Kyrgyzstan, a country you may not have heard of before or know where it actually is on the map (don't worry, I was the same), but I can assure you that this country is a must-see for yourself to believe that nature like this exists, and also before it changes due to the rising number of tourists in the country.
What is so special about Kyrgyzstan? Think Switzerland, but without the tourists, the Alps, without the high cost, and Mongolia without a long flight time. Basically, the entire country is off the beaten path. Within this post, I will guide you through the country, provide suggestions on where to go, and what to see in this small country in Central Asia.
- Kyrgyzstan Itinerary Map
- 3 Weeks Kyrgyzstan Itinerary
- Kyrgyzstan Travel Video
- Why Visit Kyrgyzstan?
- When To Visit Kyrgyzstan?
- How to Get to Kyrgyzstan?
- How To Get Around Kyrgyzstan?
- What to Pack for Kyrgyzstan?
- Further Reading for Central Asia
Kyrgyzstan Itinerary Map
| ☀️ Day 1-4: | Bishkek |
| ☀️ Day 5-8: | Karakol |
| ☀️ Day 9: | Kadji Say |
| ☀️ Day 10-11: | Kochkor and Song Kul |
| ☀️ Day 12-13: | Osh |
| ☀️ Day 14-15: | Arslanbob |
| ☀️ Day 16-17: | Sary Chelek |
3 Weeks Kyrgyzstan Itinerary
Day 1 - 4: Bishkek (5 nights)
Bishkek is the perfect base to launch yourself into many of the mountains surrounding this capital city. First, spend the day walking around the city, checking out the many brutalist architectures like the Manas statues and Ala Too Square. You can get a free audio walking tour app here to learn more about the city's top attractions.
Looking for a place to take a break? Drop by Sierra Cafe to have a nice coffee. At night, if you are interested in experiencing the party scene, do check out No Name Bar for a nice beer or Tuman for a crazy psychedelic trance club. If you are looking for a rooftop bar, check out Bar 12.
The next day, go on a day trip to Ala Archa National Park with an organized tour and hike the valley along the river to immerse yourself in the amazing nature the country has to offer. The national park is only 30 minutes away from the city, so you can easily do it in a day.
- Highlights of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan (9 days)
- Kyrgyzstan's Silk Road Journey (14 days)
- Walking in Kyrgyzstan (9 days)
The third day, take another taxi or a marshrutka towards Issyk Kul lake and drop off at Konorchek canyon and start hiking. The Konorchek canyon is considered a hidden gem since not many people know where it actually is. If you decide to hike the canyon, you will be rewarded with this beautiful orange landscape, a good change from the green you saw in Ala Archa National Park.
You can also visit Konorchek Canyon and Burana Tower, another remnant of the Ancient Silk Road, all in one day with a Konorchek Canyon & Burana Tower 1-day tour, which will save you a ton of trouble trying to manage your way around marshrutkas here.
The fourth day, take a marshrutka towards the town of Tokmok and, when you arrive, get a taxi to the Burana Tower and spend an hour there, climbing the tower and appreciating the surroundings. The trip should take half a day. Spend the last half of the day chilling out in the city and enjoy a selection of proper Kyrgyz food at Navat or Cafe Faiza.
Day 5 - 8: Karakol (4 nights)
Karakol is where you start one of the most epic treks you can do in the Issyk Kul region: the Ala Kul trek. The trek will take you around 3 days of hiking, starting from Karakol Valley and ending in Altyn Arashan. So, spend your first day preparing for the trek by buying supplies, etc.
If you are there between July and August, you might not have to carry a tent and food supplies as there will be stops where they rent out these items so you can keep your pack light. Trust me, you will appreciate it when you are on the trail. Be sure to check with the people at Duet Hostel for the latest information about these stops before embarking on the hike.
The trail can be quite tricky to navigate since there aren't many signs along the trail, but I have a solution for you. Get Maps.me app and save the region offline. This will come in handy when you are at an intersection and you don't know which trail to take. The app will give you a quite accurate general direction you can take. Be careful as it is not uncommon to see people taking the wrong trail and wasting precious hours of daylight.
It is a tough trail that takes you up some crazy steep mountains and lots and lots of uphill in a few hours, so prepare accordingly.
That said, the view up on the pass (3800m) is one of the best views you can get in Kyrgyzstan.
Day 9: Kadji Say (1 night)
After a crazy trek, don't you wish you could chill out at a beach, dipping your tired feet in the water? Well, this is the place to be. Kadji Say is a small beachside town in a remote part of Issyk Kul. It is the best place to have a quiet evening watching the sun set behind the Tian Shan mountain range and listening to waves crashing on the second highest alpine lake in the world.
The next day, you can take a taxi to Fairy Tale Canyon and hike around the beautiful, jagged terrain for a few hours. You will see why it is named that when you get there.
Where to Stay in Kadji Say?
Day 10 - 11: Kochkor and Song Kul (2 nights)
From Kadji Say, you can take a shared taxi to Kochkor, where you can start planning your trip to Song Kul Lake. There are a few options for you to get to Song Kul Lake. You can either go with one of the tourism organizations like CBT (Community Based Tourism) and Shepherd's Life, or you can go on this 2-day Song Kul Lake organized tour.
I chose the Shepherd's Life because they were one of the more affordable options I found, and I had a wonderful time with them. The transportation is not inexpensive because you are ascending up to 3000m through a desert-like landscape, so don't be surprised when you see the cost. However, I can assure you that it was definitely worth the price.
Where to Stay in Kochkor?
Where to Stay in Song Kul?
Day 12 - 13: Osh (2 nights)
From Kochkor, you can take a marshrutka back to Bishkek and either take an overnight bus or a flight to Osh. Osh is like a different country compared to Bishkek due to the number of Uzbeks living in that region. Spend one full day hiking the Sulayman Hill and enjoying all the tasty food they have in the city while paying half the price you would in Bishkek.
Day 14 - 15: Arslanbob (2 nights)
From Osh, you can take a 2 PM marshrutka directly to Arslanbob. When you arrive, go directly to the CBT office, and they will assign you a homestay. Spend your full day here hiking to the two waterfalls near the village, which should take you an entire day. The trail is quite tricky to navigate, so be prepared.
Where to Stay in Arslanbob?
Day 16 - 17: Sary Chelek (2 nights)
Sary Chelek is a beautiful biosphere reserve, and within the reserve, there is a stunning lake tucked away in the Chatkal mountains. Here, you can camp and experience nature at its best, untouched by any kind of tourism.
It is quite a challenge to go from Arslanbob to Sary Chelek, but not impossible. You have to take a bus back to Jalal Abad and from Jalal Abad to Tash-Komur, and then change to another bus to go to Kara-Jigat. From there, you will have to hitchhike 25 km to Arkyt.
Another option is to arrange transportation with CBT if you have enough people to share the cost with. This is definitely a much easier and more convenient option than taking multiple marshrutkas.
Where to Stay in Sary Chelek?
BONUS Tip: Start your trip to the Pamir Highway (8 days)
If you are planning to do the Pamir Highway, Osh is the best place to start planning your trip. I was able to find a bunch of other people to share the cost of the jeep through this Caravanistan Forum.
Why Visit Kyrgyzstan?
First off, within Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan has one of the easiest entry procedures of all the Stan countries, with many nationalities being exempt from the visa requirement. And even if you are not exempt, you can easily obtain one at Manas International Airport with options ranging from 30 to 90 days for single or multiple entries. Additionally, you can use Bishkek as a base to obtain visas for surrounding countries such as Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan.
Secondly, Kyrgyzstan has some of the best mountains and countless alpine lakes in Central Asia. You can trek, ride horses, or spend some time with nomadic families in traditional yurts. There is something for all types of travelers here.
When To Visit Kyrgyzstan?
Summer (July-August) is, hands down, the best time to visit Kyrgyzstan. Most of the hiking trails are open during this time, with some trails having locals providing supplies and tents along the way, so you don't have to carry your own stuff. Additionally, during the high season, there is a higher chance for you to join up with other travelers, rent a jeep, and go somewhere remote without having to pay for the entire jeep by yourself.
How to Get to Kyrgyzstan?
There are plenty of flights via Aeroflot or Air Astana that fly into Bishkek from Europe and Asia. Be sure to browse through Skyscanner or Expedia before comparing prices so that you will get the cheapest flight possible.
How To Get Around Kyrgyzstan?
Like with all other post-Soviet states, a marshrutka (minivan) is the cheapest way to get around the city or between cities. You can easily go to a bus station in Bishkek, and there will be people shouting the name of the city you want to go to. Just tell one of the people there, and you will be on your way. However, keep in mind that they will leave only when the van is filled up, and some roads are terrible, so expect to spend a full day traveling somewhere.
Within cities like Bishkek or Osh, you can easily find a shared taxi or private taxi on the streets, but make sure to negotiate the price.
For traveling from Bishkek to Osh, you have two options. One is a $30 flight, which takes around 30 minutes. The other option is a $15 bus that takes approximately 15 hours. If you are short on time, I suggest going with the plane. However, if you have time to spare and want to see the countryside, a bus is a better option for you.
Daily Budget
This place is quite affordable compared to all the other countries in the world. If you are planning a trip here, you can expect to spend around $25 - $45 USD per day per person, which should include accommodation and three meals.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
What to Pack for Kyrgyzstan?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Kyrgyzstan:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Central Asia
Are you looking to dive deeper into Central Asia? Here are a selection of travel guides and itineraries for traveling in Central Asia.
- Looking for a complete one-month itinerary and a travel guide for Central Asia? One Month Itinerary For Central Asia
- For a complete itinerary in Kazakhstan, check out: 10 Days Backpacking Kazakhstan Itinerary.
- Looking for things to do in Almaty, Kazakhstan? Check out the 10 Best Things to Do in Almaty.
- Want to get off the beaten path in Kazakhstan? Shymkent is an awesome place to visit. Here are the 9 Best Things to Do in Shymkent.
- Want to visit Turkestan in Kazakhstan? Check out our Complete Travel Guide to Turkestan.
- If you want to witness the city of the future in Central Asia, Astana is definitely the place you want to be. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Astana.
- Bishkek, the capital city, is a great place to use as a base for you to obtain all tourist visas for the surrounding countries like Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, and the city has a ton to offer. Here are the top 10 things to do in Bishkek.
- Kyrgyzstan is known for its mountains, and one of the best treks you can do is the Ala Kul trek. Here’s a travel guide for trekking the Ala Kul trail and how you can do it in 2 days.
- The Pamir Highway is one of the best road trips you can do in your life and it begins in Osh, Kyrgyzstan and ends in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Here’s a complete guide on how to plan your Pamir Highway road trip.
- If Kyrgyzstan is known for its mountains, then Uzbekistan is known for its culture and architecture. With several ancient Silk Road cities, there is a ton to see in Uzbekistan. Here’s a 2-week itinerary and a travel guide in Uzbekistan.
- Last but not least, one of the hardest countries to visit in Central Asia is Turkmenistan, and you will require a lot of planning before you can visit. Here’s a complete travel guide with a one-week itinerary for Turkmenistan.
- You can watch all my travel videos from Central Asia here: Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan.
- Looking for more travel guides for Central Asia? You can find more on my Central Asia Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides, visit the All Destination Travel Guide page.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
25 Comments
graet trip
Thank you! :)
I would like to something about the marshrutka from Osch to arslanbob. Where is the station the marshrutka is leaving?
Hey Dan,
To get a direct marshrutka from Osh to Arslanbob, you will have to go to the New Bus Station which is located a little out of town, Southeast corner of Lenin Av and Osmonova St. Search for "Oshskiy Avtovokzal" on Google Maps and you should be able to get the location.
One thing to note is that from what I gather a year ago, there is only one direct marshrutka that runs at 2PM and arrives late at night but that may change so be sure to ask your guesthouse for more info. There is also an indirect option that requires you to change marshrutka at Jalal Abad and Bazaar Korgo before getting a taxi to Arslanbob. It's not the most direct and can take an entire day but if gives you the flexibility of time.
To come back to Osh from Arslanbob, there is a direct bus early in the morning at 6AM ish or you can do the indirect route as well.
I hope this information helps you out on your journey!
Safe Travel!
Hey Pete,
I've been looking into some travel blogs for Kyrgyzstan recently, yours is by far the most helpful!
Do you think it is possible to travel this country without speaking fluent Russian?
I guess in order to prepare a trip I would at least learn the basics, but I doubt I'll be able to communicate much more than my name etc.
Thanks again for this amazing blog,
hope to see some updates ;)
Hey Kon,
Thank you for the kind words! :) I'm glad you find the article useful. To answer your question, no, you do not need to be fluent in English to travel to these countries. I know 2 languages, Thai and English and I survived most of these countries with either English or hand signs :) Most people who work in the tourism industry do know how to speak English but if not, you can always ask for help from those who do speak English, like people working in a hostel/hotels etc. I got my ATM card eaten at the airport and managed to get it back by asking for help from the hostel receptionist/a friend. :)
People are very friendly there so no need to worry, they will try their best to help you. :)
I hope this helps!
Hi Pete.
Wow, I was trying to find some helpful blog on Kyrgyzstan and so glad I found yours. So informative!!!!
Would you mind if I asked whether you met many tourists along the way? and was it is easy to find shared taxis? or how did you go about finding a taxi to share with people?
Did you visit the Jyrgalan area? I've read that it also has many hikes.
For the above 3 week itinerary, is there an approximate amount of money you would need to have saved for this trip? You mention that the ride to Sog Kul lake was expensive.
Thank you!!!
Hey Ursula,
Thank you so much for the comment. :)
I did meet a lot of fellow travelers in Kyrgyzstan, usually in hub cities like Bishkek and Karakol and it's not so hard to find people to share a taxi with especially in the summer. I didn't visit Jyrgalan when I was there, but I heard they were doing a ton of renovation to hiking trails and infrastructure to support western tourists. They hired my friends there to help as well so I'm sure, by now, it's becoming more and more popular destination to visit. If you have the time, I would recommend you give Jyrgalan a go.
For the average cost, I would say around 25 - 50 USD per day with accommodation at around 5 - 10 USD per night (dorm), food is around 3 - 5 USD per meal, and transportation (shared minivan) around 5 - 15 USD depending on the distance. Of course, you won't be traveling everyday so you can deduct them out etc.
The most expensive part is the transportation, if you are planning to go to remote areas like Song Kul and you are alone as I did, it will be very very expensive. If you find people to share it with, it will definitely be cheaper. If you are in Bishkek, I would recommend staying at Interhouse hostel. That's where I met the most travelers and shared a few trips with, like Ala Archa national park and the Konorcheck Canyon.
I hope this helps! Enjoy your trip!
Hi Pete
Thanks for your big information its really helpful. I want to know with which companies you booked tours. Because in Kyrgyzstan so many tour companies. I want to use this company "Pegas Adventure" anyone used this company
Hey Jessica,
I did the trip independently and it was no trouble at all. I have no experience with Pegas Adventure so I can not say how good they are but they seems alright. I do have experience with Stantours though (travelled to Turkmenistan with them) and they are great. Also, for more information if you wish to do it by yourself, you can check out Caravanistan.com and their forums. There might be people who went with Pegas Adventure and they might be able to help you out.
I hope this helps!