This is one of the farthest countries from the ocean. A country, mostly consisting of high mountains, deep valleys, snowy peaks, and vast plains. This is Kyrgyzstan, located on the eastern side of Central Asia, an off-the-beaten-path land with gorgeous nature and a unique culture. Let’s go deeply into details about traveling in Kyrgyzstan, with tips and facts on how to travel there, where to go, what to see and try, and more.
Table of Contents
Geographical overview
Kyrgyzstan is not among the most popular travel destinations, but it is not due to the lack of amazing places to see, try, and enjoy. It is located in the mountain areas of Central Asia, in the mountains of “The Roof Of The World” (sometimes called “The Greater Ranges” of Asia, including the Himalayas, Tibet, Karakoram, Hindukush, Pamir, Tian Shan, and more). The mountain range that dominates the territory of Kyrgyzstan is mostly Tian Shan and the northernmost part of Pamir.
Tian Shan
Tian Shan (in Chinese- “The Heavenly Mountains”) is a long mountain range, consisting of dozens of mountain ridges, rising mostly from west to east, often separated by large valleys and even a large lake (Lake Issyk Kul).
They are the northwestern mountain portion of “The Greater Ranges”, surrounded by the plains of Central Asia in the west and north, the Tarim Basin in the south and east, and connected to the Pamir Mountains in the southwest. From the southwestern ridge, called Pamir-Alay Range (sometimes considered as a part of Pamir, sometimes as a part of Tian Shan, or just a separate range) to Barkol Range in the far northeast, there are around 2900 km.
The highest peak in Tian Shan is Mt Jengish Chokusu (7439 m), located in Kakshaal Too, one of the ranges of Tian Shan. The second highest peak, again in this range, called Khan Tengri (6995 m) is considered one of the most beautiful snow peaks in the world.
The Tian Shan is shared between Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and China. The largest portion of the Heavenly Mountains is in China, but the country where the Tian Shan occupies the largest land is Kyrgyzstan.
Pamir
The Pamir is the neighboring mountain system that belongs to “The Greater Ranges”, located southwest of Tian Shan. The largest portion of it is located in Tajikistan, another significant portion (with the highest peak Kongur Tagh- 7649 m). And only a small portion- the northern side of the Trans-Alay Range with Lenin Peak (7134 m), and a part of the questioned Pamir-Alay Range are located in Kyrgyzstan.
Overall geography of Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan is a small country, one of the smallest in Central Asia, along with Tajikistan. Bishkek is its capital, and usually the main starting point for exploring the land. Geographically, Kyrgyzstan can be divided into northern, middle, and southern parts, without a clear physical “border” between them, but certain administrative borders can be accepted for a better vision.
The southern (actually, southwestern) part consists of Osh and Batken regions. The middle part consists of Jalal-Abad and Naryn regions. And the northern part consists of the regions of Talas, Chuy, and Karakol, with the capital Bishkek.
So, let’s get into the details.
Southern Kyrgyzstan
The southern part of Kyrgyzstan is the regions of Osh and Batken. Physically, it includes the northern side of the Trans-Alay Range of Pamir, the eastern part of the Pamir-Alay Range, the valley between them (this is the valley of Kyzyl Suu River), and the southern portion of the Ferghana Valley.
Osh
Osh is the second largest city in Kyrgyzstan, the historical and cultural center of the southern part of the country. It is located on the southern side of the Ferghana Valley, not far from the border with Uzbekistan.
Here you can feel the typical atmosphere from the plains of Central Asia. It is closer to the feeling of the splendid cities like Samarkand or Bukhara in Uzbekistan, rather than the nomad culture in the high mountains of Tian Shan. Although here you can’t expect too much of the gorgeous medieval architecture that can be found in the mentioned gems of Uzbekistan, you can still experience the same Central Asian vibes.
Osh is the starting (or ending) point for exploring the south of Kyrgyzstan, the neighboring Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan or getting to the north. First, let’s start with the south.
Pamir-Alay Range
This is the range that surrounds the Ferghana Valley from the south, and it is directly south of Osh. Only the eastern part of this range belongs to Kyrgyzstan, and the rest is shared between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The highest peak in this range is Pik Skalisty (5621 m), located in the territory of Kyrgyzstan.
In the south, the Pamir-Alay Range descends to the valley of Kyzyl Suu River, and beyond it is the Trans-Alay Range.
Trans-Alay Range
The Trans-Alay Range is a part of the Pamir Mountains. Only the northern side of the range belongs to Kyrgyzstan, the rest belongs to Tajikistan. Here the most popular destination is Lenin Peak (7134 m), on the border between the two countries, which is also the highest peak in this mountain range.
This mountain area is popular not only among the regular hikers but also among the mountaineers. They climb not only Lenin Peak but also many of the neighboring peaks like Latvia Peak, Estonia Peak, and more, many of them higher than 6000 m altitude. The more moderate hikers have a lot of hiking opportunities to stunning alpine lakes, glaciers, nomadic settlements, and fantastic alpine landscapes.
Middle Kyrgyzstan
The middle part of Kyrgyzstan consists of Jalal-Abad and Naryn regions. In general, this is mostly a transitional area between the two main cultural and touristic centers Osh and Bishkek. It includes several ranges of the Tian Shan that extend into Uzbekistan in the west and China (Xinjiang) in the east. In the south, it descends into the Ferghana Valley.
This area is less populated and less developed, with no clear cultural center like Osh in the south or Bishkek in the north. The landscape is arid in the lowest parts and mostly covered by alpine meadows in the higher elevations.
The region of Jalal-Abad in the west is more rugged and mountainous, although the mountains here are not too high, compared to the mountains in the east. Some of the most popular places to visit here are Arslanbob with its famous walnut forest, the less-known Sarychelek Lake, Toktogul, and more.
The region of Naryn is higher in altitude and presents more plateau-like landscapes. Snow-capped mountains are combined with large alpine plains covered by grasslands. Here is one of the most beautiful lakes in Central Asia- Song Kol. Another mysterious place to visit is Tash Rabat- an ancient caravanserai, located in the far southeast of the country.
Northern Kyrgyzstan
This is the most visited, most touristy, and most developed part of Kyrgyzstan. It is mainly because here is the capital Bishkek, the famous Lake Issyk Kul, and Karakol with its hiking trails.
There are four main mountain areas in Northern Kyrgyzstan- Kyrgyz Alatoo in the west, Kyungey and Trans-Ili Alatoo in the north, Terskey Alatoo in the south, and Kakshaal Alatoo in the far northeast. In the middle, they are separated by Lake Issyk Kul, and in the northwest, the mountains descend into the low plains of Central Asia.
Bishkek and Kyrgyz Alatoo
Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, is the main entrance point to the country. It is a relatively new city and doesn’t have the same vibes as Osh in the south, but you still can feel the atmosphere of northern Central Asia.
South of Bishkek is the snowy Kyrgyz Alatoo, with the highest peak Semenov Tienshansky (4895 m). Here is the famous national park Ala-Archa with its stunning alpine landscapes- the closest mountain getaway from the capital.
Lake Issyk Kul and Kyunkey Alatoo
Lake Issyk Kul is considered the “Riviera of Central Asia”. Although its water is cool even in summer due to the high altitude (1607 m), it is still a favorite place for “sea resorting” for the locals. Indeed, many new resorts were built in recent years, mostly on its northern coast. Cholpon-Ata is the most popular of them.
North of Issyk Kul is Kyunkey Alatoo (and Trans-Ili Alatoo behind it). Only its southern part belongs to Kyrgyzstan, the rest is in the territory of Kazakhstan. The highest peak here is Choktal (4771 m).
Karakol and Terskey Alatoo
This is the southern portion of the Issyk-Kul region. The long range of Terskey Alatoo rises south of the lake, with the highest point of Karakol Peak (5216 m). The city of Karakol (third largest in Kyrgyzstan) is the main starting point for exploring this area.
The mountains here are famous for their “Alps-looking” landscape, mostly due to the combination of gorgeous alpine coniferous forests with sharp, snow-capped peaks and picturesque valleys between them. Here are the most popular hiking trails in Central Asia- Ala-Kol Trek, the fantastic Skazka Canyon, Jety-Oguz and many more gems, attracting a lot of adventurous travelers.
Kakshaal Alatoo
This is the highest and most inaccessible part of Kyrgyzstan, where the borders of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and China meet. Here are the highest peaks in the whole of Tian Shan- Jengish Chokusu (7439 m) and Khan Tengri (6995/7010 m). These peaks have been climbed only by professional mountaineers and access to their foot is possible only by a heavy multiday trekking along the Engilchek Valley and Glacier.
History of Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan has a long history, although the Kyrgyz nation has a different story because their initial homeland wasn’t what is now Kyrgyzstan.
But let’s make a short overview of the history of the land and the history of the Kyrgyz people.
Prehistorical period (unknown to 550 BC)
The land of modern Kyrgyzstan has been inhabited by various ethnic groups belonging mostly to the Turkic families. There is no trace of clearly identified kingdoms or empires, except for some small local states, but there are a lot of remains from some discovered ancient cultures that can be found in the museums of Kyrgyzstan.
The ancestors of the modern Kyrgyz were probably living in Central Siberia, known as “Enisey Kyrgyz”, as a part of a larger group of nomadic people.
Achaemenid Persian period (550 to 330 BC)
Actually, this period is valid only for the region around the modern Osh. Around 550 BC, Cyrus II of Persia conquered this area- the Ferghana Valley. But he hasn’t proceeded further into the high mountains. They were sparsely inhabited by some nomads related to Yuezhi.
Hellenistic period (330 to 30 BC)
After the conquest of Alexander II The Great, the Ferghana Valley, as well as the whole of the Persian Empire became a part of the Macedon Empire. It quickly disintegrated into smaller kingdoms and empires, and this area was a part of the Seleucid Empire, then a part of the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom. This kingdom also disintegrated around 90 BC and in 30 BC was replaced with a new empire- the Kushan Empire.
The high mountains remained generally untouched by these events.
Kushan period (30 BC to 410 AD)
The new empire was created by the Yuezhi and Tokhari people. It stretched from the southern Tian Shan mountains to North India. It was mainly a Buddhist empire, and this time, it ruled over most of Kyrgyzstan.
Sasanid-Hephtalit-Gokturk period (410 to 745)
After the fall of the Kushan Empire, the Sasanids briefly controlled the Ferghana Valley but were replaced by the Hephtalites, who spread over the whole of modern Kyrgyzstan. And in 560, a new power came from the north- the Turks that created Gok-Turk Khaganate. About 100 years later the Turks disputed the land with the Chinese Tang Empire.
In 710, the Arabs reached the Ferghana Valley. Btw, you can notice how different was the history of this valley compared to the rest of Kyrgyzstan. That’s why modern Osh has different vibes than the other parts of the country today, as mentioned above.
During this period was the migration of the Kyrgyz from Central Siberia to Central Asia.
Uyghur Khagatane period (745 to 840)
In 745, the Uyghurs established their kingdom- Uyghur Khaganate. This kingdom spread over the modern land of Kyrgyzstan, Chinese Xinjiang, and beyond. But their reign was not too long. The time of the Kyrgyz people came.
Medieval Kyrgyz period (840 to 1050)
The Kyrgyz established their state and it flourished during this period. They ruled over most of what is today Kyrgyzstan, but part of its territory was under the rule of the Qarakhanid Empire. Eventually, around 1050, the Kyrgyz state declined and was absorbed into the state of the Qarakhanids, at least on this land.
Qarakhanid-Kwarezmid period (1050 to 1124)
The Qarakhanids had Turkic origin. They reigned over the land of Kyrgyzstan until 1124. Then, new invaders came from the East- the Kara-Khitans (Liao).
Kara-Khitan period (1050 to 1124)
The Kara-Khitans (Liao) established their state around 1124 and controlled most of what is today Kyrgyzstan. Only the Ferghana valley remained under the rule of the Qarakhanids.
Mongol period (1218 to 1370)
Soon the Mongols came. They destroyed the Kwarezmid Empire and conquered the whole of Central Asia, including the land of Kyrgyzstan. The local Kyrgyz didn’t resist and peacefully joined the Mongol Empire, collaborating with the Mongols.
However, soon after the death of Genghis Khan, the Mongol Empire also started to disintegrate into smaller empires and kingdoms. Meanwhile, the Kyrgyz rebelled around the 1270s and gained independence in the high mountains.
Timurid period (1370 to 1506)
This new empire was established by Timur, known as Tamerlan, as a descendant of the Mongols. The Timurids conquered a large territory, from modern Turkey to India, and Kyrgyzstan was included in their empire and the Timurids had a unifying role to the locals. However, this empire declined too, and new powers emerged in the region.
New Turkic period (1506 to 1876)
This was a period of smaller Turkic states. A few kingdoms (khanates) were established in Central Asia and partly included various portions of today’s Kyrgyzstan. The most prominent of them was the Khanate of Bukhara.
At the end of this period, the influence of the Russian Empire started to grow in this region.
Early Russian period (1868 to 1917)
The Russians started their conquest of Central Asia and in 1876 spread their empire over the land of Kyrgyzstan. They created a vassal entity called Russian Turkestan. However, they still preserved the former emirates- Bukhara and Kokand, under the Russian Tsar’s control.
Soviet period (1917 to 1991)
After the Communist revolution in 1917, a civil war broke out around the whole of Russia. In 1920 the former Russian Turkestan and its emirates were removed and after four years of chaos, the Kyrgyz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (later renamed Kyrgyz SSR) was created in 1926. It was a part of the USSR until 1991.
Republic of Kyrgyzstan (1991 until today)
In 1991, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, Kyrgyzstan also proclaimed its independence. Since that time, the history of the young state has been relatively stable, only with some occasional unrest, that led to a change of the presidents.
Today, Kyrgyzstan is proceeding with its development and now is a peaceful and safe country.
Culture
When we talk about the culture in Kyrgyzstan, in general, we have to divide it into three main areas- modern Kyrgyz in the north and the big cities, the Kyrgyz in the Ferghana Valley, and the nomadic culture in the mountains.
Kyrgyz culture in the north and the big cities outside of the Ferghana Valley
The culture in this regions is highly Westernized. Although Kyrgyzstan is officially a Muslim country, the influence of Islam here is very weak. People wear normal clothes as in Europe. Yes, some women (mostly in older age) cover their heads but they are a minority, especially in Bishkek.
Many older men wear white Kyrgyz “kalpaks”- the national traditional hat for men. It is however related to their folklore tradition, rather than to their religion.
Kyrgyz culture in the Ferghana Valley
The main city here is Osh. As mentioned above, the Ferghana Valley has a quite different history than the rest of Kyrgyzstan and was much more exposed to the influence of Islam.
Yes, people here as also quite Westernized but Islam is stronger than in Bishkek or Karakol. That’s why the locals in Osh and its surroundings are more conservative.
Kyrgyz nomads in the mountains and small villages
These people live a different type of lifestyle. In summer, many of them usually go to the high mountains, mostly in the alpine grasslands where they look after their livestock. And in late fall, they descend to their villages and small towns to spend the winter. This is not an easy life but they were adapted to it for many centuries.
When they stay in the mountains, they usually live in yurts (gers)- a white round type of tent. This tent is static, they leave it for the winter season and back to it in summer. Yurts have been so widely used for centuries that they have become one of the Kyrgyz national symbols, and the round hole on their roofs is imaged on the flag of Kyrgyzstan.
As in many other regions in the world, the culture and lifestyle of the nomads are much simpler, and not too affected by modern civilization (although, of course, today they also use mobile phones and SUV jeeps). But the way of life they live has made them more hospitable to travelers- it is not unlikely that they can invite you to their yurt (ger) to be their guest.
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How to explore Kyrgyzstan- best things to do
With such a wide variety of nature, culture, and history, Kyrgyzstan offers a lot of things to do, and these things can allow you to try the best of the country. So, when you build your Kyrgyzstan itinerary or a longer, multi-country itinerary in this region, try to include more of the things described below.
Explore the culture and lifestyle in the big cities
This is usually the first thing you can do in Kyrgyzstan if you arrive by plane. You would most probably arrive in Bishkek or Osh. If you have enough time, don’t be in a hurry to jump to the mountains (unless the big cities and civilization are not your thing), but plan at least 1-2 more days to explore these cities.
You can notice two different cultural styles. As mentioned above, they belong to two different cultural zones. The first one is the southern Central Asia culture. It is more Islamic and more historical. You can experience it in the best way in Osh.
And the second one is the northern Central Asia culture. It is more related to the Russian influence. The best centers of this culture are Bishkek and Karakol.
You can easily see and feel the difference between these two styles. So, I would recommend including at least Bishkek and Osh in your itinerary, to try them both.
Enjoy the “Riviera of Central Asia”- Lake Issyk Kul
Lake Issyk Kul is sometimes called “The Eye of Tian Shan”, due to its shape like an eye seen from above. There are more big lakes in Central Asia but this one is the most beautiful of them. That’s why it has become a favorite place for “sea resorting”, not only for the local Kyrgyz but also for people from the neighboring countries- Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and even Russia.
The lake is easily accessible from Bishkek. There are a lot of minibusses (called “marshrutka”) traveling on the route between Bishkek and Karakol, or a part of it. They usually travel along the northern coast of Issyk Kul and you can take off at any point.
There are a lot of villages turned into resorts on the northern coast. The largest and most popular of them is Cholpon Ata, a former small town, today enlarged by new and modern hotels, villas, shops, playgrounds, and more vocational touristy attributes.
But besides the modern resorts, you can still find something more authentic, mostly on the southern coast of the lake. There are yurt camps at the lake shore where you can enjoy the local nomadic tradition with the beautiful lake landscape.
Go on a long-distance journey around Kyrgyzstan and beyond
Kyrgyzstan is full of fantastic landscapes. Traveling through these landscapes is like traveling through an amazing fairy tale. This country is a place with a lot of points of interest. But the best thing is that the roads between these points are “lines” of interest of their own!
So, crossing Kyrgyzstan on land is something you should try. Don’t “jump” by plane between Bishkek, Osh, and Karakol- you would miss a lot of fantastic beauty in the middle!
You can use minibuses (“marshrutkas”) for this purpose but they are not available everywhere, and they are not the most convenient way of transport. It would be much better if you find your own transport- a rental car, or why not your own vehicle!
Finally, if you are enough adventurous and have enough time, plan your Kyrgyzstan route as a part of a longer route through Central Asia. An example can be a trip from Tashkent (Uzbekistan) to Dushanbe (Tajikistan), then a journey on the Pamir Highway to Osh. From there, you can proceed to Karakol and Bishkek, and then return to Tashkent.
Or of course, you can just cross the whole of this area and proceed further to other lands in Asia!
Hike the Tian Shan and Pamir
With so many mountains everywhere, Kyrgyzstan is a hiking paradise. So, unless you have some difficulties concerning hiking, you should include at least one hiking route on your Kyrgyzstan itinerary.
If you don’t have enough experience, or if you come to Kyrgyzstan for the first time and your time is limited, there are several famous hiking trails that you should try (at least one of them). The most popular trails include the Ala-Kol trek (with the famous Altyn Arashan hot springs), the Lenin Peak trek, and the trek in Ala-Archa.
Yes, sometimes these trails can be crowded by people but they are not popular without reason- they lead you to a really fantastic, breathtaking scenery that should not be missed!
But of course, if you have more experience and more time, try something off-the-beaten-path (keeping in mind all the necessary preparations and cautions from danger). You can find hundreds of such trails that can lead you “to another world”, far away from civilization.
Spend some time with the nomads
The nomadic culture and lifestyle is one of the Kyrgyzstan’s features. The symbol of this feature is the yurt (ger). You don’t necessarily live in one room or yurt together with a nomadic family, but at least you should spend a night in a yurt.
The Kyrgyz people know about the interest of the tourists concerning yurts and today there are a lot of yurt camps, located in strategic places like Lake Song Kol, around the base camp of Lenin Peak, in Tash Rabat, along the trail to Ala-Kol, and other popular destinations.
Of course, these yurts are made for tourists, like hotel rooms. But even the shape of the yurt inside and outside, and its interior already can give you some unique taste.
To make the whole picture fuller, try some horse riding (if you aren’t afraid of riding)! Many yurt camps offer horse riding around the amazing scenery.
But if you are more adventurous, again- go further, to the “real” nomads. Usually, they can welcome you in their yurt, and you can sleep in a “real” yurt (not a hotel room), riding “real” horses (not those trained for tourists).
Get more adventurous- climb the highest peaks of Tian Shan
Finally, you can reach the highest peaks in Kyrgyzstan. Of course, this type of activity is not for everyone but only for trained mountaineers who have to join climbing expeditions.
The peaks of Pamir (Lenin Peak, Estonia, Latvia, and more), as well as the highest peaks in the Tian Shan (Jengish Chokusu, Khan Tengri, and more), have always attracted climbers from all over the world.
Needless to say, most of them are a serious challenge, with all the dangers of such type of mountaineering, and with unsuccessful expeditions (at least some of these peaks like Lenin Peak don’t require serious climbing but just hard hiking on ice and snow).
However, even if you are not a professional climber, you can still “touch” these peaks, reaching the base camps at their foot. Lenin Peak is easy. But to reach the base camps of Jengish Chokusu or Khan Tengri requires joining a multiday expensive organized trek. But if this is your passion, why not? Try it!
All of the activities described above are seasonable. They are fully available in summer.
But in winter, they are limited. You can still dive in the culture, but you can’t swim in Lake Issyk Kul (unless you are exclusively trained for icy waters). You can’t visit the authentic nomads because they are in the villages. Many roads are closed and hidden under thick snow. Hiking is also more difficult and dangerous. This makes Kyrgyzstan a “seasonable” country for visiting.
Kyrgyzstan packing list- what to bring
It depends on what you are going to do, and in which season. Although winter limits the activities you can try, you still can enjoy some of them (at least partially) but with better and proper equipment.
Of course, no matter where you go, what you will do, and in which season, you must always remember the most important: documents, money, a bank card, and all electronics- for navigation, communication, and beautiful photos and videos.
Gear for traveling in the big cities and in the lowlands
This is the easiest part of Kyrgyzstan for traveling. In general, the weather is dry throughout the whole year. There are rains sometimes in the spring, summer, and fall, even in winter, and occasionally- snow in winter.
But since you are going to explore mostly culture and history, in other words- mostly human-made sights, you don’t need any special gear. Besides the necessary things mentioned above, you can just bring your normal things for an urban trip (like on a trip to cities in Europe, southern Canada, USA, etc.)- normal clothes, shoes, toiletry, probably an umbrella, and something else that you have to get used to bring.
Gear for traveling on a long-distance journey
Now this is something different. What you will bring very depends on the transportation that you are going to use on this route. It also depends on whether will you go hiking or not. And again- the season.
First, most roads cross high-altitude areas. Even in summer, the weather is cool there, and it can be cold and even snowy sometimes. So, you should bring some warm clothes, including a jacket. And if you go there in a colder season, you have to prepare for cold winter conditions (a winter coat, winter gloves, a winter hat, etc.)
In summer, you can wear just three-season hiking shoes or even summer hiking shoes. Yes, even if you don’t go hiking, still bring hiking shoes (or boots) because even the road itself is raw and rugged.
I would also advise bringing a sleeping bag with a comfort temperature of at least -5C. Yes, if you don’t go camping, most probably you will not use it, but if you travel by hitchhiking and shared taxis, and remain “in the middle of nowhere” without a car in the dark, you’d better be prepared. And to be more sure that you are protected from rain, bring a tent or at least a tarp or a bivy. I talk about summertime. Winter is a different story- you have to be prepared for polar conditions if you can travel on the covered-by-snow roads at all!
In addition, bring sunscreen. Sun is very strong here, in every season. And for winter, bring sunglasses (in summer they are not mandatory but can be useful too).
Gear for hiking in the Tian Shan
Yes, you most probably will do some hike while you travel in Kyrgyzstan. So, if you go there in summer, again, prepare your shoes- summer hiking shoes or three-season hiking shoes. In addition, bring hiking poles (of course, this is not necessary, if your style is hiking without poles).
But if you go climbing (mountaineering), that’s different. You have to bring all your climbing gear. This is a special experience that you would usually do as a part of a climbing expedition, and you should be trained for that. There are enough peaks for climbing in the Tian Shan and the Pamir, so, if you are a climber, you can find some good opportunities.
Camping gear
Most probably, you will stay in local guesthouses, “hotel yurts”, or local homes. But you can also go camping. Camping “in the middle of nowhere”, under the vastness of space is a unique experience.
So, in this case, bring your camping gear- a good tent, a sleeping bag (at least -5C comfort), a sleeping pad, a cooking set, a headlamp (or just a lamp for camping), and enjoy! In addition, in such cases, I would also recommend a solar panel to charge your electronics “far from civilization”.
Snorkeling gear
I talk about Lake Issyk Kul (the other lakes like Song Kol or Chatyr Kol are too high in the mountain and too cold to swim). Lake water is cool in summer but still proper for swimming and even snorkeling. First, of course, bring your swimsuit, and other beach accessories (like towel, slippers, etc.).
Then, you can bring a snorkel, a mask, and fins. Issyk Kul is not as spectacular as the tropical seas underwater, and its water itself is not too transparent but you can still see some unique underwater views.
Useful tips
So, let’s get into some important details that you can consider when you plan your Kyrgyzstan itinerary.
Visa policy of Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan has one of the most liberal visa policies in the world. Today, there is no country whose citizens should go to a Kyrgyz embassy to obtain a visa in advance. In general, visitors to Kyrgyzstan can be divided into three groups.
- Visa-free (for 30, 90 days, or unlimited time): all citizens from the EU, all the former Soviet republics, and countries like Japan, South and North Korea, Mongolia, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Australia, Thailand, Canada, USA, Mexico, Cuba, Brazil, Chile, and Argentina.
- e-Visa: visitors from all countries in Africa, the rest of Asia, North, and South America.
- Visa-on-arrival: visitors from South Africa, Indonesia, Philippines, and Venezuela (they can also obtain an e-Visa, just have one more option).
For more details, see here Visa policy of Kyrgyzstan.
Important note:
if you enter Kyrgyzstan from Tajikistan on the Pamir Highway (Kyzyl Art Pass), you have to contact a tour company in Kyrgyzstan. They will register you and will send an invitation to the border checkpoint. Otherwise, they will not allow you to enter Kyrgyzstan (at least, they can help you to arrange such a registration while you spend one night at the border, waiting for the tour company to arrange it, but don’t count on it!).
Currency
Kyrgyzstani Som (KGS). Currently, 1 KGS = 0,012 USD, or 1 USD = 84.03 KGS. These numbers make the calculation a bit complicated, so be careful until you get used to them.
Electric socket
Plugs: type F (with 2 round pins, like in Europe). Voltage: 220 V/50Hz
Language
There are two official languages in Kyrgyzstan- Kyrgyz and Russian. Both languages use the Cyrillic alphabet.
Currently, most people can’t speak English and those who can are mostly young people. If you know Russian, it would be a big advantage but if not, you may need a translator. And with the poor internet in some areas, Google Translate would be difficult to use.
Anyway, the good news is that in the most touristy areas, the local Kyrgyz who work in tourism can speak English.
Transportation
The main gateways for those who arrive in Tajikistan by air are Bishkek and Osh airports. These airports are international, with connections to most cities in Asia and some cities in Europe, especially to Bishkek.
There are several more airports, but they are only domestic. However, if you travel in winter, they are the only option to cross the high mountains since the roads are usually closed.
You can also reach Kyrgyzstan on land- by trains from Tashkent, or even Moscow, and on the roads, crossing the land border- from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China.
Traveling on the roads of Kyrgyzstan
Currently, the road network around Kyrgyzstan is not equally developed everywhere. The best-developed area is the roads around Bishkek, the roads connecting Bishkek with Karakol along the Lake Issyk Kul, and the roads around Osh. But between these “pockets”, there are only a few good roads that lead to somewhere else. Everything else is mostly dirt roads.
So, that’s the problem now. Bishkek is well-connected with Karakol. But Osh is quite isolated from Bishkek. Yes, there is a good road that connects the two cities, but it is too long, with endless curves in the mountains.
There is also a relatively good road connecting Karakol with Naryn. But there are only dirt roads connecting Osh with the east and northeast of Kyrgyzstan.
The good news is that there is a new, excellent paved road, still in construction, connecting Osh with the northeast of the country. It is going to be opened in November 2024.
Domestic on-land transportation
Marshrutka
The main way of public transportation around Kyrgyzstan is the minibus, called “marshrutka”. It is used not only inside the big cities in the country but also between them. They are cheap and regularly used by the locals, so they are not always too convenient (they can be crowded, can stop every 500 m, and it is expected of you to stand up and give your seat to women without a seat).
However, again, due to the partially undeveloped road network, they travel only between Bishkek and Karakol, around Bishkek, between Bishkek and Talas, around Osh, between Osh, Jalal-Abad, and Batken, and on the direction between Karakol and Naryn.
Shared taxi
In addition, there are also shared taxis, slightly more expensive than the marshrutkas, generally traveling on the same routes. The good thing is that some shared taxis travel on routes that marshrutkas don’t go, like on the old road between Jalal-Abad and Kazarman, and further to Kochkor and Balykchy. However, they are much more expensive due to the bad road conditions.
You can also hire a taxi (it is not a shared taxi but hiring a car with a driver) to many places where you can’t find other transport. But it is expensive. For example, a taxi from Kazarman to Lake Song Kol can charge you 100$ (it is like an air ticket price) for 160 km.
Hitchhiking
This can be another alternative option if you can’t find a marshrutka or a taxi. Usually, it is easy to stop a passing car on the good and busy roads. They will take you and in most cases, they will not expect you to pay anything.
However, if you go on a dirt road, “far from civilization”, you may need to wait for hours, even for days for a passing car to take you.
Rent a car
It is a good option but quite expensive for a solo traveler. You can expect something like 1000-1500 USD for a week. Yes, you can find a cheaper car but I would not recommend it if you are going to travel on dirt roads- the risk of damage “in the middle of nowhere” is high. So, this option is proper for a group of travelers.
By tour company or hiring a driver
This is another expensive option but at least is much safer. Again, if you are a group of travelers, it is relatively affordable. However, if you travel on the Pamir Highway, drivers can take you only to the border with Tajikistan. From there you have to arrange another driver with a car to proceed further.
By motorcycle or bicycle
This is a great and adventurous way of travel, and in recent years it has become more and more popular in Kyrgyzstan and the whole of Central Asia. There are motorcycle rental companies in Bishkek and Osh but their prices are relatively high, so it is an expensive option.
The best would be to travel by your own motorcycle, bicycle, or car (caravan). But of course, if come from far away, in this case, Kyrgyzstan should be only one of the destinations on your long-distance, trans-continental journey.
Accommodation
As in most countries in the world, there are various hotels in Bishkek, Osh, and the other larger cities and towns, especially in the “more touristy ones”. They vary from splurge to budget, and you can easily find them on Booking or Agoda. Other, quite similar options are the hostels (they are great places to find other travelers and share each other’s stories), guesthouses, and Airbnb.
Check for hotels in Kyrgyzstan on Booking!
Check for hotels in Kyrgyzstan on Agoda!
There are also many yurt camps that you can find in the tourist destinations. Many of them can’t be found on Booking or Agoda but only on Google Maps and Facebook.
As mentioned above, if you go to off-the-beaten-path areas, you can find some nomad yurts where the locals can welcome you to stay for a night. They would not necessarily ask you for money but would be glad if you give them something.
Bringing a tent or at least a sleeping bag is always advisable if you go hiking or in some remote areas. Thus, you don’t need to worry about your accommodation.
Food and water
Food in Kyrgyzstan is typical for Central Asia. There are a lot of meals that can also be tried in neighboring countries but in slightly different versions. One thing is common for all of them- since they are all Muslim countries, there is no pork.
One of them is the “Plov”. In general, this is fried rice with meat. Meat can be different- lamb, beef, or chicken.
Other meals include “Samsa”- a pie usually filled with meat, “Manti”- steamed dumplings, “Lagman”- a noodle dish, usually in the form of soup, “Shashlik”- lamb or beef on а skewer, and more.
If you like drinks- you can find a lot of Coca-Cola and other gas drinks. There are also natural juices and milk, as well as a lot of “energy drinks” like “Gorilla”, and more. If you like cold (iced) coffee, you can’t find it in Kyrgyzstan.
Expect tea everywhere. Every hotel or guesthouse will offer nice tea (green or black). It is a good way of hydration, especially in the high altitude.
Water
Tap water is not drinkable, so you have to buy bottled water or boil it by yourself. It is the same with the natural water from the mountain streams- some of them are contaminated (and you don’t know which ones) so better always to boil the water.
Anyway, you can still drink from some mountain streams, close to their sources. But again, better to ask locals if the water is safe for drinking.
Internet, communication, SIM cards
Currently, there are several mobile operators in Kyrgyzstan. The most popular one is Beeline, but there are also Megacom and O!. Beeline and Megacom have better coverage while O! is a bit cheaper than them. In general, there is no big difference between these mobile operators.
Usually, you can find WiFi in most hotels, hostels, and homestays, even in some yurt camps. If there isn’t WiFi, you can still use your mobile internet. But there are some areas without any internet coverage- it is quite normal for such a mountainous country. There is no coverage even along such a famous place like the Ala-Kol trek, including the hot spring resort of Altyn Arashan.
Safety
Kyrgyzstan is now a peaceful country and one of the safest in the whole of Asia. The crime rate is very low, and people are very hospitable and helpful, especially in the deep province. It includes Bishkek and Osh too, but as in every big city, the chance for something like pickpocketing or tourist scam (usually a mild scam) still exists.
In general, you should be smart and careful concerning the nature. Be prepared well when you go to the mountains. In summer, thunderstorms are possible, in some areas even regular. And in high altitudes, they can turn into snowstorms.
Also, beware of dogs. They are usually not a problem, especially if you don’t show fear to them and know these pets well, but some of them still can be aggressive.
This is in very short what Kyrgyzstan looks like. It is definitely worth exploring and even better- to include it as a part of a longer journey. It is a less known but at the same time an easily reachable destination. And if you have the right expectations and adventurous mindset, you will find and enjoy an unforgettable experience there!
Check some travel books about Kyrgyzstan:
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