Exploring Kyrgyzstan

Getting Around Kyrgyzstan

Getting around and travelling in Kyrgyzstan is relatively easy. All of our holidays include a private vehicle with driver to drive you between your destinations, allowing you relax and enjoy the road journey. Our drivers are always accompanied by English speaking guides, even for airport transfers, in case you have any questions or require assistance.

The main roads in Kyrgyzstan that connect key towns and cities are in good condition and have a tarmac surface. Minor roads are completely unpaved and are dirt tracks so some road journeys can be longer than expected, but the mountainous scenery you see along the way makes up for long days on the road.

Kyrgystan is predominantly mountainous and therefore most car journeys cross mountain passes some of which are in remote regions and can often be closed due to snow. Driving across the country is a great travel experience but it can take time.

Kyrgyzstan Airlines offers internal flights to and from Osh which is a convenient way to travel to southern Kyrgyzstan and avoids long drives. The flight tickets are quite reasonably priced and we can book tickets on your behalf.

Bishkek

Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan lies at the foot of snow-capped mountains and is the starting point for our Kyrgyzstan tours. Staying in good quality accommodation, you can head off on a rewarding guided sightseeing tour to visit the main sights of the city, open-air art galleries and Osh Bazaar.

Cholpon Ata

Cholpon Ata is the main town on the north shore of Issyk Kul Lake. In the summer months visitors can stay at one of the large resorts, relax on the beach, swim in the crystalline water or go white water rafting on the Chu River.

Bokonbaev

Bokonbaev village is an administrative centre of Ton region that covers most of the south shore of Issyk Kul Lake. You can stay in a traditional yurt by the lake, see an eagle hunting show and swim in the world’s second largest alpine lake.

Son Kul Lake

Soak in the huge vistas and open spaces on the shores of this magnificent mountain lake, lying at an altitude of 3016m above sea level. Stay overnight in a yurt, see how the Kyrgz nomads live and ride horses around Son Kul Lake.

Jety-Oguz Canyon

Jety-Oguz Canyon is a unique geographical formation of red sandstone cliffs, surrounded by the Teskei Ala-Too mountains. Here you can sleep in a yurt, go horseback riding or enjoy walks through the canyon with the famous view of the Seven Bulls, soaking up the scenery of the picturesque hills and valleys.

Karakol

Karakol town was founded by Russian pioneers in 1869. It’s a small town with the oldest Orthodox Church in Kyrgyzstan, a Chinese-style Muslim mosque and a colourful bazaar and livestock market. The Hillside Karakol Boutique Hotel is a great place to stay in Karakol.

Tash Rabat

Located in a remote valley in the far south of Kyrgyzstan in the Naryn Region, Tash Rabat is famous for its Silk Road caravanserais which were an extensive network of traveler’s inns along old caravan roads. Based in a yurt, you can enjoy leisurely walks or ride horses through the mountain valleys.

Chon Kemin Valley

Chon Kemin valley National Park is a beautiful part of Kyrgyzstan, with lush green valleys where forested mountains tower over meandering rivers and rare wildlife roams. The area is great for horse riding, trekking and fishing, and you can stay in Ahu Guesthouse, one of the best guesthouses in Kyrgyzstan.

Sary Chelek Biosphere

Sary Chelek Biosphere Reserve is a beautiful, protected nature reserve. Situated up among the steep rocky slopes of the surrounding mountains, approximately 1870 metres above sea level, Sary Chelek is the largest of the seven lakes within the nature reserve and is home to hundreds of species of animals and plants.