Formally the Kyrgyz Republic, Kyrgyzstan is a lush, mountainous gem in the heart of Central Asia. Before my trip there last year, I knew almost nothing—but boy, I’ve never been so impressed by a country. Out of the 54 countries I’ve visited so far, Kyrgyzstan has earned a place in my top 5. Why?
This is a land of wild, unique culture, alpine lakes, and incredible mountains. Kyrgyzstan is one of the most mountainous countries in the world, with 90% of its land situated above 1,500 meters (4,921 feet), and 41% soaring above 3,000 meters (9,842 feet). That’s pretty cool. It is still somewhat of a niche travel destination, but one that I know will explode in the years to come, so if you’re thinking about going, go soon.
In this Kyrgyzstan backpacking guide, you’ll find everything you need to plan your adventure, from epic hikes and cultural experiences to practical travel tips that will help you explore this incredible country with confidence.
Backpacking Kyrgyzstan: Practical Information
When to visit Kyrgyzstan?
Summer is hands-down the best time to visit Kyrgyzstan, especially from late June to September. But if you’re coming for the mountains, July and August are the sweet spot—this is when hiking trails are at their best, and the yurts and other seasonal setups are in full swing.
Kyrgyzstan’s Community-Based Tourism (CBT) scene is buzzing during summer, with many local festivals and cultural events. Think National Horse Games, Yurt Festivals, and the Kochkor Festival—all showcasing real nomadic life. Find out more here.
How much time is enough for a trip to visit Kyrgyzstan?
I spent three weeks exploring the country, but I understand that not everyone is privileged enough to be given this time. Having said that, if you want to do any multiday hikes or horse treks, a week is cutting it super tight, so I’d recommend AT LEAST two weeks.
How to reach Kyrgyzstan?
I entered Kyrgyzstan overland from Almaty, Kazakhstan. I took the 5-hour bus from Sayran Bus Station for 3000 tenge ($6.50). Flying into Bishkek is quite expensive, so if your budget is tight, consider flying into Almaty and taking the bus across the border, as I did.
Is Kyrgyzstan Safe for Solo Travellers in 2025?
Probably the most dangerous aspect of Kyrgyzstan is its marshrutkas—the minibuses that form the backbone of the country’s transport system. While Georgian drivers still top my list of the worst I’ve ever encountered, the Kyrgyz driving the marshrutkas are not far behind.
But no, really, I felt pretty safe in Kyrgyzstan, especially as a woman. In more touristy areas like Karakol or around Song Kul lake, wearing shorts is perfectly fine, and I didn’t feel unsafe or stared at. But as you head further south towards Jalal-Abad or Osh, things get more conservative. I was actually turned away from two restaurants in Osh—they didn’t say it was because I was wearing shorts, but it was pretty clear that was the reason.
One thing I want to mention is the importance of keeping safe on the trails. Hiking in Kyrgyzstan is incredible and raw, but with that adventure comes a few risks. The weather in the mountains can turn suddenly. Every day on the trail in August last year, it stormed during the night, so it’s important to be prepared for all eventualities, even if the day starts sunny.
Altitude sickness is also a thing. Some treks climb above 3,000 metres, and even if you’re the fittest hiker, you can still feel the effects. I’d recommend packing some altitude pills or at least allowing time to acclimatise.
I also have a big fear of dogs and was worried when travelling through the Stans that I’d come into contact with some, but I never had any issues with dogs in Kyrgyzstan, so I want to put that out there if that’s what’s worrying you!
With its low crime rate, welcoming locals, and growing tourism infrastructure, Kyrgyzstan is a super safe choice if you’re planning a trip to Central Asia.
Kyrgyzstan Tourist Visa
Unlike its neighbours, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan offers visa-free travel for many nationalities—making it one of the easiest countries in Central Asia to visit. Most citizens of Western countries (I have a British passport) can travel as tourists to Kyrgyzstan for up to 60 days.
Travel insurance for Kyrgyzstan
As a digital nomad, constantly changing countries and unsure where I’ll be the next month, I use Safetywing travel insurance, which covers Kyrgyzstan. The best thing about Safetywing for me is that you can start the policy when you’ve already left your home country.
What SIM card should I buy for Kyrgyzstan?
In Kyrgyzstan, you have two options: buy a physical local SIM card or download an e-SIM. Whenever I buy e-SIMs, I always use Airalo. If you’re a new customer, you can sign up using my code here and receive 15% off your Kyrgyzstan sim. If you’re an existing customer, you’ll get 10% off here.
Do they speak English in Kyrgyzstan?
Um, out of all the stan countries, I’d say Kyrgyzstan wasn’t too bad, but in comparison to other countries I’ve travelled to, no. If you don’t speak Russian, Google Translate will be your best friend in Central Asia.
Kyrgyzstan Backpacking Itinerary
Before I jump into the best spots to visit in Kyrgyzstan, here’s a quick overview:
Bishkek – The capital, full of cafés, markets, and leafy streets.
Karakol and Issyk Kul Lake– A hub for trekking and two incredible multi-day hikes to Ala-Kul Lake and Boz-Uchuk Lakes. Before heading to Song-Kul, stop at Jeti-Ögüz and Fairytale Canyon.
Song-Kul Lake – For horse trekking and yurt experience.
Osh – Kyrgyzstan’s historic southern city with an incredible market.
Pamir Mountains & Sary-Mogul – Peak Lenin and Travellers Pass hike.
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital
Let’s be honest, you’re not coming to Kyrgyzstan for its cities; this is a country where nature takes centre stage. But let’s cover the major city first, as this is where you’ll likely start your trip in Kyrgyzstan.
Although Bishkek isn’t what draws most people to Kyrgyzstan, it’s a solid starting point — and the main transport hub for exploring the rest of the country. Whether you’re heading east to Issyk-Kul, south to Osh, or west towards Tashkent, chances are you’ll pass through here.
Take some time to visit Osh Bazaar, one of the largest of its kind in Central Asia, and explore the area around Ala-Too Square, built in 1984 to commemorate 60 years of the Kyrgyz SSR. Oh, and you 100% have to check out Save the Ales, a female-run brewery, which is pretty unusual to find in Central Asia.
I stayed at Tunduk Hostel for three days, recovering from food poisoning I’d picked up in Almaty. Between relaxing by the pool, making use of the kitchen, and meeting incredible fellow travellers who shared invaluable tips, it turned into the perfect soft landing before diving into the rest of Kyrgyzstan.
From Bishkek, most travellers tend to travel east to hike or horse trek in the Tian Shan mountains, so we’ll head there next.
Karakol & the Issyk-Kul Region
I’ve also published a guide to Karakol and its hikes, check it out here!
Karakol has so much going for it and is the place you’ll wanna base yourself to hike in the Tian Shan mountains. We stayed at KBH Hostel, which was perfect for storing our bags and relaxing between multi-day treks. Other hostels I’d recommend are Snow Leopard Hostel and Duet Hostel.
How to get from Bishkek to Karakol?
To get from Bishkek to Karakol, you can catch one of the MANY marshrutkas (minibuses) leaving from the Western Bus Station. They usually travel along the northern side of Lake Issyk Kul (the second largest mountain lake in the world after Lake Titicaca in South America!) and will stop halfway for a break because you’ll definitely need it, ha! To travel from Bishkek to Karakol by marshrutka, it will cost you 580 som (around $5).
In Bishkek, I met two other travellers, and along with Vish and Ross (two friends I had met earlier in my trip), we formed a strong hiking group and tackled the 3-day Ala-Kul lake trek and the Boz-Uchuk Lake trek together. If you’re a solo traveller, it’s more than likely that you’ll find others to hike with in KBH or another hostel in Karakol, as the majority of travellers are in Karakol for one reason: to hike.
But be sure not to miss the legendary Karakol animal market on Sundays. There are three sections: for cattle, horses, sheep and goats. It’s worth going as early as 7 am. You can find it here.
Ala-Kul Lake Trek
Ala Kul is a stunning blue lake situated at 3,532m and became the iconic lake featured on many travel Instagram reels—with good reason! I was worried that the trail would be crowded, but honestly, it wasn’t too bad, and I was so happy to see many local hikers.
It’s approximately 40km over the three days, with 2,149m of elevation gain. You can find the route and stats here. You can absolutely do it independently, without a guide. The quotes I’ve seen online for tours are extortionate!
You have two options for accommodation on the Ala-Kul trek: camping with your own gear and yurt camps. We were four and opted to camp, cook our own food and filter water straight from the river. It was an incredible time!
We found the Ala-Kul trail hike to be pretty straightforward, but the elevation gain was challenging—especially because we had to carry all our equipment for the three days. My biggest advice is to prepare mentally for the climb and potential altitude sickness. Oh, and don’t forget to bring waterproofs and layers. The weather can turn very drastically in the Tian Shan mountains, so you need to be prepared.
When planning my hike to Ala-Kul lake, I came across some fantastic blogs that break down the route in detail—so I’ve kept this section brief and will point you in their direction. Check out this guide from Journal of Nomads and this guide from Wanderlust Designers.
Boz-Uchuk Lake trek
The Boz-Uchuk lake was our favourite one out of the two hikes we did in the Tian Shan mountains. It’s around 42km across three days. I’d recommend checking out this route breakdown by Stephen so you feel more prepared.
How to get from Karakol to Jyrgalan?
The starting point of the hike is in Jyrgalan, around one hour from Karakol. To reach Jyrgalan from Karakol, you have two options: marshrutka or taxi. The marshrutka leaves three times a day from Ak-Tilek Market, and we opted for the 8:30 am one. We were at the market 30 minutes early, and the marshrutka filled up way before departure time!
We adored this hike for its remoteness and views. We saw only three other groups of hikers on the trail in the three days we were there! There were some pretty gnarly mountain passes to climb, but 100% worth it.
Exploring Jeti Ögüz and Fairytale Canyon After Karakol
After hiking in and around Karakol, it now makes sense to head towards Song Kul Lake, famous for its horse trekking tours. But don’t drive straight there! Make a stop at Jeti Ögüz to see the famous red rock formations known as the “Seven Bulls.” We took a marshrutka from Karakol bus station and left our big bags with a homestay next to Jeti Ögüz.
After exploring for a few hours, we managed to negotiate with a local taxi driver to drop us off further south along the lake at Fairytale Canyon. If you’re on a budget, you can easily hitchhike this route or catch one of the many marshrutkas heading south along the lake.
I was a bit sceptical about visiting Fairytale Canyon, worried it might be just an overrated tourist spot. But I was pleasantly surprised—the unique rock formations and winding paths reminded me of Cappadocia in Turkey. So I’d definitely recommend!
That evening, we decided to camp on the beach next to Fairytale Canyon on Lake Issyk-Kul. If you don’t fancy camping, there is a beautiful yurt camp called Royal Gate Yurt. They also serve pretty good food; we ate breakfast there in the morning.
Next up, horse trekking at Song Kul Lake!
How to get from Fairytale Canyon to Kochkor/Song Kul?
From the Fairytale Canyon, there are plenty of marshrutkas passing along the main road heading to “Bishkek”, but they will stop at the town of “Balykchy”. From here, you can take a shared taxi to Kochkor, the starting point for many horse treks to Song-Kul.
Horse Trekking at Song Kul Lake
So, next up, Song Kul! There is a likelihood that if you’ve seen a Kyrgyz horse trek video pop up on your Instagram feed, it was filmed at Song Kul Lake. Set at over 3,000 metres above sea level, Song Kul is one of the most iconic places to experience Kyrgyz nomadic life and sleep in a traditional yurt.
I opted for a 3-day horse trek around Song Kul with seven other travellers that I met in the hostel in Karakol. Because there were so many of us, they gave us a great deal and we only paid 11,000 som each ($87). This included transportation to and from Kochkor, two guides, two nights in the yurt, and all food, which I think is a pretty great deal. You can find good horse trek deals once you’re in the country through word-of-mouth, but if you want to be sure you have something booked, I’d recommend booking this “3-Day Horse Trekking in Song Kul” tour in advance.
Most horse-trekking tours start from Kochkor. We stayed at Happy Hostel the night before and after, which I’d recommend.
How to get from Kochkor to Osh?
After Song Kul, it’s time to head south towards Osh. Most travellers opt to return to Karakol, where there are plenty of shared taxis heading south to Osh, but I’d recommend the off-the-beaten-track route we took: from Kochkor to Jalal Abad.
I’ve put together a detailed guide on how we did it — since there’s very little information online — here: Kochkor to Kazarman / Jalal-Abad Guide.
Osh
Osh, the unofficial capital of southern Kyrgyzstan and the gateway to the Pamir Mountain Range and the famous Pamir Highway. Osh is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, with a vibe that’s completely different from Bishkek.
It’s also a lot greener than Bishkek, and it feels more laid-back and compact. In Osh, we spent hours walking to find cooking gas for our stove as part of our hitchhiking challenge on the Pamir Highway. I’ll save you the effort; you can find it at CBT Osh. Just around the corner, you’ll find Coffee House Brio for a proper coffee and Western food, much needed after weeks of noodles and dumplings.
Peak Lenin and Sary Mogul
If you want to feel tiny in the face of nature, you’ve got to make the journey south to Peak Lenin, near the Tajik border. Don’t worry, you don’t need to summit the 7,134m giant to enjoy the experience, we hiked up to Traveller’s Pass at 4,100m, which was incredible.
From Tulpur-Kul Lake, Traveller’s Pass is a 3-hour walk up with 500m altitude gain. The best is to leave early in the morning, as this is when the weather is the clearest. You can find more details of the hike here.
Don’t miss: Sleeping in one of the yurt camps close to Tulpar-Kul lake. We didn’t book in advance, but we turned up and paid 1,800 som ($14) for a bed in the yurt and meals included.
Before and after heading up to Peak Lenin base camp, we stayed in the CBT in Sary Mogul—a melting pot for travellers. One big regret of mine is not having stayed in the area for longer. I plan to return next year and undertake some multi-day hikes.
Hiking in Köl-Suu
Tucked deep in the Naryn region near the Chinese border, Köl-Suu is a surreal turquoise lake. This one is a mission to get to, but it’s definitely worth it. I didn’t get to go here because you need a permit, and I was short on time. But two of my good friends hiked in Köl-Suu, and they reported back incredible things. When I go back to Kyrgyzstan, I’ll definitely be going there.
Kyrgyzstan Travel Budget
In Kyrgyzstan, you can eat well, travel far, and stay comfortably on a tight budget—especially if you bring your own camping gear, like we did. During my three-week stay in Kyrgyzstan, I spent around $350, and yes, that included the 3-day horse trek to Song Kul.
How expensive is Kyrgyzstan?
In my opinion, Kyrgyzstan is one of the best-value countries you can travel to. It’s incredibly affordable, especially if you’re used to Western or even Southeast Asian prices. The currency is the Kyrgyz som, and at the time of writing, 80–90 som = $1 USD.
Here’s a quick look at everyday travel costs when I visited in September 2024:
- Bishkek to Karakol (marshrutka) – 580 som ($5)
- Hostel bed – 700–800 som ($7–9)
- Samsa from a street stall – around 100 som ($1.10)
- Meal in an average-priced restaurant – 200 som
- Beer at a bar – roughly 150 som ($1.70)
- Bottle of water (1L) – 50 som ($0.50)
Kyrgyzstan tourist scams?
Honestly, not really. I found Kyrgyz people to be genuinely honest, and I never had any issues or felt like a taxi driver was trying to scam me. That said, there was one rip-off worth mentioning—the woman selling outdoor gear at “Sport Мастер” in Karakol, massively overpriced.
ATMS and card payments in Kyrgyzstan
Cash is still king in Kyrgyzstan, especially once you leave the major towns. While you’ll find ATMs in maala-jor towns like Bishkek, Osh, and Karakol, don’t expect to rely on your card everywhere—most local guesthouses, marshrutkas, and rural shops are cash-only. It’s super easy to pay with a card in any of the main supermarkets, but yeah, keep cash.
accommodation in Kyrgyzstan
There are four kinds of accommodation choices while travelling in Kyrgyzstan: hotels, hostels, yurts, and camping.
If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you know I’m not a frequent hotel guest, and the same was true in Kyrgyzstan. I stayed in a mix of hostels, yurts and camping.
Hostels in Kyrgyzstan
While Kyrgyzstan is not entirely Southeast Asia-level for backpackers, there are plenty of wonderful hostels where you can meet other travellers and exchange tips.
As I mentioned, I stayed at Tunduk Hostel in Bishkek (10/10 would recommend), KBH Hostel in Karakol (a perfect base to meet other hikers), and the CBT Hostel in Sary Mogul.
Camping in Kyrgyzstan
Wild camping is legal in Kyrgyzstan; you can essentially set up your tent anywhere. We never had any problem while camping in the Tian Shan Mountains or on the beach at Lake Issyk-Kul.
I had a simple camping setup: a one-man, lightweight Naturehike tent, an inflatable mattress, and a 0-degree comfort sleeping bag.
Staying in Yurts in Kyrgyzstan
One of the highlights of my 3-day horse trek to Song Kul Lake was sleeping in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt. The price of the trek included all meals and accommodation, so after long days of riding through the valleys and over mountain passes, we’d arrive at a yurt camp where dinner was already cooking!
How to book a yurt stay in Kyrgyzstan?
Yurt camps are seasonal and run by local families. Most of the time, you can just turn up and pay directly (around $10-20 per night, including meals). This is what we did in Tulpur Lake near Peak Lenin Base Camp. If you want peace of mind, you can reach out to one of the many travel agencies or at your hostel, for example, in Karakol, to book in advance.
Yurts will likely only accept cash in Kyrgyz soms so always be prepared.
Transport in Kyrgyzstan
As I mentioned, marshrutkas (shared minibuses) rule the roads in Kyrgyzstan. They’re dirt cheap and run almost everywhere—but be ready for a tight squeeze! If you’re on a budget, they’re a solid option, even if not the most comfortable.
Personally, I always encourage overland travel where possible. That said, I try to keep it real and give all the options. Many travellers I met who were short on time skipped the 15-hour marshrutka from Bishkek to Osh and opted to fly instead. Domestic flights can cost as little as $50 USD and save you a full travel day.
Other options include shared taxis—these usually leave when full, so timings can be a bit flexible.
And if you’re feeling adventurous, hitchhiking is surprisingly easy and common in Kyrgyzstan. Just be prepared to give the driver some money if asked. It isn’t uncommon for drivers to ask for some petrol money in Kyrgyzstan. My biggest tip is to download Maps.me. Some new roads don’t appear on Google Maps!
What to pack for your Kyrgyzstan Trip?
First, clean water! I’d really recommend buying a LifeStraw (for everyday use) and a Sawyer Water filter (for on the trail). My friend Adam brought a Sawyer Water Filter with him on the trail, and it was an absolute lifesaver. We were able to take muddy water from the river and filter it using his Sawyer water filter.
Waterproofs and hiking poles
Pack lots of layers and waterproofs!!! Even in August, the weather in Kyrgyzstan’s mountains can swing wildly—from warm sunshine in the day to freezing storms at night. We experienced sudden downpours and intense thunderstorms during the night on both of our 3-day hikes to Ala-Kul Lake and Boz Uchuk Lake.
While in Kyrgyzstan, I realised that my waterproof coat was not, in fact, waterproof, and I vowed to invest in better waterproofs, as I got absolutely drenched by the rain during the sudden downpours.
Also, another big tip: bring hiking poles! I was grateful for my hiking sticks during the muddy downhills in the Tian Shan mountains and for the gravelly terrain while hiking the Travellers Pass near Peak Lenin.
Outdoor equipment is more expensive in Kyrgyzstan
I was also a little naïve, assuming outdoor equipment would be “cheaper” in Kyrgyzstan than in the UK, but I was wrong. Decathlon in Almaty was significantly more expensive than I’ve seen in other countries, and generally, outdoor gear in Central Asia is much harder to find than in Europe. My advice: bring everything you need in advance.
That said, don’t worry about cooking gas; you can find it in Osh, Bishkek, or even Karakol.
Final thoughts on backpacking Kyrgyzstan
There were several moments while backpacking and hiking through Kyrgyzstan that I had to pinch myself; the nature is just unreal, like nothing I’ve seen before. I hope my practical advice and tips in this Kyrgyzstan travel guide inspired you to book that flight and start planning your trip to one of the most beautiful and underrated countries in the world. As always, reach out if you need any personalised advice!