Are you looking for a trip you have never experienced before, a journey that will delight you, enrich you, and spiritualize you? Are you an outdoors lover interested in learning more about the nomadic lifestyle?
Then we recommend you to head to Kyrgyzstan! It is a land from a fairy tale. This travel guide is for a land that is still overseen by the world and tourism. If you ever wondered what a natural paradise looks like – it looks just like Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan is a truly unique destination. The country is located in the central part of Asia. It has 4 land borders: Kazakhstan, China, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. It is a former part of the Soviet Union. That is why you will see Soviet architecture and old buildings almost everywhere!
Its spectacular mountainous natural sceneries and remarkable historical landmarks are accompanied by a fascinating cultural atmosphere all around this small country with a population of just a little over 6 million.
Kyrgyzstan is mostly a Muslim country and a magnificent and undiscovered destination. You can use the visit to that country to experience everything but the ordinary. You can give yourself a chance to live with those amazing people for at least a short time.
If you love the mountains and mountain passes, the beauty of nature, and the remains of the Soviet times, hurry up and explore this unbelievable country before the mass tourism, which will inevitably move to Kyrgyzstan.
In this travel guide, we will give you all you need to know before you pack your bags and start with this adventure of a lifetime.
The Kyrgyz Republic is beautiful all year round. However, the best time we recommend for a visit is in the summer months; June, July, and August. It is the hot time of the year with average temperatures of about 30°C.
Yet, it is certainly the liveliest time of the year too. Warm summer months will give you a chance to explore the country’s amazing mountainous areas. It is a perfect time to inspect and try the hiking trails. Many of them are out of bounds at other times of the year.
In the summertime, you will also avoid crowds and larger groups arriving from Russia. Yurt stays are like traditional guesthouses and will be a more peaceful and much more authentic experience.
Consider September for your visit, too. September has its own charm. Most of the crowds will be gone by then. You will enjoy weather still warm enough and ideal for trekking and exploring without distractions.
To get to Kyrgyzstan, you will, of course, have to fly. The best way is to get to Ataturk airport in Istanbul and catch an international flight from there. There are two airlines, Turkish Airlines and the low-cost airline company: Pegasus.
Getting to the International Airport of Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, is fairly easy. It has several connections with several airports in Europe too.
Alternatively, you may check out the flights to Almaty. It is very close to Bishkek, and the flight may be significantly cheaper. Almaty is in Kazakhstan. Don’t forget to check your visa requirements.
Amazingly, you will discover that Kyrgyzstan has one of the most liberal visa regimes in Central Asia. Most nationalities will get a 60-day free visa on arrival, both at the airport and overland.
So if you want to extend your stay and renew your visa, all you need to do is cross the Kazakh border, which is only about 1 hour from Bishkek, and come back on the same day.
Additionally, if you have an e-visa, you can travel to Kyrgyzstan both by land and air.
The citizens of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Australia, or Canada, are entitled to a visa-free stay for up to 60 days in 180 days period.
On the other hand, if you are a Tunisian citizen, you must apply for a visa beforehand through your consulate or authorized travel agencies.
Burana tower is one of the country’s most significant landmarks and the most famous historical site that you have to visit. It is truly one of the must-visit places when you are in or around Bishkek.
The mysterious Burana Tower is a 25 m high tower which is actually the only remains of the once glorious ancient city of Balasagun.
It used to be one of the main stopovers on the Silk Road, served as the rest stop for thousands of caravans, and even was considered the center of the world!
Once you are there, you must also check the nearby archeological site – it is a collection of ancient bal-bals in the field near the Burana Tower. The bal-bals are gravestones carved by the nomadic Turkic tribes who roam around Central Asia in the 6th century.
They were initially erected to represent slain enemies and later became memorials for the ancestors of the people who sculpted them. Their main features are odd proportions and really strange heads with short torsos.
Kyrgyzstan is one of the rare countries in the world where a nomadic lifestyle still exists. As a result, the most accessible nomadic majestic mountain peaks surround it.
During the cold months of the year, the nomads live in small villages and towns. As soon as the warmer weather comes, they rush to set their camps in „jailoos, “the alpine meadows, and by the alpine lakes. This was they are ready to spend their days tending their herds.
Join them! This one of the top things to do in the country. Is there a better way to learn more about these people and their enduring nomadic culture but stay with them at their yurt camps!?!
If you help them make their Kurut, a traditional cheese, or participate in the nomadic games, it will be one of the greatest Kyrgyz experiences you will get.
Song Kul Lake is by far one of the most beautiful places you need to see in Kyrgyzstan! It is the second-largest lake of Kyrgyzstan and lies at an altitude of 3000m (mind altitude sickness!), beautifully surrounded by mountains and lush meadows.
These meadows were used by Nomads as pastureland for their flocks for hundreds of years. Today there are still many semi-nomadic shepherds who settle here for the summer and live in their yurts.
The more challenging it is to reach a destination, the more rewarding it will be; you will see it for yourself. Song Kul Lake is not easy to reach, but it will leave you breathless with the vastness of the mountains surrounding it and the pristine, untouched area around it.
We recommend you to hike to the lake and to do so, you will have to start from a small village called Kyzart. The most fun and adventurous way to get to the lake is horse riding in a traditional Kyrgyz wag.
This amazing and huge river (flowing partly in Uzbekistan too) is the longest of all Kyrgyzstan rivers and totals 807 km. It is a pure source of water and energy for the locals; it is surrounded by majestic mountains.
The river starts its long journey from glaciers in Central Tian Shan. As it flows, it becomes the Naryn River with the confluence of the Big and Little Naryn Rivers.
This magnificent river flows past narrow gorges and plains, starting in the Naryn State National Park, and along its way, it crosses the cities of Naryn, Tash-Kumyr, and Uchkurgan. If you are in any of these cities, you can enjoy the beauty of this great river.
Do not get scared by its length and monumentalizing appearance; on the contrary, enjoy this unique experience to the fullest. You can get one of the organized tours, or you can explore the mighty shore of Naryn just as the locals do – on a horse trek, a must-do in Naryn.
Have your camera handy and capture the stunning moments. Your camera will be busy, and so will you!
Another great lake, another wonder of nature, and another place you simply have to visit while you are in Kyrgyzstan! It’s located in a valley called Kok-Kiya at about 3,520 meters of altitude, and it is one of the highest lakes in the world, not too far from the Chinese border. The lake is high, but the air there is so pure and crisp.
This spectacular canyon lake was formed thousands of years ago by a collapse of the mountains around it, which created a massive natural reservoir. It is beyond any imagination how tall these cliffs around are – you will simply have to see it for yourself.
Numerous caves around the lake are calling you to explore them. You can also visit a small island in the center of the lake, which you can reach by boat.
There are numerous activities and fun things you can do around the lake. You can rent a boat from the locals if you want to explore this beautiful lake deeply. You can rent a horse from the local shepherds and explore the surroundings on a horse, just like true Kyrgyz. Finally, you can swim in this untouched natural beauty if you don’t mind cold water.
Reaching this lake is not easy, but it will be worth every effort you make. Please note that you will need a border permit that you can get by contacting the local CBT office in Naryn.
The lake is also so remote that you will need at least 4×4 vehicles to get there, which is the only recommended way. Keep in mind that the road to get there is very rough and bumpy, and there are many river crossings with no bridge. You will also be driving along with amazing rural areas.
Issyk-Kul Lake is the seventh deepest lake in the world and a popular destination in Kyrgyzstan. It is also the second-largest saline lake after the Caspian. This magnificent lake is your next must-see place in Kyrgyzstan. This lake will not leave you indifferent, primarily by its beauty and wild side, especially on the southern shore.
The day hikes, great ethnocultural activities, observing pristine waterfalls and beautiful canyons, spending time at beautiful and authentic yurt camps, joining eagle hunters; are just some of the activities we can recommend. You can also take an excursion from the city of Karakol, which is the administrative seat of the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan. A good idea is for example hiking to Ala Kul Lake.
Forget the frequent local buses, forget trains, trams. Forget, pretty much, any modern way of transport. You will see for yourself that getting around the country in Kyrgyzstan can be an adventure itself. Yet, that’s the charm of this country too.
Wherever you want to go in Kyrgyzstan, The west station or the new station, Bishkek is a good starting point. We can recommend it to you. There you can find taxi drivers, marshrutkas and some buses.
Marshrutkas are the minivans that act as public transport. In Bishkek, expect them to be crowded, over-run, stifling, and even smelly. But, on the brighter side, they are also super cheap and cost about 10 cents for a ride.
If you choose a long-distance marshrutka, consider that they may be more cost-effective and take a bit longer than a shared taxi.
With the slow but sure bloom of tourism in Kyrgyzstan, car rental became a brand new concept. However, you have a choice of two rental agencies; Iron Horse Nomads and Kyrgyz Rent-Car. Depending on the car category that you choose, the cost of renting a car goes from as little as 60 dollars per day for up to 250 km per day. Keep in mind that an additional charge may apply for mileage above this limit. The majority of the main roads in Kyrgyzstan are in good, if not great, condition. However, we recommend you still check each route you take before you hit the road.
Nobody knows the country, as does a local, and nobody knows all the secrets as the local people do. So hire a local guide to help you explore this amazing country and experience its ancient way of life firsthand.
Not only will it enrich your stay in Kyrgyzstan, but a company of a local guide will help you discover the best of the country’s traditions, cultural customs, and after all, it will help you to understand the Kyrgyz way of life. You can easily find a local guide through one of many private guiding portals. The average price for a day tour is around $30.
Try to learn at least a few words or phrases in either Russian or Kyrgyz. You should at least become familiar with the Cyrillic alphabet Language may be a barrier as very few Kyrgyz people speak English. Or any other language for that matter. Knowing a few words will help you when you need to ask how much the ride costs, where you’re going, when you need to ask to use a toilet, really, all the basic things.
Always try to ask a local before heading to the taxi, marshrutka, or bus how much a typical ride should cost. Bargaining is a tradition in Kyrgyzstan; use it when you go negotiating a price.
The weather goes from one extreme to another. Always wear comfortable clothing and be prepared for both extreme heat and cold while traveling.
Start your days early in the morning. Then, you will have more luck in finding a ride, you will be safer that way, and after all, you will have more time to explore this wonderful country.
Contrary to what you may expect, Kyrgyzstan has the best internet in Central Asia! High-speed Wi-Fi is available almost everywhere, including even high-altitude towns such as Sary-Mogol and Sary-Tash.
Get a local sim card from a local O! company. The 3G internet is relatively fast, and for just a few dollars, you will get a good deal on both calls and the internet.
Finding it will be no problem; you will see these mobile company street stalls all over the country. The prices go from as little as $10, depending on your desired combination of the service.
The best way to get to know a country, its traditions, customs, and people is through food. In Kyrgyzstan, you may be questioning this. They, of course, do have some local specialties. But, it will feed you and help you discover some new tastes, and that’s about it.
Of course, you will have to try some of the typical Kyrgyz food, such as Lagman, a hearty noodle soup. Manty is another typical Kyrgyz dish. They are quite delicious meat dumplings., or shorpo, the meat broth.
In small towns and villages, you will have to rely on staple food only. However, You will have more choices in bigger cities and find more western food, salads, kebabs, and fruit.
It’s funny or weird; take it how you like it – but you will have to know what to order from the moment you enter the restaurant. These people will expect you to know what to order within 10 seconds of giving you the menu, and they will stand next to you until you do. You will just have to get used to it.
You should also know that Kyrgyzstan is the country with the highest consumption of meat per capita globally. If you are a vegetarian, you may find yourself on a forced diet while in Kyrgyzstan. They simply do not understand how it is possible that someone does not eat meat! Order a salad, but be prepared to find pieces of beef in it.
If you are deeply depressed after reading this paragraph, here is some good news! Kyrgyzstan is a fruit paradise. If you find yourself there during the season, you will just adore the colorful markets with all kinds of fruits at ridiculous prices.
Kyrgyzstan is the best place in the world that breaks down prejudices. Especially those about security. Contrary to the common opinion, Kyrgyzstan is a very safe country. The police may be a bit corrupt and will give the locals and foreigners a fine for any reason they can imagine. Just like everywhere else in the world, some thefts are possible. They usually happen on drunk people at odd hours. Other than that, the country is very safe for traveling. If you still have any concerns and worries, simply take a taxi on your way home, and you will be just fine.
Now that you just read our Kyrgyzstan travel guide pack your bags, plan your Kyrgyzstan itinerary now, and don’t hesitate another moment.
Go for this undiscovered and beautiful country that promises a lot. A country that will enchant you with its hospitality and beauty.
A country that will make you like such atypical trips to atypical destinations even more.
Already wondering what to visit next? Check the most interesting facts about Uzbekistan.
Join our mailing list to receive all of our travel journeys and recommendations :-)
Both countries run on systems - transport systems, etiquette systems, food-ordering systems - and the…
No matter where you live in the world, Brazil is likely to be a…
Paris is world-renowned for being the “city of love”, so there’s no better place to…
As someone deeply passionate about art, history, and science, my exploration of Europe proved to…
Finding the right places to visit can be overwhelming. We know firsthand how stressful it…
As someone deeply passionate about art, history, and science, my exploration of Europe proved to…