Snow-capped peaks above a golden high-altitude steppe

Travel in Kyrgyzstan

A mountain country of alpine lakes, summer pastures with yurt camps and a nomadic culture that is still part of everyday life.

7,439 mJengish Chokusu (Pobeda Peak), the highest point

≈2,750 mAverage elevation of the country

1,607 mAltitude of Issyk-Kul lake

3,016 mAltitude of Song-Kul lake

Lake with a snow-capped mountain range behind it

View of a pine forest from inside a camping tent

Why travelers choose Kyrgyzstan

Wide-open landscapes

From the summer pastures around Song-Kul to the red sandstone cliffs of Jeti-Oguz near Karakol — big landscapes and quiet trails.

Living nomadic culture

Sleep in yurts on summer pastures, ride Kyrgyz horses with local herders and meet eagle hunters near Bokonbaevo on the south shore of Issyk-Kul.

Good value

Family guesthouses, yurt camps, local drivers and guides keep trips affordable — and your quote lists every item, so you see what you pay for.

Where our trips go

Ala-Archa National Park

Granite peaks, juniper forest and glacier valleys about 35 km south of Bishkek — the easiest mountain day trip from the capital.

Chong-Kemin

A quiet green valley east of Bishkek with village guesthouses, horseback rides and easy hikes. A good first stop on the way to Issyk-Kul.

Issyk-Kul and Bokonbaevo

One of the largest mountain lakes in the world. The north shore has beaches and resorts; the quieter south shore around Bokonbaevo has yurt camps, eagle hunters and Skazka (Fairy Tale) canyon.

Karakol

The town at the eastern end of Issyk-Kul and the main base for treks to the Altyn-Arashan hot springs, Ala-Kul lake and the red rocks of Jeti-Oguz.

Kochkor

A village in Naryn region known for its shyrdak felt carpets, and the usual starting point for the drive up to Song-Kul.

Song-Kul

A high mountain lake surrounded by summer pastures. Herders bring their flocks here every summer, and yurt camps usually open from June to September.

When to go

Summer: June–September

The main season for the mountains: trekking, horseback trips and yurt stays at Song-Kul and other summer pastures. July and August are also the beach season on Issyk-Kul.

Spring and autumn

Mild weather in the valleys — good for Bishkek, Ala-Archa day hikes and the Issyk-Kul shore. High passes can have snow and many yurt camps are closed.

Winter

Snowy mountains and ski slopes near Bishkek and Karakol, plus city and culture trips. Most yurt camps and high mountain roads are closed.

Start your Kyrgyzstan journey

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