Kyrgyzstan: The Complete Guide to Planning Your Trip in 2027.

Kyrgyzstan: The Complete Guide to Planning Your Trip in 2027.

Last updated: 30/9/2026.

Kyrgyzstan is my favorite place. I first visited in 2014, and since 2019, I have been going back every year. I am constantly adding to this guide thanks to my friends there, feedback from travelers, and my own experiences.

Over the years, I've been lucky enough to share this country with friends and family — through horseback treks, yurt nights, and deep dives into nomadic life. Some of my most unforgettable moments include:

  • The trek from Ozgorush to Kazarman — a wild adventure I’ll never forget.
  • Kol-Suu, my favorite lake, feels like the end of the world.
  • Song-Kul — where I go back every year to ride free around the lake and live to the rhythm of the nomads.

In 2023, I embarked on an adventure in a Lada Niva, the perfect 4×4 for blending into the landscape. Each trip allows me to explore a little more of this fascinating country.
Last November, I was given Hippolyte, a year-and-a-half-old foal. He lives in Song-Kul, where you can watch him grow up. The Kyrgyz people call him Hippo ...

Ready to plan your own adventure?

Do you dream of exploring majestic mountains and alpine lakes where nomads still ride on horseback? Wondering things like:

  • Which visa do you need?
  • How do you get around?
  • Where should you stay?
  • Can your budget handle it?

In this article, you’ll find everything you need to plan your trip with peace of mind: smart tips, practical advice, and most importantly, my trusted contacts on the ground. Since 2015, I’ve connected them with hundreds of readers.  

Want even more tips and sharing?

  • Facebook: The " Traveling in Kyrgyzstan" group, which I created in 2018. It's the perfect place to share updates, find great deals and connect with travelers.
  • Instagram: " Travelling in Kyrgyzstan" , where I share the most beautiful photos of the country.
  • Download my free PDF guideit includes :
    • An English/Kyrgyz lexicon,
    • Practical advice,
    • And a wealth of information to help you plan your adventure.

Since 2020, even Le Petit Futé has recommended my blog:

Blog recommender gtla.net in the Petit Futé guide

I also invite you to discover the country through my videos:

Contents

What do I need to know to prepare for my trip to Kyrgyzstan?

Do you need a visa?

European citizens do not need a visa for stays of less than 30 days. All you need is a passport that is valid for the entire duration of your trip.

Make sure your passport gets stamped when you arrive.

If you want to extend your stay, head to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bishkek (10a Togolok Moldo St / Toktogul St corner).

landscape-in-kyrgyzstan

How much does a flight cost?

Kyrgyzstan isn’t an expensive destination — but there are no direct flights.

Flights with stopovers are operated by several airlines. Pegasus, Turkish Airlines, and A Jet are the most attractive options. They offer very short stopovers.
Price: between €450 and €850 in summer , depending on when you book.

Which airline should you fly with?

Pegasus is a true low-cost airline.
If price is your only criterion and you're traveling with just a small carry-on bag, go for it. 

  • The baggage allowance for the basic fare is a maximum of 40 × 30 × 15 cm and 3 kg.
  • For standard carry-on baggage weighing 8 kg, or checked baggage, a paid option must be added.

Recently, AJet, the low-cost subsidiary of Turkish Airlines, has also started operating flights. Frankly, it's been a very pleasant surprise:

  • Standard carry-on baggage is acceptable: maximum dimensions of 55 × 40 × 23 cm, 18 lbs.
  • Checked baggage is not included and comes at an extra cost.
  • More comfortable aircraft than Pegasus.
  • My advice with them: choose Ankara rather than Istanbul as your stopover:
    the airport is very small = quick plane changes.

Turkish Airlines remains the best:

  • In the cabin, you’re allowed one carry-on bag (55 × 40 × 23 cm), up to 17.6 lb.
  • In the hold, 66 lb of checked baggage is included.
  • Meals are included, seats recline, and most flights have personal screens (around $22 extra with Pegasus or AJet).
    If the price difference is small, I go with Turkish.
  •  

I have often traveled with Pegasus. Now, if the price difference is minimal, I choose Turkish Airlines.

Regardless of the airline, plan for a layover of at least 1.5 hours. Changing planes takes time. A layover that is too short can be risky in case of delays.

For more on the topic, check out my article on how to find a cheap flight ticket in under 40 minutes.

Travel tip: Air Astana

Coralie, a reader of the blog, shared a great tip with me: if you have a long layover in Almaty or Astana (especially overnight), Air Astana offers a program called Stopover Holidays.

The offer? $19 per night in partner hotels (often highly rated).
It's all super simple:

  • Online booking
  • Airport driver
  • Overnight stay + breakfast included
  • Return to airport with private driver

kok-boru-kyrgyzstan

What currency is used?

The official currency is the Kyrgyz som.
Exchange rate:€1 = 100 KGS.

Is it easy to exchange cash?

Currency exchange is an excellent option. The fees are low.

Pay attention to the condition of the bills you bring:

  • In euros: prefer bills of €20, €50 or €100, in perfect condition.
  • €200 and €500 bills are not accepted.
  • In dollars: they must be new, issued after 2005, and free of defects.

Can I withdraw cash from ATMs?

  • You can withdraw in soms (KGS) or US dollars (USD).
  • Som is more practical for everyday expenses.
  • Visa-compatible ATMs are only available in major cities, so make sure to withdraw enough cash before heading to rural areas.

Very important:
Don't forget to exchange your soms before leaving Kyrgyzstan.
Once you cross the border, no one will accept them, not even banks.

Which card should you use?

Bank fees can add up quickly.

  • Before 2020, with my CIC card, I was charged around 5% on my payments and withdrawals.
  • Since then, I’ve been using the N26 card, which lets me pay with no fees and withdraw with fees capped at a maximum of 1.7%.

Click here to discover N26.

Where can you find the right ATM for your card?

Visa : Locate a VISA ATM

Mastercard: Find a Mastercard ATM

What language do people speak?

The official languages are Kyrgyz and Russian, and English is rarely spoken.

My English-Kyrgyz lexicon to take with you.

My friends Azamat and Tatosh and I created an English/Kyrgyz dictionary. Always keep this dictionary with you; I have used it often. It will help you communicate more easily when traveling by bus or taxi and staying with local people.  

I didn't realize it when I created it, but in practice, it turns out to be useful in both directions.
You can give it to Kyrgyz people who can read the Latin alphabet so you can communicate with them in English!

Learning some basic Russian will be incredibly useful:

  • You’ll be able to connect with locals in Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian countries.
  • You’ll be able to understand signs, directions, menus, and much more. Russian is written in Cyrillic.

I learned Russian and Cyrillic with Babbel. The app is well designed, fun, and designed for quickly learning useful phrases for traveling.

By spending 15 to 45 minutes a day, I learned the Cyrillic alphabet in two weeks. In just two months, I was able to have a basic conversation.

Try the Babbel application 

Since then, I’ve also been using Duolingo, which has helped me reinforce my Russian in a more fun way.

Practical advice from my friend Tatosh:

To ask for the cost of transport, the easiest way is to ask the person to write the amount on your phone. Alternatively, they can write it on the car windows with the dust.

trek-a-sary-chelek

What’s the main religion?

Kyrgyzstan is predominantly Muslim (80%), with a minority of Russian Orthodox (17%) and 3% of other denominations.

Shamanic traditions are still very much a part of local culture. It’s not uncommon to hear that Kyrgyz people hold the Koran in one hand and a bottle of vodka in the other.

What are the police like in Kyrgyzstan?

The police are generally honest, though there can be some abuse, especially in certain tourist areas.

My only misadventure was at the Osh Bazaar in Bishkek, with a German friend. This place is notorious for police checks targeting tourists to extort money. It’s advisable to carry a copy of your passport rather than the original.

The police arrested us and took us to their station. We were two foreigners facing six officers. After showing them a photocopy of my passport, they asked us to empty our pockets and searched us.

They found my flat banana under my pants, with my passport and 10,000 KGS. It was only when I got back to the hostel that I realized they had stolen a 1,000 KGS bill.

After all, 1,000 KGS isn't much... but it's still more than I had planned to give them.

How can you avoid problems?

  • Leave your passport and large bills at the hotel before heading to this bazaar, if you don't want to contribute to these officials' end-of-month income.
  • Just take a photocopy of your passport and carry money in small denominations.

What’s the situation like today?

This story dates back to 2014. Since then, I’ve been back to the bazaars several times and spoken with many readers. Neither they nor I have relived the experience.

As a precaution, always keep your passport safe at the hotel. It costs nothing and helps avoid unpleasant surprises.

Since then, I have even been able to take a ride in the Kyrgyz police's Lada Niva on the shores of Lake Song-Kul.

Can I bring my drone?

Yes, I've been taking mine with me on every trip for several years. Drones are allowed in Kyrgyzstan, but there are three no-fly zones:

  • Cities.
  • Military zones.
  • Hikers taking a nap.

Kyrgyzstan is a real playground for flying drones

If you're a beginner, practice beforehand. The mountains are not the easiest place for a novice pilot.

My buddy Beksultan even managed to film me galloping at Song-Kul:

 

 

When should I go to Kyrgyzstan?

Summer: the best time to visit (mid-June to mid-September)

If you want to discover Kyrgyzstan in all its splendor, this is the best time. The nomads are in their yurt camps, with their herds roaming freely, and the atmosphere is at its best.

It’s also the ideal season for hiking at high altitudes. You can:

  • Stroll through lush, green mountains.
  • Enjoy the nomadic lifestyle of families and children on summer vacations.
  • Sleep in a yurt, immersed in local traditions.

Spring and autumn: for a more intimate adventure

If you prefer to explore the country in a quieter atmosphere, these seasons have plenty to offer as well.

  • In spring, you'll still see snow above 2,500 meters. You might even witness the transhumance of the herds.
  • In autumn, the landscape takes on a wild, golden hue. You'll come across nomads on their way back down to the villages before winter.

Winter: cold, but full of surprises (November to April).

Do you think Kyrgyzstan is inaccessible in winter? Think again! Even when it’s snowing, there are plenty of things to do. You can:

  • Horseback riding to Song-Kul Lake, where some yurt camps remain open.
  • Put on your skis and explore the Karakol resort.
  • Discover ski touring through the Kyrgyz mountains. Azamat and Nurlan will welcome you to their yurt camp in the heart of nature.

My buddies Azamat and Nurlan are waiting for you this winter.

If you'd like to find out more about off-season travel, here’s some feedback from Stéphane, a blog reader. .

How should I organize myself once I arrive?

How do you get from the airport to the city?

Manas Airport is 35 km from downtown Bishkek. Once there, you'll be approached by taxi drivers offering taxis at varying prices.

The standard fare to reach the center in 45 minutes is 900 KGS. US dollars are accepted. 

What are the most practical options?

  • Request a driver through your hostel: Most hostels offer a transfer for €10. It’s straightforward, and there’s no need to negotiate.
  • Use the Yango app: The equivalent of Uber in Kyrgyzstan. You book via the app and pay in cash at the end of the ride.
  • Take bus 153: If you arrive during the day, this is the most economical option. It costs 50 KGSto reach the center in one hour. The bus leaves from outside the airport, at the intersection between Osh and Chuy Prospekt.

Where can I stay in Kyrgyzstan?

In the mountains?

You have two options: staying in a yurt or camping.

  • If you're camping, make sure to bring the right equipment. Nights at high altitudes can drop below 0°C.
  • If you sleep in a yurt, you'll pay around 900 KGS per night, including breakfast.

In town?

You’ll easily find hostels and guesthouses at reasonable prices. If you want to stay with a local, CBT offers excellent guesthouses for 900 KGS (breakfast included).

Do you have any hostels to recommend?

If you prefer youth hostels, below is a list of the ones I have stayed at.

Bishkek:

  • Tunduk Hostel: Warm and relaxed atmosphere. Azema, who speaks French, contributes greatly to the friendly atmosphere. Swimming pool, large garden, and common areas, perfect for meeting people. As a bonus, the breakfast is excellent.
  • Koisha: A great spot if you're looking for somewhere well located and lively. A 5-minute walk from the bazaar, always clean, with tasteful decor and cozy common areas, perfect for meeting other travelers.

Chon Kemin:

  • Guest house CBT: A family-run guesthouse in a beautiful setting with good home cooking and comfortable rooms.

Kotchkor:

  • Adamkali, Ideally located, just opposite Jailoo Tourism and 200 m from the bazaar and the only restaurant in town. Warm welcome from a family who speak a little English. A good place to stay before a trek.
    Address

Toktogul:

  • Kagan guest house: Comfortable family accommodation with a pleasant garden. The grandmother is an outstanding cook, and you'll love her homemade breakfast.

Bokonbaevo:

  • Sonun Yurt Camp: Yurts by the lake, a perfect place to relax and enjoy the beach. Merim and her daughter speak excellent English and cook like chefs.
  • Bel Tam Yurt Camp: Another yurt camp, ideal for spending a night by the lake.

Karakol:

  • Jamila Guest House: We absolutely loved it. Zina, the owner, is lovely and speaks impeccable French. Her house is extremely comfortable and clean, and her breakfast is incredible. The perfect place to stay before or after a trek.
  • Duet Hostel: If you want a cheap hostel with a friendly atmosphere, this one is very popular with travelers. Dormitories, yurts, bar, and pool table on site.

Altyn Arashan:

  • Ala-Kul guesthouse: The only accommodation that can be booked on Booking.com in Altyn Arashan. If you want to guarantee a bed before leaving for Ala-Kul, this is the safest option. Jezzy will prepare a delicious dinner for you while you milk the cows with Ucha or relax in the hot springs.

Cholpon-Ata:

  • Anonymous guesthouse: Clean and well located, but its name is only in Cyrillic. GPS coordinates: 42.65230643796554, 77.09132136206541. If you find the Booking link, share it!Address
  • Adilet : Several readers recommend this affordable guesthouse with a swimming pool.

Tamga:

Osh:

  • Konok Hostel : A nice hostel with a garden, bar, and good breakfast. A safe bet in Osh.

bathing-in-kyrgyzstan

Where can I eat?

How much do meals cost?

Eating in Kyrgyzstan is affordable and diverse. Whether at a restaurant, bazaar, or homestay, you'll find options to fit every budget.

  • In a local restaurant: between 100 KGS and 250 KGS for a dish with meat, rice, and tea.
  • In a bazaar or supermarket: meals starting at 70 KGS will leave you with a full plate.
  • Dinner in a guesthouse: around 450 KGS for a hearty, home-cooked meal.

Can I eat at a local's home?

The Kyrgyz are famous for their hospitality. If you stay in a guesthouse, your host will serve you a generous dinner, often including soup, meat, bread, and salads. Expect a hearty meal, always served with a smile.

What’s a traditional Kyrgyz meal like?

Are you ready to try the local cuisine? Here’s what a typical meal looks like.

Starter : 

You'll start with a shorpo, a lamb-flavored broth with potatoes, carrots, and fresh herbs.

Main course: 

Depending on where you eat, you'll find one of these dishes on your table:

  • Laghman: Fresh homemade noodles served with beef or lamb and vegetables sautéed in a spicy sauce.
  • Manty: Large steamed dumplings stuffed with minced meat and onions, sometimes served with potatoes.
  • Plov: A pilaf rice dish simmered with meat, carrots, and onions, flavored with spices.
  • Beshbarmak: The national dish, which means "five fingers." Boiled meat (mutton or horse) on flat noodles, topped with an onion sauce. If you want a truly local dish, this is the one to try.

Side dishes :  

No matter where you eat, there will always be fresh raw vegetables to share: tomatoes, cucumbers, and sometimes even watermelon in season.

Desserts and sweets : 

No elaborate desserts here, just seasonal fruit and the famous boorsok (small fried doughnuts).

Tea: 

Throughout the meal, tea is served continuously. Whether in a yurt or at a restaurant, your cup will always be full.

Can I eat vegetarian?

Good news: even deep in the mountains, it's easy to request a meat-free meal. The Kyrgyz people are accommodating to travelers, and there's no shortage of alternatives: noodles, vegetables, potatoes, rice, fritters... you'll always have a choice.

Any good restaurants to recommend?

My buddy Fabien, who has been living in Bishkek for nine years, has tried lots of restaurants and shared his favorite places with me. I've tried several of them and I approve 100%.

What are your favorite places in Bishkek?

  • Faiza → Cheap, good, fast. Always busy, sometimes you have to wait, but it's worth it.
  • Assorted Bukhara → The best plov in Bishkek. A classic.
  • Ramada Hotel Restaurant → For a Lebanese touch.
  • Pur Pur → Georgian cuisine with authentic flavours.
  • Testo Mesto → Specialist in homemade ravioli.
  • Furusato → The best Japanese restaurant I've ever been to. I can confirm that!
  • Burger House → For when you're craving a well-made burger.
  • Dolce Vita → Real Italian pizza, the kind that makes you happy.
  • Chicken Star → High-quality Korean fried chicken and several vegetarian options.
  • Shaolin → Authentic Chinese restaurant, with the best sweet and sour beef you can imagine.

If you have any other good places, feel free to leave them in the comments and I'll add them.

How can I stay healthy?

Water : 

The most common risk in the mountains is tourista. When you hike and stay in a yurt camp, you're staying with herders. Nearby streams are often contaminated by animal droppings.

Even if the water looks clear, it is not drinkable. You must purify it with a filter bottle or a Micropur tablet. I have always followed this rule, and I have never been sick, unlike other travelers who drank it without treating it.

And don't forget to stay well hydrated during your hikes.

Sun exposure: 

In the mountains, the sun is stronger than you might think. Sunburn can be severe, even in cool weather.

  • Take effective sunscreen, but above all, a long-sleeved shirt and a hat.
  • Long sleeves will also protect you from scratches from branches, especially when horseback riding. Tested and approved by Basile and Loïc on our trek.

Animal-related risks :

  • Rabies: As everywhere else, avoid petting stray animals.
  • Mosquitoes: There are mosquitoes, but there is no risk of malaria, dengue fever, or yellow fever.

What modes of transportation are available?

Getting around Kirghizia is really easy.

In town?

  • Marshrutkas (minibuses) → The most affordable form of public transport.

    • Price: 10 KGS during the day, 12 KGS after 8pm.
    • No fixed stops: wave down a minibus to make it stop.

  • Taxis → More comfortable, but watch out for the prices.

    • Option 1: Take an official metered taxi to avoid having to negotiate.
    • Option 2: Negotiated rate → between 100 and 300 KGS depending on distance.
    • The easiest way in Bishkek? Use Yandex (the equivalent of Uber). You know the price before you get in and you avoid having to negotiate.

Between cities?

Hitchhiking: is it easy?

Here, hitchhiking is a way of life. You give a thumbs-up and almost every car will stop.

  • Some drivers give you a ride for free, while others charge a small fee.
  • If you want to travel for free, say "niet dienge" (no money) in Russian or "archa djok" in Kyrgyz.

I’ve met several travelers who travel exclusively this way, without paying, often getting rides from truckers.

Marie, a traveller with the Voyager group in Kyrgyzstan, tells us:

"  Give it a try in Kyrgyzstan!

A small tip with big benefits:
1- You save money
2. You meet amazing people!
3- You discover even more of the country, its landscapes, its culture, its cuisine (and yes, after inviting you into their car, some Kyrgyz people also invite you to their table!  )…
4- Sometimes, it doesn't take any longer than taking a marschrutka...

Over the past seven weeks, I traveled from Bishkek to Kochkor, Song-Kul, Issyk-Kul (a complete loop with multiple stops/round trips between villages and tourist sites), Jyrgalant, Arslan Bob, Osh, Sary Moghol (Lenin Peak), Kazarman, Naryn...
All by hitchhiking!
Most of the time there were two of us (two girls or one girl and one guy), we never waited more than 30 minutes (max!), at all hours (8 a.m., 12 p.m., 10 p.m., etc.), on main roads or deserted tracks, with almost no problems (two drivers were slightly drunk)...

Don't forget to mention that you don’t want a taxi, don’t have any money ("niet dienge/soms" in Russian, "archa djok" in Kyrgyz), smile... and go for it!  

If you have your own car, you can also hitchhike with locals. I had a few surprises while traveling in my Lada Niva... including this grandmother who couldn’t believe she was seeing a tourist driving a local car. We had a good laugh the whole way!

What are marshrutkas?

They're the most affordable way to travel between cities. Contrary to popular belief, they're not always overcrowded.

  • They depart from bus stations and serve all major cities.

Here you'll find a Latin alphabet transcription of the main Kyrgyz towns: super useful in bus stations.

Shared taxi?

These 7-seater Japanese minivans leave once they are full, allowing you to travel faster and more comfortably than marshrutkas.

  • Price: Between 100 and 1500 KGS, depending on the distance.
  • Ideal if you're in a hurry or want to avoid frequent stops by marshrutkas.

Here are the rates updated in 2024 by travelers from the Voyager au Kirghizistan group. Please note that rates vary depending on gas prices, travel time, and weather conditions.

  • Bishkek-Kochkor:400 KGS / 4 hours
  • Bishkek-Cholpon Ata : 350 KGS /4 h
  • Bishkek-Karakol :400 KGS / 6 h
  • Bishkek-Balykchy: 200 KGS / 2 h
  • Bishkek-Bokonbayevo: 350 KGS/ 5 h
  • Bishkek-Talas: 500 KGS/ 6h
  • Bishkek-Jalal Abad: 1,500 KGS/ 9 h
  • Bishkek- Bazar Korgon: 1 500 KGS/ 9 h
  • Bishkek-Toktogul: 500 KGS/ 5 h
  • Bishkek-Chon Alay: 200 KGS/ 14 h
  • Bishkek/ Bakten: 1600 KGS/ 12 h
  • Bishkek-Tokmok: 150 KGS/ 2 h
  • Bishkek-Naryn: 500 KGS / 8 hours
  • Bishkek-Osh: 1500 KGS / 12 h
  • Bishkek-Almaty: 400 KGS/ 5 h
  • Bishkek-Astana: 2500 KGS/ 18 h
  • Bishkek-Chymkent: 620 KGS/ 8 h
  • Karakol- cholpon ata: 350 KGS
  • Bishkek - Kashka Suu: 25 KGS
  • Bokonbaevo - Karakol: 150 KGS
  • Tokmok-karakol: 500 KGS
  • Tamchy- Bishkek: 300 KGS
  • Balakchy-Tamchy: 100 KGS
  • Tamga - Bishkek: 300 KGS
  • Kochkor - Balyktchy: 150 KGS
  • Balyktchy - Tosor: 300 KGS
  • Shazka canyon - Tamga: 50 KGS
  • Bishkek - kyzart: 300 KGS
  • Tosor – Karakol: 150 KGS
  • Balykchy -Cholpon Ata: 250 KGS
  • Kotchkor-Balykchy : 200 KGS
  • Balikchy-Karakol: 200 KGS
  • Karakol-Cholpon Ata: 150 KGS
  • Bishkek-Arslanbob: 1500 KGS 
  • Arslanbob-Osh: 200 KGS 
  • Arslanbob-Bazar Korgon: 60 KGS
  • Bazar Korgon-Jalalabad: 30 KGS
  • Jalal-Abad-Osh: 120 KGS
  • Naryn – Bishkek: 300 KGS

What about domestic flights?

If you want to avoid a 14-hour drive between Bishkek and Osh, flying is a great option.

  • Several daily flights are operated by local airlines.
  • Fixed price: €50.
  • Flight time: under an hour.

I often hear that these flights are operated by airlines on the EU blacklist. 

osh-bishkek-en-avionI have taken these flights several times without ever feeling unsafe. Everything has always gone smoothly.

What are the prices for domestic flights in Kyrgyzstan?

Prices are fixed:

Bishkek – Talas: 2,100 KGS
Flights on Friday and Monday

Bishkek – Naryn: 2,100 KGS
Flights on Friday and Monday

Bishkek – Kerben: 3,600 KGS
Flights on Wednesdays and Fridays

Bishkek – Kazarman: 3,100 KGS
Flights on Friday and Monday

Bishkek – Batken: 4,500 KGS
Daily flights

Bishkek – Razzakov: 4,800 KGS
Daily flights

Bishkek – Karakol: 4,000 KGS
Seasonal route (up to 4 flights per week in winter)

Osh – Karakol: 5,000 KGS
Seasonal route (two flights per week depending on the season)

It's more expensive than public transportation, but you save valuable time and travel in much greater comfort. The choice is yours!

The bike?

If you're a fan of cycle touring, Kyrgyzstan is the perfect playground.
Marie, a cycling blogger, has written a detailed article about cycling in Kyrgyzstan. If you're interested, check out her stories, tips, and experiences!

Do you know any good car rental agencies in Kyrgyzstan?

Do I need an international driving permit?

Yes, an international permit is required.

But if you don't have it, don't worry. You can get a certified Russian translation of your license from a notary.

Rental companies can arrange this for you before you arrive, for €30. Simply send them a copy of your driver's permit and passport.

Where can I rent a car in Bishkek?

I know several trusted rental companies in Bishkek that I can recommend.

In 2014, with my buddies Will and James, we tried our luck with an old Lada: a wreck we named Roxane.

It held up well, and we even sold it to Polish travelers, who took it across the Pamir before handing it over to Tajikistan.

It was the cheapest car in Bishkek: $500 for the three of us. It was a risky gamble, but we were lucky enough to be able to resell it.

If you're looking for a safer, more reliable ride, I’ve got some solid contacts (I lost track of Roxane a long time ago anyway!).

Rent a car in Bishkek, my recommendations :

Since 2022, my friend Aydow has been offering a fleet of Lada Nivas. These rugged Soviet 4x4s are the vehicles of nomadic shepherds. Several readers have taken road trips with them, and their stories made me want to try it myself.


I love traveling in traditional vehicles. After riding in a tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka and on a motorcycle in Pakistan and Togo, I tried out a Lada Niva in Kyrgyzstan.
It's simple, economical, and versatile: perfect if you want to blend into the Kyrgyz landscape.

In Bishkek, I recommend choosing between these 2 people:

Aydow offers a small fleet of cars at very reasonable prices.
Tatosh can also offer you a few 4x4s at fairly attractive rates.


Please note: supply is lower than demand! Rental cars go fast in high season. As soon as you know your dates, book your car to get the best choice.

If you want to know everything about car rental in Central Asia, I have written a comprehensive article listing the best rental companies in Central Asia based on reader feedback and my own experiences.

Photo taken by my buddy Reid with a Lada belonging to my friend Azamat.

Who can I rent a car from in Osh to cross the Pamir Mountains and reach Tajikistan?

Oibek offers a wide range of recent cars and motorcycles, perfectly adapted to the roads of Central Asia, and in particular to crossing the Pamir.

For any information requests or to reserve a car, contact Oibek.

What are the main places to visit in Kyrgyzstan?

What was your itinerary?

On my first trip in 2014, I explored Kyrgyzstan with the following itinerary:

Bishkek → Kochkor → Song-Kul Lake → Kochkor → Kyzyl-Oi → Kochkor → Karakol → Altyn Arashan → Cholpon-Ata → Bishkek → Cholpon-Ata → Bishkek

If you're planning a trip to Kyrgyzstan, you should know that getting around is easy, but time-consuming. This country is 95% mountainous, with few good roads. The result? Forget fast, straight routes: here, every kilometer brings surprises.

How do I organize my travel arrangements?

  • Don't rely solely on distances. A short distance can take hours on mountain roads.
  • Expect detours. Sometimes, it's impossible to travel directly from point A to point B. For example, if you want to get from Naryn to Osh, you'll have to go back via Bishkek, unless you hire a 4×4 with a driver (and that's expensive).
  • Be flexible. With bad roads and unpredictable transport, it's best to leave some buffer in your itinerary.

In short, it's all about adventure! But with the right planning and a little patience, you'll be able to fully enjoy Kyrgyzstan's incredible landscapes.

meeting-with-a-kyrgyz-family

What itinerary would you recommend for a first trip to Kyrgyzstan?

Want to discover Kyrgyzstan but unsure about the ideal itinerary? 

I designed these 2-, 3-, and 4-week itineraries with my local friends so you can explore the best of the country while optimizing your travel time.

Main points of interest in Kyrgyzstan.
You can follow these itineraries to the letter, adapt them to your own pace, or mix and match as you wish. And if you have any other ideas, share them in the comments!

Do you have any advice on equipment to buy locally?

Take advantage of your arrival in Bishkek to gear up like a local.

My buddy Azamat gave me the best advice: don’t pack before you leave. Head to the Osh bazaar and buy Kok Boru chaps and a rain cape from this vendor.

She doesn’t know me, but if you’d like, send her my regards!

 

I'll leave you her GPS coordinates. She doesn’t know me, but if you’d like, say hello from me!

What itinerary would you recommend for two weeks?

This itinerary lets you explore the must-sees without rushing around too much. Journeys are manageable (6 hours maximum), and you can adjust certain stages to fit your pace.

2 week itinerary and possible options

Day 1: Bishkek:

Discover the capital and its Soviet atmosphere:

  • Typical Soviet-era architecture
  • Dordoï Bazaar, the largest in Central Asia
  • Osh Bazaar, the country's largest food market
  • Parks (there are over 10!)
  • Nightlife
  • Immersive activities: local cooking classes, introduction to shyrdak (Kyrgyz rugs)

Transport tip: download the Yango app (equivalent to Uber). Pay the driver in cash.

Day 2: Two Options:

Option 1: Hiking in Ala Archa

  • Hike to the Ak Sai Glacier
  • Picnic at the foot of the waterfall

How do I get there?

  • 1 h drive from Bishkek
  • Round-trip taxi with 6-hour wait: 3,000 KGS
  • Park entrance: 80 KGS

Option 2: Tokmok and the Burana Tower

  • Animal market (Sundays only)
  • Burana Tower, remnant of the Silk Road

How do I get there?

  • Bus Bishkek → Tokmok: 150 KGS (2 hours)
  • Taxi Tokmok → Burana round trip (with 1 hour wait): 600 KGS

Days 3 to 6: Song-Kul, 4-day horseback trek.

  • Horse ride at Song-Kul
  • Overnight stays in yurts and immersion in nomadic culture

Why 4 days?
You can do it in 3 days, but with 4 days, you’ll get more out of the lake and the scenery, rather than just going there and back.
Horseback riding is a must. It's the easiest option for beginners. 90% of travelers are beginner riders.

How do I get there?

  • Bus Bishkek → Kyzart: 400 KGS (departure at 6 a.m.)

How do I get back?

  • Last minibus Kyzart → Kotchkor: 2:00 p.m.
  • Private taxi Kyzart → Kotchkor: 2,000 KGS(must be booked in advance)

After Song-Kul, two options:

  • Option 1: Continue to Issyk-Kul (via Balykchy)
  • Option 2: Explore Naryn or Kol-Ukok

Days 7 and 8: Two options:

Option 1: Naryn & Kol-Suu

  • Tash Rabat Caravanserai
  • Trek to Lake Kol-Suu(3 days).

Please note! The Kol-Suu trek lasts 3 days. If you add it to your itinerary, you'll have to delete another stage.

How do I get there?

  • Shared taxi Kotchkor → Naryn: 250 KGS
  • Border permit required for Kol-Suu (to be requested in advance)



Option 2: Hike to Kol-Ukok

  • Easy 2-day trek
  • Overnight in a lakeside yurt

How do I get there?

  • Trek departure point: the village of Isakeev (15 minutes from Kotchkor by taxi)

Day 9: Bokonbayevo:

  • Night in a yurt by the lake
  • Eagle hunting demonstration

How do I get there?

  • Minibus Kotchkor → Balykchy
  • Then minibus Balykchy → Bokonbaevo

A must-see on the road between Bokonbaevo and Karakol:

Day 10: Karakol:

  • Stock up on supplies for the Ala-Kul trek
  • Dungan Mosque
  • Russian Orthodox Church
  • Karakol Museum
  • Przewalski Museum
  • Local bazaar

Days 11 to 13: Ala-Kul Trek (3 or 4 days)

  • Hike to the Ala-Kul Pass (panoramic view of the lake at an altitude of 3,500 m)
  • 3-day trek accessible to almost everyone
  • Two nights in Altyn Arashan, with hot springs (natural or paid)
  • Option to spend the second day on horseback to the foot of the pass

How do I get there?

  • Cab to the village of Ak-Suu (starting point of the 3-day trek).
  • Cab to the national park entrance (starting point of the 4-day trek).

Back to Bishkek

  • The trek ends at midday: you can return to Bishkek directly afterwards.

Day 14: Bishkek:

  • Take advantage of your last day in town to buy souvenirs and say hello to your new friends.

How do I get back to Bishkek?

  • Taxi or minibus from Karakol: 6-hour journey (350 KGS)

What itinerary would you recommend for three weeks?

If you have 3 weeks, here are two very different itineraries:

  • The first follows a classic route around Lake Issyk-Kul, covering the must-sees.
  • The second is more unique, crossing remote regions like Arslanbob and Sary-Chelek.

In all cases, you can adjust the program to match your own pace and desires.

These itineraries are based on the 2-week tour. For details on the stages already covered, please refer to the previous itinerary.

Route 1:

This first itinerary is a classic. You will travel around Lake Issyk-Kul, discovering the country's main points of interest. The stages are not too long (maximum 6 hours of travel).

3 week itinerary 1 and possible options

  • Days 1 to 6 → Bishkek, Ala-Archa, Song-Kul
  • Days 7 and 8 → Kol-Suu or Kol-Ukok (choose according to your preference) Please note! The Kol-Suu trek lasts 3 days, so you will need to remove another stage from this itinerary.
  • Day 9 → Bokonbaevo 
  • Day 10 → Karakol, Fairytale Canyon, or Jeti-Oguz
  • Days 11 to 14 → Ala-Kul Trek (3 or 4 days)

Ala Kul Pass

  • Day 15 → Cholpon-Ata (swimming and water sports on Lake Issyk-Kul)
  • Days 16 to 18 → Chon-Kemin (3-day hike or horseback ride)
  • Day 19 → Tokmok and Burana Tower
  • Days 20 and 21 → Return to Bishkek 

Route 2:

This second itinerary is more adventurous: the stages are longer, but you'll cross breathtaking landscapes and discover places untouched by tourism.

  • Day 1 to 6 → Bishkek, Ala-Archa, Song-Kul
  • Day 6 afternoon → Drive to Kazarman
  • Days 7 and 8 → Arslanbob (walnut forest, waterfalls, and sacred lakes)
  • Day 9 → Drive to Sary-Chelek (overnight stay in Arkit)
  • Days 10 to 12 → 3- to 5-day trek to Sary-Chelek


  • Day 13 → Toktogul (reservoir and wilderness)
  • Day 14 → Return to Bishkek
  • Days 15 and 16 → Bokonbaevo 
  • Day 17 → Karakol, Fairytale Canyon, or Jeti-Oguz
  • Days 18 to 20 → Ala-Kul Trek (3 or 4 days)
  • Day 21 → Return to Bishkek 

What itinerary would you recommend for four weeks?

If you have 4 weeks, you can slow down the pace or add off-the-beaten-path stages.

Here are some possible additions:

Natural regions

  • Chon-Orutkuu (1 day) → Hot springs
  • Barskoon (1 day) → Waterfalls
  • Sary-Mogol (2 to 3 days) → View of Lenin Peak (7,200 m), accessible without being a mountaineer
  • Suusamyr (2-3 days) → Hike to Lake Muztor

Cultural and historical sites

  • Uzgen (1 day) → Historical complex
  • Min-Kush (1 day) → Abandoned Soviet village

Do you have an agency to recommend for a self-drive tour in Kyrgyzstan?

Yes, the concept My Kyrgyz Road Trip, created by Aydow and his family.
It is a 13-day turnkey self-drive road trip, designed and organized by locals, with a coherent and realistic itinerary.

You will discover Kyrgyzstan independently, driving your own 4×4, while benefiting from a clear framework and local telephone assistance if needed.
Accommodation is booked in advance with local families, in yurt camps and guesthouses, and activities are included.

The trip begins with a welcome dinner in Bishkek, a chance to meet the team and receive personalized advice for the rest of the trip.

It’s the ideal option if you want a road trip that feels free, accessible, and well supported, so you can discover Kyrgyzstan with peace of mind, even if it’s your first time in the country.

You can find the detailed itinerary and contact Aydow directly here.

yurt-a-son-kul

How can I cross the border between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan?

Many travelers from the Facebook group shared their experiences. Here is a summary of the feedback from Coralie, Géraldine, and Thomas:

How to cross the border at Osh?

Crossing the border between Osh and Uzbekistan is very easy.

On the Uzbek side, customs officers quickly spot foreigners and often give them priority. The checks are fast: a glance at the visa, a stamp, and that’s it. There are no strict controls on luggage, medication, or declared currency.

What should I do once I have crossed the border?

Once in Uzbekistan, you will find a slew of shared taxis to take you to:

  • Andijan
  • Fergana
  • Marguilan
  • Tashkent (longer route, but possible directly)

Drivers accept payment in dollars.

Where can I exchange money?

  • Before crossing, you can exchange Uzbek soms at the Osh bazaar.
  • There are also a few exchange offices at the border, but the rates are not always favorable.

How hard are the treks in Kyrgyzstan?

Kyrgyzstan offers a wide range of treks. It's essential to choose itineraries that match your experience and fitness level.

Is there a ranking of treks according to their difficulty?

Yes! Together with my buddy Tatosh, we've ranked the four most popular treks, based on:

  • Her experience as a guide

  • Reader feedback

  • My own experience

This classification is subjective and is mainly intended for less experienced travelers in good physical condition.

And since we're in Kyrgyzstan, I'll also tell you the level of riding difficulty.

What is your personal ranking?

Difficulty on foot (from easiest to most challenging):

  1. Kol-Suu and Kol-Ukok (tie)

  3. Ala-Kul

Difficulty on horseback (from easiest to most technical) :

  2. Kol-Suu

  3. Kol-Ukok

  4. Ala-Kul

Kol-Suu and Kol-Ukok, tied for first place?

Are you hesitating between these two treks? Even though they're listed together, in practice they have nothing to do with each other.

  • Kol-Suu is easier physically, but it will require more organization. It is located in the south of the country, and just to reach its starting point will take you two days round trip. In addition, you must apply for a border permit in advance.

  • Kol-Ukok is more physically demanding, but much more accessible. The trek starts 15 minutes by taxi from Kotchkor, and no specific preparation is necessary.

What are the characteristics of the Kol-Suu trek?

Kol-Suu is a lake perched at an altitude of 3,500 m, very close to the Chinese border. Its spectacular setting makes it one of the most impressive treks in Kyrgyzstan.

Technical data

  • Best time to go: mid-June to mid-September
  • Duration: 3 days (including 2 days transport)
  • Maximum altitude: 3,860 m
  • Round trip distance: 14 km
  • Altitude gain/loss: +180 m / -180 m
  • Walking time: 4h30
  • Water supply: easy, a river runs along the entire route
  • Where to sleep? In a tent or yurt. From mid-May to mid-September, a dozen yurt camps are set up 6 km from the lake.

Difficulty and accessibility

The trek is easy and accessible to everyone. The only physical challenge is the altitude, which can be a concern for some people.
The trail is straightforward, so you can do it without a guide.

Logistical challenges

Kol-Suu's real challenge is logistics and access:

  • Located in the southern part of the country, far from other points of interest.
  • Travel time to the start of the trek:
    • A 8 hour drive from Bishkek to Naryn
    • A 5-hour jeep ride from Naryn to the yurt camps
  • Border permit required (must be obtained in advance).

Good to know: You can also do the trek on horseback, but the pedestrian option is more interesting, as it's a simple round trip.

What are the characteristics of the Kol-Ukok trek?

Kol-Ukok is a high-altitude lake located at 3,000 m, perfect for a first independent hike.

Technical data

  • Best time to go: mid-June to mid-September
  • Duration: 2 days
  • Maximum altitude: 3,200 m
  • Round trip distance: 32 km
  • Altitude gain/loss: +1,100 m / -1,100 m
  • Walking time: 14 h
  • Water: bring a full water bottle at the start. The river runs alongside the path, but is not always easily accessible.
  • Where to sleep: in a tent or yurt. From June to September, several yurt camps are set up before the pass and around the lake.

Difficulty and accessibility

  • A steady, gradual climb, ideal for beginners who are in good shape.
  • A great test before tackling more difficult treks.
  • A straightforward itinerary, one you can do without a guide.

Access and logistics

  • Starting point: Isakeev village, 15 minutes by taxi from Kotchkor.
  • Cab fare: approx. 500 KGS.
  • Itinerary: round trip over 2 days.

Equestrian option not recommended: not ideal for horseback riding.

  • Long descent on the second day, not great for horseback riding, especially if you're a beginner.

What are the characteristics of the Song-Kul trek?

Song-Kul is a high-altitude lake at 3,000 m, surrounded by pastures where nomadic shepherds live. It’s a true display of nomadic life in Kyrgyzstan.

Technical data

  • Best period: June to mid-September
  • Duration: 3 to 4 days
  • Maximum altitude: 3,550 m
  • Total distance: 60 km
  • Altitude gain/loss: +2,200 m / -2,200 m
  • Walking time: 18 h
  • Water: bring a full water bottle at the start. Some streams are not accessible, especially on the pass.
  • Where to sleep? In yurts or tents. Mid-May to mid-September: yurt camps at Kilemche and around Lake
    Off-season: a few tourist yurts remain open near the lake.

Difficulty and accessibility

  • A challenging trek, with long distances and steep climbs.
  • A more relaxed first day as far as Kilemche.
  • Ascent to the pass at 3,500 m = the most challenging section

Key information:

  • No single trail → multiple possible routes →a guide is recommended.

Equestrian option: one of the best horseback riding experiences.

  • Perfect for trail riding, even for beginners.
  • An immersive experience of nomadic culture.
  • Last day downhill: if you're not comfortable, you can walk beside the horse.

What are the characteristics of the Ala-Kul trek?

Ala-Kul is a lake located at 3,532 m, surrounded by steep mountains. It’s one of the most spectacular treks, but also the most physically challenging. There are several routes, but here you'll find only the 3-day option, which is the least strenuous.

Technical data

  • Best time to go: late June to mid-September
  • Duration: 3 or 4 days
  • Maximum altitude: 3,900 m
  • Total distance: 50 km
  • Altitude gain/loss: +2,100 m / -2,100 m
  • Walking time: 25 h
  • Starting point: Ak-Suu
  • Water supply: bring a full water bottle at the start.
  • Where to sleep?
    In tents, yurts or guesthouses.
    On the 3-day itinerary, nights are spent in Altyn Arashan, where you'll find guesthouses and hot springs.

Difficulty and physical effort.

The most physically challenging trek on the list. Many travelers underestimate it.

  • A tough second day:

    • Approximately 10 hours of walking, including 6 hours just for the ascent to the lake.
    • Ascent of +1,400 m, with a steep, continuous slope.

  • A highly challenging final pass:

    • Last climb: +250 m over just 400 m.
    • Altitude and soft terrain make progress difficult.
    • Breathtaking views as a reward!

A guide is a real advantage if you're a beginner hiker:

  • He motivates you and supports you through the technical sections.
  • They help keep you safe on the final pass final pass, which is a true physical challenge.

Horseback riding option

  • Horses can't climb the final pass.
  • Interesting alternative: spend the second day riding to the foot of the pass, then hike up while your horse waits at the bottom.

Do you know any reliable guides for hiking and trekking?

What are the rates charged by travel agencies?

As you prepare for your trip to Kyrgyzstan, you'll hear about CBTs (Community-Based Tourism). Initially, these offices were managed by a Swiss NGO supporting local tourism.

Today, the NGO no longer exists. CBTs now operate like conventional agencies, often with higher prices.

3 things to know before booking with a CBT.

  • Each CBT operates independently. If you book through a CBT in another city, they will take a commission. It's best to book locally.
  • Transport is not included. Hikes often start in the wilderness. You'll likely be offered an overpriced private cab. Always compare with a local taxi or hitchhiking.
  • Excursions are standard, with little flexibility, and guides don't always speak English.

Who do you recommend for Song-Kul?

If you're looking for someone trustworthy and good horses, I recommend my friend Tatosh. I've been doing this trek every year since 2019 with her guides and I've never been disappointed.
She's been organizing this trek for years. Tatosh has a real passion for the region and nomadic culture. Her guides are experienced and her horses are suitable for riders of all levels.


She can organize your departure from Bishkek, saving you time in Kochkor.

In addition to the trek, Tatosh can give you good advice on other places to explore in Kyrgyzstan.

Do you have a horse to recommend?

Hippo… but only to say hello.
He’s still a foal. You never ride a horse before it’s four years old.
He was born in May 2024, in the wild, somewhere in the pastures of Song-Kul.
His father, Mustang, is a champion Kok-Boru stallion. Hippo has a strong pedigree.
In November, my friend Beksultan gave him to me as asign of friendship.
Hippo will grow up in Song-Kul, among the nomadic herds.

 

It's our first meetingIt was last November, in the village.

In Kyrgyz, a horse’s name changes according to its age :
-kulun (1 year old),
-tai (2 years old),
-kunan (3 years old),
-dön (4 years old).
For now, Hippo is a kulun. You'll probably run into him during your stay in Song-Kul. Feel free to send me a photo.

What are the typical rates for travel agencies?

  • Horse rental: 1,500 KGS per day
  • Groom: 2,500 KGS per day
  • English-speaking guide: from KGS 6,000 per day
  • Night in a yurt with breakfast: 1,200 KGS
  • Lunch in a yurt: 600 KGS
  • Dinner in a yurt: 600 KGS

Good to know:

voyager-au-kirghizistan

If you hire a guide, you'll also need to cover:

  • His meals
  • His accomodation
  • Horse rental (for horseback excursions)

Tip: If you're traveling in a group, these costs can be shared among participants.

How can you reduce costs?

If you're on a tight budget, here are some options:

  • Book an excursion without meals and take care of your own food.
  • Go for a trek on foot, booking meals and accommodation only, without a guide.

What should I check with my guide before I go on a trek?


horse-riding-in-kyrgyzstanBefore setting off on your trek, Before setting off on your trek, check that the equipment is suitable and corresponds to what was planned. It's not a question of trust, it's just common sense. It's best to avoid unpleasant surprises in the wild.

Many travelers inspect every scratch on a rental car, while a tent with a hole in it during the rain can be far more problematic!

In 2021, I went on a horseback trek with my buddy Azamat. Before we left, he told me:

"I know you trust me, but we're still going to check the gear together. I don't want you to end up in the middle of the wind with a tent that has no stakes. I've got plenty of spares here."

What should I check before setting off on a trek?

1. Make sure the agreed service is provided

You've paid for a service, so it's only right that it should be as expected. Check it out:

  • The number of porters or horses.
  • Equipment included in the package (tents, sleeping bags, stove, etc.).

2. Check the quality of the equipment

The right equipment makes all the difference when trekking. Before you head out, check:

  • The condition of the tents (no holes, stakes, and poles complete).
  • Quality of sleeping bags (suitable for mountain night temperatures).
  • Kitchen equipment (functional stove, enough gas, clean utensils).
  • If the equipment is damaged or unsuitable, request a replacement.

3. Check the quantity and quality of the food

  • Make sure you have enough provisions for the entire trek.
  • Check the freshness of the products to avoid unpleasant surprises.
  • If anything is missing, it’s easy to sort out before departure.

And before a horseback ride?

Before you leave, take a few minutes to check your horse:

General condition: healthy, well-fed, with no visible wounds.
Hooves and equipment: properly fitted saddle and bit, no chafing.
Behavior: a tired or stubborn horse from day one is likely to be a problem for several days.

I've written a comprehensive article on horseback riding in Kyrgyzstan, covering everything you need to check about your horse before you set off.

Should I tip my guide?

This is common practice in Kyrgyzstan. My friend Fabien recommends giving 200 KGS per person per day. That's what I do.

Can I go horseback trekking as a beginner?

That's the question my friend Tatosh gets asked the most.

Her answer is simple:

"Of course you can trek on horseback as a beginner! Kyrgyz horses are small, docile, and perfectly suited for novices. At Song-Kul Lake, the majority of riders are beginners. What's more, we add cushions to our saddles for extra comfort. Don't hesitate!"  

Do you have any guides to recommend for a hike to Song-Kul Lake?

Song-Kul Lake is an ideal setting for horseback riding. If you want an authentic experience at a reasonable price, I recommendTatosh.

She organizes rides in small groups, perfect for both beginners and experienced riders, with skilled guides and well-treated horses.

Another great advantage: she can arrange your direct transfer from Bishkek to Kyzart:

  • Skip Kochkor and save a day instead of searching for a local agency.
  • With Tatosh, you maximize your time and budget to get the most out of your trek.

Remember to book as soon as you've made your plans. It helps her organize departures and guarantees you a spot. I had the pleasure of doing this hike with some of the blog's readers. You can read their impressions and book the hike by clicking here.
My last lakeside gallop:

Do you have a guide to recommend for the Ala-Kul trek?

Yes, I know a good agency with knowledgeable guides and quality equipment for going to Ala-Kul.

Before making your choice, you should know that the Ala-Kul trek can be done in 3 or 4 days, depending on your level and preferences.

3-day itinerary (suitable for beginners)

This route is more accessible and lets you sleep in a guesthouse.

  • Day 1: Aksuu to Altyn Arashan → 4-hour walk
  • Day 2: Round trip to Ala-Kul → 7 to 10-hour walk (depending on your fitness level)
  • Day 3: Return to Aksuu → 4-hour walk

Ideal if you're looking for a great adventure with minimal physical effort.

4-day itinerary (intermediate level)

This route is more challenging, with nights spent in a yurt or tent.

  • Day 1: National Park entrance to Sirota Camp → 12 km, 4 to 5 h
  • Day 2: Sirota to Keldike Gorge → 10 km, 5 to 6 h
  • Day 3: Keldike to Altyn Arashan → 10 km, 4 h
  • Day 4:Altyn Arashan to Aksuu → 15 km, 4 h


Do I need a guide for this trek?

I'm often asked if a guide is necessary. I always answer:
"If you're wondering whether you need a guide, then you need a guide."

  • The 3-day trek is doable on your own with some hiking experience and good preparation.
  • The 4-day itinerary is more challenging: if you've never trekked in the high mountains before, you'd be better off with a guide.

For a reliable guide, my mate Tatosh organizes these treks with well-established routes and quality equipment. You can contact her here to organize your adventure.

Do you have a guide to recommend for the Kol-Suu trek?

Yes, Tatosh! Travelers who have done it with her all agree: this trek is as easy as it is beautiful. It feels like the end of the world.

She designed this adventure with friends who live in a yurt camp nestled at the foot of the lake.

An unforgettable 3-day trek:

  • Access: Remote track - 4×4 required, driver highly recommended.
  • Start: Naryn.
  • Border permit included (allow 15 days for processing).

How to make a reservation

  • Write to her at least 15 days in advance so she can apply for your permit.
  • Send her a copy of your passport.
  • Your driver will be waiting in Naryn with your permit to take you to the camp.

Book with her as early as possible to ensure you get your permit on time. This trek is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: accessible and breathtaking. You can contact her by clicking here.

Do you have an English-speaking driver-guide to recommend when visiting Kyrgyzstan?

Yes, Azamat! More than just a guide, he's a trusted friend and the best French and English-speaking guide I know. A true Swiss Army knife, he can organize the tour of your dreams, whether on foot, horseback, or by car.

I've sent many readers off with him in complete confidence. They all came back thrilled, and some are even going back. You can read their testimonials on the page dedicated to him.

A guide and a friend with whom I’ve shared unique experiences:

January 2020: Azamat came to France for his first trip abroad.

2021: With my buddies Basile and Loïc, we went on an unprecedented horseback trek between Ozgorush and Kazarman. Azamat had promised us an unforgettable experience... and he was right!

Thanks to him, we were able to:

  • Cross incredible and diverse landscapes.
  • ride top-quality horses.
  • Meet remote nomads.

And we're not the only ones who loved it! Several blog readers do it every year and they all came back delighted.

If you're looking for a new horseback adventure or a more traditional tour, contact him here

What's your favorite trek on horseback?

The trek between Ozgorush and Kazarman is my ultimate adventure in Kyrgyzstan.

Azamat assured me that this was an unspoilt route with very few tourists, even in high season. I can confirm that he was absolutely right.

With Loïc and Basile, we had an unforgettable adventure on horseback. In the middle of July, we didn't encounter any other travelers: it was a dream come true!

Who is this trek for?
This horseback trek includes technical sections.Do it if you are a confident rider or if you are ready for a real adventure.
It is, without hesitation, my most memorable experience in Kyrgyzstan.

What's the itinerary for this trek?

  • Day 1: Horseback ride to Ozgorush with a mountain loop and overnight with Nurlan's family.
  • Day 2: Horseback ride to Lake Karasuu, crossing the Taktalik Pass at 2,700 m, descent to Lake Karasuu, overnight in tents at 2,000 m .
  • Day 3: Ride along Lake Karasuu to the second lake, Lake Kapka, at 2,340 m., overnight in tents .
  • Day 4: Horseback riding in Otuz Art, Belmonchok Pass at 3,200 m, picnic with snowfields, arrival at the nomad camp at 2,700 m, night in tents.
  • Day 5: Horse ride to Kizil Unkur, descent to the canyon, change of scenery to green meadows and walnut forests, overnight at a local guesthouse in Kizil Unkur.
  • Day 6: Last day on horseback in Arslanbob, crossing the walnut forest, picnic, arrival at the guesthouse, horses transported to Toktogul by truck, dinner at the guesthouse, end of service.

A unique experience with Nurlan

Nurlan, a local ranger and expert guide, welcomes you to his home on the first night of your trek. It's the perfect opportunity to meet his family and immerse yourself in Kyrgyz culture.
Nurlan is an endearing character.
He'll delight you with his knowledge of plants, his love of animals and his infectious laugh.

Over time, Nurlan has become a friend, and every year I go back to see him and his family.

This trek offers an amazing diversity of landscapes. As my buddy Loïc would say:
"The scenery looks like it was made by a graphic designer who wanted to get a kick out of it".

This is the perfect hike for:

  • Escape the hustle and enjoy an exceptional natural setting
  • Live like a true Kyrgyz rider, in complete immersion.
  • Meet remote nomads, far from the beaten path.

You can do this trek if you have an adventurous spirit and don't suffer from vertigo. Azamat organizes it every year for riders who request it.

New for 2026: To make treks more accessible, Azamat is organizing departures on fixed dates, with open groups and sliding-scale pricing. These trips are led by his equestrian guide friends.

Do you need a guide for hiking?

Local guides are skilled and ready to show you the ropes, but you're also free to explore on your own.

My answer to those who hesitate:
"If you're debating whether you need a guide, it's because you probably do."

Hiking: Going solo or with a guide?

  • Most hikers go solo. The trails aren’t always marked, but you can buy maps in Bishkek and Karakol.
  • Self-guided tours: Some agencies provide pre-booked yurt stays and a detailed itinerary through local host families.
  • Watch out for the weather: If you're heading out solo, make sure you check the weather and trail conditions before you go.

Horseback riding: can I go without a guide?

  • You can't rent a horse from an agency without a guide, but you can rent one directly from a farmer for the day.
  • If you're an experienced rider, you can go off and explore on your own.
  • Example rates :
    • In Altyn Arashan: 1400 KGS/day
    • In Song-Kul: about 1000 KGS/day
  • The advantage of riding solo: it makes it easy to meet the locals. During my solo ride, every rider I crossed greeted me and invited me to join them.

To find out more, I've written an article dedicated to horseback riding in Kyrgyzstan.

What Kyrgyz traditions can I still see today? 

How can I visit an animal market?

It’s easy: animal markets take place every week.

I went to the Tokmok animal market with readers who wanted to buy horses.

What is an animal market?

It is a market where farmers come to buy or sell their animals.

What animals can I see there?

You will mainly see:

  • Sheep, goats,goats, bulls, andhorses,
  • More rarely: yaks or donkeys

Horse transactions are spectacular. Buyers make them walk, trot, and especially gallop in the middle of the market before finalizing the transaction.

When and where do they take place?

It's easy:

Sunday morning

  • Karakol (Issyk-Kul)
  • Tokmok (Chuy Valley)

Saturday morning

  • Kotchkor (Naryn region)

The rule is simple:

  • You arrive very early, between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. After 10 a.m., the market empties quickly.

Can I attend a Kok-Boru match?

Yes, Kok Boruis themost spectacular Kyrgyz game. It is the national sport.

It is an equestrian sport in which two teams of riders compete to grab a goat carcass and place it in the opposing team’s goal.

Where can I watch a Kok Boru match?

  • August 31 in Bishkek: Major match at the racecourse for the national holiday.
  • Talas, once a month: a festival dedicated to nomadic sports.
  • Kegeti, every Sunday and Tuesday: Traditional matches in Azema's hometown. A unique immersion in local culture.

If you want to watch a match in a more authentic setting, Azema organizes an excursion to Kegeti.

You can contact her directly here.

What is eagle hunting?

Eagle hunting is an age-old tradition in Central Asia. In Kyrgyzstan, hunters known as berkutchi train berkuttire (golden eagles) to capture prey in the winter. In the past, these hunters were essential for supplying villages with meat and furs.

How do you become an eagle hunter?

According to my buddy Azamat, becoming a berkutchi is a long apprenticeship:

  1. Capturing a wild eagle: The hunter must take an egg from a nest perched high in the mountains. A risky mission.
  2. Rigorous training: the eagle is trained for four years before it is ready to hunt rabbits, foxes, and even wolves.
  3. A unique bond: An eagle lives for around 60 years, but according to tradition, its hunter releases it when it turns 20.

When and where can I watch an eagle hunt?

  • October to February: Hunting season - the best time to observe this practice in real-life conditions.
  • All year round: demonstrations are held during training sessions to discover this amazing practice.

Can I easily find hot springs?

Yes. Hot springs are found in several regions of Kyrgyzstan.

Where are the main hot springs?

You'll easily find them along your route:

The best-known ones:

– Altyn-Arashan, above Karakol
-Access on foot or by 4×4.
-Outdoor pools in a natural setting.
– This is the best known and most touristy. You see it a lot in photos on Instagram. For me, it's one of the least pleasant because it's enclosed by mountains and completely in the shade.

The most hidden hot springs, tested and approved by my friends and me:

– Ak-Bermet, near Cholpon-Ata
-Located west of Cholpon-Ata, on the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul.
-Easy access from the lake road.
-Open-air springs.
–One of the best equipped and very comfortable. An easy stop to include on an itinerary around Issyk-Kul.

– Kara-Tash Wild Hot spring, Sary-Jaz Valley (near Enilchek)
-Wild springs in the mountains.
-Access via a track from Enilchek.
-Hot pools along the Sary-Jaz River.

– Dzhuuku Istochnik, south shore of Lake Issyk-Kul
-Located in the Dzhuuku Valley.
-Access from the lake road then via a trail.
-Springs at the bottom of the gorge, in the mountains.

– Chon-Kyzyl-Suu, on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul
Springs located in a gorge.
Not very well equipped.
A pool frequented by locals.

– Goryachiy Istochnik Nur, on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul
-Outdoor pools facing Lake Issyk-Kul.
-Unobstructed view of the lake and surrounding mountains.
–This is my favorite hot spring: you bathe in the hot water with the lake in front of you and snow-capped peaks all around. It is mainly frequented by locals.

Are they mixed, and do I need to book in advance?

Yes. Access is mixed.

No. Access is provided directly on site.
You may sometimes be asked to pay, depending on the site.

What should I take with me when traveling to Kyrgyzstan?

What gifts can I give to locals?

Don’t bring anything from home. Buy it once you’re there.

I'm often asked this, and my answer is simple: don't bring anything, buy it when you get there.

Why?

  • Locally bought gifts will make people just as happy.
  • You're boosting the local economy by buying from them.
  • You avoid assuming their needs and adapt to the moment.

Got a real-life example?

Nurlan welcomed us into his home with my friends Loïc and Basile. We saw his kids playing ball with a plastic bag.

  • Head to the village store → Pick up a soccer ball.
  • The result: the shopkeeper is thrilled, the kids are happy, and we end up playing an impromptu game and scoring tons of little goals!

What can I bring on a trek?

If your itinerary passes through villages, buy directly on the spot.
If you're heading into the countryside with no stores, make sure to do your shopping beforehand.

For the kids:

  • Simple, shared toys: balls, Frisbees, and more...
  • Avoid unnecessary items and sweets → They're bad for your teeth.

For the adults:

  • Fresh fruits and vegetables → They are farmers, they have meat but very few fresh products.
  • A watermelon if you're riding or driving → It's a super popular fruit.

Another great idea:

  • Photos of your family, your home, your region.
    Nomads love sharing their daily lives, and they're also curious about yours.

Little bonus: Don't forget my English/Kyrgyz lexicon to make communication easier!


The only exception: Azamat and cheese! If you're traveling with my buddy Azamat, an artisanal camembert will be the best gift you can give him. He's absolutely obsessed with it!

How much money should I budget for traveling to Kyrgyzstan?

Kyrgyzstan remains an affordable destination, but inflation has pushed prices up, especially since 2022. Currently, for a three-week trip, I spend around €1,495 (flight included).

My detailed budget:

  • Plane ticket: €510
  • Meals: $150
  • Hotels: €225
  • Transport: €90
  • Excursions (horseback riding, guided tours, etc.): €591
  • Extras and souvenirs: €51
  • Laundry: €6

I could spend less by eating at small local restaurants. Dinners at guesthouses cost around 450 KGS (€4.50). Eating out often cuts this budget in half. I prefer to share my meals with local families for the human experience.

How my budget has changed over the years

  • 2014: €1111 (including flight)
  • 2025: approximately €1,623 (including flight)

Over time, I've chosen a bit more comfort, avoiding dorms, but Kyrgyzstan remains an incredibly affordable destination.

How much will it cost in 2026?

Travel to Kyrgyzstan is still super affordable. Here are a few budget tips for you:

Meals

  • A meal in a boui-boui: €2 to €3
  • A hearty dinner in a guesthouse: €10

Accomodation

  • Night in guesthouse (breakfast included): €15
  • Hostel dormitory: €8

Transport

  • Bus between major cities: €3 to €5 per journey

Activities and excursions

  • Traditional Banya in Bishkek: €7 (a must-try local experience!)
  • Eagle hunting demonstration: €50 per group
  • Horseback riding in Song-Kul with overnight stay in a yurt (all-inclusive): €55 per day

How to optimize your budget?

  • Cheaper flights: If you book early, you can find tickets for about €400.
  • Eat local: Head to markets and small restaurants instead of guesthouse meals.

trek-into-kyrgyzstan

What’s the weather like in Kyrgyzstan?

"In Kyrgyzstan, even in summer, you can experience all four seasons in one day."
That's my buddy Azamat saying it, and trust me, he's spot on.

If you're going on a trek or spending time at altitude, expect anything. I've had days with: bright sunshine in the morning, freezing rain at midday, and polar winds in the evening. Don't be surprised.

Don't leave without:

  • A warm down jacket, even in the middle of summer.
  • A waterproof, windproof jacket for those surprise storms.
  • A good hat and gloves if you're heading to higher altitudes.

What was in your backpack?

As with all my trips, my bag weighed no more than 18 lbs.
My goal was to travel light and avoid checked luggage.

Why?

  • Less waiting at the airport.
  • No loss of baggage during stopovers.
  • More freedom when traveling.

How do I manage my clothes?

I always leave with 5 days' worth of clothes. It's the perfect balance:

  • Enough to avoid doing laundry every day.
  • Not too much, so you don't end up with a heavy bag.

Laundries are easy to find, between 100 and 300 KGS per load.
And if you want to save some cash, you can always wash your clothes in rivers!

My bag for Kyrgyzstan

Bag and storage

  • Decathlon Forclaz 60L bag, with small daypack

Clothing

  • 1 pair of riding jeans, 1 pair of trekking pants
  • 1 pair of swimming shorts, 5 pairs of boxer shorts, 5 pairs of socks
  • 2 light shirts, 2 t-shirts
  • 1 hoodie
  • 1 ski jacket

Useful accessories

  • Money belt 
  • Padlock 
  • Headlamp (for nights in a yurt)
  • Waterproof bag 

Hygiene and care

  • Toothbrush, toothpaste
  • Micropur (water purification)
  • Anti-diarrheal 
  • Survival blanket 

Electronics

  • iPhone (replaces camera and GoPro)
  • USB adapter
  • Power bank (essential on treks)

Style & comfort

  • Bob and sunglasses
  • Spare glasses

Shoes

  • Trekking shoes (tested and approved)
  • Sneakers (to feel more comfortable in town)
  • Flip-flops (always useful)

Camping and trekking

  • Microfiber towel 
  • Sleeping bag 
  • Inflatable cushion 
  • Reusable water bottle 

Guidance and documentation

  • Travel guide (because a bit of prep never hurts)

The essentials for traveling light, without forgetting the must-haves... and a few extras to keep you comfortable!

What should I bring to make my trip easier?

What are your essentials?

1.Kyrgyzstan Traveller's Handbook:

  • The only travel guide fully dedicated to this destination.
  • More detailed than general guides to Central Asia.
  • Provides a deeper understanding of local history and traditions.
  • I've been featured in it since 2020!  Check it out on Amazon

2.A box of micropur: 

  • Essential for purifying water in the mountains.
  • Rivers are often contaminated by animals.
  • Avoid digestive issues and reduce your water budget. Check it out on Amazon

3A survival blanket:

  • Ultra-compact, it shields you from cold, heat, and humidity.
  • Can double as a stretcher if needed.
  • A must-have for less than €2. See on Amazon

Do you have any other useful accessories?

  • A solar shower A 20L water bag that warms up in the sun. Perfect if you want to avoid icy river water while riding.  Check it out on Amazon

  • A money belt: A belt that looks normal but hides bills inside. Perfect for hiding your money discreetly.See on Amazon

  • Riding pants: If you're not used to riding, they can help prevent chafing. If you're a good rider, you can do without them, but it's up to you to choose between style and comfort. See on Amazon

Is it easy to access the internet and mobile data?

Kyrgyzstan is the perfect place to disconnect. The country is 98% mountains, and Wi-Fi is rare.

Where can I find wifi?

  • Available at select hostels and restaurants.
  • Often slow, so don't count on it for working online.
  • Free at the airport, with the option to recharge afterwards.

Which SIM card should you choose?

Operator "O" is the best for network coverage.

  • 95 KGS = 1 week with 10 GB of data.
  • Easy to buy in town or right at the airport.

How do I make calls to or from Kyrgyzstan?

  • From France to Kyrgyzstan: Add +996 before the number.
  • From Kyrgyzstan to France: Add +33 before the number.

If you want to stay connected, it's best to buy a local SIM card as soon as you arrive!

friend-trekking

Which useful apps should you have on your phone?

Internet speeds are often slow, so it's best to download applications before you leave.You absolutely need:

Maps.me -The best offline GPS

  • Free application.
  • Detailed maps, including hiking routes and trails.
  • Works offline after downloading the maps.

If you want to find your way around easily and follow routes even without a network, Maps.me is the best GPS for travel.

How can I travel responsibly and be well prepared?

I'm not a perfect example. I've often made rash decisions that I later regretted.

To help you avoid these mistakes, here's some essential advice based on my own experiences and those of my fellow travelers.

Do I really need travel insurance?

Yes, absolutely. Traveling without insurance is foolish and can cost you a lot of money if something goes wrong.

Why is it essential?

  • Accident or illness → Medical expenses can be sky-high.
  • Repatriation → A medical evacuation can cost tens of thousands of euros.
  • Trip cancellation or baggage loss → Good coverage can save you a lot of hassle.

My personal experience:
In 2018, I tore my cruciate ligaments in my knee in Togo.

Thanks to my insurance, I was repatriated without paying a cent and everything was covered.

Travel insurance is not expensive, or even free (if you have a Visa Premier, for example). Don't overthink it, just get good coverage.

If you're still unsure, think about that Canadian who was traveling without insurance and had to raise $68,000 from friends and family after contracting malaria to pay for his repatriation...

Learn from his experience so you don't make the same mistake.

Got any travel insurance you’d recommend?

Yes, ACS offers excellent coverage at a reasonable price. Readers who have tested it have given me excellent feedback.

I also recommend that you read my article on credit card travel insurance, which may help you choose the best option.

What do I need to know before going on a horseback ride?

Two key points:

  • Your horse's health → Make sure he's in good physical condition before setting off.
  • Your safety → Wear a riding helmet.

I had the chance to discuss this with the French ambassador in Bishkek. You'll find all the details in my article dedicated to horseback riding.

 

Are there other activities involving animals for which I need to take precautions?

Yes, eagle hunting and Kok Boru.

These two traditional activities are part of Kyrgyz culture. You can watch them at festivals or private demonstrations.

What you need to know before attending:

  • Eagle hunting → In a classic demonstration, the eagle hunts a live rabbit, leading to its death.
  • Kok Boru → This equestrian game involves two teams competing for a goat carcass. To start the game, a goat is sacrificed.

What are the alternatives to ensure animal welfare?

You have two options:

  • Attend a demonstration at a festival → Be aware of what you're witnessing.
  • Opt for a private demonstration → You can ask for alternatives:
    - Replace the rabbit with a decoy for the eagle hunt.
    - Replace the goat with a fake carcass for the Kok Boru.

Good to know: These requests are becoming increasingly common at travel agencies. You can easily find demonstrations that do not involve the killing of animals.

How can I avoid acute mountain sickness?

AMS generally occurs above 3,500 m altitude. The good news is that on a standard tour of Kyrgyzstan, you rarely exceed this limit.

Examples of altitudes:

  • Song-Kul: 3,000 m → No major risk.
  • Ala-Kul Pass: 3,850 m → You pass through it quickly, so there's minimal risk if you're properly acclimatized.

Thanks to Nathanaël, a blog reader and member of a trekking association in Nepal, for his advice! Always consult your doctor to validate this information.

What are the rules for acclimatization? 

Four factors influence AMS:

  • Climbing speed → Don't climb too fast.
  • Altitude reached → The higher you go, the more important the precautions.
  • Length of stay → The body adapts, but it needs time.
  • Individual susceptibility → Some people are more sensitive than others.

What rules should you follow?

  • Gradual ascent: No more than 400 m in altitude gain between each night above 3,500 m at the start of the trip.
  • Avoid intense exertion at first: allow your body to adapt.
  • Stay hydrated: Clear urine = good hydration.
  • Don't take sleeping pills: they aggravate hypoxia during sleep.
  • Listen to your body: If you feel any symptoms, slow down or go downhill.

Taking these criteria into account, we recommend that you follow these rules:

How do I know if I have AMS?

AMS manifests through several symptoms. Nathanaël assigns points based on their severity:

1 point for mild symptoms

  • Headaches
  • Lack of appetite or nausea
  • Insomnia
  • Dizziness

2 points for moderate symptoms

  • Paracetamol-resistant headaches
  • Vomiting

3 points for severe symptoms

  • Shortness of breath at rest
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Reduced urine output

What should I do based on the score?

  • 1 to 3 points → Mild AMS → Take a paracetamol and continue climbing if symptoms subside.
  • 4 to 6 points → Moderate AMS →  Rest for 24 h at the same altitude before continuing. If you take 3 g paracetamol/day without improvement, go back down.
  • +6 points → Severe AMS → Descend immediately to avoid serious complications (cerebral or pulmonary edema).

My buddy Christophe had this experience in Nepal. He talks about it in detail on his blog.

How should I manage my waste during treks?

Some guides burn waste on site. In France, this might seem absurd, but in Kyrgyzstan, there is no waste treatment plant.

Telling the guide not to burn the garbage is pointless. If it isn't burned in the mountains, it will be burned elsewhere...

So, what can we do?

  • Reduce your waste right from the start:
    • Use a backpack instead of plastic bags.
    • Choose local, unpackaged foods.
  • Burn waste on site rather than letting it end up in a giant landfill.

What else can you do to be a responsible traveler?

Manage your environmental impact:

  • Avoid relieving yourself near water → Risk of pollution.
  • Bury your excrement → Prevent river pollution and protect the flora.
  • Wash your clothes at least 100 m from rivers. Even biodegradable soap must be filtered through the earth to be truly biodegradable.

Respect the local economy:

  • Think of the local salary: In the countryside, a Kyrgyz earns around €150/month.
  • Don't privatize shared taxis: Even if it's cheap for you, buying up all the seats to leave immediately deprives locals of essential transport.

Any final words of advice?

Responsible travel means adapting your behavior to local realities.

If you have other ideas for a more respectful trip, share them in the comments!

What can I bring back from Kyrgyzstan?

You can bring back lots of typical items that are often unknown in France. It's a good idea, as long as you know what can be taken across the border without any problems.

In Kel Suu, a soldier offered me a wolf head hat. Surprising, but I refused: this type of item can cause problems at customs.
I preferred to bring back a kalpak, the traditional Kyrgyz hat, which is allowed and easy to take across the border.

What you can bring back without worry

  • Textiles: felt, kalpak hats, slippers, felt rugs
  • Handicrafts: embroidery, belts, small decorative items
  • Dry goods: honey, local sweets, tea, spices (in small quantities)
  • Everyday objects: tableware, wood, simple tools

As a general rule, if it's for domestic or tourist use, it's fine.

What is prohibited or strongly discouraged

  • Objects made of bone, horn, or animal parts
  • Products derived from protected animals (wolf, eagle, snow leopard)
  • Antiques without official certificates

Even if an item is sold on the market, it does not mean that it is allowed through customs.

What are the people like in Kyrgyzstan?

Is it dangerous for a woman to travel alone?

I am often asked this question. As you may have noticed, I am not a woman. I decided to ask Coralie for her opinion . She explored Kyrgyzstan alone for three weeks in September 2018.

travel-only-in-kyrgyzstan

Her testimony:

Is it a safe and welcoming country?

"It's one of the safest places I've traveled to. As a woman traveling alone, I never felt unsafe. The locals are often surprised to see a woman traveling alone, but they are always kind and respectful. In Bishkek, Osh, Kochkor, and Song-Kul, the locals are used to seeing female solo travelers."

Were you able to get around easily?

"I used local transportation (marshrutkas, shared taxis) without any worries. The drivers are always men, but I never felt unsafe."

What were the other women like?

"Kyrgyz women are very helpful. If they see you alone, they'll often come up and offer their help."

Did you walk alone at night?

"I did it without any problems. Of course, I took the same precautions as I would in Paris: avoid poorly lit areas and situations that feel suspicious."

What were you wearing?

With the exception of Arslanbob, where the culture is more conservative, classic travel attire is appropriate everywhere.
"I wore comfortable clothes, sometimes shorts when it was hot, and that was never an issue."

The only real risk? Like anywhere else, encountering a drunk person. But Kyrgyz people are generally protective of tourists.

Who are the people I will meet?

Encounters with locals and other travelers can greatly influence your perception of the country.

What are the local people like?

The Kyrgyz, descendants of nomads, live in a harsh mountain environment. They are known for their hospitality and honesty. Here, doors open easily and travelers are always well received.

What about the other travelers?

If you're coming to Kyrgyzstan, it's probably because you love nature and the great outdoors. You'll meet mostly experienced backpackers, accustomed to less touristy destinations.
Expect fascinating discussions in hostels and on the road. Every traveler has a unique story and incredible experiences to share!

What are the three cultural rules that will make me a true Kyrgyz?

1. Always use your right hand
The left hand is traditionally associated withpersonal hygiene after using the toilet. The right hand is used for eating, giving , and receiving. I always pay attention to this .

2. Never refuse an invitation too quickly
Tea, a meal, or kumis are all part of hospitality. I don't like kumis, but I never refuse it.
My tip: one sip is enough. Drinking it all in one go means they'll offer you more.

3. Take off your shoes when visiting someone's home or a yurt
The interior is a clean space, shared for eating, living, and sleeping. The first time, I hesitated. Since then, I always take off my shoes without thinking twice. Keeping your shoes on is considered disrespectful to your host.

Are the 2026 World Nomad Games being held in Kyrgyzstan?

Yes, the 6th World Nomad Games are taking place in Kyrgyzstan.
From August 31 to September 6, 2026 inclusive.
I was lucky enough to attend the very first edition of the World Nomad Games in 2014 in Cholpon-Ata.
The racetrack had just been built especially for the event.
Twelve years later, I am delighted to see the Games returning here.

Where do the World Nomad Games take place?

The games are taking place in several cities:

  • Bishkek: opening ceremony.

  • Kyrchyn Gorge: ethno-village and several challenges.

  • Cholpon-Ata: horse racing at the racetrack.

  • Cholpon-Ata: closing ceremony

What is the program for the 2026 World Nomad Games?

The program known to date is:

  • August 31, 2026
    Opening ceremony in Bishkek, on National Day
    Access subject to specific ticket

  • September 2–6, 2026
    Schedule of sporting events


  • Ethno-village Located in the Kyrchyn Gorge, it hosts some of the competitions.

  • Equestrian sports
    Held atthe Cholpon-Ata racecourse, with admission likely subject to ticket purchase


  • Closing Ceremony in Cholpon-Ata

What events can I see at the World Nomad Games?

The World Nomad Games immerse you in traditional sports from nomadic culture, still practiced today.

I've tried wrestling with my Kyrgyz friends several times.
On foot. On horseback. The result is always the same. I lose.
Their strength and balance are incredible.

What equestrian sports should you not miss?

  • Kok Boru
  • Horseback wrestling (Audaryspak)
  • Archery on horseback
  • Tenge Ilu
  • Horse racing (speed or endurance).

What strength and combat disciplines can you see?

What precision and traditional disciplines are on the program?

  • Traditional archery
  • Eagle hunting (Kusbegilik)
  • Ordo (knucklebones game)

What traditional strategy games can you see?

  • Intellectual games (Mangala, etc.) 

Is it easy to buy a ticket?

You can attend the World Nomad Games without going through an organized tour. Official tickets are not yet on sale, but access to the ethno-village is free. For everything else, book your accommodation and, if necessary, your rental car well in advance. Whether you are passionate about traditional sports, nomadic culture, or simply curious, the World Nomad Games are a unique experience.

The PDF version of the article.

Download the free PDF version (eBook) of my guide to access it anywhere, even without Wi-Fi.

And above all, when you are at Song Kul , call out “Hippo !” in the pastures. If he comes to see you, don't hesitate to say hello from me.

To go further:

This guide contains all the information you need to prepare your trip to Kyrgyzstan.

If you're looking for more detailed advice, I've written articles dedicated to specific key topics.

My article dedicated to horse riding
My article dedicated to car rental in Kyrgyzstan.
Marie's bike trip and her advice.
The 10 reasons why you should travel to Kyrgyzstan.

Find even more information on the Facebook group, Traveling in Kyrgyzstan.
We also share photos during winter, so you can keep traveling from your screen.

If you have any questions or advice, feel free to leave a comment.

This article contains affiliate links: it doesn't change the price for you, but I get a small commission that keeps the blog going. 

248 Responses to " Kyrgyzstan: The Complete Guide to Planning Your Trip in 2027."

  • Véronique

    Hi there!
    Hard not to repeat myself after all these exchanges....Merci, Merci pour ce blog/guides, toutes ces infos réunies, quel travail formidable et essentiel pour des futurs voyageurs/explorateurs! I had never heard of this country until I typed into a search engine: where to go in September, wide open spaces, wilderness camping. Then I came across this blog, and was hooked. And we're leaving in 2 months! Can't wait! Our itinerary will be built thanks to your various recommendations.
    I've just got one tiny logistical question that you may have had to deal with: our flight arrives at 4:00 am at the airport, and once we've gone through the formalities and picked up our luggage (if the transfer went well....), it'll still be early. What can we do? How do we get to Bishkek? Are there any hotels that accept early travelers? Thanks in advance for your answers.

    Reply
  • Marie

    Hello George-Michel,
    Thank you very much for this blog, which is a real gold mine and which we used almost entirely as inspiration for our 3-week itinerary in Kyrgyzstan.
    Aigul, with whom we're in contact, advised us to do the treks in this direction instead: Chon Kemin, Ala Kul then SongKul because of our dates (we'll be there from September 15 to October 5). Is it possible to follow his advice and do your 3-week itinerary (itinerary 1) but totally reversed, looping around the north of the lake?
    Thanks in advance, and thanks again for the time you've spent sharing all your good tips with us! We can't wait!

    Reply
    • Georges-Michel

      Hi Marie, thank you for your message which is a pleasure to read. I'm glad you found the blog useful. Aigul knows his country much better than I do 🙂 you can trust him completely. Bon voyage

      Reply
  • Barge

    Hello and thank you for this blog!
    Departure for us on Saturday April 29th. Do you have a list of contacts for treks and hikes?

    Reply
    • Georges-Michel

      Hi, thanks, glad you like it. All my contacts are on the blog, here.

      Reply
  • Louis

    Hello Georges, thank you very much for your blog, it's a real gold mine to visit Kyrgyzstan !
    I'm going to Kyrgyzstan with a friend for 8 days from April 23 to May 1, 2023; could you tell me if it will be possible to sleep in yurts on the lakes and to do treks on foot or horseback without too much snow?
    Another question, as we unfortunately have only 8 days on the spot, does it seem feasible to plan a 3 days trek on horseback on the Song Kul lake (with Aigul) and a 4 days trek on foot around the Issyk-Kul lake ? Or cut the last 4 days in 2 days at the lake of Kol Ukok and 2 days at the lake of Issyk-Kul ?
    Last question; at the Issyk Kul lake, what do you recommend as a trek on foot for 2, 3 or 4 days?
    Many thanks for your help!
    Louis

    Reply
    • Georges-Michel

      Hi, I'm glad you like the blog, thanks for the message. At your period the transhumance will not have taken place yet, you will have yurts for tourists at Song Kul lake but they are rare. The snow will still be present and the lakes may still be frozen. In view of the period, I recommend you to organize it 2 weeks before to know where are the weather and the height of the snow

      Reply
  • Asmae

    Just a short message to thank you for all this detailed information!

    Reply
    • Georges-Michel

      Hi Asmae, thanks for your message. This kind of thank you is as nice as it is rare. Happy New Year and have a good trip

      Reply
  • Nathan B.

    Hello GTLA ! Thank you for your blog which will help us in the organization of our trip. You mention shooting ranges, do you have any to recommend? Thanks a lot !

    Reply
    • Georges-Michel

      Hi, thanks, I don't have a shooting range to recommend because I've never been there. The best is to ask your hostel

      Reply
  • mathilde

    Hello, and thank you very much for this blog precious in information!
    We are leaving for 2 weeks and a half this summer at the end of July and beginning of August in Kyrgyzstan, in addition to the must-sees (ala kul, song kul, we will soon contact aigul), I was wondering what you would advise us for a 3rd trek between khol suu or sary chelez, I have the impression that there are maybe more things to group with khol suu (with at bashi and tash rabat) but I thought I saw that it was necessary to have a permit ? Is it also necessary a guide for this trek? Thanks a lot

    Reply
    • Georges-Michel

      Hi, Kol Suu is less far. You need a border permit, yes, the guide is not necessary but you need a vehicle with a driver.

      Reply
  • Meet one of the Stan brothers - Kyrgyzstan baby - Folk Roads

    [...] of information, I spent a lot of time on the blogs. A big thank you to GTLA blog, it is simply a nugget. It gives you an idea of the routes, the budget, [...]

    Reply
  • Adrien.L

    Hello GTLA !

    Thank you for your site, it's a real gold mine of information! It must have taken you a long time to gather all this information 🙂 Thanks for sharing it with everyone.

    I'm writing to you because I'm going to Kyrgyzstan in mid-September 2021 and I'd like to do a 3-day horseback ride around Lake Son Kul with Aigul because you've written such high praise for it!

    After that I would love to go on a 3 day trek with my partner not too far from the lake, we would love to see rocky landscapes and Kyrgyz mountains! I saw that you were talking about "Naryn (3 days)" but I wonder what you are referring to by saying 3 days? Have you ever done a trek there? Or maybe you have another idea for a trek that might be fun 🙂

    Thank you,

    Adrien and Orane

    Reply
    • Georges-Michel

      Hi, thanks and glad to know that the blog facilitates your trip. For the rest I'll write you an email with Aigul in copy, it's easier.

      Reply
  • Fabrice

    A big thank you to this blog and its admin ... relevance of the information, availability, ... it is a reliable and practical tool to prepare and live this wonderful experience that is Kyrgyzstan ! Thanks also to Aigul, with whom we organised our 3 treks : Ala Kul and Eki Narin (on foot), Song Kul (on horseback) ... she is flexible, available, reactive and the services offered were of high quality.
    For all this and for the rest, a big thank you!

    Reply
    • Georges-Michel

      Thanks to you Fabrice for your nice message. It's really cool to know that the blog, the country and my local friends were useful to you. I look forward to seeing you again!

      Reply
  • Stephen ROBIN

    Hello and thank you for your blog. I have a different desire, which is to go skiing in this country in February. The questions are:
    Will it be easy to find accommodation in the middle of nowhere at that time?
    Will I be able to find transport during this period?

    Thank you for your feedback

    Reply
    • Georges-Michel

      Hi, thanks for your message. At least in February the nomads are in the villages, there are no yurts. You will find transport between towns but some roads and passes will be closed!

      Reply
  • Erik

    Hi, thanks for this blog. I have already been to Kyrgyzstan by bike but now I am going on foot. If people welcome me for a night in a yurt, can I give some money and if so how much? (night, meal?)
    Thanks

    Reply
  • Claire

    My boyfriend and I have been dreaming of travelling to Kyrgyzstan (you saw I didn't make any mistakes 😉 ) for the last two or three years. But we still haven't been there. We hope to go this summer, but we'll have to wait and see. It's not easy to plan a trip at the moment... But anyway, I'm putting aside your very well-populated article! thank you 🙂

    Reply
    • Georges-Michel

      Thanks, glad you liked the article, it's always a pleasure to read this kind of comment. I hope you will go this summer. Keep me posted

      Reply
  • Carlos

    Hello. Thank you for sharing your experience. I visited Kyrgyzstan in summer all those places, very beautiful around Issyk Kul lake and Song Kol lake. We did horse riding, hiking, sleeping in a yurt, eagle show. Your local contacts are very professional, everything was very well organised. Highly recommend

    Reply
    • Georges-Michel

      Thanks, I'm glad the trip went well, it's great that you liked the country and that you got to see some of my friends. Hope to see you on the road.

      Reply
    • Jeremy

      Hello Carlos (and the others too). I see that you have done some horseback riding. Can you tell me which part exactly?
      My friends and I would like to do a 2-3 day horseback riding trip from Chon Kemin, do you have any info (name of a guide, route, organising agency, etc)?

      Thank you in advance.
      All answers can be sent here: je-38@hotmail.fr with Kyrgyzstan in the subject line

      Reply
  • Kate

    Hello!
    Your blog is really great, and especially very practical. So thank you very much for taking the time to write all this. I have requested to be added to your facebook group.
    My partner and I are planning to spend two/three weeks there in July. I personally have travelled a lot. But my partner is not used to it and is not very reassured.
    Is it hot enough there in July to camp without having to take a lot of gear?
    I speak fluent English but is that enough, or do I need to have some basic Russian?
    I hear of tourists being arrested or robbed in town, we plan to avoid the cities. What are the risks in the rest of the country?
    Thank you for your help!

    Reply
    • Georges-Michel

      Thanks, glad you like the blog, I'll add you to the group. In Altitude it is often below 0 at night, so you need good equipment. It's good to have some basic Russian to facilitate exchanges. It's a pretty safe country, I've never heard that there is more racket than in France. With pleasure

      Reply
  • Regnault Camille

    Hello!

    Great website, well explained and a feedback that really helps to project! Thank you for what you have created, it makes me feel better about going.
    When I read the "Where to stay" section you mention CBT and I don't know what that is?
    We are planning to go in October or November with my boyfriend. My question is the following:
    Is it still possible to stay in a host family? Also, I wonder how you manage to meet the locals, because if the country has recently been islamised, I would be surprised if you meet people in bars 😉
    And last question : To have the chance to ride a horse for a day with the Kyrgyz... do you have to go through an agency ?

    Thank you for everything
    Camille R.

    Reply
    • Georges-Michel

      Hi Camille, glad you like the blog and find it useful.
      The CBT is a community organisation.
      At the time you want to go, there will be no more yurts, but you will be able to stay with locals in town.
      As for the locals, you meet them everywhere, in the street, in the shops, in the bars. And yes, to ride a horse, you have to go through an agency.
      Have a good trip

      Reply
  • Johan

    Hello!

    Thank you very much for this blog and these very detailed articles!

    So I haven't read all the comments so maybe the question has already been asked:

    When did you leave?

    Do you have any feedback from people who went there in early May?

    Thank you!!! 🙂

    Johan

    Reply
    • Georges-Michel

      Hi
      Thanks to you
      I left in August, I invite you to join the group travelling to Kyrgyzstan, it will answer your questions

      Reply
  • Kiko

    Hello GTLA,

    You must be used to it by now but a huge thank you for all the work you do on your blog, it is extremely informative. I wish I had you around when I was planning my trips to Albania or Jordan, it would have certainly saved me time.

    I've had a fixed idea in my mind for some time, and that is Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan is the first destination I was interested in and it is obvious that there will be no trip to this part of the world without putting a foot there. However, after some research, it turns out that I also want to discover Uzbekistan.

    In your opinion, and with 15 to 17 days on site (not including arrival and departure days), is it possible to make an itinerary combining both destinations and enough to enjoy each of them?

    I know that the best is the enemy of the good, but the idea of combining Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan is really tempting.

    Reply
    • Georges-Michel

      Hi Lucas, thanks it's always nice to know that my work on the blog is useful to other travellers. Glad I could help you, sorry you had to read the Albania and Jordan articles before you left 🙂 .
      Your idea is a nice one, I have not been to Uzbekistan, but I have two pieces of information to give you.
      Firstly, 15 days in Kyrgyzstan is the minimum for me, it's a huge country completely left to nature, there's plenty to do.
      Uzbekistan, from what I was told, is more a cultural destination, for the cities and the richness of the buildings, so for me it's all seen, it's the nature that I prefer.
      This is only my opinion, it's up to you.

      Reply
  • Beatrice

    Thank you for this very complete article. My husband and I will be there from 4 to 21 August 2019! Yes, the plane tickets are already booked! We are still hesitating between taking a tour with a guide and doing it on our own. But, reading your article makes me want to go on an adventure and try not to take a guide (except for selected excursions of course).
    For the month of August, do you have to book accommodation and excursions in advance or can you do it directly there? It would be too bad to arrive and be told "it's full" "there's no more room" etc.
    I'm looking forward to any good tips you have to share.
    Beatrice

    Reply
    • Georges-Michel

      Hi Beatrice and thanks for your message.
      That's cool, you already have a great trip planned for this summer.
      You don't have to book anything in advance, you can do it there.
      After that, it all depends on your desires and your budget. My exchanges with readers have made me realise that 15 days can be quite short and that it may be preferable to organise your trip a little before you leave.
      Moreover, a guidebook can also allow you to go to more remote places.
      In any case your trip will be cool and amazing.
      If you want a guide, or to organize excursions in advance, do not hesitate to tell me, I have many contacts there. And if you want to do everything there, and you have questions, don't hesitate either. Have a nice evening

      Reply
      • seguin

        Hello;
        We would like to go in March 2021 for ski touring - would you have the coordinates of a local guide? Thank you in advance -

        Reply
  • Emilie

    Hello!

    I also found your website great! We are leaving on Monday with a lot of enthusiasm but also a little apprehension due to the novelty 🙂
    2 small questions before departure:
    Is it easy to withdraw tickets at the airport in Bishkek?
    Do you advise to stop in Koshor to find a guide to do a horse trek to Song Kul lake or to go directly to the lake to find a guide?
    If you know a good guide, I'd love to hear from him!
    Thanks in advance! Have a nice day!

    Reply
    • Georges-Michel

      Hi and thanks,
      I advise you to take some $ to pay your taxi and to go and withdraw soms in town, but you can very well withdraw at the airport.
      For the guide go to kochkor and go through my friend Aigul, she is the best.
      Have a good trip

      Reply
  • Joseph

    Hello Georges-Michel,
    First of all, thank you very much for all this information, it helps a lot.
    Also, do you know if it is possible to raft in the Boom Gorge from Kochkor and return to Bishkek the same evening? I will be travelling with my 3 brothers and sister.
    Thanks in advance for your answer

    Reply
    • Georges-Michel

      Hi with pleasure. It is possible to do it. Do you want to organise it there or book it in advance?

      Reply
  • Tematis

    Thank you for all this useful information.

    Reply
  • Joris

    Hello GM,
    Great blog, a good summary of all the practical and useful information.
    I'm planning to go to KGN, towards the end of August for 3 weeks.
    I haven't seen anyone here talking about the World Nomadic Games in Tcholponata, do you have any feedback on this? Are the opening/closing ceremonies a must see? Which sports are the most "spectacular" or the ones where there is the most hype?
    I noted for Jailoo tourism in Kochkor, also Aigul. Do you have any other contacts for "grouped" treks on foot or horseback around Karakol? Do you think Ala kul will still be accessible at this time? For the cold, I have merino wool that I took for Lapland, that should do it.

    Reply
    • Georges-Michel

      Hi Joris, thanks. I couldn't attend the World Nomad Games because I was leaving before but Aïgul is a fan, she clearly made me want to go. I went to the national party and to L'ulak tartish, it's spectacular. But as Aigul says, you can tell it better than me as I haven't been there.
      Ala Kul should be accessible, but it all depends on the weather. The merino will do it. For Karakol ask Aigul, she is there and she will answer your other questions.
      Have a good trip and if you go to the nomadic games, don't hesitate to let me know, I'm very interested.

      Reply
  • Florence and Mathias

    Hello,
    Thank you for all the very useful information. We are leaving in July with our daughters, aged 8 and 6. We would like to take a car with a driver. Would you have any contacts for us?
    Thank you for your help.

    Reply
    • Georges-Michel

      Hi there, it's a pleasure.
      Good idea to go with your family, it's a great trip for children.
      I'll send you a message about the driver.

      Have a good trip

      Reply
  • Labadie Didier

    Hello,
    We are a 65 year old couple and we are finishing a 4 month trip to Asia with a (too) short stay in Kyrgyzstan. We arrive in Bishkek on May 28th and leave for France on June 5th. We want to do a horse trek and sleep in a yurt for a few days. Do you know if it is possible at this time? If so where and which agency to contact? (Jailoo tourism seems to have good feedback). Sorry to write late, but we had not planned to go to Kyrgyzstan. Thanks in advance for your answer.

    Reply
    • Georges-Michel

      Hi Didier.
      I advise you to contact my friend Aigul. She speaks English. She can help you : Tel:

      Have a good trip

      Reply
  • Fred horny

    From the beginning of September to the end of September / beginning of October! We have some experience already, such as the Tibetan Annapurna etc. Do you think there are enough yurts on our way in the mountainous regions or do you think it is vital to take my mini tent as a backup?

    Reply
    • Georges-Michel

      In early September there are still yurts everywhere. Late September, early October depends on the weather and the snow. Take your tent with you, it's always better in this kind of place. In any case, if you're a cycling fan, you'll have a great time there, it's cool.

      Reply
  • Fred horny

    Hello to you,

    We're going to ride on our own on mountain bikes, just to ride on beautiful trails !!!! If you have any places to recommend, or to avoid, I'm interested! Blog very instructive thank you very much it's great !!!!!

    Reply
    • Georges-Michel

      Hi Fred, thanks. When are you leaving?

      Reply
  • c.au.carré

    Hello,
    I'm only at the very beginning of the organisation of my trip next summer, but I've already gleaned a lot of information from the blog and the comments, so already a big thank you! Like many, I'm very interested in the contacts you've kept, could you send them to me?
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Georges-Michel

      With pleasure and thanks for your comment.
      I will send you this. Have a nice trip

      Reply
  • Heather

    Hello,
    I wanted to thank you for this article which is very useful. I'm arriving in Bishkek on the 8th of July for 3 weeks with my boyfriend. We plan to sleep mainly in tents and if possible in a house.
    Would it be possible to communicate me some contacts that you had there? (guides, good plans for horseback riding, night in Yurt)
    Thank you for the information!

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi
      Thank you for this.
      I'm sending this to you
      Have a nice trip

      Reply
  • lucile_0

    Hi,

    Thank you for all this useful information!
    I'm going with a friend for 2 weeks in August. Of course we are tempted to do some horseback riding, is it possible if we are beginners (having had similar experiences in Mongolia, it seems difficult to follow the rhythm, is it the same in Kyrgyzstan?) Moreover, is it really cold at night during this period, we plan to take just a duvet (0°) to sleep in the yurts/tents, is it enough?
    Thank you in advance for your feedback!

    Lucile

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi
      Thanks to you
      It's possible for beginners, the easiest way is to take a guide for you two. That way you can go at your own pace.
      It's very cold at night at this time of the year, the duvet is not really interesting, there are blankets in the yurts.
      I slept with my coat and 3 blankets, and I'm not at all chilly
      have a good trip

      Reply
      • lucile_0

        Thank you for your answer! Indeed the nights look cold 🙂
        Have you been to Kazakstan too? We're checking to see if it's easy to make a detour to Almaty and if the border crossing is relatively easy.
        Have a nice day !

        Reply
  • Marie

    Great for your quick response! Thank you very much! We're going to try it like that, hoping that the distances between the yurts are not too long (we don't have a tent & with a bag that weighs a bit 😉 ms motivated!!)
    We had a similar experience in the desert in Jordan, feeling obliged to go through an agency & so we were disappointed!
    We'll tell you how it went when we get back! Anyway, thanks again for your reactivity! I'm sure you'll be happy to know that we'll be able to do it again... 😉
    Marie

    Reply
    • gtla

      Excellent trip to you
      I look forward to hearing from you

      Reply
  • Marie

    Hi!!!
    As ts, great site, bravo!!!
    We are there with my friend here, currently on Karakok, & we were wondering if it was possible to do Song-Köl in autonomy or if it was necessary to go through an agency (to find the paths that lead to the yurts, if these yurts belong to agencies or individuals...). Also, is it possible to do it on foot?
    Thank you for your answer!

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi
      Thank you
      On foot it is possible, the paths are very accessible. For the accommodation it is not necessary to go through an agency. Whether they are "tourist" yurts or not, you can always negotiate the night. If you have a tent, you can sleep near the yurts and "buy" your meals, I met a guy who was living in his tent near a "tourist" camp and eating in the camp. He had even managed to negotiate his way back on horseback with guides who were dismounting horses without riders. The only constraint was to follow their rhythm.
      Have a good trip.

      Reply
  • Pink

    Hi! Thanks for sharing,

    I was wondering if it is possible to travel on horseback for a week. In this case, do I have to find a guide directly in the city (=agency) or can I ask anyone in a village?
    Will I be able to sleep in my tent during this trip or do I have to follow a route planned by the guide?
    Thank you in advance,
    Rose

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Rose
      No problem, it's cool.
      If your idea is to take a horse and travel alone, I wouldn't recommend it. Apart from the fact that you have to know how to look after it, you have to feed it and water it. For that, the Kyrgyz leave them free, not tied up all night. The horses roam in the mountains and in the morning the guides go to pick them up. If you have never done this and you don't know the mountains, it seems complicated.
      As for travelling for a week, it is possible, with a guide found in town, or a local farmer with whom you can agree on a price.
      You can sleep in your tent and do the route you want, again you just have to make an arrangement with the guide.
      Have a good trip and a good horseback ride

      Reply
  • Jacquard

    Hello,
    Great blog and thanks for sharing your good plans 🙂
    I would have liked to book a 3 day horse trek to Song Kul lake with JAailoo (which seems to be the most recommended agency in terms of quality/price) but the website you mention does not exist anymore. Would you have an email address or would someone have the address of the new website to contact them?

    Thank you in advance,

    Valerie

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi
      thanks to you
      the email address is on the jailoo picture
      the site is not working anymore and from the feedback I got they are very long to answer the mails (internet in the village is very slow)
      You can write to them, but I don't think it's necessary to book. I hadn't done it, and I was in the middle of the season.
      Have a good trip.

      Reply
  • Anne-laure

    Hello !
    And wow!!! I can't wait to get there!
    I'm leaving in September with my friend. We have 15 days to do a tour around the lakes.
    We have very expensive quotes from agencies.
    Do you by any chance have any contacts of 4×4 drivers on site? I would like to know if you have any contacts for drivers in the area...
    Thank you very much in advance!

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi
      Thank you very much.
      I'll send you some contacts in mp, but globally the 4×4 trips are very expensive, it's normal.
      Have a good trip

      Reply
  • Kazim

    Hello, very nice blog
    We are going to Kyrgyzstan in September 2017 for 3 weeks
    We would like to do two treks of 4 days each
    Then the rest some trek here and there
    What would you suggest as itineraries?
    Thank you
    Kazim

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hello Kazim
      Thank you for your message
      I don't have enough knowledge of the country to answer such a large question.
      I hope my blog can inspire you and I'm interested if you can give me some feedback after your trip. It will allow me to add some information for others. Have a good trip

      Reply
  • Sylvain

    Hello Georges-Michel, bravo and thank you for this very complete article on this beautiful destination which is Kyrgyzstan 🙂
    Would you have an email address on which I could contact you?

    Thank you and see you soon

    Reply
  • Guillaume

    Thank you for all the information in your blog, very practical! We're leaving at the end of July for 3 weeks with my girlfriend and you've confirmed our choice! We're taking a tent and some camping gear, and we were wondering if, despite the summer, we should bring some warm duvets for the nights, or if a warm duvet (10°C) would be enough with a meat bag to complete the trip? Thanks in advance for your help!

    Guillaume

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Guillaume
      Thank you very much
      I always had good weather during the day, it was warm but the nights in altitude are very cool.
      I am not at all cold and in the yurts I slept with my ski coat and 3 blankets.
      It's better to bring warm duvets
      have a good trip

      Reply
  • hofstee

    Hi!

    Very interesting blog! Very well written! I'm going to visit this mysterious country this summer (July 25 to August 12). I'm going to visit this mysterious country this summer (from 25 July to 12 August). I had a question. Should I book my yurt nights and horseback riding now or should I do it once I'm in the country? On the CBT website it doesn't seem possible to book remotely. But I'm afraid that when I arrive in the country everything is full, especially at this time of the year. If you could enlighten me it would be great.

    Thank you in advance for your help

    Reply
    • gtla

      Thank you very much.
      No need to book from a distance. It will be more expensive and it will never be full. The season is very short in Kyrgyzstan and they are organized according to it. A night in a yurt is a night on the ground squeezed between all the people who sleep there to be warm. Take care of your excursions at each stage.
      And especially the weather can vary quickly, it would be stupid to have reserved a hike and to have to do it under the rain.
      have a good trip

      Reply
  • Bapt Chev

    Hi there!
    First of all a big thank you for the wealth of information you provide! Like many others, you gave me a real helping hand to prepare the trip!
    Just a small point before buying the tickets: on the videos we can see that you are with two Dutch girls (+your cameraman?), but in the end you always met people with whom to travel or there are times when the Kyrgyz solitude is a bit heavy?

    Good luck for your next trips, enjoy!
    Baptiste

    Reply
    • gtla

      Thank you.
      AHAHAHAH you made me laugh with my cameraman. It's the different buddies I made on the trip including the Dutch girls who filmed me nicely.
      I always met people, when I was alone, like in my video where I go alone with my horse, it was a choice.
      Kyrgyzstan is like any other destination, if you don't want to be alone you always meet nice people.
      Have a good trip too.

      Reply
      • Bapt Chev

        Thank you! (and thanks for your quick response 😉 )

        Reply
  • Cardoso

    Hi,

    Oh lala, first of all a big thank you for your feedback on Kyrgyzstan. Your blog is really great and very useful.

    My girlfriend and I are going there this summer and I am in the process of organising our trip.

    Would it be possible to ask you some questions in private?

    Thank you again and have a nice evening!

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi
      Thanks
      I will send you an email

      Reply
  • Maud

    Hello,

    Thank you very much for your site which is very precious in the preparation of our trip.
    I am going to Kyrgyzstan with a friend for 17 days at the beginning of July and we would like to have some advice on our itinerary.
    Is it possible to get local contacts for the following treks:
    - Horseback riding from Kochkor to the Kol-Ukok/Kol-Tor lake for 1.5 days
    - Horse riding from Kochkor to Song-Kol

    Thank you in advance for your help,

    Maud

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Maud
      thank you
      you can reach Jailoo, the contact details are in the article.
      Have a nice trip

      Reply
  • Julien

    Hello!
    Your website is great.
    I didn't manage to find the name of your agency on your blog... We're leaving with 3 of us this summer for 15 days and are looking for nice treks.
    Thank you for your help

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi
      Thanks
      Which agency are you talking about?

      Reply
  • Patricia

    Hello,

    First of all, congratulations for your blog! What a job but what a help too! We are going away for a little over 2 weeks in August with our 3 (teenage children! 20, 17 and 14). We did the easy part, i.e. taking the ticket! But now we're trying to fine-tune our itinerary! We like it and we will probably follow it in the main lines!
    Do we need to book yurts or other places to sleep well in advance?
    Would you have any guide's details to give us?
    We only speak English, is that a big handicap?
    What map did you use and where can we get it?
    Thank you for your help and keep on making us dream!

    Patricia

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi, thanks for the nice service.
      There is no need to book in advance, there are always places, you just sleep tight. English is not a handicap, having some Russian helps but you can always speak with your hands. Concerning the map, I didn't have one. I'll send you a contact in mp.
      Have a good trip.

      Reply
  • Laura

    Hello,
    Thank you for all this enriching and very practical information!
    I'm going to Kyrgyzstan the last two weeks of May. I would have liked to know what the climate was like when you want to do a bit of trekking but not very high level and not necessarily very high in altitude.

    In relation to these treks, I would have liked to do them without a guide and sleep in my tent. Is it possible to do wild camping easily? (While respecting nature!)
    In addition to walking, I would like to ride as much as possible (my riding soul has been attracted by this beautiful country). You mentioned renting a horse directly from a farmer, do you think it's possible to do that in every place I end up spending time on horseback? And in a more general way, to make evenings at the inhabitant's for compensation?

    In fact, I am looking for a totally independent trip without any guide or organisation in order to remain free of my movements and not to depend on a programme. I don't necessarily want to spend time in the city either (one day max).

    Thank you for your valuable information which allows me to plan my trip more precisely!

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Laura
      I have no idea what the weather will be like in May, but let me know after your trip, it would be cool.
      You can do wild camping very easily, especially as there are plenty of water holes. It's up to you not to leave any trace of your passage. I think that for a fee you can rent horses everywhere, but I'm not sure if they'll let you keep them for several days without knowing you. As for the evenings at the inhabitant's, it is always possible. Kyrgyzstan is a country where it is very easy to travel independently.
      Have a good trip.

      Reply
  • Julien

    Hi,
    Thanks for your nice blog.
    I'm planning to leave for 3 weeks with my partner. I have a few questions:
    - I would like to do 5-6 days of "freestyle" trekking with tent and duvets and sleep in families from time to time going at our pace. I wanted to start from Chong Kemin and reach the lake of Issik kul and Gregorivka valley (Chong Ak-Suu) by passing through tcholpon ata.
    All on foot. Do you think it's better to leave with a tent and a map and have a pure freedom even if you get lost a bit or to book nights with families in CBT which would avoid carrying a tent/warmers/duvets. However, this obliges us to be in such a place at such a time and leaves less freedom (it would prevent us from staying a day in a place we like for example).

    Also for atyln arachane, I saw that it was possible to do a 3-4 day loop passing through Ala Kul etc. Is it necessary to take a yurt in atlyn arashan then to make randos from there or is it better to make a loop of 4 with the tents. Is it possible to do the loop without a guide with stops in families?

    My real question is, are the treks complicated and a 15kg bag with tent and everything will be a hindrance or would we not enjoy them more with a light bag without food or duvet but with a little less freedom (sleeping in yurts prepared by cbt).

    Thank you for your advice! And by the way, if you have any contacts, I'm interested =)

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi, thanks to you. To put it simply, you can always extend your stay in the yurts if you like the place. Kyrgyz people are flexible. It's up to you if you want to carry all your gear or travel lighter and sleep in yurts.

      Reply
  • Rebecca

    Hi!
    Your information was precious to me, thank you very much!
    I'm planning to leave during the whole month of May totally unexpectedly (I found a return plane ticket for less than 300 euros!!!) and I would need some information especially concerning car rental.
    Indeed I'm going to leave with a friend and we wanted to know if it was possible to rent a good car so as to have total independence and therefore the possibility of moving around in the mountains without any problems? And what would be the price of this rental /day or /week approximately? And if there are any necessary conditions to be able to rent a car (in France, for example, you have to be at least 25 years old and have one year of experience...). In reality, the only rental websites we found had rather expensive prices... Such information would be crucial for our final decision!
    Thanks in advance for your help!

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Rebecca
      thanks, it's always nice to know it's useful.
      I don't have any info on car rental, but I know that it is possible to drive in Kyrgyzstan for foreigners.
      With some English friends, we bought a wrecked Lada (500$, prices are expensive) we had no problems and we sold it easily to other tourists.
      I'll send you the contact of a friend who will inform you.
      See you soon

      Reply
  • Anne-Charlotte Murgue

    Hello
    Thank you for your blog which is really interesting.
    I'm thinking of going away for the whole month of July with my parents, is it necessary to know how to ride a horse well for the excursions because I'm not great on a horse.
    Thank you for your answer.

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi,
      thanks to you.
      It depends on what you call not top. But if you want to, you don't need to be an experienced rider. Your guide will adapt. Have a good trip

      Reply
  • Marie

    Hello, thank you for this beautiful article on this beautiful country 🙂 I would like to make a discovery and humanitarian trip to Kyrgyzstan and would like to know if you have addresses or contacts there that could help me find an association or other. I have time off in April, May and June 2017.
    I thank you in advance. I have already looked a little on the net but I have not found anything conclusive. Best regards, Marie

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi, thanks for your message.
      I'll send you a mail

      Reply
  • city

    Hello!
    Thank you for all these tips!
    Any good plans to share (accommodation/hiking/and others)?
    I was planning to do :
    - Bishkek (2 days)
    - Around Bishkek (1 day) : Ala-Archa Gorge
    - Kochor for horse riding (+ yurt) to Song Kol Lake (5 days)
    - Arslanbob (3 days) : hiking (or mountain biking)
    - Osh (2 days)
    - Then OSH border crossing to Uzbekistan
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi, thanks for your message.
      all my plans are in the article, if you have any on your return, don't hesitate to share them.
      Have a good trip

      Reply
  • dewaelsche christiane

    Hello,
    I have just discovered your site and find your information very useful and interesting.
    I have booked a plane ticket from 15 August to 6 September 2017. I am going alone and would like to do several treks in the mountains. My budget would be 1000 euros for the 3 weeks, excluding flights. If you have the contact details of guides who could accompany me on the treks, it would be nice to send them to me by mp. If you have any suggestions for treks, I'd be interested too. Thank you very much.
    Christiane

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hello
      Thank you
      I'll send you a message

      Reply
  • sandrine

    Hello

    Your blog is a marvel that makes you want to discover the country even more.

    I am planning to leave with my family, including 3 older children (16-18-25 years old) for 3 weeks.

    I have contacted a number of agencies but the prices are excessive. I'm a bit afraid with the kids to go on an adventure, though....
    We are thinking of leaving for 3 weeks and would ideally like to spend about 10 days riding around and sleeping in the yurts of the locals to get a feel for their life and customs.
    We would also like to organise hikes and if possible go fishing for a day.

    I wonder if I should reserve all this for Bischkek or other cities, but which ones?

    I haven't booked the plane tickets yet but it's very likely that I'll arrive in the middle of the night, do you know a cheap hotel that could send a car to pick us up?

    I still have tons of information to ask you.....
    thank you

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Sandrine
      Thank you very much.
      I just sent you an email

      Reply
  • Xilef

    Hello traveller friend!
    In search of a surprise in Central Asia, I decided to go with a friend, for the coming summer, to Kyrgyzstan! Only, here I am invested in my very first adventure in an unknown land: I know absolutely neither the language, nor the customs, nor the culture! Obviously subject to study before my trip, other questions came up:
    - Is it a good idea to take a tent with you to live the adventure independently?
    - Is it possible to do a three-week horseback riding trip, spending each night in a yurt to guarantee the horses' rest? If so, what route would you suggest for such a project?
    - How can you find out about "yurt relays" and their possibilities if you are unexpectedly thrown into the adventure?
    - As you travel all over the country, and across the long and beautiful desert plains, did you have to plan your food for each day, or for each week?

    Without any comfort whatsoever, I really think about a parenthesis anchored in the earth, where the harshness of the sleep will be equalled only by the beauty of the adventure!

    Thanks to you 🙂

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi friend
      Thank you for your message, your choice of destination is ideal if you are in search of surprises and your questions are those that many must face before venturing into the unknown. Here is my contribution to try to answer them.
      If you have enough experience and knowledge to hike alone in the mountains, taking a tent is a good idea.
      It is possible to do a 3 week horseback ride, spending each night in a yurt. However, I don't have the skills and knowledge to suggest a route for you. I recommend you to get in touch with a local guide, such as "Jailoo Tourims" which I mention in the article. You won't find a horse to rent without a guide for several days. A horse needs plenty of food and water. The Nomads leave the horses free every evening and collect them in the morning (a horse should eat at least 50kg of grass a day), they know how to look after them. In short, a guide who knows the animals and the mountains is indispensable.
      If you are trekking on your own, you can ask tourist agencies to provide you with a map with "yurt relays" that will offer you food and lodging. Otherwise, the yurts are inhabited by farmers, so they will always be able to provide you with food.
      I wish you a great adventure and remain at your disposal.
      Have a good trip.

      Reply
  • Julia

    Hello!
    Thank you for this great feedback, I have trouble finding people who have been there to talk about it!
    I wanted to go there by myself for a month and a half next summer, and I'm starting to look into it now because I'm really looking forward to it, but also because I was wondering if it was a good choice of trip for a single girl... Have you met any? I'd love to have some contacts too, if you have the time!
    Thanks a lot anyway,
    I'm looking forward to reading you!

    Julia

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Julia,
      Thanks for your message.
      I'll send you this in mp
      See you soon.

      Reply
  • Emanuela

    Hello,
    Thank you very much for this very informative post!
    I'm looking for contacts for a tour of the country for about 20/22 days. Could you share some contacts for hiking and/or horseback riding?
    Thank you very much!

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hello, thank you,
      I'll send this to you in mp

      Reply
    • gtla

      Hello, thank you,
      I'll send this to you in mp

      Reply
  • Chloe

    Hello !

    Thank you very much for this wealth of information on your blog!

    We are also going to Kyrgyzstan from 12 to 30 September.

    We are thinking of travelling mainly in the centre of the country and are wondering whether Issy-Kul and the hikes around Karakol are really worth it, or whether, depending on the climate and cold, and the length of our trip, it would be better to focus on the centre of the country?

    And if not, we would like to hear from you about excursions on foot or on horseback, especially around Song Kul.

    Thanks again for all your information!

    Chloe

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi, thanks for the message. Sorry to see you've already left, but I was in Colombia for a month. Enjoy the trip. Have a good trip

      Reply
  • Seb

    Hi GTLA
    Thank you for your article + all the comments/responses. It is very enriching.
    I am going with a group of 5 people for 1 week only (unfortunately).
    We are planning to do a tour to Song Kul Lake for 3 or 4 days and a stopover in Kochkor to see Naryn.
    What do you advise?
    I'm looking for contacts too!
    Again, many thanks to you for your feedback.
    Seb

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Seb
      Thank you for that.
      The Song Kul Lake is really cool, go through the agency indicated on the blog, it's the nicest and the cheapest.
      Kochkor is an essential step to prepare Song Kul, but otherwise it's a lost village and without interest.
      Naryn, I do not know.
      Have a good trip

      Reply
  • Stef

    Hi gtlaThank you very much for this feedback. It is complete, clear and makes you dream!
    I'm going to leave for 3 weeks from mid-September to early October.
    Do you think that the period will allow me to travel solo despite the cold weather? I'm very interested in the contacts you've kept over there too. I don't really ride horses but I am a great walker and I will follow your advice on hitchhiking...
    I thank you in advance for any help you can give me. Stef

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Stef
      Thank you for that.
      Travelling solo, yes, but I don't think everything is easy to get to. I don't know the country at this time.
      I'll send you a contact.
      Have a good trip.

      Reply
  • Cécile Del

    Great blog and thanks for the info! I'm leaving on the 19th for a fortnight in KGT and travelling alone. I was thinking of spending a night in Bishkek and then going straight to kochkor. Everything I see on the internet is overpriced, do you still have contacts for guides there for trekking and horse riding on Son Kul and Issik Kul?

    Thank you very much! Cécile

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Cécile.
      Thanks, I'll send you this.
      Have a nice trip

      Reply
  • Clara

    Hi GM!
    Thanks a million for all this information! We just arrived in Bishkek and we still have some questions.
    Do you think it's better to do song kul and then issyk kul or the opposite ?
    We haven't booked anything in advance yet for the treks, do we need to ? Especially if we want to do a 3 days horse riding ?
    Have you been to Barskoon or Tamga?
    Do you advise to do a trek from Naryn/Kochkor to Song Kul (and in this case from which city)? Or is it better to do a 3 days trek around Song Kul?
    Is the night bus bishkek>karkol dangerous for 2 girls?
    If you have any contacts there (Karakol, trek from jeti oguz, barskoon, rama, kotckor...) we are interested 🙂
    Thank you very much 🙂
    Clara and Clementine

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Clara and Clementine
      Thank you, so do you like Bishkek?

      I think it is better to do Song Kul and then Issyk Kul. Song Kul is much more spectacular and exotic. It's perfect to start with. You don't need to book in advance. Just arrive the night before.
      I have not been to Barskoon or Tamga.
      I think it's best to do at least 3 days around Song Kul, it's a really impressive place.
      I don't think the night bus is dangerous.
      I will send you my contacts.

      Reply
  • Enrico

    Hi there!
    Like everyone else here, I too would like to thank you for all the wonderful advice you have given in this blog!
    I'm going to Kyrgyzstan just for 9 days from September 9th to September 17th and I would like to spend these 9 days sleeping in a yurt possibly in a beautiful landscape 😉
    Which place would you advise me?
    Thanks in advance
    Enrico

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Enrico
      Thanks, I like your question, if I understand correctly you want to stay 9 days in the same place.
      If I were you I would go to Song Kul Lake. It's beautiful and you have yurts scattered everywhere. Real "tourist camps" and herders' yurts. You can stay and eat in these different types of yurts and the scenery is spectacular.
      I had met a traveller who went up with his tent and stayed there for several days. He rented horses to farmers for the day and even came back down to town with guides who brought horses. In short, you will have a magical time.
      Have a good trip.

      Reply
  • Asma

    Hello,

    Thank you for this very complete blog. This type of article is very practical and interesting!

    We are going to Kyrgyzstan next Tuesday and leave on August 22. So we have 11 days there.

    Here is the itinerary we would like to do:
    - Bishkek/Koshkor (lake song kul)
    - Koshkor/Karakol (Altyn Arashan and lake Issuk Kul)
    - Karakol/Bishkek

    What do you think? Is it too ambitious? Do you have any advice for us?

    Can you also give us information about local agencies?

    Thank you for your help!

    See you soon,

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Asma, thank you for this.
      The route is cool. Karakol has no interest, it's just a base for hiking. There is no reason to stay in this city otherwise.
      I don't have more advice than what you can find on the blog.
      For Song Kul, I advise you jailoo
      Have a good trip

      Reply
  • Maïté

    Hello !
    I'm going to Kyrgyzstan on August 10th. My trip was initially cancelled and I learned yesterday that I could in fact go. I have few days to organize myself and so a big thank you to you, because your blog helps me a lot !
    I would like if possible to have your different contacts to save time and to benefit from your experience.
    I might have more questions later on...
    I can't wait to be there!

    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi, with pleasure.
      Good news, I wish you a good trip, I'll send you an email.

      Reply
  • Alicia

    Hi 🙂
    After reading your feedback and all the comments on it, I'd like to say a big fat THANK YOU!
    I also travel this way and I have never come across such an informative and clear feedback before!
    So thanks again for taking the time to think about us, it's great!
    Have a great future trip 😉

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Alicia.
      Thanks for your message, it's great to hear. I made this blog to help travellers find information that is not always easy to find on the internet and it's always nice to know that it is useful.
      Have a great trip too.

      Reply
  • steph

    Hello,
    Thank you for all the advice and information. We are leaving for 3 weeks in September and would like to do a 6-7 day trek around Karakol. Would you have a guide to recommend? or rather a self-guided version?
    Thank you
    Stephanie

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Stephanie
      I don't know of any guide to the Karakol side.
      Just the hostels on the blog.
      If the weather is good, you can do it as a stand-alone version.
      Have a good trip

      Reply
  • ramsar

    Good evening gtla
    ,Bravo for writing this article.
    I am leaving on 31 August for Bishkek.
    Question: is the 60 l and 8 kg bag still accepted in the cabin? I am travelling with Pegasus.
    Thank you for this article.
    Jacques

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Jacques
      Thanks, that's cool
      When I left, there was no problem. I took this company again last November, to go to Lebanon, no problem.
      Have a good trip.

      Reply
  • corentin

    Hi there!
    We are leaving for 15 days, with arrival in Bishkek planned for this Friday. I just came across your website and the videos of your trip, it's great, thank you very much and bravo for the time you spend on it !
    Would you have a list of contacts / places you recommend for 2 weeks there? I understand from the comments that you can organize yourself there without planning too much in advance.
    Thank you very much!
    Corentin

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Corentin.
      Thank you, it's nice to know that you liked the site and the videos.
      I will send you my contacts.
      Have a good trip.

      Reply
  • Berenice

    Thank you very much for this article which helped me a lot. I'm planning to go to Kyrgyzstan with one or two friends, and for the moment the most expensive quote for an organised tour I found for 12 days is 800 euros per person... But when I read the comments, I have the impression that we can manage for much less!
    So, if you have any contacts, I'm interested 🙂

    Otherwise for the itinerary, we were thinking of doing 3/4 days of horse riding in Son Kol, Jeti Oguz and Fairytale canyons on the way, 3/4 days around Karakol (Altyn Arashan, Karakol gorge, Alakul lake), then a stop north of the lake, we don't know yet before going back to Bishkek.

    Thanks in advance 🙂
    Berenice

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Berenice, thanks
      I'll send you some contacts, you'll see with them, but you should get away with it for less.
      Have a good trip.

      Reply
  • Coralie

    Hello,
    Thank you very much for all this information!
    I'm going to Kyrgyzstan at the end of August and I'd like to have a little precision concerning the sleeping bag you brought. I plan to spend a few nights in my tent between 3000-3500 m, I have for the moment a 0°C comfort, do you think it's enough? I'm hesitating to buy a -5°/-10° one because it seems that the nights are quite cold...
    Anyway, I'm looking forward to your advice on this matter 🙂
    Thanks in advance!
    Coralie

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Coralie
      It's a pleasure.
      I took a decathlon ultralight duvet 15°, it is completely unsuitable!
      I think that 0° is not enough.
      I am not cold and the nights are freezing. In the yurt, I was never alone and I slept fully dressed with my coat and 2 or 3 blankets.
      A -10° is completely suitable.
      Have a good trip.

      Reply
  • Ben

    Good evening,
    Great blog, thanks a lot! I'm leaving for 15 days in a fortnight with a friend. We changed our minds after reading you and we're going to do a "last minute" itinerary, leaving directly for Kochkor from the airport via Bishkek (unless we find someone willing to take us directly without going through the bus station?), then follow your advice with CBT Jailoo tourism (is that the one you recommend?). Then, the idea is to ride for 4 days to Song Kol. But I have the impression that there are a lot of people on the north-east bank, so I'm not necessarily excited about it. What do you think?
    What about the transport from Kochkor to the south bank of Issy Kul? We should find?
    And finally, we are considering a 6 day trek from Djety Oguz. But I must admit that I'm not sure I can do it without a guide (despite a good experience of trekking in the Alps and elsewhere). Do you think we'll regret always being accompanied? I have the impression that doing everything on your own via Ala Kul is a bit risky.
    Thanks again for your precious advice!
    Ben

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Ben,
      Thanks, that's cool.
      To go directly to Kochkor, with the hitchhiking and by paying everything is possible there.
      The cbt is well jailoo tourism, I put back the photo online at the moment jailoo
      Song kol is one of the most beautiful places I have seen in my life. It's a bit crowded, but it's horsemen or trekkers like you and me and you live in real nomad camps, it's absolutely worth it.
      For Kochkor - south of Issy Kul, you can easily find collective taxis or hitchhiking.
      Finally, for your trek from Djety Oguz, 6 days is a lot, it's better to take a guide in case of storm and it's always nice to have a local who knows all the secrets of the mountain.
      Have a good trip Ben

      Reply
  • Lise

    Good evening,
    Thank you for all these precisions! Your article will be very useful to me! I'm leaving the day after tomorrow for Kyrgyzstan for 3 weeks with a small diversions via Kashgar. Have you heard about the Torugart passage from other travellers? Difficult?
    And could you send me your contacts there? I will start with 3 days around Song Kul, go down to Naryn, cross the Torugart, 5 days around Kashie, come back via irekstam, go back to Osh and plan to hike 2/3 days on the Karakol side in the last part...well, ok it will be a race...;) but at least I will see different landscapes...
    Thanks in advance,
    Lise

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Lise,
      Thank you for your message. I haven't heard of the Torugart passage. But if you do and can give me some feedback, I'll be happy to add it to the blog. I'll send you my contacts in mp.
      You are 2 days away from paradise. Have a good trip, enjoy.

      Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Lise,
      Thank you for your message. I haven't heard of the Torugart passage. But if you do and can give me some feedback, I'll be happy to add it to the blog. I'll send you my contacts in mp.
      You are 2 days away from paradise. Have a good trip, enjoy.

      Reply
  • Andy

    Hello,
    Thank you for this fascinating story, I plan to leave in a week in this country. My difficulty, apart from getting there at the last minute, is to get around independently, I'm a photographer and want to stop whenever I want, which excludes public transport. I have two or three weeks, would you have a contact for a car with a driver, at a reasonable price, or is it possible to drive alone? I found two agencies for the rental, but I don't know if driving without gps, or simply without directions in English is possible... For the evening I saw that the CBT allowed to stay without problems. Can you advise me? Thank you for your experience!

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Andy
      Thanks to you
      I sent you an email.
      Have a nice trip

      Reply
  • Grég

    Hello,

    Super your blog, it's nice to leave with some information!
    Could you give me some contacts there (guides, good plans for horseback riding, night in Yurt)
    Thanks in advance.

    Grég

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Greg,
      Thanks, I'll send you a mail.
      Have a good trip

      Reply
  • guisset

    Hello,

    I have just discovered your site and would have liked to ask you a few questions if possible before my departure next Monday... Here is roughly the route I intend to take with my 3 children (11, 13 and 15 years old) ; )

    A guide will normally be waiting for us at the airport and we leave with him for 9 days horse riding in the Toktogul and Son-kul region. Then back to Bishkek, from there fly to Osh (What do you think about the safety of internal flights?)

    A few days in Osh then direction Tashkent (Uzbekistan) by taxi and or bus. From Tashkent, train to Bukhara. We stay there a few days. Then bus to Samarkand. We stay there for a few days. Then back to Tashkent and then Osh. Finally, we would go to Issy Khol or the surrounding area for a few days before flying back to Bishkek!

    For the horseback riding, the guide told me that we would sleep in tents and yurts. I was not thinking of taking sleeping bags to relieve the weight of the bags we will carry for a month but just meat bags... The guide will provide us with blankets but I wanted to know if in the guesthouses and youth hostels, there were also blankets or others. The question is if I should take the sleeping bags or not ; )
    Several people have also strongly advised me against hitchhiking, what do you think?
    You know the program. Maybe you could give me some advices, informations, addresses or others... And for the rest, your informations are very complete and I take the opportunity to thank you for this sharing!
    Thank you very much,

    Dominique

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Dominique. Thanks for your message.
      It's really cool to do this with your 3 children, it's a great trip.
      To answer your questions, I did not take internal flights. The people I met who did have problems and I didn't hear about any accidents, which is reassuring.
      For sleeping bags, there are blankets everywhere. However, in the mountains it is very cold at night, so it is better to be well covered. If you are cold, take your sleeping bag. On horseback, your bag will be carried by the horse, you will not have it on your back.
      Hitchhiking in Kyrgyzstan (I have not been to Uzbekistan) is safe in my opinion. Everybody does it there. Depending on the destination you pay your driver or not. It is an institution.
      Have a good trip

      Reply
  • Line

    Hello GM, thank you for this great site. I'm leaving in the first half of August. I had an organized plan that just fell through. As I already have the plane tickets, I'm going all the same, alone... So I'm in the process of making my circuit between what was planned and what you did. Do you think it is possible to do Bishkek, Yssy-Kol, Kochkor and Son-Kol lakes and then go down to Naryn and At-Basky in 2 weeks? Did you take a specific insurance? or do you recommend things to do absolutely or not at all in 2 weeks? Thanks in advance. See you soon

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Herveline,
      Thank you
      I have not taken any insurance except my visa card.
      I think it's possible in 2 weeks but it's express. It all depends on how you like to travel.
      I think I wouldn't go to Naryn and At-Basky if I were you but I like to travel slowly.
      Have a good trip.

      Reply
  • Marie

    Hello! Thank you for your very informative site (to be original :))
    I'm also going to Kyrgyzstan at the beginning of September and wanted to organise a 3 or 4 day horse trek in Song Kul. I have contacted the CBT in Kochkor but the price seems high! I saw that you went through an agency that allowed you to join a group? Do you have the contact details of this agency? Thanks a lot!
    Marie

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi
      Thanks to you.
      CBTs are clearly overpriced. I'll email you my agency details and add it to the blog. Many people ask me for it.
      Have a good trip.

      Reply
  • Carl Jubineau

    Hello,

    Your page on Kyrgyzstan is a mine. We must thank you for that.

    I'm leaving in 10 days and I would have liked to have some information about Jailoo tourism in Kotchkor, I read some comments about them on some forums - quite old now - which were not very nice. So I wanted to know what you thought: are they reliable? Are they ok in terms of prices? No tricks with a guide who drops you halfway? These are some of the remarks I saw on the various reviews of dissatisfied people.

    Thank you for your reply!

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Carl. Thanks for your comment.
      In Kochkor there is Jailoo and Jailoo tourism.
      One of them is expensive and not friendly. I think it's jailoo.
      The other one is very cheap and friendly (jailoo tourism). So I took it. In addition, in the end we end up sleeping and eating in the same place as the other agencies. I send you the picture of the address by mail. Have a good trip

      Reply
  • marine

    Hello GM,

    Thanks again for your very complete and enjoyable article!
    I'm going to Kyrgyzstan at the beginning of August for 3 weeks. By any chance, do you have any contacts of rafting or canyoning guides?
    For the moment, my itinerary is not fixed. I could read that the activity was mainly developed in the Chouy valley, but considering the number of rivers in the country, I imagine that other spots are exploited. I have trouble finding precise information on the internet, as most whitewater activities are offered by tour operators, and cannot be dissociated from the overall trip.

    Perhaps you can enlighten me.

    I wish you a good continuation and many other beautiful trips!

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Marine. Thanks, I hadn't done any rafting or canyoning but I'll send you a contact who should be able to help you.
      Keep me informed.
      Have a good trip.

      Reply
  • isa

    Hi there,
    How did you manage to get water on the trail? Are there any water points?
    We are leaving this summer for 5 weeks with our family (2 children aged 13 and 11); if you have any addresses of agencies or camps for treks
    Thank you in advance for your answer,
    Good day to you,
    Isa

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi, in the mountains there are many streams. I used to take the water from the streams and sterilize it with micropur. The water is apparently clean but it snakes through animal droppings and the hikers who did not use micropur were all sick.
      Have a good trip

      Reply
  • Juliette PREZELIN

    Hello GM,
    Like everyone else, a big thank you for your article, very useful. I'm printing it out and will keep it with me during my trip!
    We are leaving for 3 weeks in August in this beautiful region (10 days in Kyrgyzstan, 10 days in Uzbekistan), and I still have a few obscure points before finalizing our itinerary...
    We plan to go to Karakol, Kochkor, Bishkek, and Osh (in that order); we will then cross the border there. We will do a 3 day trek to Song Kul Lake, so your info is very interesting!
    We would also like to go to Altyn Arashan, Jety Orguz and/or Ala-Archa. Are these sites that we can visit in one day or should we consider a 2 days trek? Because in this case, we will have to make a choice!
    And I would also like to know if you have the time, the contacts of travel agencies, trekking, horseback riding etc!
    Thanks in advance for your answer!
    Good day to you
    Juliette.

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Juliette. Thank you and nice to travel a bit with you.
      Your 10 day itinerary sounds like a good one.
      Ala Archa, I haven't been there, so I can't answer you.
      Jety Orguz, having been there, if you have a choice to make, don't go. It's really not spectacular compared to the rest of the country (from what I saw).
      Altyn Arachan, I spent 3 days there and only left because it was about to rain. It's beautiful, and it's the starting point of many hikes. To get there you already have a 3 hour walk, so it's hardly possible to do it in one day.
      I'll send you some contacts
      Have a good trip.

      Reply
  • Antoine

    Hi GM,

    This description is great, it reassures me that it's easy to travel there.
    We're leaving with my girlfriend for 10 days (only) at the end of July.
    I would have liked to trek 2-3 days to Karakol (Ala Kol lake and Skazka canyon sound great!), stay 2-3 days around Song-Kul for some horse and yurts, then drive to Toktogul (I hear the road between Arslanbob and Bishkek is beautiful - can you confirm?)
    Do you think it's too much to do in 10 days? (we're 25 so we're not afraid of the road and the pace, just afraid of missing the plane back!)
    I thought I would go through an agency but your story and your answers to the comments convince me otherwise... To be seen
    Taking into account that we don't speak Russian at all...
    Anyway, if you have any advice or contacts, you have my email!
    Thanks in advance
    Antoine

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Antoine ! It's doable in 10 days but the transport is long. For horse trekking, go through an agency. For one day you can manage on your own, but nobody will rent you a horse for several days without a guide. I will send you some contacts. Have a good trip

      Reply
  • fanny poirey

    We are planning to leave for a month between mid August and mid September. Thank you very much for your very well done article. Could you also send me some contacts if possible? Do you think it is possible to rent a car without a driver? I can't find any precise information on this subject. Thanks in advance!

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Fanny, thank you.
      I'll send you this by email.
      I don't think it's possible to rent a car without a driver. But you can buy a car, but it's expensive. The LADA I bought with my English friends cost us 500$, even though it was a wreck. But we sold it easily.

      Reply
  • Philine

    Hi GM!
    Your site is great 🙂 Rarely seen so much useful information gathered in the same place... A big thank you !
    We are planning to go to Kyrgyzstan this summer with a lot of desire for hiking and horse riding. Can you give us some contacts ?
    Thanks again !
    Philine

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Philine
      Thanks, I'll send you this
      Have a nice trip

      Reply
  • Damien

    Hello I will spend 10 days in Kyrgyzstan in August. I am interested in your contacts in order to organise my stay (even if I don't speak English). I also have some questions to ask you.

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Damien, I'm sending this to you. Have a nice trip

      Reply
    • Laurent

      Hello,
      Thank you for the useful and very informative site.
      I am also leaving this summer and would like some contacts as well.
      Thanks in advance;

      Reply
      • gtla

        Hi
        Thanks
        I am sending this to you
        Have a nice trip

        Reply
  • CORINNE RAYNAUD

    Hi GM,
    I'm trying to finalise my itinerary by reading your comment and others on the forum...... We are thinking of leaving for 3 weeks, at the beginning of August..... I'm a bit undecided as I don't speak Russian and don't have the time to learn it...... Is it still possible to manage and organise things on our own? We are used to go to South-East Asia.... For the hikes? How difficult is it? If you have any tips or addresses to suggest to me..... I bought the Petit Futé but it's not great.....;
    In advance, thank you and congratulations for your comments and answers to all these people

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Corinne
      You can manage and organise yourself there without speaking Russian. You can take a Kyrgyz lexicon, it's very practical. But in 1 month you have time to learn the basics of Russian with assimil. You have different levels of difficulty for the hikes, I'll send you some contacts. Thanks to you and have a good trip.

      Reply
  • jean-pierre

    I travelled for years as a backpacker (at the time of the paths of Kathmandu) then as a professional (photographer and lecturer) and since then with my wife. Always independent and without agencies. Alpinism, trecks so quite a lot of experience. Bravo for your site. Very clear, very useful. No endless blah, blah, blah and no interest. Finally a useful site to prepare the bulk of the trip.
    We're going to Kyrgyzstan in a few days and we'll keep your advice.

    Reply
    • gtla

      Thank you Jean-Pierre, it's a great pleasure. Have a good trip to you both.

      Reply
  • Sylvie

    Thank you very much for all this information. We are planning to go this summer and do you have any info on renting cars without a driver and is it possible to do wild camping? Thanks

    Reply
    • gtla

      Thank you Sylvie for your message. I don't have any info on car rental, you can take a private taxi, the rates are quite interesting. For wild camping it's the norm there as it's a nomadic country. Bon VOyage

      Reply
  • monique

    I read with a lot of attention your account and the answers you gave me. It's a mine of information. Thank you. Can you give me your contacts for the song kol lake and for karakol where I would like to do several hikes?

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Monique, thanks, I'll send you this

      Reply
  • dormeau

    Hello,
    Your trip must have been wonderful.
    Do you think that I can find equipment such as parkas for hiking?
    Thank you in advance,
    Alice

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi, thanks
      there you can find quality equipment. I remember that I had met travellers who had lost their luggage during their stopover in the plane. With the insurance money they were able to buy it all back there.
      Have a nice evening.

      Reply
  • Marion

    Hello Georges Michel!
    I thank you for all this information, your blog is very interesting!
    I'm turning to you because I'm planning to go to Kyrgyzstan for 15 days and I would like to ask you some questions about my itinerary.
    I leave you my email address.
    See you soon I hope
    Marion

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Marion,
      Thanks, I'll send you an email. See you soon

      Reply
  • Camille Reid

    Hello Georges-Michel,

    We are from Quebec and we are going to see my son who is working in Bishkek for 3 weeks next May. Thank you for your very interesting site which is very useful (even if we have a "regular" there for a year), as much for the main rudiments of the Russian language (document that I will bring), as for the advice on the conversion of the KGS into Canadian dollars. Your site really makes us want to go! And we are also planning to pack for 5 days. We are really looking forward to discovering this country surrounded by mountains and its people. We will have a thought for you.

    Camille and Luc

    Reply
  • MARION

    Hello Georges Michel

    Thank you for your testimony and all this information!

    I am going to Kyrgyzstan in May with my partner and I would like to ask you some questions about our itinerary...

    I'll leave you my email.

    Thank you in advance

    Marion

    Reply
  • Fabien

    Hello to you,

    My girlfriend and I are going to Kyrgyzstan this summer and this little guide looks very good.

    Reply
    • gtla

      Thank you Fabien, have a good trip

      Reply
  • Alix

    Hi there!
    Very nice blog, with good and practical information !
    I'll arrive in Kyrgyzstan around the end of august, beginning of september, (I'm doing the silk road from Turkey before), and I'd like to join China to go directly to Nepal, do you think that the trip is nice to do (the crossing of Kyrgyzstan to join the border with China I mean 🙂 ), or it's better that I take the time to see what there is to see, and make a big trip at the end ?
    Second question, I've only ridden once on a dada, is it possible to do a few days trek with a happy nag?
    Thanks for your answer 🙂

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Alix,
      Thank you, Kyrgyzstan is a splendid country, if you have time to venture into the mountains, to do some hiking, don't ask, do it. You won't regret it.
      As for horseback riding, yes, even if you are not experienced, you can trek without worries. The guides will adapt to your level and give you a horse that suits you.
      Have a good trip

      Reply
  • dieudonné serge

    Hello Georges-Michel, I just wanted to say THANK YOU! Thank you for this precious sharing and this testimony ... the images, the videos, the advice! It's huge, I'm doing, for a school work, a presentation on this country, these videos have been a huge help to me! The teacher gave me Kyrgyzstan hoping to complicate my life, in terms of documentation etc. and well thanks to you he will get his "money's worth" hehehe.
    I took the liberty of using some passages
    I took the liberty of using a few passages for my video montage (which will only be broadcast at school of course) but as I am only allowed 6 minutes, I had to remove, against my heart, a few passages, too bad I would have liked the class to see the whole of your videos, I hope to give them the desire to do so when they return home after my presentation 😉 thank you again of course.
    Serge Dieudonné
    (Belgium)

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Serge,
      Thank you for your message, it's always nice to receive a thank you message, but it's especially nice to know that not only did you enjoy the videos, but that you are using them to do a school assignment and to introduce your classmates to this beautiful country. I hope that my video passages will not lower your grade 🙂
      I wish you a good presentation to your classmates and your teacher. You were right to use my videos, if it can help you, that's what it's for.
      I'm really curious to see your work and tell me how your presentation went.
      I look forward to hearing from you.
      Georges-Michel

      Reply
  • Amandine

    Hello Georges-Michel,

    Thank you for this site which really makes you want to discover KZ! I bought tickets for a trip from October 19th to November 1st, because it's the period when I have holidays, but I know that it's not the ideal period. Do you think I will be able to enjoy this beautiful country, or are you advising me against going?
    I would like to see the beautiful canyon between Bishkek and Balyktchy, hike between Karakol and altyn-arashan, then see the Skazka canyon, then Kochkok, and if possible go up to the Song Kol lake and ride a horse for a few days, if the weather permits...

    Thank you,
    Amandine

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Amandine,
      Thanks for your message, it's cool that you're going there, it's a country that really deserves to be known. I don't advise you to go at this time. I would advise you not to make a programme before going and to arrange your programme according to the weather. I think it must be quite cold in mid October. I know that the Song Kul lake is frozen and the organised horse riding stops mid September. At the time you go there, there will be no more yurt camps, there is no more grass for the animals, the peasants go back down to the valley.
      But for sure, depending on the weather, you will always find farmers who will organise horseback riding in accessible places.
      Keep me informed.
      Have a nice trip

      Reply
  • Wisse

    Re bonsoir, I posted a comment this afternoon but it no longer appears. I don't know if there was a problem or if it was not accepted.
    Thank you in advance.
    Cdlt

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi
      The comments don't appear right away, I have to validate them. I have a lot of spam and I validate the comments before they appear.

      Reply
      • WB

        Sorry! and I received your answer by email! let's keep it up 😉 !

        Reply
  • WB

    Hello,

    First of all, great blog! I wish I had the motivation to do the same after each of my trips!

    I'm tempted to go for a break, for about 10 days around the first 2 weeks of May 2016. (I know it's a bit short) but it's always better than nothing. I'm trying to organise a small tour for 2

    If you have any tips for an express itinerary to do a bit of everything (especially villages, beaches/lakes, horseback riding, with locals...)

    We can also exchange information by e-mail if it is more convenient for you.

    Thank you in advance!

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi
      Thank you for your message
      I'll answer you by mail.

      Reply
  • Cha

    and i forgot to ask you what is their relationship with dogs? i wonder if mine will be able to accompany me... are they used to domestic dogs?

    Reply
    • gtla

      As for the relationship with your dog, they are farmers, they live surrounded by animals. They won't have any problems with him. Your only risk is to lose him in the mountains (I met a local guide, who had lost a horse for 2 days and he was a local).

      Reply
  • Cha

    Hi friend! I'm planning to go to Kyrgyzstan for 3 weeks in June and I'd like to do mostly horseback riding (I'm an experienced rider) so I thought I'd go through a tour operator that offers organised treks, the best price I found was through this agency: Kyrgyzasia. I'll have to check with them again for a June departure... the proposed price is 1300€ for - The organisation and coordination of the trip
    All accommodation costs in full board
    The service of a English-speaking Kyrgyz guide
    Horse rental.
    The stocking horses
    Equipment (tent, stove, dishes etc...)
    Transfers on site
    Do you think it would be better to find a similar service on site for a lower price?
    Thanks for all your information!

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Charlotte. Thank you for your message.
      Before I clicked on your link, the price seemed very interesting, but if I understood correctly, it is the price without the flight.
      I think you can find cheaper locally. I'll send you some contacts of locals with whom I've remained friends.
      In June, not everything is accessible. Ask around, but for example the Song Kul lake should not be accessible yet.
      As for the services offered by your agency:
      The French-speaking guide does not seem to me to be essential. You are an experienced rider, in the middle of the mountains, you don't need to understand everything the guide tells you and the exchanges will be all the more fun.
      I don't think the horse is essential either. During my trek in Song Kul, I left the bare necessities in my bag and the rest was waiting for me in town, my girlfriends did the same and all our bags fit in 2 saddlebags on the guide's horse.
      The equipment is the same. It's nicer to stay in yurts and live in contact with farmers. Moreover, at night it is quite cold and yurts are much warmer than tents.
      Don't hesitate if you have any questions.

      Reply
  • Isa

    GM thank you for the information.... This reassures me because all the people around me strongly advise me against going alone and so far away...
    I should maybe take the opportunity to ask here if there are people interested in accompanying me during 2016.
    Thanks again for everything.
    I will send you my return from my trip....

    Reply
    • gtla

      You will not risk anything in this country. In Bishkek, you will surely meet other travellers who will travel with you. There are few travellers but they are easy to meet. I will be happy to read your return. See you soon.

      Reply
    • CHRIS

      hello ISA

      are you still looking for someone for september? i'm looking for 4 weeks
      can you contact me on voyageforum? ( nickname : asafar)
      SEE YOU SOON
      and thanks a lot to g-michel for the mine of information!

      Reply
    • Alicia

      Chris, Isa, hello 🙂
      I don't know if your project is still on, but I'm thinking of going there at the end of August/beginning of September, just to discover a new way of life!
      If you're thinking of looking around, don't hesitate to let me know: "AliciaOu" on the voyageforum website 😉

      Reply
  • Isa

    Hello Georges,
    I would like to go to Kyrgyzstan for about 2 weeks. Maybe at the end of August and beginning of September. Do you think the country is safe enough for a woman to travel alone? I would like to travel on horseback and do a tour of a few days.
    And thanks again for all your information, you go over the pictures very well, the accompanying music is good too.
    Isa

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Isa.
      Happy New Year.
      Thank you for your compliments, it's nice. Don't hesitate to go to Kyrgyzstan. Travelling alone in this country is not a problem, for a man or a woman. To travel on horseback, as for the rest, I advise you to learn some basic Russian, your trip will be even more enjoyable. GM

      Reply
  • Sabina

    Hello, Georges-Michel,

    I discovered your story while looking for information about renting in Bishkek. It's instructive and full of information, thank you.
    My husband and I, creators of the association La Terre en Marche, walkers on the Silk Road from Venice to China, wish to stop to spend the winter in Bishkek (2 to 3 months, to see)
    Have you by chance kept contacts in Bishkek who rent flats by the month or might know someone who rents by the month there?
    Have a good trip!
    And thanks in advance.

    Sabina and Jerome

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Sabrina. Thank you for your message, I'll send it to you by email. Have a nice trip

      Reply
  • Lucas

    Hello Georges-Michel,
    My name is Lucas and I am 19 years old and I would like to go to Kyrgyzstan for 24 days from August 10th 2016 to September 3rd. I would like to ask you some questions to be sure of my destination.
    First of all, is it a good idea to go alone, at 19 years old, with no knowledge of Russian or Kyrgyz? Knowing that I would like to sleep in a tent (not dangerous?) for part of my trip and the rest in a yurt and go horse riding without a guide.
    Is the wifi easy enough to access in the big cities? And the telephone network?

    Thank you in advance for your reply,

    Lucas

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Lucas.
      Going alone is a good idea and it is not dangerous. I advise you to learn a little Russian with Assimil and to take a Kyrgyz English lexicon (in my article). People who speak English are rare and it will make your life easier and your exchanges with the locals nicer. But, even without it, you can still find a way to communicate.
      Sleeping in a tent is not dangerous, if you take the necessary precautions for anyone going alone in the mountains, mainly to check the weather.
      Horseback riding without a guide is possible for a day, but for several days it seems complicated.
      Farmers will not rent a horse to someone if they are not sure that he will know how to feed it, water it and look after it. Also, horses sometimes run away, so how can you find him if you are alone, in a place you don't know, several hours away from his owner. If you go for more than one day, take a guide.
      Wifi and phone are available in the big cities, but internet can be very slow.
      At your disposal.

      Reply
  • Séb

    Excellent blog that gave us valuable information! We went from 12 to 25 September.
    Budget on site: 225€/pers. for 2 weeks.
    In Bishkek, the Tunduk Hostel has been run for a few months by a Frenchman who knows the country very well: very useful for a good start to your stay.
    Avoid Suusamyr before mid-October, unless you feel the need to be alone in the middle of the still green nature...
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • gtla

      Excellent, glad you're appreciated. If you have any other information to share, don't hesitate. Have a nice evening.

      Reply
    • Chloe

      Hello Seb,

      We are flying to Kyrgyzstan from 12 to 30 September. We were a bit worried that it would be late due to weather conditions, can you tell me how it went for you?

      Thank you very much for your feedback,

      Chloe

      Reply
  • SITTLER Denis

    Good evening
    Just a few lines to tell you
    that our trip went very well
    We rented a vehicle without a driver
    for a duration of 16 days: little problem to find our way around. No problem to find accommodation (we had not booked anything)
    Very pleasant country, very good reception of the population
    See you soon
    Denis

    Reply
    • gtla

      Good evening Denis, thank you for your feedback. It's cool that you enjoyed the trip. If you have any information or contacts to add, don't hesitate to contact me and I will update the article. @+ Voyageusement

      Reply
  • Momotte and lucie

    Hi! We are leaving on Sunday for 3 weeks, and we thank you for this post!
    Would you have any contacts of families to give us to sleep in yurts? The ones with whom you have good memories.

    Thank you in advance!
    Morgane & Lucie

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Morgane and Lucie!
      Thanks, I'll send you this by mail.
      Have a nice trip!

      Reply
  • Lanteri

    Great, thanks for the quick response and have a nice trip too!

    Reply
  • LANTERI

    Hello, thank you for all this information! I'm also leaving on the 24th of August with my husband and prefer to organise myself there in general, but your story brings me some practical questions : :

    - Are there any ATMs at the airport? If not, did you have any dollars in your pocket before your departure?

    - when we stay in a yurt at the inhabitant's place near Song Kul lake, I assumed that they provided blankets to avoid taking my sleeping bag, do you think it is really necessary to have a sleeping bag?

    - to book an excursion to Song Kul, you advise to organize it from Kochkor rather than Bishkek if I understand correctly. I would like the agency's contact details if you have kept them...

    Thank you in advance!

    Reply
    • gtla

      I'll answer you quickly, I'm abroad and I only have my phone. I had dollars before I left, it's more practical. They give you blankets, you don't need a duvet. The agency is Jailoo Tourism, you'll see it when you arrive, no need to contact them. Have a good trip

      Reply
  • Simon

    Hello,

    Thank you for all the information on your site. Two of us are going to Kyrgyzstan from August 24th to September 7th. We will do the same itinerary as Emeline (but without the horse I prefer hiking ^^).

    If you have any contacts, I'm interested 🙂

    Thank you in advance

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi! I'm emailing this to you

      Reply
  • Charlotte

    Thank you for your answer.
    Between 700 and 800 euros is the minimum price proposed (price per person) for a tour there, so excluding air tickets, what do you think?
    For the moment we are thinking of going on our own because we haven't found what we want to do in our prices yet... So yes, if you can give us some contacts it would be interesting for us!
    The budget of your trip seems perfect but not enough for three weeks, did you bring your tent or did you always sleep in a yurt or hotel?
    Thanks again!
    ps: your video is great! 😉

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi, yes it seems quite expensive. 700€ is 50€ per day. For example I paid 83€ for 3 days around the lake are kul. The price included the guide, the meals, the nights in the yurt and the horse rental. There were 3 of us, so the price of the guide was divided by 3, but not the rest, that's 28€ per day.
      I didn't have my tent, I slept in a hostel, hotel or yurt. The prices of accommodation and food are not high. The only expense that can be very high is the transport, if you want to take uncrowded mountain tracks. But if you take the collective taxis or buses, the budget is very correct and you support the locals. I will send you some contacts by email.

      Reply
  • SITTLER Denis

    Good evening
    First of all, congratulations for all your information about your trip
    For my part the departure is planned from 22/08
    to 8/09
    Is it possible to rent a vehicle without a driver, is the road network correct
    Are all the directions written in Cyrillic?
    Thank you

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Denis, thanks for your message.
      It is possible to drive legally in Kyrgyzstan. I bought a Lada at the end of the trip with two English friends. You can have an overview of this adventure with Roxane on this link http://youtu.be/bTr3n4iQcKQ. You can rent a car without a driver, but unfortunately I don't have any rental company to tell you. The main roads are very good but not very numerous. The secondary roads are more like tracks than roads. Finally, all the indications are in Cyrillic. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate. Have a good trip

      Reply
  • Charlotte

    Hello!
    Thank you very much, your article is great and gives a lot of information, which completes well the lack of guidebooks on this country 😉
    With a friend we have chosen to go to Kyrgyzstan for a fortnight in September. As we are not at all experienced in the mountains, we hesitate between booking a tour in advance ("levoyageautrement" - "rencontresboutdumonde" etc...) or organising ourselves directly there... You seem to say that it is not too complicated to travel independently? Don't you think that we risk losing time over two weeks? Does 700 euros for a 2 week tour seem expensive to you compared to the prices of local agencies?
    Thank you very much!
    Charlotte

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Charlotte.
      It's always cool to know that my article can help travellers, thanks.
      Travelling independently is quite simple, I don't think you risk losing time. You arrive in a city in the evening, book your departure for the next day. If you want to book in advance, I have kept contacts in the city. I can pass them on to you.
      700€, it is for which services? it is a price for 2 or by person?
      See you soon

      Reply
  • Emeline

    Hello!

    Super site with lots of good information that will be useful to me very soon because I'm going to Kyrgyzstan for 2 weeks in early September!
    I was thinking of doing a quick visit of Bishkek, 3 days of horse riding at Song Kul lake and then a trek above Karakol (I found 5/6 days treks in autonomy easy to do without a guide!) and back to Bishkek (I prefer to plan a lot of trips, even if I have to add the Ala Archa canyon if I have time.) what do you think?

    another small question concerning the horseback ride. did you book and negotiate the ride directly on site or did you book it from France?
    in general i don't book anything in advance and i organize myself there but as i'm only going for 2 weeks i wanted to try to optimize the ride in advance to be sure to have space and a departure on the desired day.
    I had also spotted on forums the jailoo tourism agency rather than the CBT. By any chance you have not kept their contact?

    Thank you!

    Emeline

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hello Emeline, thank you for your message. Your itinerary is perfectly adapted to the duration of your trip, in 3 days in Song Kul, you have time to do a nice hike, to see the lake and to spend time with the nomads. Then 5/6 days above Karakol is perfect to enjoy your trek without rushing. If you have time to go to Cholpon Ata, on the way back from Karakol, it's a must see, even if the tourist season will be over.
      I booked my hike, directly when I arrived in Kochkor in the evening, they have departures every day. In Karakol I rented my horse directly from a farmer. In any case, it is not necessary to book in advance.
      I can't find the jailoo tourism website anymore, the link on my website is dead. I'll see if I still have their business card. Otherwise I kept the contact of a guide I met near the lake, but he didn't work with Jailoo. I can give him to you, if you want, he speaks very good English.
      Have a good trip, enjoy.

      Reply
  • Agnès Callou

    Hello Georges-Michel,
    I'm going to Kyrgyzstan in one month and your story has fascinated me. A simple message to thank you for sharing your experience!
    Agnès

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Agnes, thank you for your message, it's very nice. Don't hesitate to contact me if necessary. Have a good trip

      Reply
  • Valentin

    Hi there,
    first of all, thank you for sharing this experience on the internet, your website helps us a lot in the organisation of our trip,
    We are planning a motorbike road trip from Hanoi to Bangkok with two friends.
    We are planning to do Hanoi -> Ho Chi Min in 8 days.
    After reading your site our opinions differ on this last point. I am of the opinion that it is quite feasible by passing through the interior road (as you say on the site the traffic is better), especially as we are confirmed bikers for a long time with the habit of eating the road.
    So I have a few questions to ask you so we don't get stuck there.
    Are the roads so bad there? The traffic outside the cities does not allow to ride at a correct speed? In your itinerary details, you do 250km in 7 hours on the longest routes => 35km/h average. Do the conditions really not allow you to ride faster? Or did you take breaks or ride slowly to enjoy the places you rode? Or maybe you had a lot of mechanical problems?
    Thanks a lot, I'm looking forward to your answers =) And thanks again for the site!

    Reply
  • Esther

    Thank you very much for your answer! I'm leaving in a month so I might have more questions by then 🙂

    Reply
  • Esther

    Hello ! Your article is very interesting and gave us a lot of useful advice.
    We had a small question concerning the accommodation, in order to lighten the weight of the bag, we thought of doing without a tent. Do you think we will find places to sleep every night? We have the same question about the stove.

    Thank you in advance for your response 🙂

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Esther,
      You can do without a tent and a stove.
      You have 2 solutions:
      Either you book nights with local people via travel agencies (you can do this without taking a guide, they show you on the map the location and the name of a family).
      Or you ask for hospitality in a yurt at random, there will always be room and board for a backpacker, around the rates indicated in my article.
      If you have any other questions don't hesitate.
      Have a good trip!

      Reply
  • lunamare

    Hello ! Thank you very much for this great story ! I am also thinking of discovering Kyrgyzstan for 15/17 days... with my daughters aged 12 and 15... Do you think it's possible with children?
    Thank you again for all the details, it makes me want to go there 🙂

    Reply
    • gtla

      Hi Luna, thanks for your comment.
      Yes it is possible with children, this summer I met a family with 3 much younger children.
      They were doing a horseback ride with a local guide. Don't hesitate, it's a great country.

      Reply
  • Angéline

    Thanks for your advice... I had also thought of these two lakes so that makes me feel better... 🙂

    Reply
  • gtla

    Hi Angéline. Thanks for your comment. In 15 days, if you don't want to run and enjoy the country, you can start with a hike around Song Kul, then continue around Lake Issy Kul, which will offer you the possibility to hike in another type of panorama. Finally you can finish in Cholpon Ata to enjoy the beaches and rest a bit. The country is beautiful and all the places are more attractive one than the other, but in 15 days, it is better to concentrate on 1 or 2 key places. Have a good trip and don't hesitate if you are looking for contacts there.

    Reply
    • Nono

      Hello. Thank you very much for this guide which will undoubtedly be very useful to me. I am leaving next Sunday and I don't speak Russian or Kyrgyz. Would you have any contacts who speak English or French, especially for organising hikes or horseback riding. Also, have you organised your treks from Bishkek or as you go along?
      Yours faithfully,
      Noël

      Reply
      • gtla

        Thank you Christmas
        I've organised everything as I go along.
        I'll send you an email.

        Reply
  • Angéline

    Hello, I really enjoyed reading your article. The tips are very practical: thank you!
    I am also planning to go to Kyrgyzstan this summer (July 2015) but unfortunately I only have 15 days maximum there. What do you think are the must-sees? I'm struggling to plan an itinerary that won't make me run from one place to another... Thanks in advance.

    Reply
  • Rory

    I plan to travel to Kyrgyzstan this summer, this little guide is very informative! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
    • gtla

      Thank you for your comment. Kyrgyzstan is a beautiful country, full of surprises. Don't hesitate if you need information or contacts there.

      Reply

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published Mandatory fields are indicated*.