Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country in Central Asia, offering a plethora of stunning peaks to explore. Two notable mountains in Kyrgyzstan that are great for exploration are the Tian Shan and the Pamir Mountains.
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Backpacking Kyrgyzstan in 2025
A complete guide for backpacking in Kyrgyzstan with best places to go, best time to visit, what to bring and safety advice.
Visit Kyrgyzstan
Embark on a rugged adventure in Kyrgyzstan, a jewel of Central Asia, where stunning landscapes and nomadic traditions await the intrepid backpacker. Pros? Immerse in the untouched beauty of mountains, lakes, and nomadic culture. Affordability is a plus, and the warm hospitality of the locals enhances the experience. However, infrastructure can be basic, and language barriers may exist in remote areas. For backpackers seeking off-the-beaten-path exploration and a genuine connection with nature and tradition, Kyrgyzstan stands out as a unique destination, offering a raw and authentic experience distinct from more conventional routes.
Why to go?Why backpacking in Kyrgyzstan
Mountains
People
The people of Kyrgyzstan are known for their warm and welcoming nature. Hospitality is deeply ingrained in their culture, and visitors are often greeted with open arms. Kyrgyz people take pride in their ability to make guests feel at home, …
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Cheap
The average costs for backpacking in Kyrgyzstan are relatively low compared to other travel destinations. Accommodation options in Kyrgyzstan range from budget hostels to guesthouses and yurts, with prices starting at around $5-10 per night. Food is …
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Scenery
Kyrgyzstan is a country with diverse and stunning landscapes, making it a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. The best sceneries to explore in Kyrgyzstan include the majestic Tien Shan mountain range, which offers opportunities for …
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Backpackers
The backpacker scene in Kyrgyzstan is vibrant and growing. With its stunning natural landscapes, including mountains, lakes, and valleys, Kyrgyzstan has become a popular destination for adventurous travelers. The country offers a range of outdoor …
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Uniqueness
Exploring Kyrgyzstan offers a unique and off the beaten track experience due to its rugged and untouched natural beauty. The country is home to stunning mountain ranges, crystal-clear alpine lakes, and vast grassy steppes, providing endless …
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💡 HighlightsTop-5 things to do in Kyrgyzstan
- Issyk-Kul Lake: Explore the beauty of the world’s second-largest alpine lake, surrounded by stunning mountains. Enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and water sports in its crystal-clear waters.
- Ala Archa National Park: Hike through this picturesque park, known for its snow-capped peaks, lush valleys, and diverse wildlife. Marvel at the stunning landscapes and enjoy activities like camping and horseback riding.
- Son-Kul Lake: Immerse yourself in the nomadic culture by visiting this high-altitude lake. Experience the traditional yurt stays, horseback riding, and witness the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding pastures.
- Tash Rabat: Visit this ancient caravanserai located on the Silk Road. Explore the well-preserved stone structure, which once served as a resting place for traders, and learn about the region’s rich history.
- Burana Tower: Discover the remnants of the ancient city of Balasagun at this historical site. Climb the tower for panoramic views, explore the museum, and learn about the region’s Turkic heritage.
But Kyrgyzstan offers more...
× Kyrgyzstan
Start of my 1.5 year travel around the world
Kyrgyzstan | Still at Amsterdam Lelylaan station, I faced my biggest challenge, almost jeopardizing my trip. I didn’t feel like carrying my public transport card around the world for a year, so I left it at home, thinking I could make the short journey to Schiphol Airport without checking in for this unique occasion. However, it turns out that my home station...
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Using compass and counting steps to find my hostel
Kyrgyzstan | The next day, I arrived in Bishkek, where the second challenge awaited me: “find your hostel!” My biological clock was still in the Netherlands, my iPhone was still on Turkish time, and in Bishkek, everyone thought it was three hours later than it actually was. Soaked in confusion, sleep, and jet lag, I was dropped off by the taxi at the hostel...
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A glacier-cold river blocking my way back home
Kyrgyzstan | The next day, I hitchhiked to a national park nearby. After a beautiful hike to the end of the main canyon (in 35-degree heat in the morning and now at the snow line), I returned to find that the river I had crossed on the way had doubled in size due to the glaciers higher up unable to withstand the sun. So, I took off my shoes and waded through, e...
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A restaurant without food and a hotel without WC
Kyrgyzstan | Down in the valley, the restaurant didn’t make much effort to earn its first Michelin star, serving only soup and tea. And the hotel next door didn’t quite live up to the Lonely Planet’s “top choice” mark either: no toilet in the hotel.So, I left with an empty stomach but full intestines, guided by my lingering jet lag, at 5:00 am to ma...
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Suddenly at the bottom of the backpacker ladder
Kyrgyzstan | In the Netherlands, I could get away with countries like Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia, but here I’m at the bottom of the ladder as a ‘regular backpacker’: an Englishman with a Vietnamese wife who cycled from Hanoi to Paris; a Dutch family who had been on the road for 5 years in a Land Rover; two Poles on a tandem bike, and a German guy who bought ...
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Integrating in Kyrgyz culture
Kyrgyzstan | That evening, we went out. After pre-drinking in the hostel with vodka in Danone cups (which is quite intense for a shot) for 30 cents, Le Garage was the first on our list. In the basement of a completely deserted hotel, with six staff members and no visitors, we hoped to liven things up a bit, but it wasn’t enough for a fun night. We found that ...
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How to pretend that you like Kymys when it resembles the taste of puke?
Kyrgyzstan | After four days in Bishkek, I headed to Kochkor with the German guy who had stabled his horse there to buy a new saddle blanket in Bishkek. In Kochkor, he hopped on his horse, and I went to my homestay: a super nice family with two funny sons who spoke brilliant English. Later, I would go with one of them to the World Cup qualifying football match ...
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World Cup qualification | Kyrgyzstan vs Australia
Kyrgyzstan | The next day was finally the moment to resolve all the cliffhangers: watching the World Cup qualifying match between Kyrgyzstan and Australia at the Bishkek stadium was an absolutely amazing experience. When Kyrgyzstan scored their first goal in the last minutes (1-2), the crowd went wild (even though there was no roof on the stadium). The team did...
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Spending the night in the gers of a family in the mountains
Kyrgyzstan | Next on the agenda was Lake Song-Kol. Don’t be alarmed by the word ‘agenda’; it’s more like a list of places you want to visit that need to be done in a certain order because they are too far apart to visit at the same time. Armed with offline Google Maps, I embarked on a three-day ger trek into the mountains. Even though I initially took t...
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A sudden frisbee ban in the mountains
Kyrgyzstan | After a night and a kind of porridge with horse milk for breakfast, I headed to the next ger where we spent the evening playing frisbee brought by two Israelis. The children quickly caught on to the game, but at one point, their father came out to show us how a real man does it. Clearly dissatisfied with our lackluster frisbee throwing, he used all...
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How to (not) learn a new card game without any English
Kyrgyzstan | By chance, I met the German guy on horseback, and together we tried to learn a new card game from a boy who understandably didn’t say anything since we only responded with words that had nothing to do with Kyrgyz. So, based on how he played and whether he approved or disapproved of our actions, we tried to decipher the underlying rules. But since...
Read more An amazing day with just 1 HP (horse power)
Kyrgyzstan | After climbing a small mountain with the German guy on horseback, his horse, and a lost Frenchman, I arranged for a car ride to return to civilization the next morning. Then, that evening, I suddenly heard a familiar voice—it was Azamat, one of the two sons from the homestay in Kochkor, looking for me. He had just brought two Australians on horse...
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No breakfast, but sunrise at bed
Kyrgyzstan | I had already spent a week and a half in Kyrgyzstan, and after Bishkek-Kochkor-Bishkek-Kochkor-Song Köl-Kochkor, it was finally time to explore the rest of the country. That evening, I slept in a ger camp by a lake after taking buses, hitchhiking, and walking. Rookie mistake: I forgot to roll down my ger door carpet, so I was treated to a sunrise ...
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Suddenly in the middle of a private Eagle Hunter show
Kyrgyzstan | After hitchhiking to a nearby red canyon and the usual “where’re you from? -aah Holland, Robben, Gullit, van Persie”, my second ride back stopped halfway, and suddenly I was face to face with an Eagle Hunter sign: 400m straight ahead, 10 meters to the left, 200 meters straight ahead, and 100 meters to the left. So, with my pedometer on, I arr...
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A hike to a hot spring, crossing an overflooded river
Kyrgyzstan | In Karakol, which was supposed to be a charming mountain village but ended up being a perfectly structured grid of 8-lane asphalt roads with Soviet apartment buildings in between, I had my first, albeit unsuccessful, hope that my weather app was still asleep when it predicted three days of rain. This was so unusual that it made the news, and the mo...
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What is faster, a horse or a bus?
Kyrgyzstan | Before taking the bus back to Bishkek on Sunday, a few of us quickly visited the animal market. The most expensive horse (US$4,000) was showcased for sale by galloping at top speed through the crowd, with the sales pitch that this horse could gallop non-stop to Bishkek in three hours (425 km...).By the way, there are police checkpoints every 10 k...
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Even more extreme backpackers
Kyrgyzstan | I thought that in Bishkek, I had already encountered the most extreme forms of travel, but now my backpack coolness was completely frozen. One Japanese guy cycled from Canada through South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia back to Japan. The other Japanese guy walked (WALKED!) from Japan to Paris. To thaw my self-confidence a bit, I cooked a meal w...
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Unexpected clubbing in a mountain village
Kyrgyzstan | And there I was in Arslanbob, a village where the only two tourist attractions, the waterfall and the big waterfall, were clearly marked with signs. But what made the village truly unique, apart from the breathtaking view, was stumbling upon a disco in the middle of the mountains at one o’clock in the afternoon. “I’m sexy and I know it” ech...
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One of those days…
Kyrgyzstan | Some days just don’t go as planned. This was one of those days. Waiting too long for every seat in the car to be filled on the way to Osh (given that there were as many cars as passengers, it also meant that you had to choose the right car to make it on the same day), someone approached me asking to see my passport. He showed his ID, but with my ...
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Getting to a valley completely closed off in the winter
Kyrgyzstan | The next two days were dedicated to crossing a mountain range to a village that was cut off from the outside world all winter and where only about one car per hour went in the summer. While I didn’t have much luck on the road to Osh, this day went beyond the point of bad luck. The car I chose as my victim broke down six times, each time with a di...
Read more Traveled route: Bishkek, Ala Archa National Park, Kockkor, Song-Kul lake, Beltam Yurt Camp, Fairytale Canyon Skazka, Karakol, Altyn-Arashan, Cholpon-Ata, Jalal-Abad, Kazarman
🌤️ When to go?Best time to go backpacking Kyrgyzstan
The best time to visit Kyrgyzstan for backpacking is during the summer months from June to September. During this time, the weather is generally warm and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F) in the lowlands and cooler temperatures in the mountains. This is the ideal time for outdoor activities such as hiking, trekking, and camping.
Additionally, the summer months offer the best conditions for exploring Kyrgyzstan's stunning landscapes, including its famous mountain ranges and pristine alpine lakes. The country's natural beauty is at its peak during this time, with lush green meadows, blooming wildflowers, and clear skies.
It's important to note that Kyrgyzstan experiences distinct seasons, and the weather can vary depending on the region. In the high mountain areas, such as the Tian Shan and Pamir ranges, temperatures can be significantly cooler, and snow may still be present even in the summer months.
Overall, summer provides the most favorable conditions for backpacking in Kyrgyzstan, allowing you to fully enjoy the country's breathtaking scenery and outdoor activities.
Additionally, the summer months offer the best conditions for exploring Kyrgyzstan's stunning landscapes, including its famous mountain ranges and pristine alpine lakes. The country's natural beauty is at its peak during this time, with lush green meadows, blooming wildflowers, and clear skies.
It's important to note that Kyrgyzstan experiences distinct seasons, and the weather can vary depending on the region. In the high mountain areas, such as the Tian Shan and Pamir ranges, temperatures can be significantly cooler, and snow may still be present even in the summer months.
Overall, summer provides the most favorable conditions for backpacking in Kyrgyzstan, allowing you to fully enjoy the country's breathtaking scenery and outdoor activities.
Risk level: low (33%)Safety advice for Kyrgyzstan
- Terrorist attacks have happened in the Kyrgyz Republic. Targets have included places popular with foreigners. Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places.
- In September 2022, military clashes in the Batken Region bordering Tajikistan escalated into an armed conflict. The Kyrgyz Republic declared a state of emergency, which was lifted following a ceasefire agreement. The security situation remains volatile and could deteriorate further with little warning. Avoid all non-essential travel to the Kyrgyz-Tajik border area.
- Security is volatile in the Kyrgyz-Uzbek and Kyrgyz-Tajik border areas. This includes the Ferghana Valley. Crime, civil unrest, terrorist activity, clashes, and landmines are risks. Security forces monitor border areas and often conduct operations there.
- Demonstrations occur regularly in Bishkek and elsewhere across the country and can turn violent without warning. Avoid large crowds and any demonstrations and follow the advice of local authorities.
- Violent crime, kidnapping, robbery, mugging and pickpocketing occur. Criminals can pose as police or 'meet-and-greet' drivers at the airport. The risk of crime increases at night. Always be alert to your surroundings. Avoid walking at night, especially if you're alone.
- Cases of unauthorised withdrawals are reported after people have used ATMs or EFTPOS machines. Use ATMs in controlled areas, such as in banks or large hotels. Check for skimming devices. Keep your credit card in sight when paying for things.
- Drink spiking is a risk. Don't accept food, drinks, gum or cigarettes from strangers. Never leave your food or drink unattended.
- There's a high risk of earthquakes in the Kyrgyz Republic. Tremors, avalanches and landslides are common. People have died in snow-related accidents in recent years. Monitor local media and other sources, such as the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System.
source: smartraveller.gov.au
KyrgyzstanMy tips to get you on the way!Does Kyrgyzstan sound like your next backpacking destination? Use these steps to get you on the way.
Get inspiration 📚
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
Prepare your trip ✅
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Kyrgyzstan. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Kyrgyzstan may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Kyrgyzstan. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Kyrgyzstan may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Book your flight ✈️
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Kyrgyzstan, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Kyrgyzstan, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
Book your first night(s) 🛌
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
My personal packing list 🎒
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Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Moneybelt
[Amazon]
“Best way to carry your important documents”
Quick dry pant
[Amazon]
“Nothing beats these quick dry and light pants when traveling”
Light rain jacket
[Amazon]
“Hiking in rainy season? These keep you dry”
Thermo underwear
[Amazon]
“Less weight and volume than bulky sweaters or jackets”
Quick dry towel
[Amazon]
“Normal towels get smelly and heavy when traveling”
Power bank
[Amazon]
“Pick a small and light one, with 10.000mAh or more”
Travel adapter
[Amazon]
“Needed as each country has its own electricity plugs”
Number lock
[Amazon]
“No chance of losing your key; handy for lockers in dormitories”
Packing cubes
[Amazon]
“Keep your wet or dirty clothes separate from the rest”
Travel pillow
[Amazon]
“Light and great for flights and long bus journeys”
last page update: 28 September 2024