Kyrgyzstan Tours

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Explore Central Asia’s Capital of Mountains

All Kyrgyzstan Tours

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Country Overview

Bishkek

Bishkek: Capital of Kyrgyzstan

Sitting 800 metres above sea level, Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek takes its name from a traditional wooden spoon used to stir mares milk; however, the physical history of the city begins in 1820 when a fort was constructed to guard the economically vital trade link between Kashgar and Tashkent.
The Bolshevik revolution came to Bishkek in 1918 and the Kyrgyz SSR came into existence until independence in 1991. Since the days of the USSR, the capital has expanded, although the heart of the city still retains a leafy, Soviet quality – ideal for strolling between the sights.
Highlights

 

Ala-too Square
As with many communist and former communist cities, the centre of the city is graced by a large public square for locals to congregate and, in times past, conduct parades, rallies and celebrations. The square was completed in 1970s and is centered around a 45-metre high flagpole. The perimeter of the square is surrounded by more beautiful sights such as Government House, the State History Museum, the Friendship Monument and so much more!

 

State Historical Museum
The State Historical Museum sits at the perimeter of Ala-too Square, serving almost as a backdrop to the city centre. Its imposing architectural style (modernist cube from Soviet times) cannot be missed. On top of being interesting to look at, it’s interesting to visit; a chance to get some context before diving into Kyrgyzstan for real!

 

Osh Bazaar
A traditional Soviet-esque market in the heart of downtown Bishkek. Bazaars are a common sight across this part of the world, but each one will always be slightly different with its own interesting quirks. You could easily spend a day collecting local handicrafts, watching locals doing their daily shop or stocking up on weird and wonderful snacks.

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Osh

Osh: Capital of the South

Situated close to the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border, the city of Osh has a distinct frontier feel to it. Despite the high altitude, Osh lacks the high peaks which surround other cities in Kyrgyzstan creating a unique feel to the city. The myth of Osh’s founding is disputed, but whether it was Alexander the Great or the leader Suleiman, today Osh is a relic of its soviet past with a distinctive communist feel – but well worth a visit to experience the “best bazaar west of Kashgar”.
Highlights

 

Suleiman’s Throne
Perhaps Central Asia’s holiest site and rumoured by some to be the resting place of the prophent Suleiman – this mound of sheer limestone and quartz is a place of pilgrimage for many muslims, but still worth the visit (and the climb!) for those non-believers. The slab at limestone is said to resemble a pregnant woman, and so sliding down the ‘fertility slide’ is said to help with any fertility issues.

 

Jayma Bazaar
Said to be one of the best markets west of Kashgar, the Jayma Bazaar sits in the north of Osh and straddles a river as the passage ways and paths of the market come alive with the sound of traders going about their business and locals collecting various odds and ends.

 

City Centre
As with many former Soviet cities, the heart of Osh is dominated by a large city square. In Osh, the square is still dominated by a statue of the founder of the Soviet Union, Vladimir Lenin – in days past, his likeness was present in every city of the USSR, however since 1991, many countries have seen fit to replace him with local heroes; not Osh!

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Chui

Chui: Land of Milk & Honey

The Chui Valley stretches from west to east in the northern region of Kyrgyzstan, known as the Chui oblast. The 770,000 people who call the valley their home live in one of Kyrgyzstan’s most beautiful and productive areas of the country. It is said to be so fertile that even if you drop camel dung into the ground of the Chui Valley it will grow cheese!
Highlights

 

Burana Tower
The Burana Tower is a 25-metre tall remnant of an 11th century mosque built during the
Karakhanid Khanate. Originally 25-metres tall and built onto the side of a local mosque, time has slowly destroyed everything but the base of the minaret (not helped by a 15th century earthquake!)

 

ZiL Ski Resort
A popular stop for locals and foreign skiers alike, the ZIL ski resort sits just 35km away from the capital and provides extensive facilities for those travellers looking to relax with a bit of alpine sport. It is possible to ski here between December and March when the mountainside is reliably snow-covered. 5km from the ski resort is the Kentor glacier.

 

Chong Kemin Valley
The Chong Kemin Valley is home to a river of the same name as well as the Chong Kemin State Nature Park. The main pull factor for visitors to Chong Kemin is the stunning natural scenery as well as the chance to catch a glimpse of some of the local fauna including snow leopards, mountain ibexes, and golden eagles.

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Issyk Kul

Issyk Kul: Soviet Tourism Paradise

Issyk Kul, or Issyk Lake, is an oasis of crystal clear blue water in northern Kyrgyzstan. According to legend, a local tribe was ransacked with only a young boy and girl surviving the raid – desperate for food, they arrived at the enemy camp where an old woman was ordered to kill the two Kyrgyz children. Taking them away, she met a cow who took the children to Issyk Kul and raised them. In the modern era, the region became a major health resort in the Soviet Union and today the northern shore is peppered with resorts and sanatoriums, some Soviet, some modern.
Highlights

 

Issyk Lake
The lake itself is the major highlight in this region; the largest lake in the country, its name translates, via old Turkic, to mean ‘sacred’ and is surrounded by two mountain ranges creating the feeling of having stumbled across a oasis amidst the mountains.

 

Dungan Mosque
The Dungan Mosque looks oddly distinctive with its bright colours and notably eastern aesthetic. The style is a result of the architect, Zhou Si, who was specially invited from Beijing to design the structure; built without a single nail!

 

Karakol
Kyrgyzstan’s answer to the Dead Sea! The extreme level of salt dissolved in this small lake, just south of Issyk Lake, means it’s impossible to sink, instead visitors simply float on the surface.

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Jalal Abad

Jalal Abad: Kyrgyzstan’s Sleepy Heartland

The oblast of Jalal Abad is never on the top of the list for travellers, likely since it’s located between two of the country’s tourism hostpots, Bishkek and Osh – but for the foreign visitor looking to experience a bit more local life than the average tourist, Jalal Abad has a lot to offer from glistening lakes, thick forests and beautiful mausoleums!
Highlights

 

Sary Chelek Lake
This glistening blue lake is located equidistant between the capital, Bishkek, and the city of Osh inside a dedicated biosphere reserve of the same name. Being fed by various mountain rivers and streams, the natural beauty of the area is reflected in its inclusion as a designated UNESCO nature reserve.

 

Mausoleum of Shah Fazil
Located inside the Shah Fazil Historical and Architectural Complex, this mausoleum is dedicated to Mahmud ibn Nasir, or Shah Fazil, a ruler during the Kara-Khanid dynasty and a true architectural marvel – well worth a stop!

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Visiting Kyrgyzstan

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Kyrgyzstan was, for decades, a popular holiday spot for workers and officials from across the Soviet Union, with many spending their holidays on the sandy shores of Issyk Kul Lake in the north of the country, or venturing deeper into the mountainous heart of this small Soviet republic. Since independence, the country has opened up to foreigners from all over the globe, offering the chance to see this little-visited nation at the heart of Central Asia for yourself.
The visa policy of Kyrgyzstan is surprisingly simple compared to some of its ex-Soviet neighbours, however, as with any country, the visa requirements will differ depending on your nationality; in some cases, you will not need a visa to enter the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, for others, an eVisa or visa-on-arrival will be available, and for a few countries, you will still need to apply for a tourist visa before arriving in-country. If you’re booking one of our Kyrgyzstan tours, check with your Tour Manager to find out what you’ll need before travelling.
Whilst there are many exciting aspects to visiting Kyrgyzstan, a few stand out attractions include exploring the country’s Soviet history; Kyrgyzstan was once almost entirely closed to foreign visitors due to the uranium deposits mined and used by the USSR to fuel its nuclear weapons programme. Communism aside, local culture has long flourished in this part of Central Asia and since independence has become an inherent part of any visit to Kyrgyzstan. However, hundreds, if not thousands, of visitors come to the country every year to travel the epic M41 Pamir Highway from Kyrgyzstan, through the mountains into Tajikistan.

Kyrgyzstan in Spring & Summer

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Spring (March – May)
Most of the rain falls during the Spring months and into early summer in Kyrgyzstan, however, temperatures begin to steadily rise around March time, so Spring is a good time to visit the country if you’re looking to avoid peak tourism season, but still catch some warm weather and be able to venture into the mountainous heart of Central Asia.

 

Summer (June – September)
The best time to visit Kyrgyzstan is, without a doubt, between July and August. Temperatures reach their peak for the year, rainfall is minimal, and the countryside is filled with local families living out of their yurts and enjoying the summer sun. Trekking is also a popular pastime for locals and foreign travellers alike; summer is the ideal season for such activities since the weather makes the experience pleasant and the risk of landslips and avalanches is minimal due to the lack of rainfall.

Kyrgyzstan in Autumn & Winter

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Autumn (October – November)
As autumn creeps in, the rain begins to slowly return. The yellowing of the leaves creates a stunning natural landscape as the temperatures drop from their peak. However, throughout autumn the temperature both in the cities and the countryside remains comfortable. For the autumn traveller, we recommend taking a trip into the mountains during this time of year to see local families beginning to collect food for winter, paragliders enjoying the last glimpse of summer in the hills north of Bishkek and the beginning of snowfall, usually in the first weeks of November.

 

Winter (December – February)
Snow is not uncommon in Kyrgyzstan with January-March being peak snowfall season. As the country is dominated by mountains, even as snow melts away at the lower altitudes, the country remains a winter wonderland at higher altitudes well into March. For many visitors, the primary pull factor for a winter visit to the country will be skiing; many resorts operate from December until March, with January to Late February being the optimum time for a visit.

Flights To & From Kyrgyzstan

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There are four main international airports serving foreign destinations from Kyrgyzstan. For those joining us on tour by air, these airports will be your gateway into the country.
Manas International Airport serves the capital, Bishkek, with flights to and from numerous destinations including international hub airports including Moscow-Sheremetyevo via Aeroflot, Almaty and Nur-Sultan via Air Astana, Istanbul via Turkish Airlines and many other routes besides. For flights from other destinations into Bishkek, check online or with your Tour Manager before travelling.
The second major airport in the country is Osh Airport, serving the city of Osh. Whilst less well-connected than Bishkek to foreign destinations, it still serves a large number of international airports including flights to Moscow, Istanbul and Kuwait City.
Issyk Kul International Airport and Karakol International Airport mainly operate domestic routes although do have some destinations abroad in Russia and Kazakhstan. If you plan to enter the country via these airports, contact your Tour Manager in advance for advice on connecting flights and other details.

Road & Rail Crossings to Kyrgyzstan

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Road
There are numerous road crossings into Kyrgyzstan from neighbouring Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan & Tajikistan to the west and China to the south and east. Some of these road links are not operational during certain parts of the year or are not open to foreigners. If you plan to join an Absolute Nomads tour in Kyrgyzstan and enter the country by road, consult your Tour Manager for up-to-date information on when and where to make your crossing as well as specific advice for the country and crossing point you plan to travel from.

 

Rail
Whilst it is possible to enter Kyrgyzstan by rail, options are limited with only a few routes into neighbouring China and Kazakhstan by train. Issues arise when attempting to travel from other countries such as Tajikistan and Uzbekistan since many rail routes pass through a third country before arriving in Kyrgyzstan. If you’re planning to take the train, consult your Tour Manager to plan your route.

Kyrgyzstan Group Tours

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Kyrgyzstan is a country where one will gain most from a visit by joining a guided tour, whether a group tour option or an independent itinerary. The history, culture and religion make visiting with a guide so much more rewarding.
All group tours will be accompanied by one of our expert tour leaders as well as an excellent local guide. At times we also use individual site guides and experts to enhance the tour experience even further.
Once out of the major cities in Tajikistan road conditions can be difficult and at times dangerous, especially as we traverse some high mountain passes.
We choose our drivers based on their experience and the quality of their vehicles. Our tours are planned so that we can regularly run tours throughout the year catering to a variety of different interests. We like to keep tour numbers to a minimum, but enough to get the group interesting with socialising being a big bonus. Many of our passengers are like-minded travellers with a sense of adventure and interest in travel and may also not be too familiar with group tour travel.

Kyrgyzstan Independent Tours

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Whilst we pride ourselves on our exciting group tours we also understand that at times people want to be alone, whether it is travelling with a group of friends, family or merely solo were here to help. We can adapt or offer one of our existing itineraries or alternatively plan a tour entirely from scratch for you.
No matter how difficult or complicated, we will be happy to design or build a tour that is perfect for you. Our independent tours will be accompanied by local guides, tour leaders, and drivers; as always everyone joining us will be met upon arrival in Kyrgyzstan. If you’re interested in travelling independently, get in touch with us and we’ll start working on your custom itinerary!

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