Kyrgyzstan Tours & Holidays
Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Holidays
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Overview
The Kyrgyz Republic, to give it its proper title, is quite simply one of the most beautiful countries on earth. The Mountains of Heaven that stretch majestically across its length and breadth are lush, high and wild, dissected by sweeping steppe lands, primal forests and turquoise lakes. And far in the distance, scratching the belly of the endless sky, is an ever-changing vista of lofty snow-capped peaks that, up until a decade ago, were ...
The Kyrgyz Republic, to give it its proper title, is quite simply one of the most beautiful countries on earth. The Mountains of Heaven that stretch majestically across its length and breadth are lush, high and wild, dissected by sweeping steppe lands, primal forests and turquoise lakes. And far in the distance, scratching the belly of the endless sky, is an ever-changing vista of lofty snow-capped peaks that, up until a decade ago, were strictly off-limits.
Home to glaciers, deserts, alpine meadows and several 7,000 metre plus mountains, the country rises up from the fertile slopes of the Ferghana Valley to the heights of Mount Pobeda (7,437 m) on the Chinese-Kyrgyzstan border. Scattered with over 2,000 lakes, a third of this breathtaking country is permanently covered in snow. But despite this natural bounty, it is the people themselves who bring this astonishing landscape to life.
Over the years we have developed relationships with local people and businesses and a stay with some of the local families provides a rare insight into their nomadic lifestyles. So, whether you are visiting eagle hunter, Aslan Bek and his family on the shores of Lake Izzyk Kul, or Noorgul and her family at Son Kul, you will find ordinary people with proud nomadic traditions and a great sense of hospitality, living some quite extraordinary lives.
Start your journey
Group tours
Travel to Kyrgyzstan with like-minded people on one of our small group tours (usually max size 12), featuring knowledgeable local guides and an expert tour leader.
Kyrgyzstan Explorer
Stay in yurts, homestays and wild camps, meet eagle hunters, explore Tash Rabat and enjoy walks and rides amongst the breathtaking scenery of Son Kul and Issyk Kul lakes, the Tien Shan Mountains and Arslanbob Forest
Silk Road: The Five 'Stans of Central Asia
Explore the Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva in Uzbekistan, enjoy homestays in the mountains of Tajikistan, the breathtaking scenery of Kyrgyzstan, ancient sites in Turkmenistan and Almaty in Kazakhstan.
Silk Road Odyssey
An epic Silk Road travel tour through Central Asia’s most spectacular mountains and lively bazaars through Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan & Uzbekistan
Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan - Mountains and Cities of the Silk Road
Stay in yurts by beautiful lakes, watch a game of Kok-Boru and enjoy a slice of semi-nomadic life in Kyrgyzstan, before discovering the Silk Road treasures of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand in Uzbekistan.
The Great Silk Road Adventure: Xi'an to Istanbul
Travel the full length of the Silk Road from Xian to Istanbul on this once-in-a-lifetime trip, taking in iconic sights like Xi’an’s Terracotta Army, Samarkand’s Registan Square and Istanbul’s Blue Mosque.
Along the Pamir & Karakoram Highways: Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, China & Pakistan
Travel along the Pamir and Karakoram Highways - enjoying homestays and hospitality. Highlights include Kashgar Market and the Hunza Valley.TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAYS
Whether you want to travel on one of our award-winning itineraries or build your own journey from scratch, our expert consultants will help create the perfect tour for your tastes and budget. Below are a few suggestions of the kind of trips we can offer, all of which can be tailored to you.
SUGGESTED ITINERARIES
Classic Kyrgyzstan
This active itinerary explores Kyrgyzstan's stunning topography and natural landmarks via scenic hikes and horse treks, as well as the opportunity to experience its distinct nomadic culture and discover Kyrgyz history
Complete Kyrgyzstan
If you have a bit more time and want to really get under the skin of this ravishing country, look no further. Exploring far-flung destinations and staying in humble accommodation, this is for the more robust traveller
Wild Kyrgyzstan
Make the most of this adrenaline junkie's paradise, exploring the wild and wonderful Kyrgyzstan via foot, horseback and mountain bike and staying in a variety of guesthouses, yurt camps and wild tented camps
Classic Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan
This itinerary offers the perfect harmony between Uzbekistan's rich collection of historical architecture and Kyrgyzstan's untouched, natural beauty; providing superior examples of what the region is renowned for
Complete 'Stans of Central Asia
Travel to all five 'Stans' of Central Asia in this epic journey through these neighbouring countries that share so much of their culture and history; and be pleasantly surprised by the different experiences they offer
Wild Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan
Tour these neighbouring countries that share many similarities including a breathtaking mountainous geography, and a shared history and nomadic culture. The itinerary blends energetic activities with cultural tours
Classic Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan
The 15-day trip explores three of Central Asia’s most alluring countries and their most emblematic cities, towns and landscapes, providing a mixture of cultural, historical and natural insights and attractionsHIGHLIGHTS OF KYRGYZSTAN
BEST EXPERIENCES
Marvel at Ala Archa National Park
Head out to the mountains of the Ala Archa National Park and take in a hike amidst the unspoiled nature. Enjoy the fresh mountain air and journey through the fragrant pine and juniper forest, spotting the President’s summer palace, butterflies and wild tulips.
Admire the ancient Burana Tower
Visit the Burana Tower in Tokmok, an 11th century minaret, all that remains of Turkic Karakhanid, once a powerful city on the Silk Road. Over time, various earthquakes destroyed the city and reduced the towers height from 42 to 24 meters that you see today.
Relax and enjoy nomad life
From your comfortable and cozy yurt, relax and take in the wonderful mountains and meadows dotted with yurts. Witness traditional life in the Kyrgyz summer pastures while sipping kumyz, the Kyrgyz national drink made from fermented mares' milk.
Explore Son Kul Lake area on foot
The alpine lake lies in a remote valley surrounded by high mountain pastures, the nomadic Kyrgyz herdsmen use fertile marshlands to let their livestock graze in the lush green meadows. The perfect place to experience the life and culture of the Kyrgyz nomads.Admire the Silk Road in Tash Rabat
Simply relax and enjoy the beautiful surrounding of Tash Rabat. The lush and green valley, just 35km from the China border, groans with horses, yaks and sheep all owned by the nomads who live in the area. Enjoy a homecooked lunch and dinner at your yurt camp.
Walk the ancient paths of Tash Rabat
Explore on foot a major route of the Silk Road as it winds through remote mountain scenery, remarkable history, local nomadic culture and the possibility of animal sightings from the ancient caravanserai of Tash Rabat to the 4000m high pass.
Experience incredible Eagle Hunting
One of the most fascinating Kyrgyz traditions is eagle hunting. Take in the history and skill of these strong local hunting traditions and learn about the way it has shaped the livelihood of locals for centuries.
Enjoy a meal at Reina Kench Eco-Farm
This beautiful and peaceful Eco-Farm was built from scratch after the fall of the Soviet Union, and is run by the same family that still live and work here. Enjoy a delicious home cooked lunch in the restaurant where most of the produce has been grown on site.TOP PLACES TO VISIT
Bishkek
The capital of Kyrgyzstan is Bishkek, an attractive modern city with wide avenues set against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains with an abundance of green spaces. In 1825, the Khan of Kokand ...
Karakol
Karakol is the administrative centre of Issy-Kul province and a good base from which to explore the lake. It was founded in 1869 after the commander of a nearby garrison realised that with its mild ...
Son Kul Lake
Lake Son Kul is an alpine lake and the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan. It is situated in the northern province on a high mountain plateau. The shepherds of the Kochkor, Naryn and At Bashi regions ...
Tash Rabat
Sheltering in the lee of a black granite cliff, in what must surely be one of the prettiest valleys in the country, this ancient Silk Road caravanserai, constructed of dark stone with a huge arched ...
Lake Issyk Kul
Lake Issyk Kul, meaning "warm lake", is the second largest mountain lake in the world. Measuring 182km long by 58km wide, the lake is heated from below by thermal activity and never freezes, even in ...
OUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO STAY
Green Yard, Karakol
In the centre of Karakol, this small family-owned hotel offers nicely decorated rooms with modern facilities including flat screen televisions and en suite bathrooms. The warm and welcoming atmosphere…
Navat Hotel, Bishkek
The Navat Hotel opened in April 2019 and provides a colourful ambience, reflective of Tajik style whilst providing modern comfort, an excellent central location and much more character than the Hyatt…
Son Kul Lake Yurt Camp, Son Kul Lake
This authentic yurt camp provides the ultimate adventure experience, sleeping in traditional nomadic tents beside the beautiful Son Kul. Surrounded by roaming herds of cattle, horses and goats, the…Discover more
WHEN TO GO
Bishkek
Osh
Naryn
INSPIRATION
Meet the expert, Natalie
Natalie is our Central Asia expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
Speak to Natalie by calling
+44 (0)20 3944 6258
USEFUL INFORMATION
Health and Vaccinations
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Kyrgyzstan though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. We recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
Currency
In Kyrgyzstan, the official unit of currency is the Som.
To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com.
Cultural Sensitivity
On our tours you will frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your tour-leaders and guides will always be able to advise you accordingly.
The first thing to say about travelling in Central Asia is that most areas, particularly the cities and towns, have a much more laid-back approach to Islam than their neighbours to the south in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In places such as Bishkek you won’t believe the length of some women’s skirts! However, it should also be remembered that it is technically a Muslim region and therefore a little bit of caution should be applied in certain places. Shorts and T-shirts are fine for both sexes but if visiting mosques, women should cover their shoulders and wear trousers or skirts that fall below the knee, and men should not wear shorts.
Language & Religion
Kyrgyzstan is one of the two former Soviet Republics in Central Asia to retain Russian as an official language. In the early 90’s Kyrgyzstan became an official bilingual country adding Kyrgyz as another official language. You will also find ethnic Uzbeks and Tajiks in some parts of Kyrgyzstan due to previous Soviet policy.
80% of the population are Islamic with just over 15% following Russian Orthodoxy.
Time
Kyrgyzstan is 6 hours ahead of GMT.
A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com.
Food and drink
The food in Kyrgyzstan tends to be based around meat and rice, although the salads and vegetables on offer are very varied. As you travel you will have a chance to experience local specialities of the region, which often overlap with the cultures that have lived and moved around over the centuries.
With regard to alcohol, the choice is mostly limited to vodka or beer so anyone wanting something different - Scotch or Gin for example - should buy it duty free and bring it out. However, be advised that mixers, like tonic water, are extremely difficult to find in Central Asia!