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Solo Travel in Kyrgyzstan

Types of GatGs – Nature GatG, Hiking GatG, Skiing GatG, Cultural GatG

If you are planning to solo travel in Asia , Central Asia can be a challenging region to navigate your way around but Kyrgyzstan is one of the easiest countries in the region. In this article I share the best things to do in Kyrgyzstan including recommended accommodation and how to get around. 

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Things To Do in Kyrgyzstan

Accommodation and hotels in kyrgyzstan, kyrgyzstan tours, travel in kyrgyzstan, kyrgyzstan itinerary, kyrgyzstan weather, from the airport in kyrgyzstan, travel insurance for kyrgyzstan.

• Travelling Onwards

Conscious Travel in Kyrgyzstan

• FAQs about Kyrgyzstan

Map of Kyrgyzstan

Plan your trip to kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyzstan still has a lack of tourist infrastructure and because of the language barrier I've given it 3 out of 5 stars for women.

Is Kyrgyzstan safe? As a solo, Kyrgyz people are respectful and don’t stare as they do in other countries in Central Asia. You don’t get hassled either. Drivers stop to let you cross the road and the country feels more welcoming than others in the region. However, you do need to be careful of pickpockets at the Bishkek bazaar and also the bus station. As with anywhere be careful at night especially in the Kyrgyzstan city of Karakol.

The country is ideal for the adventure GatG with ski resorts, mountain biking and plenty of trekking. The tourist season runs from May to September so if you visit outside of this period some of the activities may not be available.

Kyrgyzstan isn’t on many solo bucket lists so stay in hostels if you are hoping to meet others backpacking Kyrgyzstan. Because of its high altitude, you may want to take altitude sickness tablets with you to prepare you for any symptoms.

If you are planning your Kyrgyzstan holidays, below is our Kyrgyzstan travel guide on how to solo travel Kyrgyzstan including the best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan, where to stay, what to do in Kyrgyzstan, travelling Kyrgyzstan, and which Kyrgyzstan tour to take. Find out how to get from the airports and where to go in Kyrgyzstan as a solo. 

All companies included have been recommended by solo female travellers and come with our Solo Female Friendly endorsement. Just choose the relevant section or read the full article for your Kyrgyzstan trip. 

A country in Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked country, bordered by China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. It has been described as the “Switzerland of Central Asia,” because of its untouched nature.

The country is divided into 7 regions and is dominated by the Tian Shan mountains which are also part of the old trading route. Two-thirds of Kyrgyzstan is mountainous terrain with 88 mountain ranges, over 100 lakes and more than 400 rivers and canals.

Kyrgyzstan tourism is relatively new, but  with so many trekking opportunities, if you are wanting to hike mountains, and endless green forests then this Central Asian country is a must. Lenin Peak is one of the most popular mountain peaks to climb. This 7,134-metre high mountain lies on the border of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and attracts many climbers each year. 

Once part of the Soviet Union, the country has had two revolutions. One in 2005, and the latest in 2010 which bought down the country’s corrupt leadership. Although corruption has not been completely eradicated for the 6 million people living here, it is a step in the right direction.

The Kyrgyz are mountain folk and began their modest lives as nomadic tribes living off the land. The indigenous population still make up 72% of the country’s population, and community-based tourism is a great way to see how the local people live.

The biggest name here is Manas, the country’s most important warrior who fought against their enemies. His name is a national symbol and so many things are named after him including the airport.

Things To Do in Bishkek

Kyrgyzstan has one of the greenest cities within the region. Bishkek is the capital city in Kyrgyzstan, with less than one million people. It feels more like a large town than a city with several parks (over 20 if you’re counting), a few cool cafes and a nice atmosphere. 

A relatively young city, its history dates back 200 years, and the Kyrgyzstan capital once was known as the name “Frunze” for more than 70 years. It was named after the Soviet military leader, Mikhail Frunze, and the house where he was raised is now a museum.

If you’re wondering what to do in Bishkek, one of the unusual things to do in Bishkek is to pay a visit to the Bishkek Circus. This remnant from the Soviet era once housed circus acts from the USSR and has a distinct UFO style to its round structure.

Other places to visit in Bishkek Kyrgyzstan include Ala-Too Square, the main square in the centre of the city. Its translation means “snowy mountains” which is meant to symbolise the country’s nature. This is where you’ll find the festivals and meetings being held, and a huge 45-metre flag.

Oak Park, Bishkek

Bishkek is a walkable city with plenty of parks and green space and a majestic mountain backdrop. There are so many parks here so if you don’t have much time, make sure that you see the outdoor sculptures at Oak Park, the Botanical Garden, and Panfilov Park which attracts families with its fairground rides.

Amongst the parks are former Soviet monuments dotted around the city. Inside Oak Park, you’ll also find the monument for Kurmanjan Datca, the leader and the ruler of the Alai Kyrgyz, known as the ‘Alai queen.”

In Victory Park is the monument of Leningrad blockade, a figure of a white in white marble, holding a child from the siege of Leningrad. The Monument to the Martyrs of the Revolution is another Soviet monument, depicting a woman with socialist warriors behind her. Apparently, it won the “All Union Lenin” prize during the Soviet era.

The Victory Monument, Bishkek

The Victory Monument is the most stunning in the city. It represents a yurt with a sculpture of a mother with a cup in her hands, standing under tunduk near the eternal flame, awaiting the return of her husband and sons from war. The eternal flame represents the mass graves of the Red Army during the 1919 uprising.

The State Opera and Ballet Theatre is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. Instead of resembling the Soviet times, you’ll feel as though you have been transported back to Greece with classical architecture. Inside you can watch classics such as Swan Lake, and Sleeping Beauty. Their national masterpiece is Manas.

The State Opera and Ballet Theatre in Bishkek

Don’t forget to see the Sculptural Complex of Manas when you visit Bishkek. This is in front of the philharmonic and is dedicated to the main Kyrgyz heroes.

To learn more about Kyrgyzstan history and culture, the Historical Museum gives an insight into its past. It is said to be the largest in Central Asia. See Kyrgyz art and crafts at the Museum of Fine Arts along with dozens of paintings by Russian artists.

For shopping head to the west side of town to Osh Bazaar for anything and everything that you want to buy. If you are unsure what to do in the evenings, La Maison Club is a gorgeous French restaurant that will make you feel really welcome.

If you’re a party GatG, you may want to find others to enjoy the Bishkek nightlife with. There is a red light area so one of our travel tips for Kyrgyzstan travel safety is to avoid Pravda Street when you’re exploring the Kyrgyzstan nightlife.

Ala Archa Gorge

Kyrgyzstan Mountains

With two-thirds of the country being mountainous, you simply have to explore one of these regions while you are here. Jengish Chokusu is the highest point at 7,439 metres. This gigantic mountain is shared with their China neighbours.

You don’t need to go far to delve into the country’s nature and see the Kyrgyzstan attractions. From Bishkek, it’s less than an hour to the Ala Archa gorge in Ala Archa National Park where you can hike and camp overnight. Companies offer several days of trekking if you want to make the most of this gorgeous region. Don’t let the snow put you off too as you can still visit for a picturesque winter wonderland. 

Jyrgalan Valley is a mecca for those hiking Kyrgyzstan, no matter what your level of fitness. This mountain range in the east of the country is unspoiled with Kyrgyzstan rivers, clear alpine lakes and green hillsides. Although it is a region off the beaten path it has miles of marked trails so it is easy to navigate for a days’ trekking.

From Jyrgalan village you are already in the heart of the mountain range and can go straight on your hike. It is high-altitude though so be prepared to trek up to 4,000 metres. You can also hire a guide for your Kyrgyzstan trekking to see more of this area which is translated to ‘Mountain of Heaven.’

Arslanbon is at an altitude of 1,600 metres and is one of the most beautiful resorts in the south of the country. It is a village, a valley and a mountain range, with a large walnut forest in the Jalal-Abad Region of Kyrgyzstan (the country exports many of its walnuts).

You can reach Arslanbob from Osh , which is the second most important of the Kyrgyzstan cities.  Osh was an important city for the Silk Road due to its proximity to the Uzbekistan border. It is a small city with a backdrop of the Sulaiman-Too sacred mountain, and a statue of Lenin. 

Its vibrant bazaar has been trading in the same place for more than 2000 years! The city has a nice energy to it, and there is a pathway around the mountain for a view of the city. If you have time, visit Peak Lenin where you can do a short hike to the base camps to see mind-blowing nature.

Kyrgyzstan Lakes

If you are traveling to Kyrgyzstan for lakes, head to Sary-Chelek, a beautiful alpine lake. If you visit in the autumn you’ll see why the translation of the name means “yellow bucket” as the lake and the foliage surrounding it looks a honey colour. Visit any other time of year and the lake is bluey-green.

Another beautiful lake is Lake Son-Kul, located between the Tien-Shan mountains. As the largest natural freshwater lake in the country, it sits at an altitude of 3016 metres above sea level. It is surrounded by meadows and shepherds in their yurts.

Issyk-Kul Lak is the country’s largest and one of the 25 largest lakes in the world. It is also the second-largest high altitude lake after Lake Titicaca in South America. Visit here in the summer months and you’ll be joined by the locals who come for their beach holiday. It is situated in the northeast of the country at an altitude of 1,609 m above sea level.

One of the resort towns on the shores of Issyk Kul Lake is Cholpon-Ata on the north part of the lake. Things to do in cholpon-ata include visiting the Historical Museum to learn more about the history, seeing the Petroglyphs and marvelling at the animal carvings on the ground’s many boulders, and taking a sneaky peak at the Hippodrome where the World Nomad Games were hosted. Make the most of the sandy lake shoreline too.

Karakol Kyrgyzstan

Karakol offers mountaineering and trekking and is perfect for the adventurous GatG. It’s a city still untouched by tourism and was once a Russian settlement. The Karakol animal market is one of the must-sees here.

One of the Kyrgyzstan things to do for the wellness GatG, is to experience the healing geothermal properties of Jeti-Oguz, located west of Karakol City, and less than 30 km away. The area is named after the red rock formations which resemble the shape of seven bulls laying on the ground and is one of the country's most iconic sights. 

This picturesque valley is 2200 metres above sea level and is 28 km of red rocks and gorge, including the ‘Broken Heart’ rock. Other things to do in Karakol is seeing the Barskoon Waterfall and the nearby Fairy Tale Canyon .

Alyn Arashan, near Karakol, is another area where you can find hot springs Kyrgyzstan. These warm natural springs are known for their healing and you can find traditional yurts here to stay overnight. If you do want to hike before taking a long soak in these therapeutic waters, this area is ideal too.

Burana Tower

History of Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan was once an important country on the ancient Silk Road. Some caravansaries still exist and are UNESCO protected.

The Burana Tower is one of the famous landmarks in Kyrgyzstan and Kyrgyzstan tourist attractions. It stands as a reminder of the ancient city of Balasagun and is one of the Silk Road Heritage sites in the country. The tower is made out of bricks and dates back to the 10th/11th century.

You’ll find the ruins of the Burana settlement and petroglyphs 14km from Tokmok (it’s easily reachable on a day trip from Bishkek). It even survived the raiders of Genghis Khan.

Sulaiman-Too in Osh is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once of sacred importance. A historical museum sits on the hillside as well as Tahty Sulaiman mosque which was bombed and restored 28 years later. Visit the Great Silk Road Museum at the base of the mountain to discover more of its history.

Tash-Rabat is a unique-looking monument at an altitude of 3200 m above sea level. It is one of the most important architectural monuments in the country and is located in the Naryn region in the Kara Koyun gorge.

This area was also part of the Silk Road where the caravan of camels and merchants once trod its path. It can be difficult to get to as it is near the Chinese border in the southeast of Kyrgyzstan but you can combine a trip here with horse-riding or trekking to Chatyr Lake.

If you love the outdoors and want to experience the hospitality of local people then you should definitely visit Kyrgyzstan before the word gets out.

Kyrgyzstan has accommodation for any type of solo whether you prefer to stay in a hotel, meet others in a hostel, have a local experience in a homestay, or sleep in a yurt. The country is big on community-based tourism and outside of the cities, you can visit the Tourist Information Centres who will arrange a homestay for you. You don’t need to pre-book anything.

For a true cultural experience, make sure you spend at least one night in one of the Kyrgyzstan yurts. You’ll find yurts around the country, as well as Issyk Kul Lake where you may be sharing your yurt with other international travellers.

If you prefer to stay in a building rather than a tent, Airbnb connects you to locals whether you choose to just book a room or a whole apartment. Save $20 off your first stay with this Airbnb link

All of the accommodations below have been recommended by solo female travellers from our Girls about the Globe community and come with a Solo Female Friendly endorsement. 

• Check dates, prices and availability for accommodation in Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek – Interhouse Bishkek

Interhouse is a sociable hostel so it is easy to meet others here. There is a restaurant and bar onsite so you don’t even need to venture out. The location is good and there are restaurants and shops nearby if you do prefer to dine elsewhere.

The hostel has a stylish feel to it and everything is clean and modern. The beds are comfortable and the bunk beds are in separate pods for more comfort. The staff are friendly and helpful and there are large lockers to store your belongings.

Choose from a bed in a 4 bed female-only dormitory or a 4 bed mixed dorm. You can also opt for a standard double or twin.

• Prices start from £8 per night for a bed in a 4-bed female only dorm
• To book, check prices or availability for Interhouse Bishkek

Bishkek – Solutel Hotel

If you want to treat yourself in Bishkek then stay at the Solutel Hotel. This hotel is amazing and one of our favourite Kyrgyzstan hotels.  The rooms are large and come with a desk and a flat screen TV. The beds are huge too. The bathroom has toiletries and floor heating to keep you warm in the winter months. There’s a dressing gown and slippers and tea and coffee making facilities too.

The staff are really helpful and can help arrange your taxis. The breakfast buffet is delicious and even includes champagne on Sundays! You can relax in the hotel sauna, burn some calories on the running machine or just walk to main square and the city’s monuments which are only 20 minutes away. It's only a short walk to a Kyrgyz restaurant too. Choose from a standard twin or double room.

• Prices start from £82 for a standard double room
• To book, check prices or availability for Solutel Hotel

Karakol – Duet Hostel

Duet Hostel is in a good location in Karakol and although it is just out of town, it is only a short walk to cafes and restaurants. It’s easy to meet others here in the shared lounge and terrace. The bar is a great place to hang out as well as the garden which is perfect for those summer days and nights.

The staff speak perfect English and will help you with trekking or anything else that you want to do in the area. The bus to the mountains leaves from the same road, and you can rent ski equipment here if you want to experience the slopes. You can cook in the kitchen or just buy one of their pizzas from their small restaurant instead.

The dorm room is quiet when you want to sleep and the beds have their own curtain for more privacy. You may prefer to sleep in their yurt instead. Choose from a bed in a mixed dorm room, a deluxe or urban Kyrgyz yurt or a holiday home.

• Prices start from £8 per night for a bed in a mixed dorm room
• To book, check prices or availability for Duet Hostel

Osh – Tes Guest House

Tes Guest House isn’t located in the centre of Osh so it isn’t central but it is ideal if you want to explore the area by hiking or biking. The marshrutka bus runs to the centre or you can walk instead. It is a really clean guesthouse with large rooms and an outside terrace to chill out in and chat to the other guests.

If you bring your own tent you can pitch it in the garden and use the barbecue too. All the areas here are large and spacious so you can read and enjoy some peace and quiet. A good buffet breakfast is included. It is a really friendly guesthouse and good for value for money. Choose from a bed in a 6 bed female-only dorm room or a budget single room.

• Prices start from £6 per night for a bed in a 6 bed female only dorm
• To book, check prices or availability for Tes Guest House

Osh – Nuru Hotel

Nuru Hotel is one of the Osh hotels that is ideal for a stay in Osh if you want your own space. The rooms have balconies with a stunning Kyrgyzstan view of the mountains in the background. The staff are really helpful and there is a bar onsite as well as an ATM, a tour agency, and currency exchange. The rooms have heating for the winter months as well as slippers to keep your feet warm. A breakfast buffet is included too and there is an outdoor swimming pool (for the warmer months).

The hotel is located within walking distance of the Lenin statue and just minutes from where the bus stops from the border. Choose from a standard single, suite, comfort suite or queen suite with spa bath. Buffet breakfast included. 

• Prices start from £25 per night for a standard single room
• To book, check prices or availability for Nuru Hotel

G Adventures

Central Asia can be a bit challenging to navigate your way around due to the language barrier. If you feel more comfortable in a tour, G Adventures is a responsible tour company which mainly caters towards budget travellers. Most tours have an average of 10 people and there is no upper age limit. Once you book your trip you pay extra for any excursions you want to do when you’re there.

They offer tours to Kyrgyzstan and the other ‘Stans' including Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Adventures range from 9 days to 26 days and start from €1099. I have personally used G Adventures and recommend them as a solo female friendly company.

*   Click here for the full itineraries, prices, and start dates

Intrepid Travel Kyrgyzstan

Intrepid Travel is similar to G Adventures with an average of 12 people on each group tour. They tend to use hotels instead of hostels and have a more comfortable style of accommodation hence the trips can appear a bit more costly than G Adventures. They offer a 17 day Central Asia Explorer travelling through Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, a 26 day Bishkek to Ashgabat tour or an epic 39 day Five Stars Adventure seeing the best of Central Asia. Read our   Intrepid Travel Reviews

With both tour companies you share a room with someone of the same gender or you can pay extra for your own room.

*  Click here for the full itineraries, prices, and start dates

Pegas Adventure Company – is a local company which offers adventure tours such as Kyrgyzstan hiking and camping trips to Ala Archa gorge, Ala Kul lake, and horse riding tours to Song Kol Lake. Choose from one day to several day tours. 

Destination Jyrgalan – Experience the best of Jyrgalan Valley and this natural Kyrgyzstan landscape on one of the Kyrgyzstan trekking tours, or choose cycling Kyrgyzstan on a mountain biking trip or on horseback. As well as stays in a traditional yurt, they also arrange trekking holidays in Kyrgyzstan.  

Day Tours Kyrgyzstan – Viator helps you to find top-rated activities tours to the tourist spots in Kyrgyzstan. Choose from Bishkek tours such as a city or sightseeing tour, Ala-Archa National Park, and the breathtaking Lake Issyk Kul. There are several to choose from including day trips from Bishkek, and it’s really simple to use. Just check the reviews, price and availability then book online.

* Check all tours, prices and availability for Kyrgyzstan

The easiest way to travel in Kyrgyzstan is by hiring a car, although you may prefer to take taxis with a private driver if you don’t feel comfortable driving yourself. In the winter months some of the roads are closed due to snow. You do need to ensure that you are covered for hiring a car.

There are also shared taxis which is more cost effective than paying for a taxi for just yourself. You may have to pay extra for your bags. Between Bishkek and Osh, there are plenty of short internal flights. The flight is really scenic with spectacular views of the Kyrgyzstan mountain range.

The country does have trains but they are slow. They run from Bishkek to Balykchy and to Karabalta. Taking a minibus (called marshrutkas) is the cheapest way to get around. They don’t usually leave until they are full so be prepared if you are in a hurry. Ask your accommodation which number minibus you need to take and where it departs from.

Check Rome2Rio for getting around the country.

If you're wondering how many days in Kyrgyzstan, you'll need at least a week to see the most of Kyrgyzstan. Below are sample itineraries of a Kyrgyzstan travel itinerary from one week to a Kyrgyzstan itinerary 2 weeks. 

One Week Itinerary

• Bishkek (3 nights)
• Osh (2 nights)
• Arslanbob (2 nights)

Ten Days Itinerary

• Burana Tower – (1 night) stay overnight in Tokmok 
• Karakol (2 nights) trekking
• Kochkor (2 nights) to see Song Kul
• Naryn (2 nights)

Two Week Itinerary 

• Bishkek (3 nights), explore the parks,
• Osh (2 nights), 
• Burana Tower – (1 night) stay overnight in Tokmok, 
• Karakol (2 nights) trekking, 
• Kochkor (2 nights) to see Song Kul, 
• Naryn (2 nights), 
• Tash Rabat (2 nights) to stay in a yurt camp

You can visit Kyrgyzstan any time of the year but be prepared that some of the activities may not be available outside of the tourist season (June to September).

If you do visit outside of June to September you can still hike as lower-altitude routes are open (depending on the weather). Kyrgyzstan does have cold winters but the winter is ideal if you are planning to ski.

If you are hoping to stay with a nomadic family then the summer months are a better time to visit. May to September is a good time to visit Kyrgyzstan to stay in a yurt and do some trekking or biking. The summers are hot and temperatures can get up to 31 degrees Celsius with hardly any rain.

The country has 250 days of sunshine a year but i f you are staying in the mountains prepare for the nights to be cooler, especially if you are at a high altitude (above 2000 metres). Below is a weather chart for Bishkek from January to December to help you to plan your trip.

There are several airports in Kyrgyzstan and three international airports for flights to Kyrgyzstan. Below is how to get to and from each of the international airports.

Bishkek – Manas International Airport (FRU) is the closest airport to Bishkek. Line 380 bus takes you into Bishkek and costs €1 for the hour journey. It leaves every hour. A taxi costs approximately €7 and takes 30 minutes.

Tamchy – Issyk-Kul International Airport (IKU) is 30 minutes from Issyk-Kul. You need to take a taxi which costs approximately €8.

Karakol – Karakol International Airport is only 2 minutes away from Karakol by taxi. It costs €2 for the ride.

Feel more confident with someone waiting for you at the airport when you pre-book a transfer with Hoppa , a reliable and safe service for solo females.

Kyrgyzstan is a safe country to explore but Kyrgyzstan travel insurance is always recommended to cover you for any medical assistance and activities, especially if you are planning on trekking on your Kyrgyzstan trips. Some insurance companies only cover you for up to 2000 metres for hiking. 

True Traveller and World Nomads are two insurance companies which can cover travel to Kyrgyzstan. True Traveller is available to UK and European residents, and World Nomads is available to over 100 countries worldwide, including the USA and UK. For digital nomads, Safety Wing is a nomad insurance that covers people from all over the world.

All companies allow you to buy insurance when you are already on the road and offer different plans depending on your needs including additional adventure cover.

* Check insurance cover and prices for True Traveller

N.b. World Nomads provides travel insurance for travellers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Travelling Onwards (check visas before you travel)

To Kazakhstan (Almaty)

From West Bus Station (also called New Bus Station), head to the right hand side for the buses to Almaty. They generally leave from bay number 5 and you pay the driver 400 Som onboard.  You may have to wait up to an hour if you arrive later whilst the bus fills up. It’s only approximately 25km to the border and everyone gets out and takes their bags.

You pass through Kyrgrystan’s border then walk to the Kazakstan border where a guard hands you a form to fill in. The bus waits for you the other side. It then stops about half way on the way to Almaty to buy some snacks and for a toilet break. Be prepared for the chaotic rush hour traffic as you come into Almaty.

To Uzbekistan

From Osh you can take the bus to the border for less than €1. The bus takes approximately 40 minutes and drops you at the Andijan border. From the Uzbekistan border here are taxis and shared taxis to Andijan.

Allow a whole day to get across the China border from Osh. It takes 6 hours from Osh to Sary Tash. There are direct buses from Osh to Kashgar or you can look for a shared taxi or 4WD taxi.

To Tajikistan

If you are driving a car when you are travelling in Kyrgyzstan,  it’s easy to take a road trip along the Pamir Highway to cross the Kyzylart and Dor Dobo border. From Sary Tash you can cross the border to Bor Dobo in Tajikistan but due to limited public transport the best way is to arrange a taxi which takes approximately 45 minutes.

If you have your Russian visa you can travel by train from Bishkek to Moscow  

Where can I fly from here?

• Russia – 2.5 hours (Novosibirsk)
• Uzbekistan – 1.5 hours
• Tajikistan – 1.75 hours

Social Impact Programs

KulturCafé Naryn was founded by a group of students who wanted to create a safe space for women, artists, and students to bond and network. While Naryn does have two universities, may people decide to move to the capital instead. This project was started as a way to prevent inner migration and increase quality of life. 

Stay Eco in Kyrgyzstan

Olive Hotel, Bishkek

This brand-new hotel is perfect for digital nomads, and environmentally-conscious travellers. Using sustainable technology such as solar collectors and air-to-air pumps, as well as having an art studio on their first floor, the Olive Hotel seeks to preserve the culture and support the local economy.

* Check prices, dates and availability: Olive Hotel

Vulnerable Girls in Kyrgyzstan

Poverty and lack of access to education are serious issues young girls in Kyrgyzstan have to face. The level of education influences whether or not a girl will be married off before she turns 18. For example, a 2014 survey indicated that 33% of girls with no or just primary level of education were married off before their 18 th birthday. However, Kyrgyzstan has committed to eliminate child and forced marriages by 2030. Read more…

Kyrgyzstan is unfortunately infamous for the harmful traditional practice of “bride kidnapping”, where a woman is kidnapped by a man who wants to marry her, often without her consent. The practice was outlawed in 2013 but is still practiced by many. An interactive app was developed in order to help local girls ward off the threat of bride kidnapping. The app is built like a visual novel where you, the protagonist, are left with the decision of helping or not helping your friend who has just been bridenapped. Inspired by real-life cases the developers hope the app will help shed light onto the ongoing situation. Read more…

Videos on social issues: Bride Kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan , Brides by Force : Marriage by kidnapping pushes Kyrgyz women to suicide.

FAQs About Kyrgyzstan

• Can I drink the water? It is safe to drink but bottled water is recommended and cheap to buy.
• Is tipping expected? It is expected for tour guides and drivers. If you feel the service is good in a restaurant then feel free to tip.
• Fixed price or barter? Barter at the bazaars otherwise it’s fixed price. Taxis are metered.
• Any ATMs? Yes, in Bishkek, Karakol, Osh and other towns.
• Which side of the road do they drive? Right-hand side.
• Good for vegetarians? T here are some vegetarian restaurants in the capital.
• Any seven wonders of the world? No but the scenery is stunning.

If you are ready to travel to Kyrgyzstan, here are some useful links to help you to plan your trip to Kyrgyzstan, including airlines which fly there, vaccinations required and events and festivals.

 Kyrgyzstan travel cost – Budget £20 a day

Current time in Bishkek

Capital –   Bishkek

Population – 6.2 million

Language spoken – Kyrgyz, Russian, Uzbek. The language is nearly the same as the Kazah language and similar to Turkish.

Local Currency – Kyrgyzstani Som

Do I need a visa? You don’t need a visa to Kyrgyzstan if you have a British passport and can stay up to 60 days. 

Vaccinations Required  

Did you know? Krygyz means “we are 40” referring to the original 40 tribes that inhabited the area.

Lingo – Use Krygyz phrases

Useful Info

Airlines to Kyrgyzstan  

Best Time To Visit Kyrgyzstan  – June, and August  

Which Plug Do I Need?  

UNESCO Sites in Kyrgyzstan  

Events and Festivals in Kyrgyzstan  

Kyrgyzstan Culture and Customs

Local Cost Guide  

Kyrgyzstan is big in green energy and they export hydroelectric energy. Staying in a Kyrgyzstan yurt is a way to experience eco accommodation. Bel Zhan Yury Lodge is a suitable project that also offers yoga, tours and hikes to make the most of your eco experience. It is situated in the Issyk-Kul region. 

If you prefer to stay in a resort, the Eco Resort Kara Bulak is situated 10 km from Chunkurchak, and 24 km from Ak-Tash. It is a hidden gem in the mountains south of Bishkek. You can go horse riding or take a sauna in a traditional Kyrgyz bathhouse. They offer a full board option which includes all of your meals. Check prices and availability here

Volunteering

Concordia Volunteers offers volunteering placements in Kyrgyzstan. They work with a youth organisation to provide a range of services for Karakol City and eastern Issyk-Kul Oblast. 

Cultural Experiences

The Kyrgyz love dancing and are famous for their Kyrgyzstan dance and shoulder jerking moves. To learn more about this culture in Kyrgyzstan, e xperience a folklore show in Karakol for live Kyrgyz dance performances.

CBT Kyrgyzstan is community based tourism Kyrgyzstan, which works to improve living conditions in remote mountain areas. They provide cultural experiences depending on your interests. Find out more about the traditional handicrafts and souvenirs, find out more about the Kyrgyz hunters and their falconry skills, or attend the National Horse Games. Go to their website here

Issues in the Country

Kidnapping brides in Kyrgyzstan. Although it is technically illegal in Kyrgyzstan, kidnapping of brides does still happen in the remote areas of the country. As part of the Kyrgyzstan culture and  tradition in the country, “kidnapping” wasn’t intended to be as traumatic as it is today.

It began as a way of two people who loved each other being able to get married when their families didn’t approve. The man would kidnap the girl he loved and take her to marry her. Unfortunately this ‘tradition’ became corrupted over the years by men who decided to kidnap a woman he wanted to marry without her consent.   Read more here  

Mind Body & Soul

Attend a silent meditation retreat at Vipassana Kyrgyzstan  

Pilgrims of Emptiness offer a Sufi-Zen meditation camp and retreat at the shore of Issyk-Kul lake staying in yurt accommodation. 

Treat yourself to a massage at Mystic Spa in Bishkek. They offer Ayurvedic massages and therapies as well as Thai massages and pedicures. The ambience is so chilled that you’ll want to stay all day.

Related Posts

• Solo Travel in Asia
• Solo Travel in China

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Travel To Kyrgyzstan: An Independent Woman’s Guide

If you’re considering travel to Kyrgyzstan, get ready for the trip of a lifetime: this two-week journey did not leave me unchanged, and is one of the few places that hasn’t yet been replaced on my list top 10 adventures.

Kyrgyzstan remains one of the wildest countries on earth, an amazing adventure if you’re looking for ancient nomadic traditions wrapped in extraordinary natural beauty.

This landlocked country in Central Asia was once part of the Soviet Union, and that isolation in some perverse way contributed to preserving its culture as part of the Great Silk Road. So did its difficult terrain – it is dominated by the Tien Shan mountains, whose snowy peaks and alpine lakes give it a rough natural, almost otherwordly, beauty.

A highlight of Kyrgyzstan was its diversity, the mix of religions and ethnicities providing an unusual culture of tolerance in the region.

Kyrgyzstan is where you can disconnect from the world, and for a few days, you may feel plunged into a storybook tale of wild horses, cozy yurts, and a nomadic way of life whose survival is very much in question.

This article details my trip, helps you re-create it if that’s what you would like, and provides detailed information about traveling to Kyrgyzstan, especially if you are solo and over 50.

Where is Kyrgyzstan, anyway?

Kyrgyzstan has the dubious distinction of being  further from the sea  than any other country in the world.

That said, it has its own inland near-sea, Lake Issyk-Kul, the world’s second largest salt-water lake after the Caspian Sea. The Kyrgyzstan range is everywhere, but the country often feels strangely flat as you race across the plains which the mountains hug in a protective circle.

It is a  relatively small country : the Kyrgyzstan population is around 6.7 million people, similar to Paraguay, which is twice the size.

A quick look at Kyrgyzstan history

Kyrgyzstan has an amazingly  bumpy history , having been fought over by clans and nations for centuries. It sits  astride the Silk Road , along which East-West trade long traveled. Its people are in large part descended from the tribes of Siberia but their faces reflect the great migrations of Asia, the Slavic countries and Europe.

Roughed up by the Mongols, the Manchu and the Uzbeks, Kyrgyzstan fell under Russian domination in the late 1800s, an uneasy relationship that spawned  rebellions and migrations .

Through much of the 20th century Kyrgyzstan was part of the then-Soviet Union, an arrangement that ended only with the country’s independence in 1991. Not everyone in Kyrgyzstan thought independence was a good thing, and many older people remember the Soviet era with nostalgia. If you’re a fan of Soviet memorabilia, you’ll be well-served here.

Since independence, things haven’t exactly been calm: a popular uprising, economic hardship, vanishing social services, ethnic clashes in the South, growing Islamic fundamentalism and the recent attempts of the government to suppress it, all these have contributed to making people feel insecure. And it isn’t a wealthy country, with poverty quite visible once you leave the expat enclaves of the Kyrgyzstan capital, Bishkek.

Despite this, Kyrgyzstan remains a regional bastion of diversity and tolerance , at least for now. That said, many foreign countries are rushing to build shiny new mosques in many villages, to the happiness of some but the concern of others.

Meantime, Russia isn’t far, and stands by waiting to ‘help’ if it is ever needed. These days, with the war in Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan has become a major “re-exporter”, channeling goods to Russia while that country faces international sanctions: Kyrgyzstan’s exports to Russia have reportedly doubled since the war.

Getting to Kyrgyzstan

Not too many airlines fly to Bishkek – I used Turkish Airlines, and Pegasus Airlines also has flights to Kyrgyzstan from Europe.

You can also cross into Kyrgyzstan by land but only through certain borders from China , Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan . You can no longer take the train from Moscow.

The visa situation has evolved quickly in recent years. These days, citizens of most Western countries do not need a visa if they’re staying less than 60 days. You can check whether you need one on this page and if so, submit your application electronically through the same portal.

How safe is Kyrgyzstan for solo women?

Traveling in Kyrgyzstan is relatively safe and straightforward for women .

The low-level street harassment so prevalent in some countries is absent here, and while attitudes towards women can be incredibly traditional (bride kidnappings, for example), customs apply to local women, not foreigners.

In Bishkek, I worried about the packs of roaming dogs hanging around for food, and in the countryside, some of the roads were vertiginous. Otherwise, I never felt unsafe while I was there.

Getting around Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is a wonderful place to push your boundaries but if I were a new traveler, I might consider a more “trodden” destination to sharpen my solo travel skills – the mountains are high, the roads a bit daunting, and some toilets look like they should belong more to fiction than reality.

That said, if you’re a bit travel savvy and can get yourself from A to B even if you don’t speak a word of the language, a Kyrgyzstan vacation is an adventure you’ll never forget. I haven’t.

Best time to visit Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan tourism is a government priority and that may mean some infrastructure improvement.

As for the weather, winters can be frigid, and roads snowy and impassable. Some of the loveliest mountain destinations can only be reached once the snow melts.

For a varied journey, aim for mid-May to mid-September, but the closer you get to summer (July and August), the better the weather – and the scenery. Everything is lush and green, and while you’ll still need to wear a fleece at night in the mountains, the weather is gorgeous.

Money matters

The Kyrgyzstan currency is the som (KGS), and you’ll have no trouble exchanging US dollars and Euros. There are plenty of ATMs in the capital, Bishkek, and in other larger towns. However, don’t expect to use your credit or debit card much – this is still a cash economy, so get some of those Soms as soon as you land.

Getting online

Intriguingly, Kyrgyzstan has both the best and the worst internet. It has the best internet in Central Asia, but in some parts of the country, you cannot even get a phone signal, let alone get online. And that is part of Kyrgyzstan’s attraction…

Transportation in Kyrgyzstan

If you’re an expert traveler and accustomed to wandering off the beaten path solo, you can make your own transportation arrangements across Kyrgyzstan.

• Travel in shared taxis, which usually carry 4-5 passengers, is common
• Many people ride marshrutkas , minivans that ply predetermined routes, a bit like a bus
• You can also rent a car, either on your own or with a driver (a driver is highly recommended, given the state of the roads once you leave the main highways).

If you’re using public transport, you won’t be particularly comfortable. You may bump around a lot, and you’ll probably be either hot or cold, depending on the season.

If you’re traveling when the Kyrgyzstan weather isn’t perfect, check your vehicle, especially the tires. Kyrgyzstan safety standards can at times be questionable and while most main roads are asphalted, many mountain roads are not – and narrow dirt roads on mountainsides are ‘interesting’ enough without rain, snow or bald tires.

Use CBT to get around

This is my preferred option in Kyrgyzstan.

CBT stands for Community Travel Organization, a group launched in May 2000 to improve rural living conditions in remote areas by developing sustainable tourism. The group has 15 member organizations throughout the country, and they handle all local arrangements.

They organized the more rural segments of my visit, and their community approach meant they worked with local groups throughout, redistributing the money you spend in the country rather than repatriating it to wealthy companies located abroad.

It worked beautifully. I had a driver and a guide (for what I considered a very fair price) and they handled all the arrangements in places I might not have been able to reach on my own in the timeframe I had. They set up transport,  homestays , staying in yurts, visits to artisans, and provided general Kyrgyzstan travel advice.

If you’d rather be mostly on your own, they can organize a car and driver for you but beware, the driver may not speak English. Make sure you have a translation app with you that doesn’t require an Internet connection! I also had a translator who came along.

Top places to visit in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is not stuffed with cultural high points or monuments, but it does have a fascinating history and several interesting sights – most people come for the physical beauty and ancient nomadic culture.

You can visit those endless Kyrgyzstan mountain ranges and vast, captivating areas of wildness from the warmth of a vehicle – or you can go on a hike or a horse trek, both of which are hugely popular. Just make sure you have a guide because these are not mountains you want to wander into on your own.

And if you’re feeling less adventurous, head for one of the alpine pastures, plunk yourself in a yurt, and be mesmerized by the scenery…

Kyrgyzstan places to visit

During my visit I crisscrossed the country and visited most regions, except a few of the ones too far to reach in the time I had.

Here are some of my top things to do in Kyrgyzstan:

• Visit the capital city of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek , with its Soviet vibe, major monumentalia, wide utilitarian avenues – combined with a certain energy and friendliness. And, for some reason, lots of bubble tea. Walk around on your own, or take a walking tour of Bishkek .
• On day trips from Bishkek , visit the 11th-century Burana tower or Ala-Archa Gorge .
• Lake Issyk-Kul , whose northern shore is the country’s most popular (with former Soviet citizens) resort, a bit worn and spreading outward rapidly. An intriguing stop is Ruh-Ordo in Cholpon-Ata, an outdoor celebration of Kyrgyzstan culture. The lake itself is enormous and ringed with mountains and the drive around it is incredibly pleasant. If you don’t have the time, you can drive to its western tip from Bishkek in four hours or so and stay at the Bel-Tam Yurt Camp, a lovely introduction to yurt-sleeping. (This camp has sit-down toilets – most don’t, so get used to the thought of squatting).
• Karakol  and  Kochkor  both have a frontier feel to them. Karakol is culturally diverse, with a Chinese mosque and Russian Orthodox church not far from one another, whereas Kochkor is the jumping-off point for the mountains around Lake Song-Kul, one of the best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan.
• Jeti-Ögüz  is an ochre hill formation near Karakol, quite pretty but more interesting (to me) is the nearby Soviet-era sanatorium, which probably hasn’t changed much since the 1930s (I couldn’t enter). Beautiful views all around.
• Lake Song-Kul , one of the most magical spots on earth (see box below). 
• Kyzyil-Oy , which means ‘red bowl’, is a tiny village in a deep canyon, attractively set among the greenery. You can easily find a homestay for the night in this picturesque Kyrgyzstan landscape.
• The city of  Osh , which many visitors don’t get to because it isn’t on the way to anywhere (unless you’re heading overland to Uzbekistan), is one of Central Asia’s oldest cities. It is a harrowing 8-12 hour drive from Bishkek by shared taxi, or you can take a short flight (doesn’t feel much safer). Climb the holy Mt Sulaiman-Too for a view of the city and visit the market. Osh has a distinct Mediterranean feel to it, it’s louder and brasher than Bishkek, a friendly city that has a bustling openness about it. That said, this is where the worst of the ethnic clashes took place a few years ago, pitting the city’s two ethnic groups – Kyrgyz and Uzbek – against one another in a bloody conflict no one wants to talk about or even remember.

The Magic of Lake Song Kul, Kyrgyzstan

Lake Song-Kul is the world’s second-largest alpine lake and a magical stretch of water high above the country. It is ringed by high snow-capped mountains, and far enough away from ‘civilization’ to not even get a mobile phone signal.

Beware of the road up to the lake and back if you suffer from vertigo: you’ll spend a lot of time staring at your feet.

The small town of Kochkor is the jumping-off point for the region, with rental vehicles ferrying visitors up the 1300 meters (4300ft) from the valley below.

To start my Kyrgyzstan yurt stay, my hostess, Asel, prepares my bedding. The yurt is heated, a luxury which is in slight contrast to the upright turquoise metal box that serves as my outhouse.

At night, I listen to the lake lapping the shore and fires crackling. I crawl out for a last look at the sky. The earlier rain has washed away the clouds and I’m left with a trillion stars, unblemished by electricity.

The next morning, people are beginning to pack – it’s the end of the season. Women disassemble their yurts and fold them up for next winter, waving their children off for the ride down the mountain and a new school term.

Soon , we leave the yurt camps and the lake behind and follow a faint track, which becomes fainter as we advance.

My driver, Bushbek, waves vaguely towards some distant mountains and sets off cross-country towards them.

Occasionally, we stop at a yurt to ask for directions. As always, we are invited in for tea and snacks, and an arm points in one direction or another.

After an hour or two, we shriek joyfully when a ‘real’ road makes an appearance. We finally know where we are: at the top, heading down.

From the pristine shores of the lake, we are now coughing in the swirling dust of coal trucks from a local mine.

This is why Kyrgyzstan holidays are so intoxicating: there’s a surprise around every corner, and no two corners alike.

10 experiential adventures in Kyrgyzstan you’ll remember

1. Your house will come down every year A Kyrgyzstan yurt is where many people live in the mountains during summer; during the harsh Kyrgyzstan winter, they pack it up and head home to their village. Staying in a yurt will give you a powerful nomadic experience, especially if you’re there at the beginning or the end of the season.

2. Things roam wild and free Kyrgyzstan is a haven for wildlife. You may spot eagles, bears, wolves, or lynxes. Among the rarer animals are the glorious Snow Leopard, Marco Polo sheep, and the Siberian Ibex.

3. High altitude sensations will chase you through the Pamir and Tian Shan More than 80% of Kyrgyzstan is above 1000 meters, and nearly half of it soars to more than 3000 meters. Many visitors hire a professional guide to tackle one of the three soaring summits that break the 7000-meter barrier: Lenin Peak, Jengish Chokusu Peak, and Khan Tengri.

4. On and off the roads of Kyrgyzstan Hiking is a much-loved pastime and although there are soaring peaks, you don’t have to goo far to get lost in nature, including if you’re a beginner. Cycling across Kyrgyzstan can be a paradise of high mountains, little traffic, and sandy lakeside beaches. One of the most popular activities is horse-trekking in Kyrgyzstan – there are so many horses here that the moment you’re out of the city (which is most of the time), you’ll find horses to rent and guides to go with them.

5. Watch them ride – not your everyday game Kyrgyzstan loves its games, and you haven’t experienced the country’s essence until you’ve spent an afternoon watching a goat carcass being thrown around by men galloping on horseback. Called kok boru , it is similar to Afghanistan’s buzkashi . A little unpleasant to watch, but almost inevitable.

6. Drift along the quiet magic of Lake Song-Kul Kyrgyzstan has many areas of great beauty, but few are as stunning as Lake Song-Kul.

7. Immerse yourself in Kyrgyzstan history Kyrgyzstan has faced sweeping historical change for centuries. In the era of Mongol invasions, it was a key link on the legendary Silk Road from China to the West. It eventually fell to a domineering Russian Empire, which later morphed into restrictive oversight by the Soviet Union until independence in 1991. All those phases are still in some way visible today.

8. Bargain in the bazaars Mountains of spices and mounds of dried fruit vie for space along alleyways so narrow they could be washed away in heavy rain. Pick up a round of bread or chat with merchants. And yes,  you can bargain . (Tip: use a translation app. I don’t speak a word of Kyrgyz or Russian and managed just fine whenever I was alone.)

9. Hobnob with artisans of the past Felt-making is a traditional craft of Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyz men often wear traditional felt hats and women produce two types of Kyrgyzstan felt rugs, the Ala-kiyiz and Shyrdaks, to keep yurts warm and colorful.

10. Let’s go on a Kyrgyz road trip In some parts of the country, you can almost go days without seeing anyone. Kyrgyzstan solo travel is incredibly rewarding. With a sturdy vehicle, every corner of the country can be uncovered, discovered, and explored, from unequaled vistas to occasional old-fashioned villages with that ‘old-time’ feel.

That was a quick overview of some of Kyrgyzstan’s high points but in reality, you can throw the list away and just get on the road. Anywhere you go will be enchanting, and you’ll be drawn in. People are curious and friendly, Kyrgyzstan food is easy to find, and there aren’t enough roads to get lost.

The one event you shouldn’t miss

If there is one single event you should experience in Kyrgyzstan, it’s the  World Nomad Games  (first held in 2014), whose aim is to safeguard fast-disappearing nomadic traditions and culture.

Sadly, they only take place every two years and aren’t exclusively held in Kyrgyzstan anymore, but if you’re lucky to catch them, don’t miss out on seeing indigenous nomadic sports, arts, foods, and performances. (The first three games were held in Cholpon-Ata in Kyrgyzstan, but the fourth took place in Iznik, in Turkey .)

Centuries ago, when nomadic tribes swept through Asia, they used games to sharpen their physical and intellectual skills.

Now, nomadic traditions are fighting for survival.

Nomadism suffered a severe blow under the Soviet Union, which  absorbed all of Central Asia from 1924  until its fall towards the end of the 20th century. In many places, nomadic lifestyles were declared illegal and nomads were forced to become sedentary.

Even if you’re not into spectator sports, you’ll find it hard to tear yourself away should you attend the games. They are in turn clever, brutal, competitive and exhilarating, so it’s not surprising the event is often referred to as the Nomad Olympics.

When I visited, the Games were being held in two separate locations: in Cholpon-Ata, on the shores of Lake Issyk-kul, and an hour’s drive away, at Kyrchyn Gorge.

However much I enjoyed watching some of the unusual events in Cholpon-Ata, the gathering at Kyrchyn Gorge was the place that stole my heart.

Men and women from across Central Asia caught up on gossip, fried boorsok dough in hot oil to make pastries, or handed eagles to passers-by – the most natural thing in the world.

The mood was joyous and there was a fair bit of being pulled into yurts, drinking yak or horse milk (never again!) and eating fried things, all accompanied by gestures, laughter, and unintelligible exchanges.

While many cultural festivals are put on nearly exclusively for tourists, with overly stylized performances tailored to what is thought to be our taste, this was somewhat different: a festival by nomads, for nomads.

A few Kyrgyzstan facts

• The official Kyrgyzstan language is Kyrgyz, a Turkic language. In Kyrgyzstan Russian is the second language.
• Kyrgyzstan weather is continental: winters are cold and snowy, and summers warm and sunny. The altitude can be treacherous: it might feel like summer in the lowlands, but climb a mountain and you might easily be faced with snow.
• There are nearly 2000 Kyrgyzstan lakes, although most are small and high up in the mountains. The three largest are Issyk-Kul, Son-Kul, and Chatyr-Kul.
• There are Kyrgyzstan horses native to the country: the Kyrgyz, and you’ll see them all over the place.

Eating your way through Kyrgyzstan food

Kyrgyzstan food is heavenly for meat-eaters, and you’ll be well fed wherever you go in Kyrgyzstan. In homes, it won’t take long for food to appear, and chances are it will be on the table even before you arrive. The people of Kyrgyzstan are  incredibly hospitable  and will make sure you eat! I can’t say I found too many vegetarian options but the food was tasty and plentiful, if somewhat greasy – perfect for the rough climate and nomadic lifestyle.

In the South,  shashlik  – skewers of beef or mutton – reign. If you leave your car window down, as you head South, you’ll be guided by your nose.  Lagman  is a classic dish (see below), wheat noodles topped by meat and a few rare vegetables.

Another is plov , or rice pilaf, typical of Central Asia and never made the same way twice. Usually, it’ll be served with onions or garlic or a few bits of carrot. Oily but satisfying.

One thing you’ll find everywhere is  kumys,  fermented mare’s milk…

The one thing I couldn’t get enough of: bread, which comes in many sizes and shapes.

Safety and attitudes to women

Is Kyrgyzstan safe? Yes!

The joy of traveling to Kyrgyzstan as a woman is that it’s relatively safe wherever you go – while there are no guarantees of safety anywhere, this is not a country in which being a woman should cause you worry.

That said… you’ve heard of bride kidnapping , right? A woman is literally kidnapped and married, willingly or not. Yes – Kyrgyzstan does that. They call it “Ala kachuu”.

Nearly everyone I met had a family member or friend who had been kidnapped. Sometimes, the kidnapping is symbolic, with the woman having been forewarned but often, it is not.

One mother from a rural village was kidnapped in the 1980s and her daughter suffered the same fate (the little boy was the result). The daughter has found happiness in her marriage but it was initially very much against her will – she was finishing her business studies in Bishkek when she was shoved into a car and taken back to her home village to live with a man she had been seeing.

Despite her pleas to her mother, she was locked into a room a few houses away from her parents’ home and her mother, fearing shame, refused to help. They agreed to let me use their photograph but asked that I not reveal their names or location.

Interestingly, a local sociologist told me kidnapping often occurs  when the man lacks the confidence  to ask.

A  law has now been passed banning bride kidnapping  but like everywhere, the mere existence of a law doesn’t erase a custom of culture. Still, at least in urban areas, attitudes are changing and plenty of young women I spoke to told me they’d rather not date and risk being kidnapped – because yes, it’s often the ‘boyfriend’ and by dating, she is seen as tacitly ‘accepting’ his advances.

The chances of this happening to a foreign woman are slim, but it’s important to be aware of social customs and to be on the alert when talking to local men.

The Kyrgyzstan religion is primarily Muslim, so mores are  extremely conservative  and premarital sex or pregnancy are rare. 

So is Kyrgyzstan safe overall?

Other than the high and narrow roads, the one thing that did scare me in Kyrgyzstan: stray dogs at dusk , especially in Bishkek. They roam the streets in packs and converge near bins or garbage dumps as the sun sets and kindly residents put leftovers out for them. They aren’t violent and ignore you but rabies is common in the region, and finding rabies shots could be complicated (especially in rural areas). 

Dogs are often culled by different associations but animal rights group are opposing the cull because family-owned dogs are often swept up along with the strays.

I would also be cautious on dark streets at night… that frontier spirit still isn’t too distant.

What to wear and what to buy

Bishkek is like any city: casual wear for tourists and students, more formal for business. If in doubt, err on the conservative side. Even though it was summer, the only bare skin I saw (other than lower arms and legs and the occasional short skirt) was on foreigners.

Once you leave the city, consider you are in a rural area or in the countryside and dress as you would there.

In Karakol, when visiting the Russian Orthodox Church, you’ll have to wear a scarf over your head (bring your own if you don’t want to put on a used scarf).

A the Dungan Mosque, I was promptly handed a chador-type robe (green velvet, no less). The Dungan are a Chinese minority who fled China more than a century ago and have settled in and around Karakol but have retained their Muslim faith.

There isn’t a huge amount to buy in Kyrgyzstan, other than a  shyrdyk  or traditional carpet but beware, these are heavy!

Kyrgyzstan’s position at the crossroads of Central Asia makes the country a ‘cauldron of diversity’, as I’ve heard it called so appropriately. Most times, that diversity mixes well, in spite of the occasional ethnic clashes. Society is in full transition, torn between the former safety of the Soviet net and the possibilities of the future.

A Muslim country, Kyrgyzstan has so far avoided extreme fundamentalism but there are concerns, among government and parents, that young people lacking opportunities at home (many migrate for jobs) may turn to extremism for solace.

Perhaps what struck me the most was the solitary silence I was able to experience, so rare in most parts of the world. As I moved further off the beaten track, there were hours during which all I saw were herds of horses, and the occasional, distant yurt.

At night, no urban light spoiled the huge sky and if you turned on your phone, all you’d get is the dreaded ‘No Service’. Except here, no service is just the way it should be.

A final note about Kyrgyzstan

For someone who dislikes heights and is averse to mountains, travel to Kyrgyzstan for three weeks might seem an odd choice. But as I planned my trip to Kyrgyzstan, I was mesmerized by this country, and something about its strong nomadic links called to me (my own ancestors were from this part of the world).

So I conveniently ‘forgot’ about the dizzying 7000m+ Kyrgyzstan mountains and the scarily narrow dirt roads, somehow imagining everything would somehow be… lower. Or that perhaps I might not notice.

I was so, so wrong.

Despite my vertigo, I somehow always end up on mountains –  Moroccan Atlas , Albanian Alps , Philippines Cordillera… Kyrgyzstan is on a par, with thin ribbons of red clay road that cut into mountain faces, threatening to propel a car into the abyss at first rain.  

The good news is – I’ll probably never be this afraid again.

Kyrgyzstan travel resources

• Try to  book a room  for your first night or two in Bishkek (I always reserve my first few nights, just to get my bearings). You will find some cheap hotels in Kyrgyzstan, but part of the joy in this country is staying in yurts.
• I used the excellent  Bradt Guide to Kyrgyzstan  to plan my travels.
• Caravanistan  is a great online resource for travel in Kyrgyzstan and for all of Central Asia.
• If you choose to get help to plan your travels (I recommend this), then contact CBT and make your visit as free or as organized as you choose.

NOTE: The above section called “10 experiential adventures” was developed in partnership with  World Expeditions  and their #WEVentureOut campaign.

And please – don’t forget your travel insurance before you go! I recommend  SafetyWing  if you’re 69 and under. If that birthday has come and gone,  click here  for travel insurance that covers you at any age.

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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

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 .

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 .

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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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Travelers to Travelers

Travel hacks, tickets, hotels and interesting places for tourists

Roaming Radiantly: Kyrgyzstan for Solo Adventurers

Are you an adventurer at heart? Do you crave new experiences and breathtaking landscapes? If so, Kyrgyzstan should be on your bucket list. Nestled in the heart of Central Asia, this country offers stunning mountain ranges, crystal-clear lakes, and vibrant cultural experiences. And yes, it’s also a fantastic destination for solo travelers. In this article, we’ll explore some of the hidden gems that Kyrgyzstan has to offer, and offer tips for embracing solo travel in this beautiful country.

Discover Kyrgyzstan’s Hidden Gems

Kyrgyzstan is a country that rewards the intrepid traveler. From the towering peaks of the Tien Shan Mountains to the tranquil beauty of Lake Issyk-Kul, there are endless opportunities for exploration. But beyond the well-known tourist destinations, there are also hidden gems to discover. One such place is the village of Arslanbob, nestled in the heart of the country’s largest walnut forest. Here, you can hike through the forest, swim in the nearby waterfall, and experience the warm hospitality of the local Kyrgyz people. Or head to the remote village of Tash Rabat, where you can explore the ancient caravanserai and camp under the stars.

Embrace Solo Travel in Kyrgyzstan

Traveling alone can be intimidating, but Kyrgyzstan is a country that welcomes solo adventurers with open arms. One of the benefits of traveling alone is that you can set your own pace and itinerary. Take advantage of this by venturing off the beaten path and experiencing some of the country’s lesser-known attractions. And don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with locals – Kyrgyz people are famously hospitable and love meeting travelers. If you’re looking for a bit of company, consider joining a trekking or horseback riding tour, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet other travelers and bond over shared experiences.

Unleash Your Inner Explorer in Kyrgyzstan

If you’re the type of traveler who loves getting off the beaten path, Kyrgyzstan is the perfect destination for you. There are endless opportunities for hiking, trekking, and horseback riding, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner. One popular trek is the Ala-Kul trek, which takes you through stunning mountain scenery to the crystal-clear Ala-Kul lake. Or head to the remote village of Jyrgalan, where you can hike through pristine mountain valleys and experience traditional Kyrgyz culture. And if you’re feeling really adventurous, consider embarking on a multi-day horse trek through the Tien Shan Mountains, where you’ll camp under the stars and ride through landscapes that will take your breath away.

Roaming Radiantly in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is a country that rewards those who venture off the beaten path. Whether you’re an experienced traveler or a first-time adventurer, the country’s stunning landscapes and vibrant culture are sure to leave you with lasting memories. And for solo travelers, Kyrgyzstan is a particularly welcoming destination, with friendly locals and endless opportunities for exploration. So if you’re looking for a truly unique travel experience, consider adding Kyrgyzstan to your list. Who knows what hidden gems you’ll discover?

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!

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!

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.

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

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! ❤

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Safety: Safe

Transport: Moderate

Things to do: Interesting

Food: Above average

Budget: Affordable

Is kyrgyzstan worth visiting, overall rating.

based on 4 experiences

Rating summary

Things to do, budget-friendly, group travel experience.

A year ago, I went to Kyrgyzstan as part of a 5-Stans expedition and it was my favorite country out of all the Stans. Beautiful landscapes, wonderful people, and plenty of meat on large skewers. I can't wait to go back there and spend more time.

Kyrgyzstan is a true paradise. It is there that I saw the most incredible places in my life, even though I have seen many. Wild mountains, untouched by tourism, unimaginable spaces - I can't wait to go back there again. Transportation is quite expensive, as it is hard to get to the vehicles used by the locals. Prices for food and accommodation are typical. Camping costs depend on the location, as we slept in a yurt and at higher altitudes, our water bottles would freeze. For me, the valley and wetlands near Kol Su were the most amazing places during this trip.

Solo travel experience

I visited Kyrgyzstan alone and did a small hike in the Ala Archa National Park and a walking tour around Bishkek (I loved the Osh market). I would also like to see Issyk Kul, unfortunately, I didn't have enough time. People in Kyrgyzstan seemed to be much friendlier than in the surrounding countries. I loved my stay in Kyrgyzstan and I will definitely return there someday.

I went to Kyrgyzstan and I really liked it there. The people were very friendly, especially outside cities. Staying in homes through community-based tourism was pleasant and quite cheap. Regional airlines are the best way to get around the country or hop to another one, as they are fast and very reasonably priced. Driving longer distances can take forever due to poor road infrastructure and mountainous terrain.

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hi my name is Nellie I'm traveling with a child I need to find a place for the first time until we find an apartment. if there is an opportunity to help, I will be very glad we are going to San Diego from January 1

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I am a healthcare worker and work part time so I can have longer weekends to freedive, preferably in protected aquatic reserves. When I have longer, I travel. I have a background in rock climbing and mountaineering and extensive bushwalking in the Blue Mountains and overseas

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How To Make The Most of 7 days In Kyrgyzstan!

Updated: Mar 14

Where do I even begin with the stories from this wild land of mountains? When we started telling people about our trip we were often met with "how-the-where-whatnow-stan?" I guess that was to be expected since it is still fairly unknown in the broad "tourist" community, despite offering rustic beauty, rawness and a sense of insane remoteness. Let me introduce you to the exquisite beauty that is Kyrgyzstan!!

Five countries together form Central Asia - Uzbekistan , Tajikistan, Kazakhstan , Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan. These countries have always been on my radar. They all offer something different for outdoor lovers and are still very much off the beaten path.

90% of this country is covered with mountains. Since this country is so close for us to fly to, I kept putting it off for a later time. Not this time though. The timing was perfect . The weather even more so. Not many people knew the country was open for tourism - result? We had every single mountain, lake and stream to ourselves. Oooh mama!

As I started putting together our itinerary, I quickly realized that the country is geographically diverse. How do I choose between towering peaks, the colorful deserts, lakes as big as oceans and alpine forests? We could spend a lifetime here. I found it overwhelming narrowing it all down to a week - we managed to do most of what I had planned. Consider this itinerary to only be a fast-track touristy guide to Kyrgyzstan.

Go here to live your wildest adventure dreams!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Guide Information

Where We Stayed

Vegan + Vegetarian Food

Final Thoughts

FLIGHTS + VISA

Direct flights with Fly Dubai from Dubai and all of 3 and half hours. Hello happiness!

E-Visa. Many countries are eligible for on arrival but best if you apply ahead of time. You can easily apply here. Costs $50 per person and is no headache at all. Make sure you have the right travel dates for the trip before applying (these cannot be changed later). Our single entry visa took 9 working days to process. Got it via email.

WET TOILETS - THERE ARE NONE

If you have done any sort of research on the stans , you already know about the famous "pit toilets" - a small wooden closet covering a pit for you to do your business. We have experienced this in many countries over the years, so it was not a deal breaker. I prefer to go wild than use pit toilets (just be sure to cover up after). Always carry your own paper towels and plenty of deodorant (trust me, you will need it)!

LANGUAGE + LOCALS

The people are really affable - even random strangers on the road don't hesitate to help you as best as they can. Though no one - not even in the city - spoke a word of English. Given we were only there for a week, we would have struggled to get by without a guide. Try to pick up a few local words as soon as possible!

It is important for me to stay connected with family in remote countries for emergencies. I recommend picking up a sim card in the capital city. You can easily pick it up at any of the malls. It only costs $3 for unlimited internet and calling minutes!!

No card machines. anywhere. Carry local currency if you plan to eat or shop in smaller stores.

The cost is the highlight of this country. The local food, accommodation and pretty much everything is cheap . A week with a private guide, accommodation and all meals should cost you no more than $700-800 per person. You can do it for much less if you don't mind sharing the car with others. If backpacking and wild camping is more your style, expect to spend no more than $50 per day for food + stay.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Summers are HOT. Spring (April - June) or Fall (late August through October) are the two best seasons to visit. If you are doing long multi-day hikes, then summer (June-September) is the best. We went in the first week of May, not too hot during the day but very chilly in the high mountains. Our timing was pitch perfect though. Not many knew Kyrgyzstan was open for tourists, it felt like we had the whole country to ourselves.

HOW LONG TO SPEND IN KYRGYZSTAN

All the guides I contacted mentioned it would be difficult to pull off the itinerary I put together. After all, Kyrgyzstan is the land of multi-day hikes. This is the best country to go wild camping and not have it cost you a kidney. Heaven for mountain lovers and people who enjoy slow travel . You can spend months exploring every corner. If, like us, you are always short on time, start off with a minimum of 7 days.

GETTING AROUND

Hitchhiking is very popular in Kyrgyzstan. I cannot tell you how many times we saw old people, kids and everyone in between waiting for a ride. I am not particularly fond of it, especially not when we are trying to maximize our time in the country but if you don't mind the long waits and want to save on $$, that is a viable option. There are also public buses and taxis in bigger towns like Kochkor and Karakol but they still seemed far and few. Best to either rent a car or hire a guide.

We avoid self driving in places where we are going to be go off the grid. Two weeks prior to our trip, I started searching for local guides. Since most people seemed to self-drive for months, there was not a lot of information about guides to the country. This process took longer than expected but I finally found one of the best guides in Kyrgyzstan. I reached out to him with the itinerary I had in mind. We were initially going to this trip in the last week of April but after speaking to him, I was advised to do it in May both for better scenic views and weather. He was quick, efficient and very helpful in his response - all his suggestions and arrangements were outstanding. From making sure we packed the right clothes to ensuring we had our warm milk for coffee and fantastic vegetarian food every single day, he was spot on. Not to mention the great rates. I could not recommend him enough.

SOLO TRAVEL

As with most countries, exert caution, dress modestly, don't flash around your wallet or expensive gadgets. The people we met and spoke to were all warm and welcoming. Definitely seemed like a safe country for solo backpacking.

WHERE WE STAYED

Unlike the luxury stays we did in Uganda, this trip was not a walk in the park. It was all about the homestays and small guesthouses in villages.

In Bishkek I chose the Garden Hotel and Spa . It was a little farther out from the main city but with great views!

The location of the Ala Aracha Hotel was outstanding. An unmissable tiny red hut, the vibes are straight out of a movie set. This is a government run lodge so the food was substandard . Luckily we picked up groceries at the market in Bishkek. I recommend staying for these views though!

Some of the places we stayed at were more comfortable - sometimes we also had no water. Some were also touristy guesthouses and had wifi. Two out of the four places had a pit toilet. No complaints whatsoever. The cutest Babushkas made doubly sure we were warm at night and slept with full bellies.

No trip to Kyrgyzstan is complete without staying at the Yurt. Though it was such a fabulous experience to stay in them, the honest truth is that they get extremely cold at night (yes, even in the summer ). There was a fire burning but I felt that the yurt was too big for it to be warm through the night. Wear plenty of layers - pack thermal innerwear, if you have space.

VEGAN + VEGETARIAN FOOD

This is a rarity in most of the country. Luckily we had an amazing guide to help us try the local delicacies minus the meat. You will be surprised to hear that are so many different types of bread - my favorite was the borsook bread (basically deep fried dough). Things I recommend you try - vegan Ashlan Fu (cold ramen bowl). Vegan Boso Lugman (chopsuey). Vegetarian Mandi (steamed dumpling)

Breakfast was usually a simple affair with hot tea, bread, jam, rice porridge and homemade biscuits. Apart from that food was warm soup, carrot pilaf, and potato stew spiced with dill and local flavors. If you have strict dietary preferences like us, I recommend picking up your own grocery and cooking, especially if you are planning to do home stays without a guide .

WHAT TO PACK

Depending on the time of year you choose to go, pack light layers, wind jacket. If you go in peak summer, pack loose shirts and shorts/trousers, sunscreen and a top hat.

For the yurts - they get extremely uncomfortable at night (even in the summer), even with the fire. Wear plenty of layers - pack thermal innerwear, if you have space.

Ala Archa National Park

Waking up and smelling the air in a new country is a HIGH. I could barely get any sleep. After a warm cup of coffee, we started our road trip towards Ala Archa National Park.

A trip to this national park is one of the best day trips to do from Bishkek. A short 45 minute drive will take you to the entrance of the park. You park and make your way towards the different trails inside the park. There is a trail for every hiker - from small ones to the popular Ala Aracha Valley walk and the hike up to Ak-Say waterfall, which takes roughly 5 hours. In the summer, you can also do the full day climb to the Ak-Say Glacier.

Ala Archa is supposed to mean "juniper", which are the alpine trees that characterize the landscape surrounding this park.

The place was deserted. We were the only ones there on this rainy, moody afternoon.

The river walk is the easiest one to do - just walk along the river and follow the path to the higher mountains.

We continued on our two hour walk up to see the waterfalls but alas it was covered in thick fog

Nevertheless, this alpine national park is a thing of pure beauty. The park covers roughly 200 sq kms, and its altitude ranges from about 1,500 meters at the entrance to a maximum of 4,895 meters at Peak Semenova Tian-Shanski, the highest peak in the Kyrgyz Ala-tau range of the Tian Shan.

It was incredible to see how much of a difference a short drive away from the city could make. The air was crisp, cold. The atmosphere tranquil.

TIP: You can easily drive to and from the city after the hike. You can arrange a taxi drop off with the hostel of hotel you are staying at. We decided to stay inside the park for the night. The sunset and sunrise views over the mountains were refreshing. Worth spending a night there.

ALA ARCHA TO BURANA, TIEN SHAN MOUNTAINS

Started our day at 9 am. Today was going to be a long travel day with scenic pit stops along the way. It was a long travel day to reach Karakol Valley. Our first stop for the day was Burana Tower, a minaret in northern Kyrgyzstan.

It is one of the earliest archaeological marvels of the early 5th century in Central Asia. You can notice that this monument was not painted but were formed using geographic patterns and stripes. Be sure to climb to the top of the tower (a series of claustrophobic stairs lead to the top) for panoramic views of the surrounding valleys.

What a fun spot for a picnic lunch, right?

Post lunch we drove along the most scenic routes passing the northern shore of Issyk Kul Lake which is not only one of the world's few remaining ancient lakes, estimated to be an incredible 25 million years old, but also the second-largest alpine lake on the planet.

What you see here was the highlight of our day- the golden hour at Tien Shan mountains, rightfully dubbed as the “celestial mountains” in Chinese!!!

JETI OGUZ VALLEY. KOK JAIYK HIKE. BARSKOON WATERFALL. SKAKZA CANYON.

After covering the northern Issyk Kul area, we head towards the South shore - which is known to be far better. It was indeed a sight to behold with some of the country's most diverse landscape on offer.

After a beautiful breakfast, we left the Karakol valley for Jeti Oguz - one of the most popular day trips from Karakol. Right as you enter the valley, you will find the very popular "seven bulls" on your right.

You can also hike up this mountain, best views at sunrise or sunset!

We decided to hike the Valley of Flowers instead. Also known as kok jaiyk, a place that can only be described as heaven on earth. The roads are rough, so if you are short on time, drive up half way and then hike for another 2 hours to reach the valley.

Way up in the dewy green fields hugged by a thousand pine trees, you’d be forgiven for thinking you had stepped right into in the Swiss countryside rather than a remote valley in Kyrgyzstan.

The valley is characterized by blooming flowers, towering snow-capped alps and spruce forests.

We could have stayed there forever.

Our second stop for the day was a picnic lunch and hike at the Barskoon Waterfall, which was partially frozen when we went in May. It is a somewhat steep hike but doable. There are few different trails you can take. The first one being the easiest to do in an hour or so.

After your reach the first waterfall, you can continue following the edge of the gorge leading up to the second fall. The path is windy and rugged but the view over the valley and the surrounding mountains only gets with every feet.

The waterfall is scenic and relaxing on a warm spring day. Perfect for a picnic.

Our last stop for the day was the magical Skazka canyon aka Fairy Tale canyon in Russian. Like a surreal painting with every color imaginable becoming a part of the rugged canyons!

It is easily one of the most beautiful attractions on the southern shore of lake Issyk kul. It’s like Wadi Rum and Cappadocia packaged neatly into one giant Martian landscape, and feels like a world of its own. It is not very different to the American Southwest either. The landscape is formed as a result of thousands of years of water and wind erosion, which led to the formation of thousands of sculptures, where red spires of rock rise out of the earth and into the sky.

This canyon is easily accessible on foot (just wear shoes with good grip). The deeper you go, the more impressive it gets. The ever-changing greens, reds and oranges are simply spectacular. From a vantage point, you can even see the Issky Kul Lake in the background.

What was amazing to see was how much of a difference a short one-hour drive from the mountains can make. This landscape is such a stark contrast to the green alpine meadows and snow-capped peaks we had witnessed earlier in the day.

EAGLE HUNTING. ARCHERY. CANYON.

Today was a day filled with cultural experiences. We woke up bright and early on a cold morning for a hearty Kyrgyz breakfast in a luxury Yurt.

It was time to get an intimate look at the lives of the real nomadic tribe of Central Asia where we learn about their traditional sports. First, we rubbed elbows with masters of eagle hunting, a tradition that has been passed through generations.

It was an immersive experience getting to learn so much about this slowly vanishing historic Kyrgyzstan tradition. The majestic eagle I am holding is female, 9 years old. This golden eagle is called berkut in Kyrgyz and is named after the golden feathers at the back of its head. She weighed a solid 13 pounds, so I couldn’t hold her for very long (as you can see from my tilt). For those of you who followed our journey and watched the videos, you already know she is a mighty fierce hunter and a two time champion. There was an option to watch the eagle hunt a live rabbit - this was big no for me; I cannot digest the sight of blood or animals being killed. We chose to watch it hunt a dead fox's skin. Still an equally intense experience.

Next up we learnt about yet another tradition that is an integral part of the Kyrgz culture - archery. There is a real purpose of the popular World Nomad Games, an inter-country/city competition that happens during the summer. It is a place for nomadic culture to be displayed and for visitors to see traditional Central Asian life in action. This is not easy as it looks and requires immense accuracy and upper body strength.

Post lunch it was time for yet another hidden canyon hike. This was on the southern shore of Issyk Kul Lake with more glorious mountains in every corner.

This was no easy hike but with good shoes, anything is possible!

Lunch was at Kochkor Village - picnic again, who can resist these views?

We were driving to the next village after a long tiring day of hikes. We were quickly losing light, the roads were rough and rain was predicted… which meant I couldn’t get out to shoot more pictures. Just then *boom*, our car breaks down. Right here, the middle of nowhere. The hubs was like “did you manifest this, woman”. Maybe I did, or maybe the universe was on my side. We got an unexpected extra hour to take in the sunset by this valley. I swear I shed a thousand happy tears every time I stepped out in this country.

HORSE RIDING UP SONG KUL LAKE

All about the rustic village life for the next two days. We woke up to no water, just a Kyrgyz toilet awaited us. At least the views were dope!

We started making our way through the village up the mountains to meet our horses. Needless to say we were distracted by the herds of sheep and horse the whole time. After an about hour, we were finally united with our horses. The shepherd gives us lessons on the dos and don'ts. You can take your time petting your assigned horse before jumping on. After that it's just you and your buddy. I kind of felt like our horses mimicked our personalities - the hubs' shadow fox was wise, ridiculously calm and kept eating. My horse was younger and full of energy.

Horse riding here is one of the most wonderful adventures you can have in the Kyrgyzstan countryside. Our four hour journey seemed to fly by - we were having such a glorious time. The entire experience was so much more relaxing than I thought it would be. The local shepherd will give you instructions on the dos and don’ts as well guidance on controlling the movement. The horses are extremely well-trained and obedient (for the most part).

Horse has a very important role to play in every day life.. these animals are often the sole companions of shepherds and the only way to travel in the high mountains of Tian Shan.

After that, if you are confident, it’s just you and your new buddy. We quickly got the hang of it. We had the whole valley to ourselves, barring a few hundred yak, we continued galloping along some of the most breathtaking visuals we could have hopes to witness anywhere on earth. Straight out of a dream.

Horse riding is not very difficult - it was more of a bonding experience. I recommend going with a local guide - irrespective if you are going for a few hours or a few days. Weather changes quickly up in the mountains, so it's best not to get stranded in the middle of nowhere with zero cell reception. The terrain can also seem treacherous if you are a beginner. On the way you will stop to catch your breath and witness some incredible scenery including meadows and infinite mountain passes. Miles and miles of it. Untouched. Raw. Ethereal. The summit at 11,500 ft!

This was our last stop before we bid a sad goodbye to our beautiful four-legged friends. Time to enjoy the long downhill walk to the lakes. I was truly in my essence here. Just miles of no other humans, empty grasslands and pin drop sound.

When you finally get that first glimpse of the lake, you will know it was worth it. It is not without reason that is one of the most incredible alpine lakes in the country.

However, when I first started planning this trip, I was told May would be a difficult time to hike here because of the inclement weather and because the season really starts in June but I was determined to try my luck - I would rather be cold and have this place to myself than share it with a few hundred others.

After a long hike down from the summit, with the wind getting stronger and the weather getting colder, holing up in our cozy yurts was all too appealing. What was surprising about Kyrgyzstan is its seamless amalgamation of jaw-dropping beauty with ancient nomadic culture.

The sunset was spectacular. This place truly lives up to the hype. There is a not to do here except meet fellow travelers, take in some mind-blowing scenery of the Tian Shan Mountains and meadows. Just wear a hundred layers, sit back and watch the magic of the sky as it changes from a flaming yellow to a bright orange to a purple that will set your soul on fire.

The looming snowcapped peaks actually made it seem like we were back in Norway rather than in Central Asia. What better way to escape the grind of every day life than experiencing these pristine, celestial mountains with an old school existence that the locals have been able to cultivate and retain to this day. So go ahead, make this difficult trek down to the remote valley. Staying in a yurt is no easy task, but it will be one of the most memorable and unique places you would have ever stayed at!

Don't miss the star gazing opportunity. It does not get more wild than braving near freezing temperatures in what feels like life in end of the world conditions.

SONG KUL LAKE EXPLORATION

We woke up really early to catch the first rays of light over the frozen lake. Worth every mini frost bite.

If I haven't woken up to views like this at least on every trip, I wonder what kind of traveling I am doing. Took us back to our camping adventures in New Zealand - with some seriously dope morning light. The yurts get extremely cold at night but when the sun is out, it's such a joy to witness the smoking chimney, the wild winds - nothing but the mooing of grazing cattle.

The sun was out, we had coffee, played with our watch dog, completely at peace. Around 11 we made our way back down. We hiked half way before having the car pick us up for the second half of the day. On the way, we witnessed incredible lake reflections. Most of the stunning places in the country are the just like this, remote and often hard to get to. The alpine lakes and stunning mountains streams with mountain horses is quintessentially what describes the alluring wildness of Kyrgyzstan.

One last waterfall hike before making our way back to Bishkek for our PCR test.

Apart from being the connection point to Tashkent and Kazakhstan, the city has a few historic sites that are worth a visit. Apart from Ala Archa, there are also few easy day trips that are recommended like the city of Osh to see the Lenin Peak and Altyn Arashan.

FINAL THOUGHTS

My bucket list doesn’t change very often. I have only had Greenland, Faroe Islands, backpacking through China, Tibet and Mongolia on the list since I decided travel was my one love in life. I rarely add new destinations or experiences to my list. When we visit countries on a whim, we are doubly thrilled when they not only surprise us but make us fall irrevocably in love with every inch of it. That would summarize our journey to this Central Asian gem .

The real surprise of Kyrgyzstan is its people. Their attitude to complete strangers is infectious and you’re bound to find yourself swapping stories over a glass of tea or three. Smiles so warm you will have no choice but to smile back!

Most people know of Kyrgyzstan as a great meeting place on the silk road - where people from different races, religions and cultures would trade goods. Centuries of history have passed through the country since then and that alone is a reason to explore this place.

If history isn't a reason enough, think about trekking mountain ranges so remote and so rarely visited that you feel alone in the world.

There could have been nothing more natural than riding a horse in Kyrgyzstan. It is an integral part of their culture. This is truly the land of nomads, and to me this journey up to to Song Kul Lake on the back of a horse was the embodiment of everything Kyrgyzstan had to offer. Just wear layers - two shirts plus a thick windbreaker jacket, two pants, two socks and hiking boots. Don't underestimate the mountain winds.

If there is only ONE hike you can do here, make sure it’s Song Kul. It’s like a gist of every thing the country has to offer. The paths leading to the lake are some of the most epic hikes in the country. You can hike up on foot and do the trip over three days. It’s not always easily accessible but it is worth it. It was a bit of a marvel - not unlike Iceland or New Zealand, you are met with immensely lush green grasslands surrounded by nothing but horses and mountains as far eyes can see.

The country was filled with insanely raw moments, from discovering how to poop in Kyrgyzstan toilets, to driving alongside vast expanse of empty lands, to finding more horses than humans.. as if that wasn't enough, on its doorsteps are the amazing people, purest blue lakes, and a stunning dose of mountains on every corner. Thank you for exceeding our every expectation!

That is a wrap. Thanks for reading. Drop your comments and feedback below!

Lots of love,

To explore more Asian destinations, be sure to check out other blogs for additional insights.

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The Pearl Of Tien Shan - Kazakhstan

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15 commentaires

Would love to have the name of the guide. Thanks!

Very Informative travelogue and thanks for the same. Will be visiting Bishkek and your travelogue was definitely helpful.

Thank you for reading. Glad to hear it was helpful :)

Hi Ankita, Very well-written blog and you have captured the true essence of nature in your blog. I and my wife are planning for an 8-day trip in mid-June to Kyrgyzstan from Dubai. Can you please let me know the contact details of the guide and also how much it costs you for this seven-day trip.

Thank you, Rajesh. I am not able to send you a direct message. Please drop me a private message on the blog, Instagram www.instagram.com/wayfarer_anki or email me at [email protected] :)

Hey! Would you mind sharing the information of the guide? :) Thanks!

hey, thank you for the note - I dropped you a personal message :)

Hi can you please share the contact number of the guide?

Hi there -- also would be interested in getting the name of the guide. I will be going in late May for a week and am trying to get a sense as to weather, where to go, and if worth self-driving or hiring a guide for some or all of it.

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Kyrgyzstan Solo Trips and Holidays 2024/2025

The best solo trips and solo holidays in Kyrgyzstan. We currently offer 28 Kyrgyzstan solo tour packages, many of which are guided tours . You can also read 32 customer reviews for solo vacations, often written by solo travelers.

28 solo trips in Kyrgyzstan

• Starts Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
• Ends Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Nomadic traditions

• Free cancellation
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Kyrgyzstan: Tian Shan Gorge Trek

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• Starts Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan Adventure

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Highlights of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan

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• Ends Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

The Five Stans of the Silk Road

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The Silk Road

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Walking in Kyrgyzstan

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Kyrgyzstan & the Tian Shan Mountains

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Personal guide and driver were excellent. The Orion hotel was excellent, the hotel in Karakol was best available and certainly satisfactory. The Four Seasons hotel in Cholpan Ata was a serious problem. I gave our key to our guide to check out and did not realize that there was a charge for making tea in the morning and I should have checked out myself and paid the charges. The phone in the room would not work, I went to reception and asked them to send a repairman, he came but could not fix the phone. Internet access was only provided after we requested it. I asked the receptionist how our evening meal was to be paid for she had no knowledge so I paid for it.

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Backpacking in Kyrgyzstan: 1 to 4-week itinerary

By Joan Torres 42 Comments Last updated on April 25, 2024

With its unique, striking mountains, Kyrgyzstan is slowly becoming a pretty popular trekking destination.

However, the mountains of Kyrgyzstan are, definitely, not the only reason why you should come here.

From a well-developed public transportation system to a wide range of budget accommodation, hospitable people and just an amazing, undiscovered culture, backpacking in Kyrgyzstan is easy and the perfect place for travelers seeking a unique and off-beat destination, but not as hard as traveling in Pakistan , for example.

I am pretty sure that, in the next few years, Kyrgyzstan will become the ultimate backpacking destination and one of the best alternatives to popular places like Nepal.

After spending 2 months backpacking in Kyrgyzstan (we travel very slowly), I have compiled this complete 1-month itinerary.

In this backpacking guide to Kyrgyzstan, you will find:

Table of Contents

• Travel safety
• Useful books
• Day 1, 2 – Bishkek
• Day 3 – Burana Tower
• Day 4 – Karakol
• Day 5, 6, 7 Archa Tör Pass trek
• Day 8 – Kochkor
• Day 9, 10 – Song Kul
• Day 10,11 – Naryn
• Day 12, 13 – Tash Rabat
• 3-4-week itinerary
• Sary Tash, Sary Mogul, and the Alay Valley
• Tulpar Lake and Lenin Peak
• More Information

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For all the practical information, don’t forget to read: 75 Tips for traveling to Kyrgyzstan

Travel safety in Kyrgyzstan

From a crime perspective, backpacking in Kyrgyzstan is a really safe destination for travelers.

The only dangers you may encounter are those related to road accidents (some people drive like crazy) and, of course, the mountains.

Useful books for planning your Kyrgyzstan travel itinerary

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

Places to visit in Kyrgyzstan in a 2-week itinerary

Here are all the places I visited in Kyrgyzstan in a 15-day itinerary.

Places to visit in Kyrgyzstan in 2 weeks – Map

Day 1, 2 – Bishkek, the capital

Most likely, your Kyrgyz journey will start in Bishkek, as the flights from Europe are the cheapest in the region, plus this is the first destination for overlanders traveling from Almaty in Kazakhstan .

After some hard-backpacking in Pakistan and a short visit to Xinjiang, for me, Bishkek felt like a dream. Home to a liberal and Westernized society, the streets of Bishkek are filled with all sorts of bars and restaurants, as well as a large expat and digital nomad communities.

I actually spent 25 days here, wandering around its pubs and working on my blog, while taking advantage of the high-speed Wi-Fi.

However, if you are here for just 2 weeks, I don’t think you care about doing Western stuff.

In fact, I recommend spending the minimum days possible in Bishkek, as there are not many touristic sites here, besides Osh Bazaar , one of the greatest in the region; Ala-Too square , the main central square; and the State History Museum .

For more information, read this great Bishkek City Guide . 

Where to stay in Bishkek

Backpacker Hostel – Friends Guest House & Hostel – I stayed here for nearly two weeks. The owner is a cool local guy who really strives for people to socialize and just have fun. It has a very big common garden, with loads of comfortable seats, beer for sale and everything you need. There are several kitchens, bathrooms and a wide range of both dorms and private rooms. One of the best choices in town for both backpackers, couples and any kind of traveler.

Koisha Hostel – This hostel was highly rated because of its great location and amazing facilities. They also have a courtyard where you can relax and cool down after a nice stroll of the city.

Premium Hostel – Central Hostel 312 – I spent my first few days here and it was really great. With very modern facilities and extremely comfortable mattresses, this hostel is a great choice for those looking for a more comfortable place to stay. Prices are obviously higher but still, it’s quite affordable.

Centre hostel – A very cozy hostel that has a terrace and free WiFi throughout the property. This property was highly rated because of their comfy beds and accommodating staff.

Mid-range Hotel – Garden Hotel – I have seen that many readers of my blog book this hotel and I can easily see why. The staff is amazing and they serve an amazing breakfast. For people who don’t want to stay in hostels, this is the best place in the city.

Burana Tower – Silk Road monument – Day 3

Kyrgyzstan is part of the Silk Road, so why is everybody always talking about its mountains and not ancient monuments? That’s a good question.

Unfortunately, very few buildings remain from that time but the beautiful Burana Tower is one of them.

Located only 70km from Bishkek, this is one of the most outstanding Silk Road Heritage sites to visit in Kyrgyzstan and this minaret is the only thing that remains from an ancient city once called Balasagun, which was sacked by the Mongols in the 12th century and then finally destroyed in the 14th.

The area is filled with petroglyphs and balbals , a sort of grave marked by the Turks during their journey through Central Asia .

Most people come here on a day trip from Bishkek but I recommend coming and staying overnight.

Why? First of all, because sunset is the best time to visit it. And second, because it is on your way to your next destination.

Entrance fee –  60KGS (90¢)

How to get from Bishkek to Burana Tower 

Marshrutkas to the town of Tokmok leave from the eastern bus station of Bishkek (Location: 42.887272, 74.629646) . The center of Tokmok is 14km from the Burana Tower.

The local price for a taxi is around 150KGS (2.10USD) but they may ask you for up to 250KGS (3.65USD).

Where to stay in Tokmok

Budget homestay – Kegeti Guest House – One of the few budget options in Tokmok is this traditional Kyrgyz guest house.

Mid-range – Grand Hotel Burana – A pretty fancy hotel, as per Kyrgyzstan standards, for mid-range travelers.

Karakol – Your trekking base – Day 4

With a wide array of cool cafés and restaurants, the most touristic town in Kyrgyzstan is a great base to rest after some trekking. Although, you should not stay here long unless you have plenty of time.

There is a trekking-gear store, where you can find from tents to camping gas and anything you may need.

However, keep in mind that the quality of the gear is not very good, so I always recommend bringing it from home.

In my trekking guide to Kyrgyzstan , you can find the recommended packing list.

How to get to Karakol from Bishkek 

Marshrutkas leave from the western bus station (location: 42.885755, 74.56674) and cost 450KGS (6.50USD) for a 4-hour journey.

Where to stay in Karakol

Backpacker Hostel – Tent Hostel – A pretty cool and unique place. This hostel offers tents with comfy mattresses in a room. How cool is that? However, if you are more into normal beds, it also offers dorms with bunk beds. Tent Hostel is also a great place if you want to team-up with other trekkers.

Karakol Based Hostel (KBH) – A comfy and modern hostel that is 5-minute walk away from the city center.

Mid-range Hotel – Riverside – An ideal place for couples. This lovely guest house is run by a Dutch/Kyrgyz couple. It has very comfy beds, an awesome breakfast, and the owner is a very kind man who really knows what travelers need.

Archa Tör Pass – Off the beaten track trek – Day 5, 6, 7

You may have heard from a famous trek called Ala-Kul , which is a 3-5-day trek to a high-altitude lake.

That’s the trek that most people who visit Kyrgyzstan do. It is a pretty awesome trek but still, it may get busy during peak season.

If you want to really get off the beaten track, you should add Archa Tör into your Kyrgyzstan itinerary, which is as challenging and beautiful and goes over a striking 3,800-meter pass, from where you get stunning views of the famous Karakol peak. 

Moreover, along the way, you will find a few yurt camps inhabited by real nomads who will be happy to feed you, asking nothing in return. 

For a full review, including trail-itinerary, inspiring photos and other trekking tips, read my post: Trekking in Karakol – Archa Tör Pass trek .

Still, the Ala Kul trek is a great alternative, and here you can read the full review

Kochkor – Your base for Song Kul – Day 8

A pretty ugly town but a comfortable base for going to one of the dreamiest places to visit in Kyrgyzstan: Song Kul.

In Kochkor, there are some good homestays and a few relatively nice restaurants.

However, you seriously don’t want to stay here for many days, so just pick a good guest house and head to Song Kul on the next day.

How to get to Kochkor from Karakol 

On the seventh day, you will return to Karakol from your trek so, on the following day, take a marshrutka to the town of Balykchy (220km, 2:30h).

In Balykchy, take a second marshrutka to Kochkor (60km, 40min).

I am not sure about the prices as I did the journey in small sections, but you should not pay more than 250KGS (3.60USD) for both tickets.

Where to stay in Kochkor

Budget Hostel (Homestay) – Happy Hostel  – This place is all right. Despite being called a hostel, this is the typical Kyrgyz homestay but it has a dorm, as well as private rooms. They serve home-made dinner and everything you can expect from the lovely local families.

A bit nicer Homestay – Guest House Baytur  – Similar to the previous one but everything is newer, the food is better and it is more well-located.

Note: I guess you noted that I skipped Issyk Kul Lake, which is the largest lake in Kyrgyzstan and, actually, the second largest alpine lake in the world. For me, Issyk Kul was pretty disappointing, as the northern shore was filled with tourists and the southern shore, which is less touristic, was not as beautiful as I expected. I am not saying it’s a bad place but I think there are thousand better places in Kyrgyzstan. The reason why it is so famous is that the ocean is thousands of miles away from Kyrgyzstan, so this is the closest thing to a sea they have. If you don’t have many days, I recommend you skip it but, if you still want to go, check this post from Kathmandu & Beyond : Things to do around Issyk Kul

Song Kul – A dreamy alpine lake – Day 9, 10

Song Kul is, definitely, one of the best things to do in Kyrgyzstan , and it’s easy to understand why.

Surrounded by beautiful, rolling hills and located in the middle of a massive, flat plain, from where you see the most stunning sunsets in the country, Song Kul has become the perfect postcard Kyrgyzstan backpacking itinerary.

It’s a place to just relax, hang out with the nomads, stay in a yurt and do short half-day treks. 

However, when I went there in July, in the main area of the lake, there were plenty of commercial yurt camps hosting dozens of different tourists.

And you definitely don’t want to see that…  

With this, I am not saying that you shouldn’t go to Song Kul. Of course, you should!

However, since ninety-five percent of the tourists come directly by car from the town of Kochkor, why not do things a little bit differently and come trekking, independently, from the village of Kyzart, which is located at the other side of the lake?

Very few people come this way and I guarantee you that you’ll see virgin velvet-green hills and unique lake views from Kyzart Pass.

Note: You may need an extra day if you come walking from Kyzart.

How to get to Song Kul from Kochkor 

Song Kul is around 100km from Kochkor and there is no public transportation but just expensive taxis. Prices range from 1,200KGS to 2,000KGS (17USD to 30USD).

Alternatively, you can hitchhike but keep in mind that, in this part of the world, even locals pay when hitchhiking.

Where to stay in Song Kul 

There are plenty of yurt camps where you can stay for around 10USD, including dinner and breakfast. There is no need to book for a yurt in Kochkor.

Naryn – The base to Tash Rabat – Day 11

Another quite ugly Kyrgyz town where you need to spend the night if you are heading to the beautiful Tash Rabat. Naryn has a wide range of budget accommodation, shops, and restaurants.

How to get to Naryn from Kochkor 

Local shared taxis from Kochkor cost 250KGS (3.60USD) but, since Kochkor is quite touristic, they may charge you more. Bargain! It’s a 2-hour journey.

Where to stay in Naryn

Budget Homestay – Zheenkan  – The typical Kyrgyz guest house, very clean and good enough for just one night.

Mid-Range Guest House –  Kunduz Guest House  – A comfy guest house that features awesome Wi-Fi, really nice rooms, and a cool breakfast.

Tash Rabat – The ancient Silk Road route – Day 12, 13

Due to its long-distance and difficult accessibility, only a small bunch of travelers visit Tash Rabat, an ancient caravanserai from the 15th century which, for centuries, sheltered hundreds of merchants, traders, and travelers, who made their journeys along the famous Silk Road. 

Tash Rabat is the most stunning Silk Road heritage site in Kyrgyzstan and not only because it’s a beautiful, perfectly restored building but also, because it’s located in one of the most epic places ever.

Tash Rabat is in the south-east of the country, very close to the Chinese border.

Here you can also go trekking to Chatyr Lake on a 2-day trek. I did it on a horse and it was awesome.

Tash Rabat was, perhaps, my favorite place in while backpacking in Kyrgyzstan.

Note: You may need an extra day if you plan to go to Chatyr Lake.

Here you can read my full review, including transportation options and how to get your permit to Chatyr: Horse riding in Kyrgyzstan: Tash Rabat to Chatyr Kul

How to get to Tash Rabat from Naryn 

In the previous article, you will find all the details.

Where to stay in Tash Rabat 

There are plenty of yurt camps but I recommend you stay with Elizat, since she is the only person speaking proper English.

You can contact her at [email protected] or call her at +996707880161. Otherwise, ask for her at your arrival in Tash Rabat. 

Backpacking in Kyrgyzstan – 3-4 week itinerary

Note that the south of Kyrgyzstan is really remote and the journey from Bishkek to Osh takes at least 12 hours.

That’s why, if you only have two weeks, it would be difficult to replace any of the previously suggested places with these.

Places to visit in Kyrgyzstan in 3-4 weeks

The journey from Naryn to Arlsanbob – 1 to 2 extra days

No matter where you are, the journey to southern Kyrgyzstan is absolutely insane. Jalal Abad is the nearest big city to Arlsanbob and where you should go first.

How to go to Jalal Abad via Kazarman

If you are in Naryn, this is the shortest route. However, the road connecting both towns is a 400-kilometer dusty and bumpy road. You should know that public transportation doesn’t exist.

• The easiest way to go would be in your own car or by taxi but be aware that taxis are quite expensive.  CBT Naryn can organize the journey for you, so I suggest you email them to ask for prices.
• Alternatively, if you have time, you could also hitchhike, but it will take you at least two days. I know one guy from Ireland who did it. To do so, you can first go by local shared taxi (from Naryn bazaar) to a village called Ak-Tal or somewhere close, because nearby there’s a direct road going to Kazarman.
• If you don’t want to hitchhike, a second alternative would be going to Naryn bazaar where, occasionally, you may find local shared taxis going to Jalal Abad. This seems like a feasible option but, unfortunately, they leave very randomly, so you will need to try your luck. Whatever option you choose, the road and views are just awesome.

How to go via Bishkek 

From Bishkek, there are daily local shared taxis going to Jalal Abad. It’s an 11-hour journey and it costs around 1,000KGS (14USD).

The station to Jalal Abad is in Pushkin Street, more or less in this location: 42.878245, 74.582258 . Try to go as early as possible.

Moreover, if your destination is Arslanbob, you will have to get off in Bazaar Kognor, a small town one hour before Jalal Abad.

Read: Backpacking in Kazakhstan – 1 to 4-week itinerary

Arslanbob – Best homestays in Kyrgyzstan – 2 or 3 extra days

Some travelers say that Arslanbob is a bit touristic but, in my opinion, I think that, since the village is so tiny, it’s easy to bump into other travelers. 

Located in the south of the country, not very far from the Uzbek border, most people living in Arslanbob are Uzbeks.

This means that here you will see plenty of different faces, as well as eat the traditional Uzbek plov , consisting of rice fried in lamb fat, with carrots and raisins.

Arslanbob is very close to the Fergana Valley, so if you want to know more about this troubled region, read: A guide to the Fergana Valley in Uzbekistan

Arslanbob is a great place to rest from your hectic travels, as this is one of the very few villages in the country which has a real soul (in Kyrgyzstan, towns tend to be boring) and it’s also famous for having the best homestays, run by local families who have lovely gardens, comfortable rooms and will feed you until you explode.

There are also plenty of day-treks to waterfalls, forest walks and a very challenging 4-day trek to one striking lake.

By the way, Arslanbob is home to the largest walnut forest in the world.

Where to stay in Arslanbob 

The CBT Arslanbob can tell you about the available homestays. All of them are great, run by Uzbeks and have nice gardens. Shoot them an email and book your favorite one.

Osh – A historical transit point – 2 or 3 extra days

The second most important city in Kyrgyzstan, Osh is a must-stop for anyone trying to cross the border to China over  the Irkeshtam pass , to   Tajikistan over Kyzyl Art , or to Uzbekistan.

For this reason, due to its strategic location, Osh has been a very important transit point from Silk Road times, hence here you will find a surprising cultural blend.

Osh is way more conservative than Bishkek, so here you won’t find as many Western things to do. Osh is best enjoyed strolling down its many bazaars and eating at the local eateries.

If you want to know more, read this post from Uncornered Market: Travel Guide to Osh .

How to get to Osh from Arslanbob 

There are two direct marshrutkas a day, one at 6:30am and the other at 1:00pm. Otherwise, you can go first to Bazar Kognor and take a second marshrutka to Osh.

Alternatively, you can also go by local shared taxi at any time, but it’s more expensive (500KGS, 7.30USD).

Heading to Tajikistan? Read: A guide to the Pamir High way

Where to stay in Osh

Super Budget Hostel – Osh Guest House  – Much cheaper than Biy Ordo but, of course, not as cool and comfortable. However, this is a great place to team-up with other travelers to travel the Pamir Highway.

Mid-range Guest House –   Eco House – If you don’t want to stay in a hostel for backpackers, this is one of the top-rated guest houses in Osh. Very comfortable, amazing breakfast and at a very good price for what you get.

Sary Mogol, Sary Tash, and the Alay Valley – 2 or 3 extra days

Unless you are coming from or going to China or Tajikistan, due to its remoteness, people tend to skip the Alay Valley, a dreamy plain situated 3,200 meters above sea level, which marks the border with Tajikistan and from where you get perfect views of the Pamir range.

However, even if you aren’t traveling to either of those countries, I can guarantee that coming here is definitely worth it, as the surrounding mountains are astonishing and among the least discovered in the whole of Kyrgyzstan.

The main two villages in the Alay Valley are Sary Tash and Sary Mogul but I recommend staying in Sary Mogul, as the village is more beautiful and it’s the starting point to the Lenin Peak Base camp.

How to get to Sary Tash from Osh 

Marshrutkas leave daily until 2pm from the Osh station located here:  40.536484, 72.798298. It costs 350KGS (4USD) for a 3-hour journey.

How to get to Sary Mogul from Sary Tash 

Both villages are really close (30km) and I think that your best and quickest bet is to wait on the road for any ride.

Where to stay in Sary Tash 

Budget Homestay – Muras Homestay  – A pretty decent but average homestay where you are likely to meet overlander travelers coming or heading to China or Tajikistan.

Where to stay in Sary Mogul

You will find many homestays. We stayed in a very random one.

Tulpar Lake and Lenin Peak base camp – 2 or 3 extra days

There are two kinds of people. The ones who make it to Lenin Peak base camp and the ones who go to Tulpar Lake.

Normally, since Lenin Peak requires a permit, many travelers prefer to stay at Tulpar, a tiny lake located right in the middle of small, rolling hills and from where you have very nice views, unless it’s cloudy, of Lenin Peak. 

Here we had one of our best camping spots in the country. The lake is around five hours walking from Sary Mogul.

Even though you need a permit to visit Lenin Peak, I strongly believe that you should make the small effort, get it and come here because its massive glaciers, contrasting colors and striking scenery make me believe that this is one of the best trekking experiences I’ve ever had.

Note: I didn’t get the permit but I still went there. Nobody checked it 🙂

Lenin Peak is a 7,200-meter mountain, the second highest within the Pamir range.

It’s said that Lenin Peak is the easiest to climb of all the mountains in the 7,000’s, but don’t get very excited, as you still need to be an experienced climber.

However, for travelers and backpackers, the base camp is very accessible and, if you are reasonably fit, you can also reach the advanced base camp, which is where you will get a real feel of the wild Pamirs.

It was very strange to wander around this area, as there were no travelers but a lot of climbers. Lenin Peak is, definitely, one of the best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan.

How to get to Tulpar Lake from Sary Mogul 

It’s a 5-hour walk through the Alay Valley. You can also go by taxi but it’s a bit expensive. Ask for prices at the CBT Office in Sary Mogul.

How to get to Lenin base camp from Tulpar

It’s just one hour walk from the lake. Furthermore, going to the advanced base camp takes around 5-6 additional hours.

Where to stay

In both Tulpar and the base camp there are yurt camps which charge between 10 and 15USD, including dinner and breakfast. In Tulpar Lake, rates are cheaper.

More information for backpacking 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.

All guides and articles for traveling in Kyrgyzstan destination

• Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide
• 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 Itineraries to other countries in Central Asia

• Uzbekistan Itinerary
• Travel Guide to Tajikistan
• Kazakhstan Itinerary
• Pakistan Itinerary

42 comments

Hey there, fantastic article! Looking forward to reading your posts on the trek from Kyzart to Song kul, and trekking from Sary Mogul to Tulpar Lake to Lenin Peak, as I’m doing both of these in the summer! Any idea when you’ll post these? Keep up the great work.

Hi Steven, the Song Kul trek will be posted end of this month but on another website, not mine. However, I will definitely link to it on this post. Morevover, I will try to post the Lenin Peak post within this month, as well but, most probably, it will also be posted on another site.

Super, thanks Joan!

Here you go: https://theplanetd.com/song-kul-trekking/ 🙂

Thanks for the link. Did you write this?

Yes, of course. You will see that pics are mine and my bio at the bottom of the post

Sorry, missed that. Thanks, great advice. Definitely doing this this summer! 🙂

Great info, thanks. I will be travelling through Tajikistan in late Aug/Sept prior to Kyrgyzstan (hadn’t bedded down a plan for that section yet). Would you say it’s easy to just reverse your itinerary and end up in Bishkek – I’d take your added days options I think! Thanks Gill

Awesome! Yeah, if you come from Tajikistan over the Pamir Highway, this itinerary is really convenient! Have loads of fun 🙂 !!

Salute, Kyrgyzstan is opening borders https://pegas-adventure.com/kyrgyzstan-opens-borders/ I want to know, anyone crossed border this year? I want to Travel this country end of September. If you’re crossed please inform me, I’ll be happy to read your experience

Hi again! Can I ask – how cold did it get in Song-kul and Sary Mogul? I’m assuming you visited in summer and just wondering how many layers I will need 🙂

At night, it was chilly but never below 0. Just bring a thermal t-shirt and a winter jacket and you’l be fine.

Kyrgyzstan is really beautiful. It’s incredible, and I love the kids that you have photographed. They look so adorable. True, Kyrgyzstan isn’t just about mountains. There’s so much more to see and experience. Thanks for the itinerary!

Cheers, hope you make it there! 🙂

Hiya 🙂 perfect article, congrats ! I plan to go to Kyrgyzstan in august, and I’m very interested in your article on Peak Lenin base camp trek. Have you finished writing it ? Thanks and congrats for your amazing blog full of informations and good advices 🙂

Hi Robert! Thanks for your kind message! Yes, I finished writing it but I am going to publish it on another blog from another blogger and it will go live on the 28th of June. I will link it here as soon as it is ready! Cheers!

Great info!! I’m heading there in August/September. Did you go to Sary Chelek? Did you know how to get there?

Hi, no, I haven’t been there, but looking forward to explore that area on my next visit

How do I get a map of the hiking trails for all of the hikes? I was planning on doing the Kyzyl-Suu to Jeti Oguz trek, the Kyzart to Song Kul trek and the Tash Rabat to Chatyr Lake trek. I will definitely have a guide for the Archa Tör Pass and a guide and horse for Tash Rabat too, so I guess I’ll only need a map for the Kyzart pass hike?

Hi, do you have maps.me? It shows all the trekking trails, very easy to follow.

There are detailed maps in the CBT office in Kochkor which you can look at / buy. I have some photos of the maps which a guesthouse owner in Kyzart let me take. If you want them send me an email and I’ll send you the photos.

Hello, I was just wondering, how to get from TOKMOK to Karakol? Unfortunately, we are short on days and are planning to start from Bishkek in the morning, get a marshutka to TOKMOK, see the Burana Tower and then somehow get to Karakol the same day.

P.s.: best blog about Kyrgyzstan I came across, so many interesting and specific information.

Hi, Tokmok it’s on the way from Bishkek to Karakol, so I am pretty sure there are direct marshrutkas. PS: Thanks for your kind comment

Hey Joan, thanks for the detailed itinerary, you totally convinced me to plan a trip to central Asia — it looks so beautiful! I was following your other post on how to cross over to kyrgyzstan from xingjiang china and it seems that we will arrive in Sarah Tash/Osh first. Do you haven any suggestions on which direction I should head towards if I want to follow your itinerary? Do you reckon I should fly to Bishkek first or do your itinerary in reverse? I’ll be heading to the Pamir Highway after kyrgyzstan so Im trying to wrap my head around the route. Thanks so much in advance!

Hi! It depends on how much time you have and which countries are you planning to visit. As I understand, you also plan to visit China? Then you have no other choice than starting in Sary Tash unless you wanna enter through Torugart Pass, which is very expensive. If you aren’t visiting China, sure, flying to Bishkek and going down slowly would be the best choice!

Hi Joan, thank you so much for this interesting post! Would you say that traveling here as a solo female traveler would be OK? I’m considering extending my trip to Kazakhstan to also explore Kyrgyzstan. thanks!

Dear Sabine, Kyrgyzstan is a safe destination for both genders, really. You are likely to meet many women traveling alone in Kyrgyzstan 🙂

Thanks Joan! 🙂

Hello Joan,

Great itinerary! Really helpful for my tryp to Kyrgyzstan this summer!

One question though: where do you recommend to spend the night at day 10, Kochkor? Or would you rather spend 2 nights in a yurt at Song Kul Lake?

If you leave early in the morning, you can go straight to Naryn from Song Kul, no problem. There is not much to do in Kochkor anyways and in Song Kul you can see great sunsets & sunrises

Hi Joan, So glad we came across with your blog which ultimately convinced us to travel to Kyrgyzstan. So many interesting and detailed data! We have just ended our 3-week trip and wouldn’t have enjoyed it more!

I loved this country. Here you can see really nomad people. Before starting tour you should take with you warm clothes, because in mountains can be colder. We choose one tour for 13 days. It was great experience to try. Highly recommend

Thanks for sharing your experiences! We are planning a trip in July & August 2020 to Kyrgyzstan (and maybe Tajikistan) with our 3 kids (2, 4 and 6 years old). They are used to travel around and the oldest ones can walk up to 7 hours a day. Do you think your itinerary is feasible to do with these 3 little fellows? Any other advice you can give us?

Hey Anneke! Are you going to travel by public transportation or you plan to rent a car?

Cello Thanks for the great information. I have some time now in April to possible me go to Kyrgyzstan. You two week itinerary looks great. But is it good time to go there and trekking in mid april? We want to see the famous and best places in this country, like song kul etc and we dont want to miss staying in a yurt. Or should we plan for Kyrgyzstan later in the summer?

Hi Eric, you might have sunny days but the weather during that time of the year is highly unpredictable, and you’ll definitely see snow in higher altitudes

Hi Joan, Im planning to go to Kyrgyzstan at the end of august. I would like to do the Archa Tör pass trek but Im traveling solo and I don’t feel really comfortable doing it alone. Do you know any good agency that runs that trek?? Thank you!

Hi Elsa! In Karakol, there are plenty of agencies, you can ask at any of them, and it will be cheaper than booking it ahead 🙂

Hi Joan, Thank you so much for your amazing insights and travel recommendations! I am considering coming to Kyrgyzstan the first half of October. Do you believe this is still a good time to visit? In particular is it still possible to stay overnight in yurt camps, notably at Tash Rabat? Thanks in advance!

Hi Axdrien, it’s really the transitional period so it qill really depend on that particular year, maybe yes, maybe not

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Kyrgyzstan Country data

We have compiled a few data points below that can help you better understand Kyrgyzstan and have more context when thinking about travel safety.

Official country name: Kyrgyz Republic.

Etymology: A combination of the Turkic words "kyrg" (forty) and "-yz" (tribes) with the Persian suffix "-stan" (country) creating the meaning "Land of the Forty Tribes". The name refers to the 40 clans united by the mythic Kyrgyz hero, Manas.

Country map

Locator map

Capital: Bishkek.

Independence / foundation: Most of the territory of present-day Kyrgyzstan was formally annexed by the Russian Empire in 1876. The Kyrgyz staged a major revolt against the Tsarist Empire in 1916 in which almost one-sixth of the Kyrgyz population was killed. Kyrgyzstan became a Soviet republic in 1926 and achieved independence in 1991 when the USSR dissolved.

Population: 6 million.

Currency: Kyrgyzstani Som (KGS) 1 USD = 89.17 KGS 1 EUR = 96.77 KGS

Time zone: UTC+6

Languages spoken: Kyrgyz (official) 71%, Uzbek 15%, Russian (official) 9%, other 5%.

Religions: Muslim 90% (majority Sunni), Christian 7% (Russian Orthodox 3%), other 3% (includes Jewish, Buddhist, Baha'i).

Climate: Dry continental to polar climate in the high Tien Shan Mountains. Subtropical in the southwest (Fergana Valley) and temperate in the northern foothill zone.

Real GDP (ppp – purchasing power parity): $35.3 billion.

Real GDP per capita (ppp): $5,100.

Main airports: Manas International Airport, Osh Airport.

World heritage sites in Kyrgyzstan

There are over 1,100 world heritage sites spread across more than 165 countries. New ones are added every year, and some may be removed from the list for various reasons.

Number of UNESCO listed sites : 3.

Top world heritage sites :

Interesting facts about Kyrgyzstan

Further reading : N/A.

Kyrgyzstan Travel tips

Socket type: C / F. Guide to socket types .

Weekend days: Saturday and Sunday.

Driving: Cars drive on the Right.

Local taxi apps: YandexGo , BiTaxi .

Travel Guides: Lonely Planet , Bradt Guide .

Languages spoken : Kyrgyz (official) 71%, Uzbek 15%, Russian (official) 9%, other 5%.

Basic words and phrases in the main language:

Find a hotel in Kyrgyzstan

Book tours and activities :

More about Kyrgyzstan on Solo Female Travelers

Did you spot any errors? We do our best to keep this information updated and accurate, but things change. If you saw anything that is not right, let us know so we can fix it: [email protected] .

About the Solo Female Travel Safety Index

Safety matters to solo female travelers, you told us so in our annual  Solo Female Travel Survey , where year after year, women prove that this is their most important concern when traveling solo.

We wanted to do something about it, so we built these country-specific pages where you can find reviews and scores for 7 key variables affecting the safety of women traveling solo.

• Risk of scam
• Risk of theft
• Risk of harassment
• Attitudes towards women
• UK Travel Advisory
• US Travel advisory
• Global Peace Index (GPI)

Informing OSAC

The Solo Female Travel Safety Score is used by the Overseas Security Advisory Council for including safety concerns for women travelers in their country security reports; OSAC is a partnership between the U.S. Department of State and private-sector security community.

How to use the Safety Index

On this page, you will find the country score and the personal opinions on safety of other women traveling solo.

You can sort the comments by:

• The  level of experience traveling solo  of the reviewer (beginner = <5 trips solo, Intermediate = 5 to 10 trips solo, Experienced = >10 trips solo).
• The  age  of the traveler.
• Whether they are a  visitor or local .
• The  date  they were posted.

The safety scores range from 1 to 4 with 1 being the safest and 4 being the most dangerous for solo female travelers. 

Thus, the lower the score, the safer the country.

Looking for more safety resources?

This entire website is devoted to helping women travel solo. Check out the links below to learn more:

Solo Female Travel Stats : Results from the the largest, most comprehensive and only global research study on solo female travel trends, preferences and behaviors published.

Thanks to Jacobo Vilella for creating the Solo Female Travelers Safety Index ❤️

The Best Kyrgyzstan Itinerary That You Can Do in 14 Days

Kyrgyzstan is a unique and beautiful country that is overlooked by travelers. The main reason people do not visit as much as other countries is because they don’t know how to explore the area.

That is why a 14-day itinerary is important to break down what not to miss on the Great Silk Road. So keep reading to know exactly what to add to your Kyrgyzstan Itinerary. 

Make also sure you read our Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide .

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 adventure. It is a cultured area and is infamous for its stunning architecture. 

Ala-Too Square

Spend your morning walking around Ala-Too Square. An area was built in 1984 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic. A small but powerful square that still showcases the remains of Soviet Architecture. 

Bishkek Museums

Visit the State History Museum and the National Museum of Fine Arts. Both buildings still display this unique architecture. 

Local Dishes

Afterward, indulge in the local food scene in Bishkek. The streets are lined with local cafes and restaurants, allowing you to learn about the culture firsthand. Cultural meals include meat dishes such as horse-meat sausages and roasted sheep’s liver.

Noodles and mantys, steamed dumplings filled with ground meat and onions, are popular with locals. Samsas, which are meat and vegetable pockets, are delicious and found in local restaurants. 

For the less adventurous, try their bread and tea. Their nan, which is a central Asian flatbread, is known to be out of this world. Accompany it with jam or kaymak, a creamy dairy food similar to cream cheese. 

Where To Stay in Bishkek?

It is best to stay within walking distance to Ala-Too Square since it has many walkable options. The Hyatt Regency Bishkek is across the street.

Also rated one of the top accommodations in the area. Averaging about $177 a night with top-notch customer service. This gorgeous hotel has stunning city views and even an outdoor pool to relax by. 

Day 2 Bishkek Day Trip: Ala Archa National Park

Located forty minutes away from Bishkek is Ala Archa National Park. An Alpine national park that sits in the Tian Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan.

The national park was established in 1976 and named after the bright-colored jumper in the park. The park is two hundred square kilometers and has many peaks and glaciers.

It takes days to fully explore the park, which is why it’s recommended to stay there for two nights. 

Hike in Ala Archa National Park

There are many options in Ala Archa National Park. A favorite is to take a walk at the start of the Ala Archa River Trail . The full trail is 19 miles, but most visitors do the shorter version. A 3.2-mile trail that brings you to the river and then back.

Once you get to the river, lay out a blanket and start a BBQ. This spot is perfect for those wanting to picnic and take in the stunning views. Pick up food to cook at one of the markets on your way from Bishkek. Wildlife is also commonly spotted in this area. Making it a fun and exciting day on your  Kyrgyzstan Itinerary.

Where To Stay near Ala Archa National Park?

Supara Chunkurchak is a popular place to stay when visiting the park. This unique accommodation allows you to stay in yurts or a hotel. The Yurt Hotel offers double or single beds and your own dining area.

If yurts are out of your comfort zone, you can stay in the Beshik Bungalows. This is a more enclosed option resembling a bungalow. Beshik Bungalows are Kyrgyz national cradles made of eco-friendly materials. 

Day 3: Discover more about Ala Archa National Park

Enjoy your second day in Ala Archa National Park hiking. There are over five recommended hiking trails in the park. Which makes it great for all skill levels.

For an easier option, Hike to Ak Sai Waterfall . A 4.7-mile hike that takes anywhere from four to six hours. A cascading waterfall that is forty meters high.

Ala-Archa to Ak-Sai Racek Hut and Glacier

For those seeking more of a workout, continue to the Ratzek Hut and Ak Sai Glacier . If you are in good shape, you can make this a full-day trip. It is a steep climb up the waterfall and can take an additional three to four hours.

Plan on getting to Ak Sai Glacier early in the morning since the full hike can take around ten to twelve hours. Be sure to bring snacks and a meal for your hike since you will be out and about all day. 

For dinner, eat at one of the local restaurants. Boyrok Cafe-Restaurant. Ala-Archa National Park is a popular dining spot. Located inside Alp-Camp Ala Archa.

The food is local and fresh. Devour spicy meat, vegetables, and warm potatoes. Hot teas are also available here on those colder days. 

Where To Spend the Second Night in Archa National Park?  

Ala Archa Hotel , averaging about $30 a night.  An adorable guest house that has quiet and cozy rooms. The stunning mountain views of the park will be seen from the window of your comfortable hotel room. A great place to rest after a day of hiking.

DAY 4: Head to Cholpon Ata, Issyk Kul

Cholpon Ata is a resort town on the northern shore of Lake Issyk Kul. Located four hours east of Ala Archa National Park. You can drive or get a shared taxi for $5 per person to get here from the park. Private taxis are anywhere from $35 per car. Visiting this stunning area makes a great addition to any  Kyrgyzstan Itinerary.

Rukh Ordo Cultural Center

Spend the day visiting the Rukh Ordo, an open-air Cultural Center that features ten mini museums. Featuring dozens of sculptures and artwork that use techniques that were passed down from generations. 

A guide at the museum can bring guests through an hour and a half interactive excursion. Learn all about the history of Kyrgyz and its culture. Singing and dancing the national dance is included in this tour.

Shop at Cholpon-Ata Market

Afterward, go shopping at the main bazaar at Cholpon-Ata market. Offering a variety of bread, fruits, and vegetables. A local market that showcases authentic local eats and products. Enjoy dinner at some of the food stands. 

Clothes include wool garments or felt, at a very low price. Even electronics are sold in this market. So bring home a little piece of Cholpon Ata back home with you.

Where To Stay in Cholpon Ata?  

Kapriz Issyk Kul Resort . Averaging about $90 per night. This stunning resort sits on the northern shore of Issyk-Kul lake. The resort has pools, beach access, entertainment, and more.

Room accommodations range from twin beds to family suites. 

Day 5: Issyk Kul 

Issyk-Kul lake is the seventh deepest lake in the world and the tenth-largest lake in the world by volume . Located in the Northern Tian Shan mountains in Eastern Kyrgyzstan, The waters are crystal clear and relatively warm. The beaches around this area are ideal for spending the day relaxing on the sand. 

Have A Beach Day at Khadzhi-Sayskia Plyazh 

Kadzhi-Sayskiy Plyazh is one of the top-rated beaches in the area. Located in the southern area of the lake. There are boats for rent for those wanting to spend the day out on the water. The beach is known for being clean and beautiful. Perfect for those wanting to add a beach day to their Kyrgyzstan Itinerary. 

Grab dinner and drinks at Barashek. A top-rated local restaurant featuring an extensive alcohol menu and delicious dishes. Shashlik, a grilled skewered cube meat dish, is popular on the menu. It is also a widespread food option in Russia. In addition, they offer live music during the week and weekends, depending on the day. 

Where To Stay near Khadzhi-Sayskia Plyazh?

Sanatoriy “Goluboy Issyk-Kul’ .”  A lakefront hotel facing a private beach along Issyk Kul. This hotel features an inclusive spa near the Tian Shan mountains. All meals are included in your stay. Their wellness treatments are also included. Mineral baths and irradiation are a few to name. 

DAY 6: From Issyk Kul to Karakol

Begin the journey from Issyk Kul to Karakol. You can either take a cab or bus for this two-hour trek. Cabs range from $35, and bus tickets are about $10 per person. https://www.rome2rio.com/ is a helpful website for an average of cab and taxis prices in the area. 

Karakol is the fourth largest city in Kyrgyzstan and sits at the eastern tip of Lake Issyk-Kul. A town popular for its skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. 

When you arrive in Karakol, visit the Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral. Learn all about the history of the Cathedral while gazing at the stunning structures. Then head over to the Dungan Mosque. The historical architecture of a mosque that was built with no nails. 

Bugu-Ene Zoo

Afterward, visit the Bugu-Ene Zoo in Karakol. A small zoo that is known for its personal encounters with the animals. Animals include lions, bears, and lynxes. You only need a few hours at this zoo. A unique experience that should gain a spot on everyone’s Kyrgyzstan Itinerary. 

credits: visitkarakol.com

Local Dining

For dining, stop by Local Karakol Food. A hidden gem that features piping hot and delicious soups. Some soup options are kimchi noodle flavored soup and vegetable hotteok. This restaurant is recommended by locals for its mouthwatering flavor. 

Where To Stay in Karakol?    

Gostinitsa Karagat is a four-star hotel located in central Karakol. A good option for walking to restaurants and museums. It is a large hotel with spacious and clean rooms.  It only costs around $50 per night. However, you will need to call to book as they do not have an active website or booking engine.

DAY 7: From Karakol to Altyn Arashan

Only an hour away from Karakol is Altyn Arashan. Altyn Arashan is a nature preserve famous for its valleys and mountains. Animals in this area include over twenty endangered snow leopards. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to spot one of these beauties.

Altyn Arashan Hot Springs

Take a trip out to visit the Altyn Arashan Hot Springs. A hot spring that is famous for its healing radon waters. These springs can be used to treat cardiovascular disease. 

Spend your morning soaking and taking in the healing energy. The hot springs reach a temperature of 50°C. /122°F. Perfect for when the colder days of Altyn Arashan arrive.

Horseback Riding in Altyn Arashan

Add horseback riding to your Kyrgyzstan Itinerary. Sign up for a  tour with Bulak Say Horseback and Trekking. A fantastic company that hosts tours through Altyn Arashan. They even offer an included car service that brings you from Karkoal to the trailhead. You can get more information about their tours on their website http://karakolhorsetrekking.blogspot.com/.

Where To Stay near Altyn Arashan?

Altyn Arashan has very few accommodations. Eco Yurt Camp Arashan & Guest House “Gulnara” is a cozy guest house. With comfy beds and hot meals. Ideal for those planning on doing longer day hikes. You can either stay.

DAY 8: Exploring the area of Altyn Arashan

There are many different trekking tours available in Altyn Arashan. One of the most sought-after activities when visiting this location. 

Ak-Suu Arboretum Trek

If you are feeling adventurous, hike the stunning mountains. The Ak-Suu Arboretum Trek is eight miles long and makes a great day trip. Hike through the entire valley and return via the route in the forest. You can either hike back or return by their minibus. Learn about this trail here https://www.asia-hikes.com/ak-suu-arboretum/

Peak Palatka Hike

Another great day hike is trekking to the foot of Peak Palatka. You can do this hike with or without a guide. It is rated an easy walk with stunning views. Peak Palatka are twin peaks that are symmetrical and stunning. This peak is over 15,000 feet high, making it hard to miss.

How To Get to those trails’ starting point?

To do either of these hikes, you will need to start at the t rail in Ak Suu village, also known as Teploklyuchenka. Then, you will take a minibus from the main street and ask the driver if he goes to Altyn Arashan. If yes, you stay on the bus until you reach the sign that says Altyn Arashan. From there, you can begin your hiking adventure!

Guided Hiking

All hikes can either be done solo or guided. There are many guides in the area which can bring you to the trailheads and take the trek with you. Recommended for those who are not comfortable with solo hiking. Guided tours are ideal for beginners Kyrgyzstan Itinerary. Visit https://destinationkarakol.com/tours/hiking-trekking/ for all guided hiking and trekking tour options.

Where Else to Stay in Altyn Arashan?  

Another great accommodation option in the area is the “Ala-Kul” guesthouse in Altyn-Arashan . Resembling a hostile that has a shared kitchen and lounge. The accommodations are yurts or shared rooms. Rooms start at $38 a night.

DAY 9: From Altyn Arashan back to Karakol

Began your two-hour trip back to Karakol. Once you arrive, enjoy your second day in Karakol, appreciating the delicious food options. The Meeting Point is a pizza restaurant that has a lot of American food options. They have vegan and non-vegan dishes, from pancakes to burgers. Visitors also rave about them having the best internet in the area. 

Another option is Cafe Dastorkon is a modern cafe that showcases ancient traditions. Their dishes include fresh vegetables, herbs, and meats. Local bread and salads are just some of the items offered. Finally, try their Brand Snack “Dastorkon,” a national snack with kazy karta, smoked horse meat, ram fat, and beef tongue. A foodie’s dream. 

Przewalski Museum

After fueling up, visit the historic Przewalski Museum.  Nikolai Mikhailovich Przewalski was a 19th-century explorer who was one of the first people to explore Central Asia.

He fell in love with the area and stayed there until the day he died. He is now buried in Karakol. The museum features a tribute to his life. With gorgeous sculptures and over five hundred exhibits. A cultural and educational museum to spend a few hours at. 

Karakol Nightlife

As the day winds down, get ready to explore some nightlife in the area. Rent your own private billiards room while enjoying some ice-cold beer at Green Club. A pub is one of the only nightlife options in the area. 

Where Else to stay in Karakol?  

Hillside Karakol B&B is a beautiful resort located on the piedmonts in Karakol. The hotel has European decor and is similar to a Chalet. It is located in the quiet part of the city. Recommended for those looking to relax and disconnect after a busy day in the city. A popular resort to add to your Kyrgyzstan Itinerary.  This hotel averages around $40 a night.

DAY 10: From Karakol to Tash Rabat

Tash Rabat is located seven hours southwest of Karakol. The easiest way to accomplish this journey is to take a taxi from Karakol to Tash Rabat for $95 per car. Renting a car is an additional option.

Bokonbayevo

Break up the drive by stopping in Bokonbayevo, Kyrgyzstan. A town that is the center of the Tong District of the Issyk-Kul Region. It is the largest village on the south shore of Lake Issyk Kul. Next, stop at Kolomto, a sushi restaurant that offers fresh fish and yummy rolls. Salad and meat options are also available here. 

Afterward, continue your drive to Tash Rabat. There are not a lot of accommodations near Tash Rabat. It is recommended to spend the night an hour and a half away near Naryn. 

Where to stay in Bokonbayevo?

Char Hotel is a gorgeous property nestled in the mountains. They offer lunch or dinner during your stay. A perfect place to rest after your long drive and before exploring Tash Rabat.

DAY 11: Exploring Tash Rabat area

Continue on your journey from Naryn to Tash Rabat, about an hour and a half taxi ride. Tash Rabat is a 15th century caravanserai. Which is a place where travelers would spend time resting during their road trips.

Similar to an inn or motel. The structure includes over thirty rooms, including a hall and chamber. This area is in a very remote location, making it a gem to see in real life. 

You can spend your whole day exploring Tash Rabat. It is rated the most magnificent monument in all of Kyrgyzstan. Sitting at 10,498 feet above sea level. There are local tour guides who can teach you all about the history here. A bucket list item that earns a spot on every Kyrgyzstan itinerary. 

Accommodations near Tash Rabat are slim and mainly consist of yurt camps and hostels. Therefore, after spending your day at Tash Rabat, you can get the full Tash Rabat experience and stay in the yurt camps nearby.

Where To Stay in Tash Rabat?

Stay at Omurbek’s Yurt Camp in Tash Rabat. A yurt camp that is prided on being clean and neat. A fantastic way to connect with other travelers that are exploring the area. You can book a yurt on their booking website at https://yurt-camp-omurbek-tash-rabat-bangkok.booked.net/.

Day 12: Tash Rabat to Naryn

Located two hours north of Tash Rabat is Naryn. A city that is in the foothills of Naryn-Too. It is one hundred miles from the Chinese border, making it a great tourist attraction. It is also home to the longest river in the country, the Naryn River. In addition, this area has stunning mountains and scenic views.

Raft The Naryn River

Take a rafting tour! Raft down the iconic Naryn River. Go down the crystal waters that provide natural rapids. If white water rafting is a hobby of yours, tackle the Naryn Falls canyon. A specific part of the river that provides intense rafting. The area is not recommended for those to take on alone, so a rafting guide is important.

Son-Kul Lake

If rafting is too intense, take a day visit to Son-Kul Lake. A fifty-six-mile drive west from Naryn. This is the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan. It is known for its rare animal sightings and birds. It also provides tranquil scenery, perfect for relaxing. 

Naryn Walking Tour

In the afternoon, walk around Naryn and take in the gorgeous architecture. Naryn was discovered over a century ago as a Russian garrison town. As a result, the town spotlights post-war buildings.

Walking tours are offered for those who want to learn about the history of this town. In addition, the Naryn area is filled with culture and beauty. This is why it is a must-have on any Kyrgyzstan Itinerary. 

DAY 13: From Naryn back to Bishkek

Spend your day exploring the towns on your way back to Bishkek. A six-hour journey that can be done by cab. At this point, you may think you have crossed off everything on the Kyrgyzstan Itinerary. But there is still so much of Kyrgyzstan to see. 

Burana Tower

A little over an hour outside of Bishkek is the Burana Tower. A very famous historical site in Kyrgyzstan. It is a large tower that exists in the ancient city of Balasagun . Visit the gravestones that sit next to the tower, which are called the bal-bals. This spot is a history lover’s dream. 

Kyrgyz National Opera

If performances and art interest you, then get tickets to the infamous Kyrgyz National Opera. The shows are mostly performed by students who are locals in the area. However, there are also Russian and Kyrgyz performers and artists. Some of their shows include concerts, an evening of Kyrgyz opera, and even a gala concert. Which includes famous artists and performers. You can look up tickets and showtimes at https://www.operabase.com/ .

Bishkek Nightlife

For those looking to dance the night away, Bishkek has fun and lively clubbing options. A famous club in the area is Promzona Club. Which has live music and nightlong dance parties. The club is known to stay open all night with never-ending entertainment options. Promzona is underground and is a best-kept secret unless found. This would be the perfect way to spend your last night in Bishkek. 

Where to stay in Bishkek?

Sheraton Bishkek is a top-rated hotel. Perfect for your last night in Bishkek. It is located in the center city, close to dining and nightlife. A higher-end option averaging $160 per night.

DAY 14: Oak Park and Osh Bazaar

Before heading back to Manas airport, grab some much-needed breakfast. Spend the morning at Sierra Coffee Manas Ave. A cafe that showcases delicious American breakfast options. Including pancakes, waffles, french toast, and oatmeal. During lunch hours, they offer Mexican dishes, salads, and wraps. Don’t forget to indulge in their delicious coffee and lattes. 

After breakfast, take a walk to Oak Park. The park is located near Ala-Too square and is known for its gorgeous scenery. Spend some time viewing the sculptures from artists. Get a game of ping-pong in at their complimentary ping-pong tables. Or, just lounge under a shaded oak tree. Most importantly, take in the beauty of Bishkek.

End your trip at the Osh Bazaar, a three-thousand-year-old market and bazaar. This is one of the most sought-after places to visit and add to your Kyrgyzstan itinerary. It is a highly photographed place in Bishkek. Drawing locals and visitors from all over the world. You can barter with the vendors and buy local gifts to bring back home with you. 

If you take a taxi from downtown Bishkek to Manas Airport, your cost will be around $10 per car. Lastly, spend some time at the airport reflecting on your trip. 

Final Thoughts about Kyrgyzstan Itinerary

Kyrgyzstan is a unique and cultured country that most travelers overlook. Spend fourteen days exploring this historic and majestic area, from the mountains and lakes to the historic buildings.

Kyrgyzstan has something for everyone. Learn from the locals and indulge yourself in the lifestyle. You will leave Kyrgyzstan with more culture and history than you can imagine. 

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Achraf is the cofounder of Walk Beside Me Blog. He is an expert traveler who spent 10+ years exploring 70+ countries around the world. Thanks to his passion for writing and photography, he could document his journey on 100+ blog posts on Walk Beside Me where he shared all his knowledge, expertise, and advice for like-minded travelers.

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Is Kyrgyzstan safe? 15 Useful Things to Know before you go in 2024

Is Kyrgyzstan safe? Is it safe to travel to Kyrgyzstan? Here’s all the safety information you need to know about traveling in Kyrgyzstan in 2024.

Kyrgyzstan is a country that stole my heart. From the very first moment I crossed its border with Kazakhstan , I were stunned by its beautiful pristine mountains.

The country provided me with so many reasons to fall in love with it. It has hundreds of high alpine lakes , a millennia-old culture , beautiful horse treks , and interesting traditions . There are just so many wonderful new things to discover and see in Kyrgyzstan.

Unfortunately, because of its suffix -stan, the country is often associated with other less popular destinations like Afghanistan.

Kyrgyzstan really has a lot of amazing things to offer but is it a safe country? Well, I lived in this Central Asian country for nearly a whole year and keep returning yearly. In this guide, I’ll tell you what I think about safety in Kyrgyzstan.

If you are wondering if Kyrgyzstan is safe to visit as a solo (female) traveler, to backpack around independently with your friends or family or if it is safe for students and expats to live in its capital city Bishkek, you’re in the right place.

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Is Kyrgyzstan safe for tourists?

Kyrgyzstan is a destination that is becoming more and more popular with each year and tourism is growing at an incredible rate. Apart from all the sights the country offers , it is, overall, a very safe place to visit.

Actually, all five countries in Central Asia – Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan – were placed in Level 1 countries by the US Department of State, meaning they are among the safest countries in the world to travel to!

Kyrgyzstan, when it comes to safety, is at the same level as Canada, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, and Singapore. It’s even safer than Level 2 countries such as France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

People in Kyrgyzstan are super welcoming as you see in this video that I filmed when a Kyrgyz family received my friends and I in their home.

The only area that wasn’t safe in the recent years, was the Batken region in the southeast of Kyrgyzstan. There were border disputes between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan but they’ve now been settled. This dispute didn’t target or harm any tourist in Kyrgyzstan.

All other regions in Kyrgyzstan are very safe to visit. I’m talking out of experience as I’m currently traveling around the country with my group tours and it’s been perfectly safe here!

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!

The Kyrgyz government has been pushing more and more initiatives each year to attract tourists and I can easily say that I felt safer there than in some parts of Europe.

Now, do bad things happen in Kyrgyzstan? Yes of course. Petty crime such as theft is not unheard of and corrupt police can sometimes make it challenging to travel around the country by car (they’ll give a fine to locals and foreigners for any reason they can imagine).

2. Is Kyrgyzstan safe for students and expats?

The capital city of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek , is attracting more and more expats and students every year. It is very normal to ask yourself the question of whether Kyrgyzstan is safe for foreigners. I would say that Kyrgyzstan is very safe for foreign students and expats in general.

The Kyrgyz people are very welcoming. When I was living in Bishkek, I often met young Kyrgyz students who were curious about where I came from and who would invite me for a coffee or a meal to talk about my adventures and practice their English.

That being said, expats should still be vigilant about the safety of their personal belongings, especially in big cities like Bishkek , Osh or Karakol. Pick-pocketing is not uncommon in the open air markets such as the Osh bazaar or in city buses in Bishkek .

The best solution to avoid being pick-pocketed is to stay very alert and aware of your belongings at all times. You should leave all your important and valuable items at your hotel and walk around only with what is absolutely necessary.

Keep your wallet in your front pocket or carry a money belt . Another great option is to travel with a slash-resistant and lockable anti-theft bag . I would also recommend getting good travel insurance that covers theft .

Expats in Bishkek is a good Facebook group to become part of when moving to Kyrgyzstan. There are hundreds of expats and locals in this group that can answer your questions concerning safety around the country and that can help you adapt to life in Central Asia.

13 Top Things to do in Bishkek – Bishkek Travel Guide

3. Is Kyrgyzstan safe to travel for families?

Kyrgyzstan is the perfect family-friendly destination. In the Kyrgyz culture, children are very important and considered the ”flowers of life”. Children are treated with the utmost respect and love in Kyrgyzstan in a way that I have never seen anywhere else.

I would even dare to say that it might be easier for a family to travel around Kyrgyzstan than for a solo traveler.

When my friend came to visit me in Bishkek with her husband and two young daughters, it was amazing to see how the Kyrgyz people responded to the presence of the kids.

While the Kyrgyz people were always very welcoming, the fact that we were with children made them even warmer towards us.

T h e 2 8 Top Things to do in Kyrgyzstan

Here are a few recommendations I would have for families traveling to Kyrgyzstan:

• Avoid tap water in Kyrgyzstan 

While tap water in Kyrgyzstan is generally considered safe (see below) I wouldn’t advise it for young kids. It takes a while for the body to adapt to the tap water of a new location.

To avoid buying plastic water bottles, I would recommend bringing a LifeStraw Water Filter Bottle .

This is a bottle that filters water using a filtration device. If you drink water using this bottle, any dirt, bacteria or parasites gets trapped in the filter, while the clean water passes through.

• Be up to date with your kid’s basic vaccination

Your children should be up to date with their basic vaccination before traveling to this country. As an adult, you don’t need any compulsory vaccinations to travel in Kyrgyzstan.

However, vaccinations for Hepatitis A and Typhoid are recommended, especially if you are visiting smaller cities or rural areas, or if you are an adventurous eater.

The government of Kyrgyzstan requires proof of yellow fever vaccination only if you’re arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever.

• Travel with a first-aid kit to Kyrgyzstan

Scratches, cuts and small bruises can happen quickly and unexpectedly. I would suggest bringing a first-aid kit that contains antiseptic wipes, compresses, and band-aids, as well as painkillers and anti-diarrhea medicine. This is the first-aid Kit I recommend .

• Exercise precaution if hiking with kids in Kyrgyzstan

Trekking in Kyrgyzstan is not entirely safe even for experienced trekkers. I would only recommend hiking with kids near Bishkek (In Ala-Archa for example). I would advise reading Things you need to know and do before you go trekking in Kyrgyzstan before you hike with there with kids.

I would also suggest reading The Ultimate Packing List for Trekking in Kyrgyzstan to make sure you bring the right equipment.

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 !

4. Is it safe to hike in Kyrgyzstan?

Hiking in the mountains is never 100% risk-free and the beautiful mountain treks of Kyrgyzstan are no exception. You will be confronted with hazardous terrain, unpredictable weather and the possibility of suffering from altitude sickness depending on where you hike.

Hiking in high mountains comes with inherent risks so it’s important to be well prepared and follow some basic safety rules.

Hiking in Kyrgyzstan is much safer if you follow some basic safety rules…

I wrote some of these general safety guidelines in The Complete Guide to Trekking in Kyrgyzstan .

Whatever you do, do not hike alone in Kyrgyzstan. Hiking alone in Kyrgyzstan is not safe and should never be attempted regardless of whether you are an experienced hiker or not.

The Complete Trekking Guide to Kyrgyzstan with the best day hikes and treks

5. Is it safe to go horseback riding in Kyrgyzstan?

Horseback r iding in Kyrgyzstan can be very safe if you are in the company of a good guide who knows the horse you are riding and the terrain where you are.

Most travelers who go horseback riding in Kyrgyzstan do not necessarily have previous experience riding but they get along fine. Most of them, however, do not ride alone and will always be in the company of a local guide.

Riding a horse alone in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan is something I would never recommend doing. While horseback riding already comes with certain risks, doing it alone only augments those risks even more.

Regardless of your skills as a horse rider, riding a horse in completely new and different terrain is not the safest thing. Some of the high mountain passes in the country can be quite treacherous.

Another thing to consider is that most of the horseback riding in Kyrgyzstan is done at very high altitudes. If you are not used to being so high in the mountains, you could quickly suffer from altitude sickness.

Finally, horseback riding can be dangerous simply because of the horses themselves. Horses all have their own personality and can react differently to different cues and commands.

While most of them will be docile, others can be very disobedient and slightly dangerous.

If you are horseback riding in Kyrgyzstan with a reputed company, they will usually provide you with a good calm horse. In any case, take the time to get used to your horse and see how it reacts to different cues before taking it for a long ride.

The complete guide to horse riding in Kyrgyzstan with the best horse riding destinations

The IATI Backpacker Insurance covers horseback riding and hiking up to 5,400 meters altitude!

6. Is it safe to drive in Kyrgyzstan?

After spending a whole year in Kyrgyzstan, I would say that driving there is not super safe. Many drivers in Kyrgyzstan completely ignore red lights and illegally pass other cars.

Speed limits are almost only observed when the drivers know that some cops are around.

While drivers in Kyrgyzstan don’t drive as fast as most people in Georgia , they still drive pretty recklessly. Once, a friend of mine took a shared taxi to travel between Bakanbayevo and Bishkek and the driver sped up to almost 180 km per hour just because he felt like showing off!

If speed isn’t enough, another factor that could be dangerous while driving in Kyrgyzstan is the presence of numerous potholes. The roads around the country aren’t always very well-maintained and it’s not uncommon to come across uneven pavement and open drains.

Because of these hazards and inadequate lighting, I wouldn’t recommend driving in the Kyrgyz countryside at night unless you’re an experienced driver.

Driving in Kyrgyzstan during winter can also be relatively dangerous. This Central Asian country receives huge quantities of snow during winter. Some roads become very icy and others are completely blocked.

Driving on the Ala-Bel pass towards Osh , or from Bishkek to Almaty is particularly treacherous during winter.

The Ala-Bel pass can be very dangerous during winter…

Another thing to consider when driving in Kyrgyzstan is the fact that there are considerably fewer gas stations as you move away from big cities like Bishkek and Osh .

If you plan to go off the beaten path and to destinations that are farther in the countryside, consider bringing an extra jerrycan to fill up with fuel whenever possible.

One last thing to take into consideration while driving in Kyrgyzstan is the huge presence of corrupt traffic police.

if you travel around the country with your own car, you can expect that the road police will stop you very often and try to find any reason to fine you. This happened a lot to me when driving around the country with my two English friends.

Cops stopped us 5 times per day, trying to get some money by telling us that we weren’t wearing our seatbelts, that we were speeding and once there was a cop who just plainly told us to give him $50 without giving any reason why…

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

7. Is public transportation in Kyrgyzstan safe?

In Kyrgyzstan, there are different types of public transportation; buses, minibusses (also called marshrutka) and shared taxis. While buses and minibusses are relatively safe, shared taxis aren’t always.

They usually are old Mercedez, not safely maintained and commonly lack the rear seat belts. On top of that, drivers of shared taxis drive insanely fast.

Marshrutkas at the western bus station in Bishkek

8. Is the food in Kyrgyzstan safe?

The food in Kyrgyzstan is usually very hearty and filling. Imagine the type of food you would eat before going on a four-day trek in the mountains and you’ll have an idea of what Kyrgyz traditional food looks like.

Most dishes consist of mutton, beef and chicken meat, served in dumplings, on top of noodles or rice or alongside potatoes.

Kyrgyz people are traditionally big meat eaters. If you’re a vegetarian, it will be challenging to find some typical Kyrgyz dishes without meat. You can still ask for something without meat and possibly get it but expect some weird looks.

Find out more about food and drinks in Kyrgyzstan h e re .

9. Can you drink the water in Kyrgyzstan?

Tap water in Kyrgyzstan is generally considered safe although it takes a bit of time getting used to it. After living in Bishkek for a few weeks,I started drinking only tap water and I didn’t have any problems.

What I wouldn’t recommend is drinking water from the springs and many rivers you may encounter while hiking without purifying it. Because many shepherds let their flocks of sheep and goats roam freely near rivers, these water sources might be contaminated.

Bring purifying tablets or a LifeStraw Water Filter Bottle during your hikes in Kyrgyzstan .

The Complete Packing List for Kyrgyzstan

10. How is healthcare in Kyrgyzstan?

Modern health care is not available everywhere in Kyrgyzstan. The health care system is based on the Soviet style of health care which can seem very different in comparison to Western countries.

Generally, the medical personnel is knowledgeable but the system lacks the modern health care technology available in the rest of the world. There are very limited numbers of medical staff that speak English.

If you need medical attention at any point during your time in B i shkek , I highly recommend NeoMed Clinic .

This clinic is located in the city center of Bishkek and staffed with a few English speaking doctors. Their address is:

46 Orozbekova St. Tel: (312) 906090

and this is where they are located:

If you need specialized healthcare while you are in Bishkek, we also recommend having a look at this list of all the clinics and hospitals in Bishkek .

If you need an ambulance in Bishkek, you should dial 103 .

11. Travel insurance for Kyrgyzstan

Most of the tourism is Kyrgyzstan is centered around mountain hiking. These treks and hikes in the Kyrgyz mountains will take you to some dangerous high mountains passes.

Because of this, it’s very important to have good travel insurance before traveling to Kyrgyzstan. The first one I recommend is SafetyWing .

This insurance covers horseback riding, wintersports and treks of up to 4,000 meters. If you’re into extreme sports and you want to hike in high mountain altitudes up to 5400 meters, then I’d recommend IATI Backpacker .

Both SafetyWing and IATI Backpacker are some of the few policies that won’t require you to be in your home country to purchase, renew or extend your insurance. If your trip happens to go on a little longer than planned, you can easily extend your plan online.

What is the best budget-friendly travel insurance ? The 3 Best Insurance Companies Compared!

12. Are there areas of Kyrgyzstan you should avoid?

Most of Kyrgyzstan is very safe but there are still a few areas around the country that could pose a risk to your safety.

While there haven’t been widespread violent disputes since 2010, tensions still exists at the Kyrgyz-Tajik border in Batken. There has been an ongoing conflict between the two countries and travelers should currently avoid visiting the Batken region in Kyrgyzstan.

There have been recently violent attacks in this region. If you’re planning to travel to Tajikistan by land, you have to travel via Uzbekistan and cross one of the land borders there.

13. Is there terrorism in Kyrgyzstan?

There have been terror attacks in Kyrgyzstan in the past, particularly in the area near the Uzbek border south-west of Osh.

A suicide bomb attack targeted the Chinese Embassy on the outskirts of Bishkek on 30 August 2016 and was reportedly carried out by the Turkestan Islamic Party.

While these were frightening events, Kyrgyzstan is, in general, a very peaceful country that does not suffer from the plague of regular acts of terrorism.

14. Is Bishkek a safe city?

Bishkek is a very safe city. Although It is quite populated, it has a very low crime rate and the few crimes that happen there are mostly petty crimes such as pick-pocketing.

The city attracts many expats who live there on a yearly basis. The numerous cafes around Bishkek with high-speed internet makes it a popular destination for digital nomads .

If you walk alone at night in Bishkek, I would suggest avoiding poorly lit streets as night crime has happened there occasionally in the past.

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More kyrgyzstan travel resources.

• The Complete Travel Guide to Kyrgyzstan
• The 14 best hikes in Kyrgyzstan
• The 25 most beautiful places 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

13 thoughts on “Is Kyrgyzstan safe? 15 Useful Things to Know before you go in 2024”

Prečítal som si vaše komentáre o Kyrgystane. Ja som dôchodca (nad 74) ale cestujem sám, minulý rok som bol v Kazachstane 3 týždne: v Almaty a potom som cestoval vlakom do Astany. Bol som krajinou milo prekvapený ale najmä horami (Čimbulak, a pereval Tangla) kam vedie lanová dráha. Asi mám výhodu v tom, že hovorím dobre po rusky a nemal som problém si tam nič vybaviť. Predpokladám, že podobné to bude aj v Kirgizsku. Chcem navštíviť Biškek, Oš a jazero Issyk Kul. Plánujem to stihnúť za 21 dní. Hotel v Biškeku už mám zaistený. Len neviem ako získať dobrý taxík resp. letenku do mesta Oš asi tam narýchlo bude ťažko možno kúpiť. Ako dlho trvá cesta maršrutkou? Jozef

Ahoj Jozef (tu použijem preklad Google), zdieľané taxíky z Biškeku do Ošu nájdeš na západnej autobusovej stanici v Biškeku. Je to jediný spôsob, ako cestovať medzi oboma mestami. Cesta trvá približne 10 hodín. Môžete tiež využiť vnútroštátny let z Biškeku do Ošu za približne 55 eur, let trvá 45 minút. Dúfam, že vám to pomôže. Všetko najlepšie!

What a amazing information you have provided in this blog. I have seen few vlogs before on Kyrgyzstan but none were as informative as you have explained. Moreover, most of the bloggers cover just Bishkek and Osh whereas you have covered all of the topics related to all different regions worth visiting in this beautiful country. Thanks very much!

Thank you Harshpreet!

Hi there, really great guide, so thanks for that! Just wondering if you have any thoughts on travelling to Kyrgyzstan this year given the Russian situation…To your knowledge is it affecting things there, economically or other?

Hi Neill, thank you. The war is also affecting the fuel prices etc in Kyrgyzstan but you don’t have to worry in terms of safety. On the contrary, people need tourism more than ever now and they’ll welcome travelers with open arms.

Hi There! How dangerous trekking to Ala-Kul lake ? Or it is better go with local guides? i would love to go in this summer. Now can’t decide to go myself rather tour guide.

You could do this trek without a guide but I wouldn’t recommend doing this trek entirely on your own. Never hike in these mountains by yourself! If you don’t want to get a guide, you can always look for a hiking buddy in the ho(s)tel you’re staying. If you do decide to get a guide, please contact me as I can refer you to a fantastic local guide! Best wishes, Cynthia

I’ll be going to Bishtect in late Aug and spending a few days there alone.

I would love to retire to Kyrgyzstan.I live in the USA. Is there a retirement visa offered by the Country?

Hi Robert, I don’t think that the Kyrgyz government offers a retirement visa. It could be good to speak with your embassy and see what is possible for you!

Omg where was the first picture taken? SO beautiful!!

Hi Anne, I’m not sure if you mean the featured photo or the first photo within the article. The featured photo was taken in Altyn Arashan, the first photo within the article in the valley near Kel Suu lake. We just got back from our 1st group tour at Kel Suu and it was spectacular (again!!). It’s a very remote place, not accessible with public transportation, which makes it extra special 🙂

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