40 countries, Kyrgyzstan widely opens its door and its heart to guests of many countries. Come explore our history, culture and hospitality!

Click the link below for more information about visa regulations.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Kyrgyzstan

TRAVEL TO KYRGYZSTAN

A travel guide to Kyrgyzstan, a nature's paradise and a cultural treasure

Having lived my whole life in Toronto, Canada - I packed my bags to follow my boyfriend to live in his home country, Kyrgyzstan. I've always been a passionate traveler but never had the chance to visit Central Asia. I noticed that information on Kyrgyzstan was limited online so I was inspired to create this blog to provide information to those who looking to travel to this hidden gem.

Join me as I delve into exploring the country, culture, and breathtaking landscape.

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A first-timer’s guide to using the Eurotunnel

May 30, 2024 • 6 min read

In May 1994, the Eurotunnel – linking England and France under the English Channel – was opened in a ceremony led by French President François Mitterrand and Queen Elizabeth II. In the 30 years since then, the network, which shares its tunnel with the Eurostar service , has carried nearly 10 million passengers per year between England and mainland Europe.

For drivers, Eurotunnel – now branding itself as LeShuttle – competes with the cross-Channel ferries by offering a journey time of just 35 minutes, in contrast to a 90-minute crossing on the fastest car ferry.

From tickets and terminals to queues and border crossings, here’s everything a first-time Eurotunnel user needs to know.

Two cars are preparing to drive onto a Eurotunnel train

What is the Eurotunnel and where does it go?

The Eurotunnel, or LeShuttle, is a train that carries vehicles and travels under the English Channel, going between Folkestone in Kent , just off the M20, to Coquelles near Calais in France, on the A16 and near the A26. It serves vehicles only – no foot passengers are allowed on board.

How does it compare with the ferry?

Both services give the convenience of being able to take multiple passengers for the price of one vehicle, and to pack as much luggage as you can fit in the car. Both also allow pets on board.

LeShuttle’s claim to fame is the speed of the crossing. For people heading off on a long drive on the other side of the Channel, that shorter 35-minute journey can be worth the usually more expensive price point. However, if you’re hoping to hop out of your car during the ride to take a stroll or pick up some food, the Eurotunnel is not for you.

Don’t want to drive much further? Here’s our guide to Calais and the nearby Côte d’Opale

Where do I buy tickets?

Book tickets online in advance. You will need to provide “Advance Passenger Information” (API) – name, date of birth, passport details etc – online ahead of travel for everyone riding in your vehicle.

Many cars are lined up, awaiting their turn to board the Eurotunnel trains. Overhead signs direct drivers in French and English.

How does it work?

Aim to arrive one to two hours ahead of your booked crossing time. Follow signs off the main roads and onto the Eurotunnel site. Lanes are clearly marked, guiding you to the check-in kiosks. Most kiosks are automatic, but signs will indicate which lanes have staff if you’d prefer to deal with a human. The system uses license plate recognition so, as you pull up at the barrier, your booking will appear on-screen.

Depending on the volume of traffic, you might be offered an earlier crossing time. You have the choice to accept it or stick with your booked train. Unless you’re particularly keen to hang around at the terminal, I recommend taking that gift.

A letter or letter/number combo is assigned to your car and printed out on a piece of paper. Tear it at the top so that it’s shaped like a hanger and hang it from your rear-view mirror so that Eurotunnel staff can see it as you approach them. If your crossing is imminent, staff may wave you straight through, bypassing the terminals. If they don’t, park up and keep an eye on the large screens in the parking lot and within the terminal – they show when you’re likely to be called forward.

Top tip: In Calais, don’t be surprised to be sent on a detour! You may find yourself following signs that appear to be taking you off site. This is a simply a way to manage traffic and you will be directed to check in as soon as possible.

First time visiting France? Here’s what you should know

What happens if I arrive late?

Usually, if you’re late you will be bumped onto the next available service, which might mean hanging around the terminal until the very end of the day. In some cases, you might be asked to buy a new ticket.

What’s in each terminus?

Don’t expect much. Both terminals have restrooms and water fountains, a couple of fast food restaurants and cafes, a newsagent and a relatively small duty-free shop. There’s a little play area for kids too.

A bright yellow portacabin labelled "Pet Reception," with some steps leading up to the entrance

What if I’m traveling with pets?

Traveling with animals requires a bit more planning. Anyone with cats, dogs or ferrets must stop and visit the Pet Reception . The animal must be microchipped and carry an Animal Health Certificate or EU Pet Passport, and dogs must have had tapeworm treatment in advance. There is a dedicated exercise area for dogs near the Pet Reception.

If you’re traveling with rabbits, rodents or reptiles, you must show a certificate that has been approved by a vet to border control.

When do passports get checked?

Once your assigned letter is called, drive on to passport control. Sometimes this is a very smooth process; other times, you might be waiting for hours, shuffling forward one car at a time. You pass through both the UK and French borders at this point – there are no further immigration checks upon arrival.

What about security checks?

Cars are randomly selected for security checks after passport control and you may be asked to pull over while an inspection takes place, including swabbing your steering wheel.

How do you board the train?

Once passports and security are cleared, you are essentially in one massive queue waiting to board a train. You will be allocated a lane to wait in, and you could be sitting there a while. There are toilets here, a few vending machines and an information screen. When a train is ready to board (usually 25 minutes before its scheduled departure time), barriers rise at the front of the lanes and cars proceed from there.

Staff will indicate where on the train they want you to board depending on the size of your vehicle. The train has an upper level in places, so you will need to drive up a ramp to board the top deck. Follow the vehicle in front – you might drive through a lot of carriages – and keep on going until staff indicate you should stop. You will be directed to park up bumper to bumper, then asked to put on your handbrake and apply first gear, and leave your window halfway down.

Pro tip: The barriers can seem to open in a somewhat random order in the stacking area. As you see one lane departing, you might be tempted to sneak across. Don’t. Staff will stop you and send you back to the section you’re meant to be in.

Cars lined up bumper to bumper inside a Eurotunnel train

What’s on the train?

Don't get your hopes up for a well-stocked dining car or a gift shop. Even a working toilet is a bit of a stretch on some crossings. Expect bare-bones carriages, with four to five vehicles in each section, and literally nothing else.

Following departure, there are various safety announcements and a member of the train crew will pass through carriages scanning hangers. You’re free to move around outside your vehicle, but there’s really nowhere to go.

What happens on arrival?

As the train approaches its destination, you will be asked to return to your vehicle. Internal doors will open but don’t start your engine until the cars in front of you are on the move so you don’t pump the carriage full of exhaust fumes.

Drive straight off the train and head for the motorways – your road trip has begun.

Keep planning your trip:

Discover the best road-tripping routes in England
These road trips in France will take you to all the country's highlights
Plan the best time to visit France for your perfect vacation
Find out when is best to visit England

Explore related stories

Tips & Advice

May 29, 2024 • 4 min read

We asked three travel writers about their favorite under-the-radar vacation destinations. Break away from the crowd at these local holiday spots.

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Best overall
Best for exotic trips
Best for trip interruption
Best for medical-only coverage
Best for family coverage
Best for long trips
Why You Should Trust Us

Best International Travel Insurance for June 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

If you're planning your next vacation or trip out of the country, be sure to factor in travel insurance. Unexpected medical emergencies when traveling can drain your bank account, especially when you're traveling internationally. The best travel insurance companies for international travel can step in to provide you with peace of mind and financial protection while you're abroad.

Best International Travel Insurance

Best overall: Allianz Travel Insurance
Best for exotic travel: World Nomads Travel Insurance
Best for trip interruption coverage: C&F Travel Insured

Best for medical-only coverage: GeoBlue Travel Insurance

Best for families: Travelex Travel Insurance
Best for long-term travel: Seven Corners Travel Insurance

How we rate the best international travel insurance »

Compare the Best International Travel Insurance Companies

As a general rule, the most important coverage to have in a foreign country is travel medical insurance , as most US health insurance policies don't cover you while you're abroad. Without travel medical coverage, a medical emergency in a foreign country can cost you. You'll want trip cancellation and interruption coverage if your trip is particularly expensive. And if you're traveling for an extended period of time, you'll want to ensure that your policy is extendable.

Here are our picks for the best travel insurance companies for international travel.

Best overall: Allianz

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good option for frequent travelers thanks to its annual multi-trip policies
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Doesn't increase premium for trips longer than 30 days, meaning it could be one of the more affordable options for a long trip
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some plans include free coverage for children 17 and under
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Concierge included with some plans
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Coverage for medical emergency is lower than some competitors' policies
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Plans don't include coverage contact sports and high-altitude activities
Single and multi-trip plans available
Trip cancellation and interruption coverage starting at up to $10,000 (higher limits with more expensive plans)
Preexisting medical condition coverage available with some plans

Allianz Travel Insurance offers the ultimate customizable coverage for international trips, whether you're a frequent jetsetter or an occasional traveler. You can choose from an a la carte of single or multi-trip plans, as well as add-ons, including rental car damage, cancel for any reason (CFAR) , adventure sport, and business travel coverage. And with affordable pricing compared to competitors, Allianz is a budget-friendly choice for your international travel insurance needs.

The icing on the cake is Allyz TravelSmart, Allianz's highly-rated mobile app, which has an average rating of 4.4 out of five stars on the Google Play store across over 2,600 reviews and 4.8 out of five stars from over 22,000 reviews on the Apple app store. So, you can rest easy knowing that you can access your policy and file claims anywhere in the world without a hassle.

Read our Allianz Travel Insurance review here.

Best for exotic trips: World Nomads

World Nomads World Nomads Travel Insurance

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Coverage for 200+ activities like skiing, surfing, and rock climbing
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Only two plans to choose from, making it simple to find the right option
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. You can purchase coverage even after your trip has started
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. If your trip costs more than $10,000, you may want to choose other insurance because trip protection is capped at up to $10,000 (for the Explorer plan)
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Doesn't offer coverage for travelers older than 70
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) option
Coverage for 150+ activities and sports
2 plans: Standard and Explorer
Trip protection for up to $10,000
Emergency medical insurance of up to $100,000
Emergency evacuation coverage for up to $500,000
Coverage to protect your items (up to $3,000)

World Nomads Travel Insurance offers coverage for over 150 specific activities, so you can focus on the adventure without worrying about gaps in your coverage.

You can select its budget-friendly standard plan, starting at $79. Or if you're an adrenaline junkie seeking more thrills, you can opt for the World Nomads' Explorer plan for $120, which includes extra sports like skydiving, scuba diving, and heli-skiing. And World Nomads offers 24/7 assistance, so you can confidently travel abroad, knowing that help is just a phone call away.

Read our World Nomads Travel Insurance review here.

Best for trip interruption: C&F Travel Insured

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers 2 major plans including CFAR coverage on the more expensive option
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancellation for job loss included as a covered reason for trip cancellation/interruption (does not require CFAR coverage to qualify)
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Frequent traveler reward included in both policies
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1 million in medical evacuation coverage available
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is only $100,000
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews on claims processing indicate ongoing issues
C&F's Travel Insured policies allow travelers customize travel insurance to fit their specific needs. Frequent travelers may benefit from purchasing an annual travel insurance plan, then adding on CFAR coverage for any portions of travel that may incur greater risk.

C&F Travel Insured offers 100% coverage for trip cancellation, up to 150% for trip interruption, and reimbursement for up to 75% of your non-refundable travel costs with select plans. This means you don't have to worry about losing your hard-earned money on non-refundable travel costs if your trip ends prematurely.

Travel Insured also stands out for its extensive "reasons for cancellation" coverage. Unlike many insurers, the company covers hurricane warnings from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Read our C&F Travel Insured review here.

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. A subsidary of Blue Cross Blue Shield
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers strong medical plans as long as you have a regular health insurance plan, but it doesn't have to be through Blue Cross
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers long-term and multi-trip travel protection
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Multiple complaints about claims not being paid or being denied
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Does not provide some of the more comprehensive coverage like CFAR insurance
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Buyers who do get claims paid may need to file multiple claim forms

GeoBlue Travel Insurance offers policies that covers emergency medical treatments when you're abroad. While GeoBlue lacks trip cancellation coverage, that allows it to charge lower premiums than the other companies on this list.

GeoBlue plans can cover medical expenses up to $1 million with several multi-trip annual plans available. It offers coinsurance plans for trips within the U.S. and 100% coverage for international trips. It also has a network of clinics in 180 countries, streamlining the claims process. It's worth noting that coverage for pre-existing conditions comes with additional costs.

Read our GeoBlue Travel Insurance review here.

Best for family coverage: Travelex Travel Insurance

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost and trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Options to cover sports equipment
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Option to increase medical coverage
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Can cancel up to 48 hours before travel when CFAR option is purchased
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable coverage for budget-conscious travelers
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Optional "adventure sports" bundle available for riskier activities
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Only two insurance plans to choose from
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage maximum is low at up to $50,000 per person
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Pricier than some competitors with lower coverage ceilings
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Some competitors offer higher medical emergency coverage

Travelex travel insurance is one of the largest travel insurance providers in the US providing domestic and international coverage options. It offers a basic, select, and America option. Read on to learn more.

Optional CFAR insurance available with the Travel Select plan
Trip delay insurance starting at $500 with the Travel Basic plan
Emergency medical and dental coverage starting at $15,000

Travelex Travel Insurance offers coverage for your whole crew, perfect for when you're planning a family trip. Its family plan insures all your children 17 and under at no additional cost. The travel insurance provider also offers add-ons like adventure sports and car rental collision coverage to protect your family under any circumstance. Got pets? With Travelex's Travel Select plan, you can also get coverage for your furry friend's emergency medical and transportation expenses.

Read our Travelex Travel Insurance review here.

Best for long trips: Seven Corners

Seven Corners Seven Corners Travel Insurance

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Diverse coverage options such as CFAR, optional sports equipment coverage, etc.
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Available in all 50 states
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Prices are higher than many competitors
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews around claims processing are mixed
Trip cancellation insurance of up to 100% of the trip cost
Trip interruption insurance of up to 150% of the trip cost
Cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance available

Seven Corners Travel Insurance offers specialized coverage that the standard short-term travel insurance policy won't provide, which is helpful if you're embarking on a long-term trip. You can choose from several plans, including the Annual Multi-Trip plan, which provides medical coverage for multiple international trips for up to 364 days. This policy also offers COVID-19 medical and evacuation coverage up to $1 million.

You also get the added benefit of incidental expense coverage. This policy will cover remote health-related services and information, treatment of injury or illness, and live consultations via telecommunication.

Read our Seven Corners Travel Insurance review here.

How to Find the Right International Travel Insurance Company

Different travelers and trips require different types of insurance coverage. So, consider these tips if you're in the market to insure your trip.

Determine your needs

Your needs for travel insurance will depend on the type of trip you're taking. You'll need to consider your destination and what you'll be doing there, either business, leisure, or adventure traveling. Policies covering adventure sports and activities will cost more. Longer, more expensive trips will also cost more.

Research the reputation of the company

When researching a company, you'll want to closely review the description of services. You'll want to see how claims are handled, any exceptions, and limitations.

You'll also want to look at the company's customer reviews on sites like Trustpilot, BBB, and Squaremouth, as this will provide insight on the quality of customer service and the claims process. You should also take note of whether companies respond to customer reviews.

Compare prices

You can get quotes through a company's website or travel insurance aggregators like InsureMyTrip and VisitorsCoverage. You'll need to be prepared to provide the following information about your trip:

Trip destination(s)
Travel dates
Number of travelers
Traveler(s) age/birthday
State of residence
Total trip cost

For companies that offer travel medical insurance, you'll also want to play around with the deductible options, as they can affect your policy premium.

Understanding International Travel Insurance Coverage Options

Travel insurance can be confusing, but we're here to simplify it for you. We'll break down the industry's jargon to help you understand what travel insurance covers to help you decide what your policy needs. Bear in mind that exclusions and limitations for your age and destination may apply.

Finding the Best Price for International Travel Insurance

Your policy cost will depend on several factors, such as the length of your trip, destination, coverage limits, and age. Typically, a comprehensive policy includes travel cancellation coverage costs between 5% and 10% of your total trip cost.

If you're planning an international trip that costs $4,500, you can expect to pay anywhere from $225 to $450 for your policy. Comparing quotes from multiple providers can help you find a budget-friendly travel insurance policy that meets your needs.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed International Travel Insurance Companies

We ranked and assigned superlatives to the best travel insurance companies based on our insurance rating methodology . It focuses on several key factors, including:

Policy types: We analyzed company offerings such as coverage levels, exclusions, and policy upgrades, taking note of providers that offer a range of travel-related issues beyond the standard coverages.
Affordability: We recognize that cheap premiums don't necessarily equate to sufficient coverage. So, we seek providers that offer competitive rates with comprehensive policies and quality customer service. We also call out any discounts or special offers available.
Flexibility: Travel insurance isn't one-size-fits-all. We highlight providers that offer a wide array of coverage options, including single-trip, multi-trip, and long-term policies.
Claims handling: The claims process should be pain-free for policyholders. We seek providers that offer a streamlined process via online claims filing and a track record of handling claims fairly and efficiently.
Quality customer service: Good customer service is as important as affordability and flexibility. We highlight companies that offer 24/7 assistance and have a strong record of customer service responsiveness.

We consult user feedback and reviews to determine how each company fares in each category. We also check the provider's financial rating and volume of complaints via third-party rating agencies.

Read more about how Business Insider rates insurance products here.

International Travel Insurance FAQs

The best insurance policy depends on your individual situation, including your destination and budget. However, popular options include Allianz Travel Insurance, World Nomads, and Travel Guard.

You should pay attention to any limitations regarding covered cancellations, pre-existing conditions, and adventure activities. For example, if you're worried you may have to cancel a trip for work reasons, ensure that you've worked at your company long enough to qualify for cancellation coverage, as that is a condition with some insurers. You should also see if your destination has any travel advisories, as that can affect your policy.

Typically, your regular health insurance won't cover you out of the country, so you'll want to make sure your travel insurance has adequate medical emergency coverage. Depending on your travel plans, you may want to purchase add-ons, such as adventure sports coverage, if you're planning on doing anything adventurous like bungee jumping.

Travel insurance is worth the price for international travel because they're generally more expensive, so you have more to lose. Additionally, your regular health insurance won't cover you in other countries, so without travel insurance, you'll end up paying out of pocket for any emergency medical care you receive out of the US.

You should purchase travel insurance as soon as possible after making payment on your trip. This makes you eligible for add-ons like coverage for pre-existing conditions and CFAR. It also mitigates the chance of any losses in the days leading up to your trip.

Main content

14 best business travel backpacks for every budget

If you travel regularly for work, you won't need us to tell you that a good travel backpack is essential. That's especially true if a backpack can double as a decently sized carry-on luggage item while still housing your laptop in an easily accessible compartment.

We looked at some of the best (and most stylish) backpacks out there to take the hassle out of searching for the best item.

Without further ado, here are the best business travel backpacks that maximize form and function across various budgets.

Amazon Basics Laptop Backpack, $33.47

If you don't want to break the bank, the Amazon Basics range offers a reliable and, dare we say, fairly stylish backpack for less than $40.

The bag has a dedicated (and padded) laptop sleeve that can easily hold a laptop up to 17 inches in size; it has additional compartments for pens, keys, cellphones and other items.

There's also a water bottle pocket on both sides of the bag for easy access when you're on the go.

Buy from $33.47

Lenovo Legion Gaming Laptop Bag, $55.19 (normally $79.99)

Admittedly, we've never seen Batman carry a backpack, but if he did, we're pretty sure it'd look something like this robust bag by Lenovo. It has a 20-liter capacity and room for a 16-inch laptop, alongside seven inside pockets to suit all your work travel needs — including a hidden compartment for valuables.

Built for carrying electronic items, the bag features foam antishock bumpers on the corners of the laptop compartment for extra protection against bag drops and other jolts.

There's also a high-quality magnetic lock to keep your items safe.

Buy from $55.19 (normally $79.99)

Tangcorle Travel Carry On Backpack, $58.90

Part backpack and part carry-on suitcase, this bag has an expandable design. This means it has a capacity of 36 to 50 liters and should easily fit the maximum carry-on size for most airlines.

Other features include an external USB port with a built-in charging cable, allowing you to attach your own power bank and keep your devices charged while on the go.

The main compartment is similar to one in an ordinary carry-on suitcase and can easily store five to seven days' worth of clothes, depending on how you like to pack. It is perfect for long weekends and short business trips.

Buy from $58.90

Samsonite Novex Laptop Backpack, $69.99 (normally $99.99)

If you are shopping for a travel backpack from a reliable brand with a more down-to-earth budget, this Samsonite bestseller has a lot going for it.

Despite its price, the Novex Laptop Backpack doesn't compromise on the basics. The separate laptop and tablet pocket features a special webbing system that provides extra durability in case you drop the backpack. Plus, thanks to the special supportive lining on the top front pocket, you won't have to worry about misplacing your headphones, glasses or cellphone.

The main storage compartment has room for all the essentials, though you may not find it large enough for a full change of clothes or a pair of shoes.

Buy from $69.99 (normally $99.99)

The North Face Recon Everyday Laptop Backpack, $109

A modern classic, the Recon Everyday Laptop Backpack is a popular, on-trend design you'll frequently see on the backs of young professionals in buzzy city centers.

The backpack has two external water bottle holders and a main compartment capable of carrying up to 30 liters. Its laptop sleeve is also sizable and should easily hold machines up to 18 inches.

Perhaps its most interesting feature is the comfortable design of its shoulder straps, which are certified by the American Chiropractic Association.

Buy from $109

Ogio Renegade Backpack, $128.24 (normally $149.99)

If you're looking for the bag with the most pockets, this might be it. Ogio's flagship backpack has dedicated space for everything (laptop and iPad included) and then some. With a phone pocket, two zippered side pockets and five main pockets, you might just get lost looking around for your gear.

No matter how full you stuff this nearly 30-liter backpack, you shouldn't have much of a problem carrying it around, thanks to its supportive padded back panel and shoulder straps. This makes it easy to lug it around the airport or corporate campus.

Buy from $128.24 (normally $149.99)

Incase ARC Daypack, $129.95

Apple aficionados will no doubt be familiar with Incase, a popular brand of cases and protection solutions for iPhones, iPads and Macs.

The laptop pocket is big enough for a 16-inch computer, and it's lined in faux fur for additional protection. Its travel tech compartment also includes RFID-blocking technology, preventing thieves from stealing your digital information.

A water- and stain-resistant coating, two dedicated water bottle holders, and a pass-through system for rollaboard bags make this the ideal bag for anyone going from the gym to the office to the airport. If you need something bigger, Incase also makes a larger A.R.C. travel pack.

Need more convincing? Both bags are made from a sustainable mixture of recycled polyester, giving the company its A.R.C. acronym, which stands for "a responsible carry."

Buy from $129.95

Aer Pro Pack 20L, $179

As far as business travel backpacks go, Aer's is certainly quite stylish. It comes in three colors (black, navy and olive), and it's made of sustainable materials without compromising on durability. A separate laptop compartment safeguards your most precious technology, while the main compartment is large enough for all your chargers and other travel accessories.

The standout feature is the main compartment's 180-degree flat-open zipper system, giving you unobstructed access to all your belongings.

There's even a hidden pocket to store an AirTag or other tracker so that you can locate your bag even if it's stolen or misplaced.

Buy from $179

Away The Everywhere Zip Backpack, $195

Made with water-resistant nylon, the Everywhere backpack by Away has a full wraparound zip that provides access to the main compartment. Not only can you fit more things in an orderly fashion, but you'll also be able to easily see your things when you need to retrieve them from the backpack.

Alongside the main compartment, the bag also houses a 15-inch laptop pocket with a magnetic locking zipper and padded shoulder straps for comfort. It's available in five colors — including the limited-edition garnet colorway.

Buy from $195

Timbuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack, $209

The Timbuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack has space for everything and then some. The padded rear pocket is the perfect spot for a laptop, so you won't have to dig through the main compartment to find your computer.

The main compartment is spacious and can expand by nearly 3 liters, giving you more room for your belongings. Plus, the front pocket has a dedicated organizer with multiple pockets, so you'll never forget where you put your passport, charger and cables.

Buy from $209

Nomatic 20L Backpack, $279.99

Although you may not have heard of Nomatic, this brand receives rave reviews from its loyalists. The company's bestselling backpack comes in two sizes: 14 liters and 20 liters. Both are expandable by nearly 20%.

The flat rectangular design may be controversial at first glance, but at least you can't complain about finding space for all of your gizmos. The bag has a staggering 24 unique storage compartments, ranging from enclosed pockets to mesh nets. It's a great bag for those who like to stay extremely organized when they're on the road.

Buy from $279.99

Briggs & Riley Traveler Backpack, $329

The Briggs & Riley backpack has an impressive amount of storage capability thanks to its multitude of pockets and 180-degree, lie-flat opening that allows unfettered access to every nook and cranny.

The laptop sleeve and tablet sleeve are in the same area as the main packing compartment, but they're separated by a zippered inner pocket to keep your clothes all by themselves.

There's also a so-called PowerPocket that fits an external battery pack and keeps a charging cable within easy reach — perfect for a quick boost of juice while you're on the go.

Buy from $329

Tumi Alpha Bravo Navigation Backpack, $525

Though Tumi makes a handful of durable bags, the Navigation Backpack excels for a wide range of travel needs. It features a separate padded laptop compartment (that can fit even the largest MacBooks), a main storage area and plenty of other smaller pockets.

It also has a zip expansion feature if you decide to grab some souvenirs during your travels.

The backpack comes in five colors, giving you plenty of choices to match your personal travel style.

Buy from $525

Rimowa Flap Backpack Large, $1,725

If you're looking to make a statement and are willing to spend some serious cash, Rimowa's travel bags are the way to go.

This luxury Italian-made large canvas Flap Backpack features a padded laptop sleeve and a large drawstring compartment to fit all of your travel essentials. It is secured by a flap-top enclosure with a magnetic buckle emblazoned with the Rimowa logo.

Buy from $1,725

More From Forbes

A first taste of boston’s new italian masterpiece.

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A sampling of La Padrona dishes.

When Raffles Boston opened to great fanfare in the Back Bay in September 2023, a few venues at the luxurious property were not quite ready for guests. La Padrona , an Italian restaurant headlined by acclaimed Boston chef Jody Adams, was one of them. But the May 2023 opening has proved worth the wait. The two-story establishment offers a dramatic setting for dinner or drinks and aims to take patrons on a trip around Italy with carefully curated options.

La Padrona manages to straddle a couple of worlds. It fits into Raffles’ classic atmosphere, but it also feels like it could stand alone. Even if you aren’t staying in the hotel, the new Boston restaurant and bar feel like a destination, welcoming to locals and visitors alike.

Subtle sophistication at every corner.

The 8,600-square-foot space, created by AvroKo (the firm responsible for the design at Sonoma’s Five-Star SingleThread Farms Restaurant and Bangkok’s BKK Social Club), is split between two levels, with the restaurant on one floor and a more casual but sophisticated bar and lounge on the ground level. Cozy chairs and tables invite you to relax with a drink, or you can perch at the intimate bar and watch the bartenders whip up a Boston Sling (the local riff on the Singapore classic uses Blind Duck gin Drambuie, Nonino amaro, cranberry compote and housemade apple shrub) or one of the venue’s other specialty cocktails.

A gorgeous grand staircase, with walnut handrails and stone steps, leads up to the second-floor main dining room, where a 360-degree, 22-seat bar takes center stage in the middle of the restaurant. Rich golds, blues and reds make for an elegant backdrop. The bar is surrounded by traditional seating, banquettes and chic “Hollywood” booths for bigger parties. Whether you want a destination for a date night or a business dinner, its versatility serves either.

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The tables are set for an Italian feast.

Adams and her partners at A Street Hospitality, who also own Trade , Porto and Saloniki around town, offer a menu that features different regional specialties of Italy. Expect the kitchen to roll out dishes such as razor clams with Calabrian chili, grilled artichoke with Parmigiano-Reggiano and slow-roasted porchetta.

New England ingredients make their way on the menu, too, with lobster and uni risotto and seared black cod. Fans of Adams’ long-shuttered restaurant Rialto will be thrilled to find her cheese and fennel breadsticks, a beloved item there, on this fresh menu. Desserts are not to be missed, with selections such as malted vanilla gelato with espresso, a decadent strawberry rum cake and, of course, cannoli here to tempt your taste buds.

Colorful cocktails.

The beverage list is not an afterthought at the Italian restaurant, with half a dozen negronis to choose from, as well as signature cocktails such as the whimsically named Who Framed Roger Rabbit (Carrot Cake Hamilton Rum, carrot juice, rooibos tea, egg white and carrot top soda). Timeless tipples like the La Padrona Manhattan and the La Padrona martini are also made with exquisite care.

A well-rounded wine list, with an impressive number of options by the glass, plus a long menu of amari and other spirits, round out the offerings.

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On the Brazilian Coast, a Tropical Town Beloved by Artists and Makers

A guide to Paraty, on the Costa Verde, with tips on where to stay, shop and island hop from the artist Vik Muniz and four other insiders.

A port area with rows of boats. The sky is a light orange. In the distance are forested hills.

By Nora Walsh

T’s monthly travel series, Flocking To , highlights places you might already have on your wish list, sharing tips from frequent visitors and locals alike. Sign up here to find us in your inbox once a month, and to receive our weekly T List newsletter. Have a question? You can always reach us at [email protected] .

Roughly halfway between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the coastal town of Paraty (population 45,000) isn’t the easiest place to reach. It requires a four-hour, mostly mountainous drive from either city, a 45-minute helicopter charter or arrival by sea. It’s that relative seclusion that keeps the tourist hordes and unbridled development at bay, despite the town’s obvious appeal. Set on Brazil’s Costa Verde, with mountains covered in rainforest on one side and the emerald green waters of Ilha Grande Bay on the other, Paraty (pronounced para-CHEE by locals), preserves more than 30 blocks as its historic quarter, a grid of pedestrian-only cobblestone streets lined with whitewashed 18th- and 19th-century facades, many of them remnants of the Portuguese colonial era.

Starting in the mid-1600s, the town grew prosperous as a seaport during the country’s gold rush (many of the biggest gold mines were in the neighboring inland state Minas Gerais) — and as a hub for the slave trade. African slaves not only worked in the mines but built much of the town’s early infrastructure, such as its roads. Once the gold stopped coming through Paraty for export in the early 1700s, the town continued to harvest sugar cane and produce cachaça, the national spirit, before shifting its economic focus to the coffee trade. At the end of the 19th century, Santos, 190 miles to the south, supplanted Paraty as the country’s primary coffee-exporting port, and the town began to languish. “It fell off the map,” says Luana Assunção, the owner of the Rio-based travel company Free Walker Tours. “It became isolated and poor. Many houses were abandoned.”

By the 1970s, a new highway and an influx of urban transplants had given Paraty an infusion of new life. Lured by the area’s affordability, a number of artists, designers and other creative types began renovating the old mansions and opening a handful of galleries, boutiques, cafes and small hotels, turning the long-forgotten town into an alluring vacation destination.

“I was worried that mass tourism would endanger the future of the culture and the nature in Paraty, but it didn’t happen,” says the nature photographer Dom João de Orleans e Bragança, who has been visiting Paraty since 1968 and now lives there most of the year. He credits the strict building codes for imbuing the town with a certain timeless quality, even after the pandemic when the area’s second-home owners began spending more time in Paraty. “You’ll never see a skyscraper, and we don’t have big resorts or hotels here.”

What Paraty does have is easy access to the dozens of small islands and sandy coves across the bay (local traineiras , renovated wooden fishing boats; large schooners; and speedboats are all available for visitors to rent for daylong outings), and the countless hiking trails, waterfalls and beaches that are part of the massive Serra da Bocaina National Park. Visitors can also make day trips to a handful of villages home to Indigenous and historic Black settlements that have maintained a strong cultural identity. “There’s layer upon layer here,” said Lena Santana, a Brazilian costume and fashion designer who has been living in Paraty for the last decade. “It creates a certain kind of depth that makes people want to stay.” Here, Santana and four other locals and longtime Paraty visitors share their recommendations for where to stay, eat and explore.

The Insiders

Silvia Furmanovich , a fine-jewelry designer based between São Paulo and New York City, has been traveling to Paraty every other year for the past three decades.

The artist and photographer Vik Muniz , who lives in Rio de Janeiro and New York City, has been visiting Paraty since 1999.

Diana Radomysler is a partner and director of the interiors and design department at the São Paulo-based architecture firm Studio MK27. She travels to Paraty annually with her family.

Lena Santana , who was born in Salvador, Brazil, and moved to Paraty a decade ago after 15 years in London, owns a boutique, Atelier Napele, in the historic center, and Bus Stop Paraty, a guesthouse, 12 miles outside of town in Playa Grande.

Gisela Schmitt , originally from São Paulo, is the chef and owner of Paraty’s Gastromar restaurant and a boat-catering company.

Illustrations by Richard Pedaline

“I love to stay at Casa Turquesa , built on the ruins of an 18th-century mansion in the old town. Everything in the Turquoise Suite is white and turquoise, from the fabrics to the artwork. One room has prints from the British botanical artist Margaret Mee, who spent decades traveling to the Amazon documenting flora, which have inspired my work in the past.” (Rooms from about $520 a night.) — Silvia Furmanovich

“I always suggest that friends stay at the Pousada Literária de Paraty, a cozy hotel within a cluster of historic mansions that surround a tropical garden — they return enchanted by both the hotel and its restaurant.” (Rooms from about $350 a night.) — Diana Radomysler

“The Brazilian travel company Matueté has a selection of villas. You can rent the interior designer Linda Pinto’s house in the historic quarter close to the waterfront. It has a beautiful courtyard, so the house is flooded with natural light.” (Rentals from about $1,500 a night, with a three-night minimum.) — Gisela Schmitt

Eat and Drink

“At Banana da Terra , the chef Ana Bueno cooks contemporary Caiçara [the main Indigenous community of the area] cuisine in a charming restaurant in the historic quarter. She offers things like mango and shrimp salad and a hamburger made with crab meat. After dinner, go to Gelateria Miracolo for ice cream and try the flavor made with cupuaçu, an Amazonian fruit that’s closely related to cacao.” — S.F.

“Head to Graúna [about 12 miles north of Paraty], a beautiful valley in the Atlantic Forest, for lunch at Le Gite d’Indaiatiba . The chef is like a wizard of the forest. She makes her ravioli with taioba, an edible plant from the jungle [similar to collard greens]. Call ahead and ask them to prepare the sauna, which is next to a swimmable waterfall on the property.” — G.S.

“ Fugu Japanese Food is a new restaurant that only serves fish that’s been caught fresh the same day, like sororoca [a white local fish] and prejereba [tripletail]. Don’t miss the tuna starter with locally grown shiitake mushrooms or the teishoku, a wooden box with 12 different small portions of menu items, including the day’s fresh catch. There’s also a great sake selection. For dessert, have the wasabi ice cream.” — D.R.

“Recently, one of my favorite designers from São Paulo, Flavia Aranha , opened a store in Paraty. Her pieces are timeless, produced in organic fabrics or natural fibers dyed with Brazilian plants and herbs.” — D.R.

“For handwoven baskets, go to Cestarias Regio Paraty in the historic center. They come in all sizes and are made by local communities. I love the ones made from covo, a fiber extracted from bamboo, that are used to go fishing.” — G.S.

“Visit the village of Cunha in the Paraíba Valley, where the Japanese couple Mieko and Toshiyuki Ukeseki started firing ceramics in a noborigama [a traditional Japanese wood-fired chamber kiln] in the 1970s. A small community of ceramists joined them, and you can buy their pieces at their ateliers or at the ceramics festivals that Cunha hosts throughout the year.” — L.S.

“To pick up authentic Indigenous arts and crafts, such as vases and musical instruments, go to Canoa Arte Indígena . I bought several baskets from there that now decorate my office in São Paulo.” — S.F.

“Paraty has some of the best cachaça in Brazil. My favorite brand is Cachaça Maria Izabel . [Maria Izabel] and her daughters own a sugar cane plantation in Sítio Santo Antônio, about six miles north of Paraty, where they still produce the spirit by hand. You can do a tasting at the distillery and buy bottles there, or at shops in town.” — V.M.

“The Livraria das Marés is a big-city bookstore in a small town. It’s a contemporary space designed by the architect Bel Lobo with black metal shelves and a wood-paneled floor and ceiling. There’s a delightful cafe at the back.” — D.R.

“Don’t miss Saco do Mamanguá, which is the world’s only tropical fjord. You can only get there by boat, and you’ll pass Caiçara villages along small beaches. From there, you can hike to the peak of Mamanguá’s Pão de Açúcar for dramatic views of the entire Ilha Grande Bay. Another option is to rent kayaks at one of the beaches and paddle deep into the mangroves at the very end of the fjord.” — G.S.

“ Fazenda Bananal is a great place to take children. It’s a nature preserve in the forest with a farmhouse. There are walking trails, farm animals and a restaurant called Ninho that’s absolutely incredible. Many of the ingredients come from the farm. I had the best slow-cooked pork of my life there.” — V.M.

“Visit Quilombo do Campinho [a settlement about 10 miles south of Paraty founded at the end of the 19th century by formerly enslaved people]. There’s a restaurant that serves fresh grilled fish and a shop with beautiful wooden animal sculptures, rugs made of straw, bamboo furniture and jewelry made from local tropical seeds. On the way home, stop at the village of Paraty-Mirim, where you can buy artisanal wares from the Guaraní tribe; then swim at its gorgeous beach, which is bordered by mountains and a river.” — L.S.

“One of the best ways to enjoy Paraty by sea is to book Gisela Schmitt’s Sem Pressa boat tour, which takes you to the surrounding coves and swimming spots (my favorite is Saco da Velha) while offering delicious local plates like cachaça- and beet-cured prejereba [tripletail fish], fresh oysters and mussels.” — V.M.

Practical Matters

“It’s fun to be in Paraty during one of its festivals. There’s FLIP [Festa Literária Internacional de Paraty], a large and influential literary festival [this year it will be held in October] and loads of other events throughout the town.” — L.S.

“The best time to visit is from May to August, when there’s less rain, the sky is beautiful and the sea is wonderful.” — G.S.

These interviews have been edited and condensed.

Explore T Magazine

A Forest Retreat in ‘Tokyo’s Backyard’: Here’s how the architect Terence Ngan and the interior designer Ed Ng made a home for themselves in the woods .

Artist Questionnaire: The artist Charles Gaines discussed his new work at the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park in Alabama, the development of his practice and taking drum lessons from Jimmie Smith.

Skin Care Routine for Adult Acne: Here is an expert-approved guide to the most effective products and techniques for dealing with stubborn breakouts at home.

An Antidote to Loneliness: Patrick Carroll began making textiles during lockdown . Last year, several of them appeared at a JW Anderson runway show.

The 25 Essential Italian Pasta Dishes: Two chefs, one cookbook author, a culinary historian and a food writer made a list of the country’s most delicious meals , from carbonara in Rome to ravioli in Campania.

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Budget and accommodation. Kyrgyzstan has very affordable travel services. Count on 2-3$ for a basic meal, 5-10$ for a hostel bed, 10-15$ for a yurtstay with half board, and a double room in a decent hotel starting at 25$. Villages have homestays, mountains have yurtstays.
The PERFECT 1-Week Itinerary & Travel Guide to Kyrgyzstan!
Budgeting for the trip. The currency in Kyrgyzstan is called the Kyrgyz Som (KGS). The money exchange centers in Dubai did not have any Kyrgyz currency, so we carried US Dollars with us and converted it to Som at a local exchange centre in Bishkek. 1 US$ = 84.65 KGS (dated June 2021)
The 25 most beautiful and best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan in 2024
Best Places to visit in Bishkek (Chuy Region) 1. Bishkek. Bishkek is the largest city in Kyrgyzstan and the country's capital. It'll very likely be the first place you visit in Kyrgyzstan as nearly all flights arrive at the international airport of Manas, only a 30-minute drive from Bishkek's city center.
Kyrgyz' What?! Our Complete Guide For Travel To Kyrgyzstan
The good news for travel to Kyrgyzstan is that it's visa-free for a growing number of passports. Passport holders from 69 different nations are not required to obtain a visa in advance for travel to Kyrgyzstan for travel up to the length of 30, 60 or 90 days. It is also possible for a lot of those nations to arrange a visa on arrival for an ...
24 BEST Places to Visit in Kyrgyzstan (2024 Expert Guide)
5) Karakol. Karakol is probably the most well-known town in Kyrgyzstan. Nestled in the southeastern corner of Issyk Kul, Karakol is a great place to base yourself for treks into the wilderness and is probably one of the most popular places to visit in Kyrgyzstan. If you plan on doing some trekking during your time in Kyrgyzstan then this is an ...
Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide
Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide. Updated May 2024, The Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide was originally written in April 2018. Kyrgyzstan is a highlight for many travelers that head to Central Asia with its alpine sceneries, fascinating culture, and its relaxed visa policies for many countries.
Kyrgyzstan
The Kyrgyz people were originally a group of nomadic tribes, among whom hospitality was often a matter of life and death. Guests are still treated as well as the host can afford, and most travellers return from Kyrgyzstan with epic stories of the warmth and generosity they meet.. Horses remain central to the traditional way of life and a riding tour is among the very best ways to experience ...
Backpacking Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide 2024
All and all you can travel Kyrgyzstan on a tight budget, but you need to anticipate some high costs if you plan on going on any 4×4 jeep trips, hiking with a guide, white water rafting, etc. Groceries from a supermarket or small shop are reasonable and one can easily cook an excellent meal for $10 worth of store-bought ingredients.
Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide 2024: What to See, Do, Costs, & Ways to Save
Transportation within Kyrgyzstan: Public transportation such as buses and marshrutkas (shared taxis) is affordable, typically costing $1-5 per ride. Taxis for shorter rides within cities may range from $2-10. Renting a car can cost $30-50 or more per day, excluding fuel.
Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide
National Geographic's latest travel stories about Kyrgyzstan. ... Newsletters. Subscribe. Menu. Travel; Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide. Photo story: in search of Kyrgyzstan's elusive leopards.
Travel, Tourism & Vacations to Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan is also gaining recognition as a destination for adventure tourism. Embark on thrilling outdoor activities, including mountaineering, skiing, paragliding, and white-water rafting. The country's pristine nature and untouched landscapes offer an exhilarating playground for adrenaline seekers. When planning your trip to Kyrgyzstan ...
The Best Kyrgyzstan Itinerary That You Can Do In 14 Days
DAY 1: Arriving in Bishkek and exploring the city. Bishkek is the capital of Kyrgyzstan and is the most popular entry point in the country. Most international flights fly into the airport of Manas. A convenient option for international travelers, located only thirty minutes from Bishkek. Bishkek is recommended as the best place to kick off your ...
Kyrgyzstan International Travel Information
Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution and Travel Advisories.
Travel to Kyrgyzstan
Travel to Kyrgyzstan is a blog that discovers the enchanting beauty of Kyrgyzstan through captivating tales, breathtaking landscapes, and immersive experiences. From food, activities, to lifestyle, read more here.
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Kyrgyzstan, officially the Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyz: Кыргыз Республикасы, Russian: Кыргызская Республика) is a former Soviet republic located in South-Central Asia. The country is known for its incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions. Landlocked and mountainous, it borders Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the ...
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Tumi Alpha Bravo Navigation Backpack, $525. TUMI. Though Tumi makes a handful of durable bags, the Navigation Backpack excels for a wide range of travel needs. It features a separate padded laptop compartment (that can fit even the largest MacBooks), a main storage area and plenty of other smaller pockets.
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Tips and how to travel to Kyrgyzstan (2024)

In this Kyrgyzstan travel guide you will find:

our recommended travel insurance for Kyrgyzstan

🪪 Visa for traveling to Kyrgyzstan

The rest of nationalities can apply for a Kyrgyz e-visa

Extending your visa does not seem to be possible anymore

Overstaying can be expensive

🚑 Travel Insurance for Kyrgyzstan

⛅ Best time to visit Kyrgyzstan

Travel in Kyrgyzstan during High season (mid-June to Mid-September)

Travel in Kyrgyzstan during Shoulder season (Spring and Autumn)

Travel in Kyrgyzstan during Low season (mid-November to March)

🛫 How to get to Kyrgyzstan

How to travel to Kyrgyzstan by land

⚠️ Is it safe to travel to Kyrgyzstan?

🛖 Top 5 experiences in Kyrgyzstan

Stay with Kyrgyz nomads

Watch nomad games, but try to find out where the local games happen (don’t go to the touristic ones)

Go trekking on a horse

Go trekking in some of the most mind-blowing mountains ever

Visit the remotest Silk Road Heritage sites

📚 Books for traveling to Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide by Bradt

Central Asia Guide by Lonely Planet

🕌 15 facts about Kyrgyzstan, its people and culture

🐪 About nomadic life in Kyrgyzstan

It’s their summer job

They live in yurts

You can always stay with them, no matter where you go

Get off the beaten track because the touristic areas are too commercialized

🍲 Facts about food and alcohol in Kyrgyzstan

🐴 Horses in Kyrgyzstan

They learn how to ride a horse at the same time as walking

You must go horse trekking

But be careful!

Hiring a horse is cheap

But be aware that they eat them!

Horse games

🏔️ Trekking in Kyrgyzstan

💻 Internet and connectivity in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan has the best internet in Central Asia

About getting a SIM Card for traveling around Kyrgyzstan

Get a VPN for traveling in Kyrgyzstan

💰 About money, budget and costs

Exchanging money

Scams, getting ripped-off

🏨 Accommodation: where to stay in Kyrgyzstan

Staying in a yurt in Kyrgyzstan

Staying in a hotel in Kyrgyzstan

🛺 How to move around Kyrgyzstan – Transportation

Shared local taxis

A few things to keep in mind:

Hitchhiking in Kyrgyzstan

❗ More information for traveling in Kyrgyzstan

What is CBT?

All guides and articles for traveling in Kyrgyzstan destination

Travel guides to other countries in Central Asia

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Travel Insurance for Kyrgyzstan

Money in Kyrgyzstan

Communication in Kyrgyzstan

Getting to Kyrgyzstan

People & Culture of Kyrgyzstan

Where to visit in Kyrgyzstan

Northern Kyrgyzstan

Issyk-Kul Region

Central Kyrgyzstan

Southern Kyrgyzstan

Getting Around Kyrgyzstan

Accommodation in Kyrgyzstan

Best Time to Visit Kyrgyzstan

Internet & SIM Cards in Kyrgyzstan

Solo Travel in Kyrgyzstan