Where do I even begin with the stories from this wild land of mountains? When we started telling people about our trip we were often met with "how-the-where-whatnow-stan?" I guess that was to be expected since it is still fairly unknown in the broad "tourist" community, despite offering rustic beauty, rawness and a sense of insane remoteness. Let me introduce you to the exquisite beauty that is Kyrgyzstan!!
Five countries together form Central Asia - Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan. These countries have always been on my radar. They all offer something different for outdoor lovers and are still very much off the beaten path.
90% of this country is covered with mountains. Since this country is so close for us to fly to, I kept putting it off for a later time. Not this time though. The timing was perfect. The weather even more so. Not many people knew the country was open for tourism - result? We had every single mountain, lake and stream to ourselves. Oooh mama!
As I started putting together our itinerary, I quickly realized that the country is geographically diverse. How do I choose between towering peaks, the colorful deserts, lakes as big as oceans and alpine forests? We could spend a lifetime here. I found it overwhelming narrowing it all down to a week - we managed to do most of what I had planned. Consider this itinerary to only be a fast-track touristy guide to Kyrgyzstan.
Go here to live your wildest adventure dreams!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FLIGHTS + VISA
Direct flights with Fly Dubai from Dubai and all of 3 and half hours. Hello happiness!
E-Visa. Many countries are eligible for on arrival but best if you apply ahead of time. You can easily apply here. Costs $50 per person and is no headache at all. Make sure you have the right travel dates for the trip before applying (these cannot be changed later). Our single entry visa took 9 working days to process. Got it via email.
WET TOILETS - THERE ARE NONE
If you have done any sort of research on the stans, you already know about the famous "pit toilets" - a small wooden closet covering a pit for you to do your business. We have experienced this in many countries over the years, so it was not a deal breaker. I prefer to go wild than use pit toilets (just be sure to cover up after). Always carry your own paper towels and plenty of deodorant (trust me, you will need it)!
LANGUAGE + LOCALS
The people are really affable - even random strangers on the road don't hesitate to help you as best as they can. Though no one - not even in the city - spoke a word of English. Given we were only there for a week, we would have struggled to get by without a guide. Try to pick up a few local words as soon as possible!
SIM CARD
It is important for me to stay connected with family in remote countries for emergencies. I recommend picking up a sim card in the capital city. You can easily pick it up at any of the malls. It only costs $3 for unlimited internet and calling minutes!!
CURRENCY
No card machines. anywhere. Carry local currency if you plan to eat or shop in smaller stores.
BUDGET
The cost is the highlight of this country. The local food, accommodation and pretty much everything is cheap. A week with a private guide, accommodation and all meals should cost you no more than $700-800 per person. You can do it for much less if you don't mind sharing the car with others. If backpacking and wild camping is more your style, expect to spend no more than $50 per day for food + stay.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Summers are HOT. Spring (April - June) or Fall (late August through October) are the two best seasons to visit. If you are doing long multi-day hikes, then summer (June-September) is the best. We went in the first week of May, not too hot during the day but very chilly in the high mountains. Our timing was pitch perfect though. Not many knew Kyrgyzstan was open for tourists, it felt like we had the whole country to ourselves.
HOW LONG TO SPEND IN KYRGYZSTAN
All the guides I contacted mentioned it would be difficult to pull off the itinerary I put together. After all, Kyrgyzstan is the land of multi-day hikes. This is the best country to go wild camping and not have it cost you a kidney. Heaven for mountain lovers and people who enjoy slow travel. You can spend months exploring every corner. If, like us, you are always short on time, start off with a minimum of 7 days.
GETTING AROUND
Hitchhiking is very popular in Kyrgyzstan. I cannot tell you how many times we saw old people, kids and everyone in between waiting for a ride. I am not particularly fond of it, especially not when we are trying to maximize our time in the country but if you don't mind the long waits and want to save on $$, that is a viable option. There are also public buses and taxis in bigger towns like Kochkor and Karakol but they still seemed far and few. Best to either rent a car or hire a guide.
GUIDE
We avoid self driving in places where we are going to be go off the grid. Two weeks prior to our trip, I started searching for local guides. Since most people seemed to self-drive for months, there was not a lot of information about guides to the country. This process took longer than expected but I finally found one of the best guides in Kyrgyzstan. I reached out to him with the itinerary I had in mind. We were initially going to this trip in the last week of April but after speaking to him, I was advised to do it in May both for better scenic views and weather. He was quick, efficient and very helpful in his response - all his suggestions and arrangements were outstanding. From making sure we packed the right clothes to ensuring we had our warm milk for coffee and fantastic vegetarian food every single day, he was spot on. Not to mention the great rates. I could not recommend him enough.
SOLO TRAVEL
As with most countries, exert caution, dress modestly, don't flash around your wallet or expensive gadgets. The people we met and spoke to were all warm and welcoming. Definitely seemed like a safe country for solo backpacking.
WHERE WE STAYED
Unlike the luxury stays we did in Uganda, this trip was not a walk in the park. It was all about the homestays and small guesthouses in villages.
In Bishkek I chose the Garden Hotel and Spa. It was a little farther out from the main city but with great views!
The location of the Ala Aracha Hotel was outstanding. An unmissable tiny red hut, the vibes are straight out of a movie set. This is a government run lodge so the food was substandard. Luckily we picked up groceries at the market in Bishkek. I recommend staying for these views though!
Some of the places we stayed at were more comfortable - sometimes we also had no water. Some were also touristy guesthouses and had wifi. Two out of the four places had a pit toilet. No complaints whatsoever. The cutest Babushkas made doubly sure we were warm at night and slept with full bellies.
No trip to Kyrgyzstan is complete without staying at the Yurt. Though it was such a fabulous experience to stay in them, the honest truth is that they get extremely cold at night (yes, even in the summer). There was a fire burning but I felt that the yurt was too big for it to be warm through the night. Wear plenty of layers - pack thermal innerwear, if you have space.
VEGAN + VEGETARIAN FOOD
This is a rarity in most of the country. Luckily we had an amazing guide to help us try the local delicacies minus the meat. You will be surprised to hear that are so many different types of bread - my favorite was the borsook bread (basically deep fried dough). Things I recommend you try - vegan Ashlan Fu (cold ramen bowl). Vegan Boso Lugman (chopsuey). Vegetarian Mandi (steamed dumpling)
Breakfast was usually a simple affair with hot tea, bread, jam, rice porridge and homemade biscuits. Apart from that food was warm soup, carrot pilaf, and potato stew spiced with dill and local flavors. If you have strict dietary preferences like us, I recommend picking up your own grocery and cooking, especially if you are planning to do home stays without a guide.
WHAT TO PACK
Depending on the time of year you choose to go, pack light layers, wind jacket. If you go in peak summer, pack loose shirts and shorts/trousers, sunscreen and a top hat.
For the yurts - they get extremely uncomfortable at night (even in the summer), even with the fire. Wear plenty of layers - pack thermal innerwear, if you have space.
HIGHLIGHTS
Ala Archa National Park
Waking up and smelling the air in a new country is a HIGH. I could barely get any sleep. After a warm cup of coffee, we started our road trip towards Ala Archa National Park.
A trip to this national park is one of the best day trips to do from Bishkek. A short 45 minute drive will take you to the entrance of the park. You park and make your way towards the different trails inside the park. There is a trail for every hiker - from small ones to the popular Ala Aracha Valley walk and the hike up to Ak-Say waterfall, which takes roughly 5 hours. In the summer, you can also do the full day climb to the Ak-Say Glacier.
Ala Archa is supposed to mean "juniper", which are the alpine trees that characterize the landscape surrounding this park.
The place was deserted. We were the only ones there on this rainy, moody afternoon.
The river walk is the easiest one to do - just walk along the river and follow the path to the higher mountains.
We continued on our two hour walk up to see the waterfalls but alas it was covered in thick fog
Nevertheless, this alpine national park is a thing of pure beauty. The park covers roughly 200 sq kms, and its altitude ranges from about 1,500 meters at the entrance to a maximum of 4,895 meters at Peak Semenova Tian-Shanski, the highest peak in the Kyrgyz Ala-tau range of the Tian Shan.
It was incredible to see how much of a difference a short drive away from the city could make. The air was crisp, cold. The atmosphere tranquil.
TIP: You can easily drive to and from the city after the hike. You can arrange a taxi drop off with the hostel of hotel you are staying at. We decided to stay inside the park for the night. The sunset and sunrise views over the mountains were refreshing. Worth spending a night there.
ALA ARCHA TO BURANA, TIEN SHAN MOUNTAINS
Started our day at 9 am. Today was going to be a long travel day with scenic pit stops along the way. It was a long travel day to reach Karakol Valley. Our first stop for the day was Burana Tower, a minaret in northern Kyrgyzstan.
What a fun spot for a picnic lunch, right?
Post lunch we drove along the most scenic routes passing the northern shore of Issyk Kul Lake which is not only one of the world's few remaining ancient lakes, estimated to be an incredible 25 million years old, but also the second-largest alpine lake on the planet.
What you see here was the highlight of our day- the golden hour at Tien Shan mountains, rightfully dubbed as the “celestial mountains” in Chinese!!!
JETI OGUZ VALLEY. KOK JAIYK HIKE. BARSKOON WATERFALL. SKAKZA CANYON.
After covering the northern Issyk Kul area, we head towards the South shore - which is known to be far better. It was indeed a sight to behold with some of the country's most diverse landscape on offer.
After a beautiful breakfast, we left the Karakol valley for Jeti Oguz - one of the most popular day trips from Karakol. Right as you enter the valley, you will find the very popular "seven bulls" on your right.
You can also hike up this mountain, best views at sunrise or sunset!
We decided to hike the Valley of Flowers instead. Also known as kok jaiyk, a place that can only be described as heaven on earth. The roads are rough, so if you are short on time, drive up half way and then hike for another 2 hours to reach the valley.
Way up in the dewy green fields hugged by a thousand pine trees, you’d be forgiven for thinking you had stepped right into in the Swiss countryside rather than a remote valley in Kyrgyzstan.
The valley is characterized by blooming flowers, towering snow-capped alps and spruce forests.
We could have stayed there forever.
Our second stop for the day was a picnic lunch and hike at the Barskoon Waterfall, which was partially frozen when we went in May. It is a somewhat steep hike but doable. There are few different trails you can take. The first one being the easiest to do in an hour or so.
After your reach the first waterfall, you can continue following the edge of the gorge leading up to the second fall. The path is windy and rugged but the view over the valley and the surrounding mountains only gets with every feet.
The waterfall is scenic and relaxing on a warm spring day. Perfect for a picnic.
Our last stop for the day was the magical Skazka canyon aka Fairy Tale canyon in Russian. Like a surreal painting with every color imaginable becoming a part of the rugged canyons!
It is easily one of the most beautiful attractions on the southern shore of lake Issyk kul. It’s like Wadi Rum and Cappadocia packaged neatly into one giant Martian landscape, and feels like a world of its own. It is not very different to the American Southwest either. The landscape is formed as a result of thousands of years of water and wind erosion, which led to the formation of thousands of sculptures, where red spires of rock rise out of the earth and into the sky.
This canyon is easily accessible on foot (just wear shoes with good grip). The deeper you go, the more impressive it gets. The ever-changing greens, reds and oranges are simply spectacular. From a vantage point, you can even see the Issky Kul Lake in the background.
What was amazing to see was how much of a difference a short one-hour drive from the mountains can make. This landscape is such a stark contrast to the green alpine meadows and snow-capped peaks we had witnessed earlier in the day.
EAGLE HUNTING. ARCHERY. CANYON.
Today was a day filled with cultural experiences. We woke up bright and early on a cold morning for a hearty Kyrgyz breakfast in a luxury Yurt.
It was time to get an intimate look at the lives of the real nomadic tribe of Central Asia where we learn about their traditional sports. First, we rubbed elbows with masters of eagle hunting, a tradition that has been passed through generations.
It was an immersive experience getting to learn so much about this slowly vanishing historic Kyrgyzstan tradition. The majestic eagle I am holding is female, 9 years old. This golden eagle is called berkut in Kyrgyz and is named after the golden feathers at the back of its head. She weighed a solid 13 pounds, so I couldn’t hold her for very long (as you can see from my tilt). For those of you who followed our journey and watched the videos, you already know she is a mighty fierce hunter and a two time champion. There was an option to watch the eagle hunt a live rabbit - this was big no for me; I cannot digest the sight of blood or animals being killed. We chose to watch it hunt a dead fox's skin. Still an equally intense experience.
Next up we learnt about yet another tradition that is an integral part of the Kyrgz culture - archery. There is a real purpose of the popular World Nomad Games, an inter-country/city competition that happens during the summer. It is a place for nomadic culture to be displayed and for visitors to see traditional Central Asian life in action. This is not easy as it looks and requires immense accuracy and upper body strength.
Post lunch it was time for yet another hidden canyon hike. This was on the southern shore of Issyk Kul Lake with more glorious mountains in every corner.
This was no easy hike but with good shoes, anything is possible!
Lunch was at Kochkor Village - picnic again, who can resist these views?
We were driving to the next village after a long tiring day of hikes. We were quickly losing light, the roads were rough and rain was predicted… which meant I couldn’t get out to shoot more pictures. Just then *boom*, our car breaks down. Right here, the middle of nowhere. The hubs was like “did you manifest this, woman”. Maybe I did, or maybe the universe was on my side. We got an unexpected extra hour to take in the sunset by this valley. I swear I shed a thousand happy tears every time I stepped out in this country.
HORSE RIDING UP SONG KUL LAKE
All about the rustic village life for the next two days. We woke up to no water, just a Kyrgyz toilet awaited us. At least the views were dope!
We started making our way through the village up the mountains to meet our horses. Needless to say we were distracted by the herds of sheep and horse the whole time. After an about hour, we were finally united with our horses. The shepherd gives us lessons on the dos and don'ts. You can take your time petting your assigned horse before jumping on. After that it's just you and your buddy. I kind of felt like our horses mimicked our personalities - the hubs' shadow fox was wise, ridiculously calm and kept eating. My horse was younger and full of energy.
Horse riding here is one of the most wonderful adventures you can have in the Kyrgyzstan countryside. Our four hour journey seemed to fly by - we were having such a glorious time. The entire experience was so much more relaxing than I thought it would be. The local shepherd will give you instructions on the dos and don’ts as well guidance on controlling the movement. The horses are extremely well-trained and obedient (for the most part).
Horse has a very important role to play in every day life.. these animals are often the sole companions of shepherds and the only way to travel in the high mountains of Tian Shan.
After that, if you are confident, it’s just you and your new buddy. We quickly got the hang of it. We had the whole valley to ourselves, barring a few hundred yak, we continued galloping along some of the most breathtaking visuals we could have hopes to witness anywhere on earth. Straight out of a dream.
Horse riding is not very difficult - it was more of a bonding experience. I recommend going with a local guide - irrespective if you are going for a few hours or a few days. Weather changes quickly up in the mountains, so it's best not to get stranded in the middle of nowhere with zero cell reception. The terrain can also seem treacherous if you are a beginner. On the way you will stop to catch your breath and witness some incredible scenery including meadows and infinite mountain passes. Miles and miles of it. Untouched. Raw. Ethereal. The summit at 11,500 ft!
This was our last stop before we bid a sad goodbye to our beautiful four-legged friends. Time to enjoy the long downhill walk to the lakes. I was truly in my essence here. Just miles of no other humans, empty grasslands and pin drop sound.
When you finally get that first glimpse of the lake, you will know it was worth it. It is not without reason that is one of the most incredible alpine lakes in the country.
However, when I first started planning this trip, I was told May would be a difficult time to hike here because of the inclement weather and because the season really starts in June but I was determined to try my luck - I would rather be cold and have this place to myself than share it with a few hundred others.
After a long hike down from the summit, with the wind getting stronger and the weather getting colder, holing up in our cozy yurts was all too appealing. What was surprising about Kyrgyzstan is its seamless amalgamation of jaw-dropping beauty with ancient nomadic culture.
The sunset was spectacular. This place truly lives up to the hype. There is a not to do here except meet fellow travelers, take in some mind-blowing scenery of the Tian Shan Mountains and meadows. Just wear a hundred layers, sit back and watch the magic of the sky as it changes from a flaming yellow to a bright orange to a purple that will set your soul on fire.
The looming snowcapped peaks actually made it seem like we were back in Norway rather than in Central Asia. What better way to escape the grind of every day life than experiencing these pristine, celestial mountains with an old school existence that the locals have been able to cultivate and retain to this day. So go ahead, make this difficult trek down to the remote valley. Staying in a yurt is no easy task, but it will be one of the most memorable and unique places you would have ever stayed at!
Don't miss the star gazing opportunity. It does not get more wild than braving near freezing temperatures in what feels like life in end of the world conditions.
SONG KUL LAKE EXPLORATION
We woke up really early to catch the first rays of light over the frozen lake. Worth every mini frost bite.
If I haven't woken up to views like this at least on every trip, I wonder what kind of traveling I am doing. Took us back to our camping adventures in New Zealand - with some seriously dope morning light. The yurts get extremely cold at night but when the sun is out, it's such a joy to witness the smoking chimney, the wild winds - nothing but the mooing of grazing cattle.
The sun was out, we had coffee, played with our watch dog, completely at peace. Around 11 we made our way back down. We hiked half way before having the car pick us up for the second half of the day. On the way, we witnessed incredible lake reflections. Most of the stunning places in the country are the just like this, remote and often hard to get to. The alpine lakes and stunning mountains streams with mountain horses is quintessentially what describes the alluring wildness of Kyrgyzstan.
One last waterfall hike before making our way back to Bishkek for our PCR test.
BISHKEK
Apart from being the connection point to Tashkent and Kazakhstan, the city has a few historic sites that are worth a visit. Apart from Ala Archa, there are also few easy day trips that are recommended like the city of Osh to see the Lenin Peak and Altyn Arashan.
FINAL THOUGHTS
My bucket list doesn’t change very often. I have only had Greenland, Faroe Islands, backpacking through China, Tibet and Mongolia on the list since I decided travel was my one love in life. I rarely add new destinations or experiences to my list. When we visit countries on a whim, we are doubly thrilled when they not only surprise us but make us fall irrevocably in love with every inch of it. That would summarize our journey to this Central Asian gem.
The real surprise of Kyrgyzstan is its people. Their attitude to complete strangers is infectious and you’re bound to find yourself swapping stories over a glass of tea or three. Smiles so warm you will have no choice but to smile back!
Most people know of Kyrgyzstan as a great meeting place on the silk road - where people from different races, religions and cultures would trade goods. Centuries of history have passed through the country since then and that alone is a reason to explore this place.
If history isn't a reason enough, think about trekking mountain ranges so remote and so rarely visited that you feel alone in the world.
There could have been nothing more natural than riding a horse in Kyrgyzstan. It is an integral part of their culture. This is truly the land of nomads, and to me this journey up to to Song Kul Lake on the back of a horse was the embodiment of everything Kyrgyzstan had to offer. Just wear layers - two shirts plus a thick windbreaker jacket, two pants, two socks and hiking boots. Don't underestimate the mountain winds.
If there is only ONE hike you can do here, make sure it’s Song Kul. It’s like a gist of every thing the country has to offer. The paths leading to the lake are some of the most epic hikes in the country. You can hike up on foot and do the trip over three days. It’s not always easily accessible but it is worth it. It was a bit of a marvel - not unlike Iceland or New Zealand, you are met with immensely lush green grasslands surrounded by nothing but horses and mountains as far eyes can see.
The country was filled with insanely raw moments, from discovering how to poop in Kyrgyzstan toilets, to driving alongside vast expanse of empty lands, to finding more horses than humans.. as if that wasn't enough, on its doorsteps are the amazing people, purest blue lakes, and a stunning dose of mountains on every corner. Thank you for exceeding our every expectation!
That is a wrap. Thanks for reading. Drop your comments and feedback below!
Lots of love,
Anki
To explore more Asian destinations, be sure to check out other blogs for additional insights.