The Kyrgyz people love their beaches but over here it is in the form of a lake. You can also stay overnight to climb local peaks the next day if you have your own tent and food. Otherwise go to the Bokonbaevo bus station that is next to the cbt office and the bazaar. Heres a, Last but not least, one of the hardest country to visit in Central Asia is Turkmenistan and you will require to do a lot of planning before you can visit. In Jyrgalan you can either go horse back riding or hiking with a choice of different trails. 1. The views are gloriously stunning and the park has several tributaries such as the Ak-Sai, Top Karagai, Teke-Terre, Tuy-Suu Adygine and Jindi-Suu. The Issyk Kul lake is not only one of the world's few remaining ancient lakes, but it is estimated to be an incredible 25 million years old.

Osh is not only the gateway to Southern Kyrgyzstan, but also one of the oldest cities in the country with a history of more than 3000 years. A lot of the Soviet architecture is still there including a statue of Lenin.Other Soviet legacies are the beautiful Ala too square and the large amount of green spaces within the city. Heya! A cultural anthropologist from the Netherlands who has travelled for more than 20 years to over 50 countries along the ancient Silk Road. It is one of the most beautiful places along the southern road from Bishkek to Karakol.

Arslanbob is a welcoming lush and green village that is one of my favourite places to visit in Southern Kyrgyzstan. You can also easily charter a taxi from your hostel and hotel which is more convenient as they also wait for you so you don't have to find your way back. You will find plenty more under our Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide section where you will find suggested itineraries, things to do, and everything you need to plan your Kyrgyzstan trip.

Disclaimer: This post about the best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan contains affiliate links. The main road from Bishkek to China, a part of the ancient Great Silk Road, passes through Balykchy before it starts its long and arduous way across the alpine ranges of Naryn Province in central Kyrgyzstan to the Chinese border at Torugart Pass. Things to do: hiking in the dragon gorge for curious red rock formations, hiking to the valley of flowers, visit the sanatorium, enjoy the sunset over the red bull rock formations. Here are some resources to help you get your trip going: Are you planning to travel to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan independently? However, the further you get in the park, the more quiet it gets. Near the tower, theres a museum with an interesting collection of archived photos, 11th-century Christian carvings, religious remains and Chinese coins.

The chef always come out and greet his guest every time I was there. In Kyrgyzstan you dont need to go far to be surrounded by spectacular views. All these places are relatively easy to visit and dont require long hikes, but do offer the alpine mountain sceneries that Kyrgyzstan is famous for. Beware of pickpockets! It is another place in Kyrgyzstan for hiking and the landscapes are pretty unique here making it very different from Jyrgalan or Altyn Arashan. Enjoy a Couple of Beers at No Name Bar, Brewster or Save the Ales, 9. Today, I am a content creator who spends most of my time chasing the great outdoors instead of somebody elses life. Please do not use your business name to comment. Part Travel. In this post I made a selection of the best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan based on my 2 trips to the country in 2014 and 2019. The high altitude lake of Issyk kul has several beaches with powdery sands and clear blue waters. Some are obvious, others are nothing more than a hole in the ground with a sign. For those with an interest in Soviet history you can also visit the Jeti Oguz Sanatorium. Are you looking to dive deeper into Central Asia?

I can't remember how many times I crave the good old Thai food when I was based in Bishkek and right about the time I was there, a new Thai restaurant opened by a Thai chef and I had a chance to be a lab rat and tasted their meals. Through CBT Bokonbaevo you can arrange a taxi to get you there and wait for you. The one I personally recommend is the hike to Turnaluu kol lake and the panorama viewpoint. Still, the area is big enough that it doesnt feel crowded. For more information you can read my Manjyly Ata travel guide. For more information about how to get there and where to sleep you can read my post about Jeti Oguz. You can watch my all my travel videos from Central Asia here: Looking for more travel guides for Central Asia? There is a yurt camp where you can sleep. Thanks for your support! The river flows through these areas surrounded by fir forests. The Gone Goat is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. I felt like at every corner I turned there was interesting history, myths and legends that belonged to the Silk Road era and accounts from nomadic herdsmen that made me want to revisit my history books again and again. Furthermore, it is a young and dynamic city that is now more Kyrgyz than ever. Here I will share my adventures with you. Need I say more? It is one of the most important historic sites in Kyrgyzstan and a reminder of the glory of the silk road days.

There are plenty of flights by Aeroflot and Air Astana that fly into Bishkek from Europe and Asia. While most of the places to visit in Kyrgyzstan in this post are because of their natural beauty, Manjyly Ata is included because of its cultural and historical significance. A post shared by (@jyrgalan.kg). For more information about how to get there and where to sleep you can read my Tosor travel guide. For a more convenient journey, I would recommend you go with an organized tour to Konorchek Canyon instead. Looking for more Kyrgyzstan articles? Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to plan your trip to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan! Although, the views wont dissapoint here either. Youll also note that a lot of trekkers do come here to explore the most notable trek, the Ala Kul and Altyn Aarashan trek. If so, then Burana Tower is a must-visit as it is one of the last remnants of the ancient city of Balasagun established at the end of the 9th century. I spent time in the Southern shores where it was often visited by locals and it remains near to Bokonbaevo, home to Kyrgyz Eagle Breeders who often demonstrate their craft with Falconry. Theres no shortage of beauty in Kyrgyzstan, but Chatyr Kul is a fascinating place to visit for all its storied legends and opportunities to visit migratory birds from Siberia.

Balykchy was once the centre of the lake's fishing fleet, but has suffered a major decline since the collapse of the Soviet Union. All you need to do is click on the Celestial Mountain Trips and explore their itinerary. They serve a great selection of local food at an affordable price. It really is a wonderful country and for more inspiration I can recommend the travelblog from Journal of Nomads that has lots of excellent Kyrgyzstan content. It developed as a Russian outpost before becoming the capital of the Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan. Also read: A Day Trip Hike To Ala Archa National Park: Intro To Kyrgyzstan Wilderness. Whats fascinating is its collection of Balbals near the tower. A post shared by Awe-Inspiring Places (@aweinspiringplaces360). Some of the best things to do in Kochkor is walking around town after a tough hike and explore their markets, stop at the cemetery, visit their central park to view the monuments and get yourself beautiful shyrdaks (distinctive wool rugs). Being part of the Fergana valley it is a very multicultural city. You will be surprised to know how many cool things you can do in this overlooked capital city of Central Asia. For more information about how to get there and where to sleep you can read my Jyrgalan travel guide. If you are looking for travel insurance to go along with your trip to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, I would recommend WorldNomads.com, which is what I use to look for travel insurance that fits my kind of adventure. Bokonbaevo in Kyrgyzstan is a rather small town that serves as the gateway to the southern shore of lake issyk kul. Most people visit as a daytrip from Karakol just to see the iconic red bull rocks and the broken heart. Kol Tor Lake is an underrated hike the alpine blue lake and stunning mountain streams with wild grazing horses are quintessentially what describes the wildness of Kyrgyzstan. There are frequent mini buses from Karakol to the start of the trail, so this is perfect for a do it yourself trip without a guide. With Osh being so far away from the main town in Bishkek, it makes an interesting visit as it is known to be the cultural capital of Central Asia and a chance to visit the Alay mountains. Tosor is one of my favourite places to visit in Kyrgyzstan for taking a dip in the lake.

How to get there: Marshrutka 265 leaves regularly from Osh bazaar to the village of Kashka Suu for 25 som. Getting there with a public transport can be tricky as the trail begins just off the main highway connecting Bishkek to Issyk Kul. Its a great place for outdoor lovers with its majestic mountains and outstanding nature. Available for both mobile and PC. For a small extra fee you can ask the driver to bring you a bit further to the park entrance. Looking for a nice local atmospheric place with good music to enjoy a pint of beer at night? Interesting places to visit include the Dungan mosque, the Holy Trinity Cathedral, the animal bazaar among other interesting finds. It all started with a community based tourism initiative and if you see the spectacular landscapes around Jyrgalan its success is no surprise. How to get there: From Bishkek you can take a minivan or shared taxi that takes around 7 hours.

Looking for a complete itinerary for Kyrgyzstan?3 Weeks Itinerary for Kyrgyzstan. I am Pashmina. Tosor is also a great place from where you can visit Barskoon or the Skazka canyon. It is the silk road caravanserais that hold importance to the Silk Road routes during ancient times. How to get there: There is no public transport to Song kol lake and basically there are three options. Read more about how to travel from Bishkek to Karakol. Copyright 2022 Ellis Veen in collaboration with, Backpacking Kyrgyzstan: the ultimate travel guide, Kyrgyz food guide: what to eat in Kyrgyzstan. Song kul lake is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Kyrgyzstan. They also include some other destinations like Iran, Tajikistan, Pakistan and Siberia places completely under the radar! Things to do: Tulpar kol lake, hike to Lenin Peak Basecamp, Travellers Pass, Besh kol lakes, Kosh kol lakes. 3 weeks is a good amount of time to explore this country, but Kyrgyzstan has so much to offer that the more time you have, the better. If abandoned places pique your interests and you're all for exploring desolate towns that once belong to the Silk Road era, Balykchy might be that town. You get to experience the stunning mountains in the Tien Shan range that are as long as 2450 kilometers. This minaret is one of the last remaining buildings of the ancient city of Balasagun. A post shared by Adilet Abylov (@graffixtation). From the hot springs in Altyn Arashan to the the red rock formations in Jeti Oguz and the alpine meadows of Jyrgalan. The fact that it happened during the Tsarist and Soviet era, youll find a lot of architectural gems and Russian homes. The Barskoon valley with its two waterfalls and alpine meadows is so beautiful that Yuri Gagarin spend his holidays here after he returned from space. It lies hidden from view behind the rolling hills next to the road along the Southern shore of lake Issyk kul. The city is an amalgamation of Soviet architecture with Kyrgyz buildings with tree-lined paths, that looks similar to Uzbekistans Fergana Valley. They also serve cheap "menu of the day" western-style lunch if you are interested.

For the locals, Manjyly Ata is a spiritual and holy place known as the valley of sacred springs. Beyond it being a base for excursions or known for its sleepy little town description, exploring Kochkor requires a curious mindset. Since it is located in the Naryn region, it is worth a stop just for its sheer remoteness and understanding of its place before heading to Chinas Torugart Pass. so I had to spend a few weeks getting that back. You can also enjoy a proper Korean fried chicken here and socialize with the owner and the friendly staff there. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with a cozy atmosphere, have nice English speaking staffs that are welcome to recommend you something and they have quite a selection of Central Asian food you can try. The deep blue lake is surrounded by green pastures and snowcapped mountain peaks. If this post with the best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan has convinced you to add this country to your bucketlist you can check my Kyrgyzstan itinerary. You can also visit Central Asias second largest Lenin statue and familiarised yourself with their amusement park in Soviet fashion, the Navoi Park.

You can climb up the tower and witness the beauty of the surrounding landscape. It is often a stopping point for those who want to explore Song Kul Lake, Kol-Ukok lake to see the grazing animals and traditional yurts. If you buy any service through any of my links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

There is no public transport, but you can arrange a car with driver through cbt Naryn. Sary Chelek is a bio reserve that is known for 1,000 different plants and rare mammals such as bears and lynx.

Nowadays tourism is also a good source of income and several yurt camps welcome visitors.

First of all, because the red bull rocks are at its most beautiful during sunset and sunrise. Enjoy Friday Live Music at Chicken Star, Bonus. Also read: Kol Tor Lake Trek: A Cold Blue Day Hike From Bishkek. The city itself has few attractions, but with the spectacular nature on its doorsteps and a great community based tourism network it is very well worth a visit. Song kul lake is a very peaceful spot and totally worth all the effort of getting there. 21 Must-Read Inspirational Outdoor Adventure Books, The Beginner's Guide To Start Bike Touring, 2022 The Gone Goat.All rights reserved.About | Privacy Policy | Work With Me | Join The Newsletter. Cafe Faiza was the first place I tried and I love it. Things to do: Dungan mosque, Orthodox church, Animal market, Karakol food tour, Things to see nearby: Altyn Arashan, Jyrgalan, Jeti Oguz, Where to sleep: Guesthouse Altay, Askar Guesthouse, Evergreen guesthouse, Center hostel, Snow leopard hostel & Alma hostel. The trail should take you no more than 5 hours round-trip. Did you know that in Kyrgyzstan it is even possible to go to the beach? The place itself consists of the tower, a museum and a few gravestones with intricate markings. It is a very peaceful and quiet spot and there is not much else to do in this rural village than the beach. Make sure you are at the Osh bus station around 1 pm to get a seat (300 som) and expect to be in Sary Mogul around 6 pm. It is the perfect picture of mountains, yurts and horses where you can experience the life and culture of the Kyrgyz nomads. Around the main area of Sary Chelek consists of a number of smaller lakes making it the perfect trek to explore off endless green meadows and valleys far away from the usual path in Kyrgyzstan. The fertile marshlands attract the nomadic Kyrgyz herdsmen as it is the perfect place to let their livestock graze in summer. You can even stay the night to sleep in a yurt on the beach. From th US, Emirates do have a route to Bishkek via Dubai. Central Asian food can be quite bland so if you are seeking to spice your life a little, here is the place. Last but not least, Brewster, a relatively new craft beer bar with a simple yet cozy vibe with a good selection of craft beers, board games and finger food for you to indulge yourself in. Thinking of their garlic naan, butter chicken, and tikka masala is already making me drool.

If you have time to visit only one of the mountain villages around Karakol you should go to Jyrgalan. They serve finger food and craft beers, making it perfect for a pre-party evening of drinking with friends before you head over to a proper club.

Besides the nomadic Kyrgyz there are Uzbek, Tajik and other ethnic minorities that have been living together for centuries.

Only an hour away is the beautiful Ala Archa National park with its waterfalls and forested mountain slopes. They also serve plenty of side dish for you to enjoy with the freshly grilled meat and soju. While the northern shore is all about resorts that attracts lots of Russian and Kazakh tourists, the Southern shore offers a more authentic Kyrgyz experience. It's a little expensive but they serve authentic Japanese food from the delicious eel dish to fresh sushi. Another trail and the one I did is called Ala-Archa valley trail. Like in every country, you haven't actually experienced the country until you try their local food and 2 of the best places my local friends always recommended are Cafe Faiza and Navat. The ruins combined with the gorgeous high altitude landscapes around it makes this one of the best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan. Because of the unusual lay out archeologists believe it might have been used for religious purposes too. There are memorial fences with statues, inscriptions and burial mounds as well. A post shared by Ricard Pintado (@ricardpintado5).

Nature in Kyrgyzstan is everywhere and its culture and history is equally interesting. The Ala-Too Square is my favorite place to go walk around in the evening in Bishkek as this is where the locals like to gather to relax and enjoy the sunset. Things to do: Suleiman too mountain, Osh bazaar, Things to see nearby: Sary Mogul and the Alay mountains, Arslanbob, Where to sleep: Guesthouse VIP, Konok Center hostel & Park hostel. The Skazka canyon is a place unlike any other place in Kyrgyzstan. From there take a minibus or shared taxi heading in the direction of Karakol.

For more information you can read my post on the best things to do in Bokonbaevo. Hiking paths to the waterfall starts at the parking lot, opposite the boulder with a sculpture of Yurii Gagarin, a Soviet pilot and cosmonaut who became the first human to journey into outer space. In 2016, I quit my job to travel solo to the Himalayas for 3 months and start my own thing. The waters of lake issyk kul are icy cold, but where else can you swim with such beautiful mountain views.

For more information you can read my post on the best things to do in Karakol. With public transport it is a bit more difficult and I must be honest that there are other places like Jyrgalan or Jeti Oguz with similar beauty that are more easy to reach by mini bus. We spent the day chatting and bathing on the southern shores and exploring life in these towns. Things to do: Turnaluu kol lake, Kok bel waterfall, Eki chat gorge, Tulpar Tash rock, hiking, horse back riding, mountain biking and winter sports. The busts of Yuri Gagarin look out of place in this mountainous landscape, but if the story is true I can see why Gagarin liked it here so much. Some people think Kyrgyzstan is only for professional hikers, but that is not true. It is one of my favourite places near Karakol, especially during autumn. Read more information in my guide about Sary Mogul and the Alay mountains. There are two waterfalls that you can visit and you can combine it in a loop with the shaded walnut forests. It's very popular among the locals and it can be quite busy at lunch and dinner time, but that's a good sign that it is a good restaurant. The ending is often the best part of the trek where you can relax at the hot springs at Altyn Arashan. Here are some of the best storied and beautiful places to visit in Kyrgyzstan.

It is not an easy place to get permits though due to its close proximity to the Chinese border which may require multiple trips in Naryn to secure a permit. With several ancient Silk Road cities, there is a ton to see in Uzbekistan.

The alpine lake lies in a remote valley above 3000 meters. You are in the right place. Situated at 3,061 meters high, Song Kul is the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan and one of the main touristic attractions in the country. Are you thinking of travel in Kyrgyzstan and are you wondering what to see in this beautiful country? In summer you can also hike or cycle independently to the lake.

At that time many trade caravans passed through and spent the night in this caravanserai where they could rest and eat. This is also a great place for longer treks if you have your own gear. Its a nice place to simply walk around to soak up the easygoing village atmosphere and connect with the curious locals. Remember, the best way to look for cheap flight deals that fit your itinerary is by browsing through Skyscanner or Expedia. Second of all, because there is much more to do in Jeti Oguz. Hello, I am Ellis. It is the easier one of the two. They are weirdly shaped and feature some unique carvings. Kyrgyzstan really has a lot to offer. Looking for a complete one month itinerary and a travel guide for Central Asia? On top of that, Bokonbaevo has some of the best and most welcoming homestays in Kyrgyzstan. When I first arrived in Bishkek, I did not plan to spend much time in the city, as I was looking forward to spending more time in the mountainous region of Kyrgyzstan and its neighboring countries but on my first day in Bishkek, my ATM card got eaten by the machine right at the airport (do not use the Rosinbank () ATM machine!)

Jeti Oguz is a small village famous for its sanatorium and red rock formations.

I also found a lot of hidden gems and a booming cafe scene Karakol lighthouse, Meeting Point and Fat Cat Karakol. I was there for 5 months and there was plenty of time I wanted to eat something else other than plov. Nowadays Tash Rabat is remote and surrounded by empty lands, but this was once part of the famous Silk Road. Even my local friend got her purse pickpocketed when she was there so please keep your belonging safe and in front of you at all time! Heres a. There was a documentary of how this valley has regained its lost splendour and is on the verge of opening up itself to tourism and adventure activities such as mountain biking and skiing. During the month of September, the locals will leave their homes and head up into a expanse of the mountains to harvest. In most cases, you can simply just walk but if you want to go further, buses and marshrutkas (minivan) are available and covers most of the places you want to go in the city. Places like the Manas Statue, Ala-Too movie theater, State History Museum and the National Museum of Fine Arts present a tough, grey concrete style structure that, at that time, was meant to represent how strong and reliable the government was. Also Read: Community Based Tourism in Arslanbob, Kyrgyzstan: What To Do In Walnut Haven, A post shared by WONDERFUL KYRGYZSTAN (@wonderful_kyrgyzstan). Mountains are definitely the reason to visit Sary Mogul if youre heading towards Lenin Peak Base Camp.

Located right by the Baan Baan Thai restaurant on the Tynystanov St, Save the Ales is a great place to sit outside with friends, have a nice craft beer and enjoy a relaxing evening. Its not just that but the key highlights are the valleys, panoramic views and a taste of the nomadic life led by the Kyrgyz people. Trekking in Kyrgyzstan: 10 Surreal Hikes In The Tien Shan Mountains, Cycling in Kyrgyzstan: Bicycle Touring The Silk Road in Central Asia. Where to sleep: Chinar Apart hotel, Apple hostel & Sakura guesthouseFor more information you can read my post on the best things to do in Bishkek. Its a magical landscape and therefore skazka canyon is also known as fairytale canyon. These rock formations signify seven bulls and a broken heart. A post shared by Marion Travel Planner (@ohmaroute). The red, brown and yellow rocks contrast with the deep blue colours of lake Issyk kul that you can see if you climb high enough. The park covers about 200 square kilometres, 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. From here you can begin your way towards Lenin Peak Base Camp. How to get there: From Bishkek you can take a shared taxi that takes around 12 14 hours. Just 66km away from Tong in Issyk Kul lies Barskoon Gorge, one of the most stunning waterfalls in Kyrgyzstan.

A little western cafe in the midst of Bishkek, Sierra Cafe is a great place for you to have a coffee fix in the morning with a cup of latte.

Although the locations of these places are already spectacular enough it is only the beginning. It was difficult to choose and obviously, this list is far from complete. The easiest day hike is the one to the Kok Bell waterfall.

It makes Bishkek a pleasant place to wander around. Learn more about me here. Try all the Foreign Food in Bishkek, and don't forget to follow us on Pinterest. As you know, I am a light traveler and packing light for a trip like this is an art in and of itself. The trail takes you on a leveled path along the Ala-Archa river that goes through the valley until it opens up to the stunning landscape of Ala-Archer valley. You can either go on an organized day trip to Ala Archa National Park which is the most convenient or you can go to Osh Bazaar and get the 265 marshrutkas that will take you close to the park where you will have to get another taxi or hitchhike to the parking lot (another 15 mins ride) where the trail begins. Things to do: small waterfall, large waterfall, walnut forests, panoramic viewpoint, Where to sleep: CBT or Friendship Guesthouse, the Arslanbob homestay and the Halal Muslim Guesthouse.