Travelogues Kyrgyzstan
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Vacation in Kyrgyzstan : Highlights & Travel Tips
Kyrgyzstan is a standout destination for travelers who love dramatic mountain scenery, nomadic culture, and outdoor adventure without heavy crowds. Dominated by the Tian Shan range, the country offers snow-capped peaks, alpine lakes, wide summer pastures, and a strong sense of tradition that still shapes daily life. What makes it especially memorable is the combination of raw natural beauty and genuine hospitality: travelers can sleep in a yurt, watch eagle hunting demonstrations, and experience a way of life closely tied to the mountains.
Highlights include Issyk-Kul, one of the world’s largest alpine lakes, the red-rock landscapes around Jeti-Oguz and Skazka Canyon, and trekking areas such as Ala-Kul, Song-Kol, and the regions around Karakol. Horseback riding, hiking, yurt stays, and community-based tourism are some of the best ways to experience the country. Practical tips: travel is easiest with some flexibility, as transport schedules can be irregular and mountain weather changes quickly; carry cash outside major cities; and pack layers even in summer, especially if you plan to stay at high altitude. Travelers should also allow time to acclimatize for trekking and consider visiting with local guides for easier logistics and cultural insight.
Best time to travel Kyrgyzstan
The best time to visit Kyrgyzstan is late spring through summer, especially May to August, when popularity is strongest and mountain areas are more accessible for trekking, horseback riding, and yurt stays. May stands out in the data, while summer offers the most reliable conditions for exploring high-altitude lakes and pastures, though some shoulder-season flexibility may also be rewarding.
Best travel reports from Kyrgyzstan
Back to Bishkek
Tuesday morning (08.10.2019) welcomes us with cloudy weather, and the sun doesn't manage to break through in the morning either. When we start the descent along Ala Archa around...
Day 6+7: South shore of Lake Issyk-Kul - Away from civilization
Although we originally only booked one night at the hostel in Karakol, we ended up staying for three nights because there was so much to discover here. On Tuesday morning, we...
Life in a yurt at Song Kul
After our first night in a southern yurt camp at Song Kul, we are awakened by sun rays shining through the yurt roof. When we step out of the yurt, our new Dutch acquaintances...
Road to Naryn
We said goodbye to the Almaluu yurt camp and set off on the road to Naryn, an ancient garrison city on the Silk Road. Naryn was only supposed to serve as a base for our...
Stage 105: From the Chinese tunnel back to Taran-Bazar
On the Chinese construction site
Day 2: Last day in Bishkek - Food, Food, and More Food!
After getting a good night's sleep and waking up to sunshine, we went to the largest bazaar in Bishkek, the Osh Bazaar. We maneuvered through the maze-like corridors...
Tag 1: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan - "What are you doing here?"
To be honest, we've definitely had better ideas than traveling to Kyrgyzstan in January. We are the only Europeans around in -5 degrees Celsius, and thanks to our multilayered...
Kochkor - pleasant place!
Walking in Kochkor
Stage 102: From Niyazbotir to Osh
In Andijan
Trip to Karakol
On Tuesday morning (15.10.2019), we enjoy our last breakfast at our wonderful campsite near Balyktschy. Then it's time to pack our belongings into Schrotti's trunk and continue...
Song Kul - Pearl among the mountains
Song Kul in the evening
Adventure Yurt Camp
Our first yurt camp in Tong at Issyk-Kul is, as mentioned before, very touristic. There are outhouses with toilet seats and lights with motion sensors, warm summer showers, and...
Kysyl-Suu - Saruu - Tong
The campsite right on Issyk-Kul lake has impressed us very much and since the weather is simply stunning the next day, we enjoy our private beach with our two dogs after...
Day 3 of the tour - adventurous
After breakfast in Bosteri, we headed east along Issyk-Kul. Our first stop was the hot springs in Oruktu - and they completely exceeded our expectations. The hottest pools have...
Stage 117: From Karakol to Santash
Off to Kazakhstan! At least that's what I thought in the morning. Unfortunately, I didn't leave Karakol until very late. Jalil's whole family was on their way to a school event....
Stage 116: From Korumdu to Karakol
The next morning the weather was better again and the last stage at Lake Issyk-Kul was due. These were still almost 120 kilometers and the navigation was switched off to save...
Stage 111: From Ala-Bel Pass to Sosnovka
The night at 2500m altitude was as expected cold and I was glad to have my extra thick sleeping bag with me. Even making coffee the next morning was only possible with my petrol...
Stage 107: From Izboskan to Kyzyl Beyit
The main road changed on today's stage. There were fewer and fewer cars, the potholes disappeared, and the surroundings became more idyllic as we went into the mountains. We...
45. Stage 'Jangy Talap', Kyrgyzstan
Today was another special day. I had already prepared myself to continue my journey alone when Jerome proposed to stick together until just before Naryn and then part ways....
42. Stage 'Sarytash, Kyrgyzstan'
As planned, we crossed the border into Kyrgyzstan today. The road to the border was very good. However, that changed immediately before the first checkpoint on the Tajik side....
Stage 112: From Sosnovka to Bishkek
We had the last stage ahead of us to the capital, Bishkek. The detour to the Chinese tunnel had caused a bit of delay, but on the other hand, we also experienced a lot and got...
Etappe 108: From Kyzyl Beyit to Toktogul Reservoir
Almost there!
Etappe 104: From Jalal-Abad towards Kazarman
Our campsite the next morning
Stage 103: From Osh to Jalal-Abad
Our tour started towards the north in bright sunshine. Aman made fun of me for needing sunscreen. At our first break, we tried a drink that I don't necessarily need again:...
47. Stage 'Karakol'
Contrary to the weather forecast, the weather was very good, and I decided to set off again. On the way to Karakol on Lake Issyk Kul, there were once again the usual...
Stage 115: From Balykchy to Korumdu
The next morning we were on the road again on the 'Way of the Sheep' to get back to the road from Issyk Kul Lake. What started as a dirt road ended in the middle of a bumpy...
Stage 114: From Kemin to Balykchy
The next morning we started our (for now) last stage together. There were still a few meters of altitude to overcome as Lake Issyk-Kul is located at 1600 meters above sea level....
Stage 113: From Bishkek to Kemin
On May 20th, we continued our journey east. Aman had two more days of cycling before he wanted to return to Bishkek by bus. So we had enough time to drive together to Lake...
Stage 110: From Toktogul via the Ala-Bel Pass
After the rest day in Toktogul, we both felt ready for the next adventure. It was warm and sunny, I refilled my gasoline bottle at a gas station, and then we went back into the...
Etappe 106: From Taran-Bazar to Izboskan
The next morning we set off early from Taran-Bazar as the family had an appointment. We avoided going through the city center of Jalal-Abad again. Since all roads to Kazarman...