: best blog about Kyrgyzstan I came across, so many interesting and specific information. The country is far from the famous tourist destinations in the world- far from West Europe, far from Maldives, Thailand, Bali, far even from Nepal, its Mt.Everest, or China with its capital Beijing and the Great Wall (although it borders with China). Read: Backpacking in Kazakhstan – 1 to 4-week itinerary. Note: You may need an extra day if you plan to go to Chatyr Lake. Created by a user from Bangladesh. Here you have all my travel guides to Tajikistan. Kyrgyzstan is the most liberal and democratic country in the Central Asian region. Very few people come this way and I guarantee you that you’ll see virgin velvet-green hills and unique lake views from Kyzart Pass. Note that the south of Kyrgyzstan is really remote and the journey from Bishkek to Osh takes at least 12 hours. Most of the hikes are multi-day treks and require camping equipment. To get there, we took a bus from Bishkek East Bus Station to Tokmok. To get to Karakol you can take a shared bus (also known as a marshrutka) from along the main road in Cholpon-Ata. But, I have quickly learned that she enjoys visiting places she loves over and over and I can see why she has been to Bishkek more than fifteen times. So glad we came across with your blog which ultimately convinced us to travel to Kyrgyzstan. Otherwise, ask for her at your arrival in Tash Rabat. Not much information is available online, so if you plan to use it, it’s best to ask a local or someone at the accommodation you’re staying at. The area is filled with petroglyphs and balbals, a sort of grave marked by the Turks during their journey through Central Asia. Required fields are marked *. Broad jailoopastures with shepherds, horses and yurts. In this second itinerary I will focus on the South of the country and you could easily add this either before or after the first Kyrgyzstan itinerary. Hello, I was just wondering, how to get from TOKMOK to Karakol? Just bring a thermal t-shirt and a winter jacket and you’l be fine. However, if you are here for just 2 weeks, I don’t think you care about doing Western stuff. You are going to China – Here’s the China-Kyrgyzstan border crossing report and the guide to the Karakoram Highway, Disclosure: As a traveler, I use all the companies I recommend and you should know that, if you buy any service through any of these links, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. It was very strange to wander around this area, as there were no travelers but a lot of climbers. Dear Sabine, Kyrgyzstan is a safe destination for both genders, really. We have just ended our 3-week trip and wouldn’t have enjoyed it more! I was planning on doing the Kyzyl-Suu to Jeti Oguz trek, the Kyzart to Song Kul trek and the Tash Rabat to Chatyr Lake trek. Surrounded by beautiful, rolling hills and located in the middle of a massive, flat plain, from where you see the most stunning sunsets in the country, Song Kul has become the perfect postcard for anyone backpacking in Kyrgyzstan. I plan to go to Kyrgyzstan in august, and I’m very interested in your article on Peak Lenin base camp trek. Great itinerary! The next segment of the trip should be organized ahead of time through CBT, or another tourist agency. However, this Kazakhstan itinerary is a perfect introduction to the country. Mid-range – Grand Hotel Burana – A pretty fancy hotel, as per Kyrgyzstan standards, for mid-range travelers. Although, you should not stay here long unless you have plenty of time. Did you go to Sary Chelek? For a full review, including trail-itinerary, inspiring photos and other trekking tips, read my post: Trekking in Karakol – Archa Tör Pass trek. Really helpful for my tryp to Kyrgyzstan this summer! The center of Tokmok is 14km from the Burana Tower. I’m assuming you visited in summer and just wondering how many layers I will need . One of the best choices in town for both backpackers, couples and any kind of traveler. With its unique, striking mountains, Kyrgyzstan is slowly becoming a pretty popular trekking destination. If you don’t want to hitchhike, a second alternative would be going to Naryn bazaar where, occasionally, you may find local shared taxis going to Jalal Abad. In Kyrgyzstan, it’s expected to pay for rides even when you’re hitchhiking. He is also the author of Against the Compass, an alternative travel blog, quite different from the rest, which aims at HELPING and INSPIRING you to do the same, always in a responsible way, with no rush, showing you the human side of the story and, above all, in a safe manner. You can picnic in the valley, walk along the Ala-Archa River, or hike to the Ak-Sai Glacier. From Eritrea to Sudan, Syria, and Pakistan, Joan Torres has been traveling to some of the most off the beaten track destinations on Earth since 2014. • Inspirock First, spend the first day walking around the city, checking out the many brutalist architecture like the Manas statues and Ala Too Square. In Kochkor, there are some good homestays and a few relatively nice restaurants. The wonderful mountains are the protagonists of a travel itinerary in Kyrgyzstan, also because it is the country in the world further away from the sea. Our 10-Day Kyrgyzstan itinerary will take you on a trek (by horse or foot) to an alpine lake above 3000m, on a 4x4 excursion through the isolated Tian Shan mountains, to a historical inn along the Silk Road and to authentic yurt camps in valleys. If you want to know more, read this post from Uncornered Market: Travel Guide to Osh. Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country in Central Asia, bordering Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China. KYRGYZSTAN TRAVEL Days spent in Kyrgyzstan. Mid-Range Guest House – Kunduz Guest House – A comfy guest house that features awesome Wi-Fi, really nice rooms, and a cool breakfast. It’s a place to just relax, hang out with the nomads, stay in a yurt and do short half-day treks. Below, you’ll find our future 20-day itinerary, with helpful tips and additional resources, which we assembled while planning our trip. If you want to really get off the beaten track, I suggest you do the Archa Tör pass trek, which is as challenging and beautiful and goes over a striking 3,800-meter pass, from where you get stunning views of the famous Karakol peak. Thank you for supporting our blog!! Most people come here on a day trip from Bishkek but I recommend coming and staying overnight. Hi Joan, thank you so much for this interesting post! Tipping Etiquette: Tipping isn’t common. Thanks and congrats for your amazing blog full of informations and good advices . It has a very big common garden, with loads of comfortable seats, beer for sale and everything you need. Ask for prices at the CBT Office in Sary Mogul. The main two villages in the Alay Valley are Sary Tash and Sary Mogul but I recommend staying in Sary Mogul, as the village is more beautiful and it’s the starting point to the Lenin Peak Base camp. However, this is a great place to team-up with other travelers to travel the Pamir Highway. Trekking – I recommend you read my guide to trekking in Kyrgyzstan, which also includes a very detailed packing list. Hi, Tokmok it’s on the way from Bishkek to Karakol, so I am pretty sure there are direct marshrutkas. If you want to do some trekking and enjoy the mountains, visit Kyrgyzstan from June to September. This seems like a feasible option but, unfortunately, they leave very randomly, so you will need to try your luck. We also wanted to overnight in Yurts. However, the mountains of Kyrgyzstan are, definitely, not the only reason why you should come here. Note: I didn’t get the permit but I still went there. Kazakhstan is huge, and there are plenty of things to do besides what we mention below. We stayed in a very random one. As I understand, you also plan to visit China? Tips & packing list for trekking in Central Asia, Tips for trekking in Kyrgyzstan – A beginner’s guide, https://theplanetd.com/song-kul-trekking/, https://pegas-adventure.com/kyrgyzstan-opens-borders/, Tips and how to travel to Mauritania in 2021, A guide to visit Tbilisi (includes off-beat things), Tips and how to travel to Saudi Arabia in 2021, It is the only company that offers unlimited coverage, It covers the largest bunch of adventure activities. The best places to carve the slopes are at Karakol Ski Resort, and in the backcountry of Jyrgalan, Boz Uchuk and Jalpak Tash. Thanks for sharing your experiences! One Day in Bishkek Itinerary for Your First Kyrgyzstan Trip. This is what we intended to do with our time but only made it to Karakol. Make the most of your trip to Kyrgyzstan! Their tour suggestions and itinerary ideas make a good starting point when planning your route, whether you’re visiting Kyrgyzstan as part of the legendary Silk Route or trekking through its soaring mountains. Bargain! At night, it was chilly but never below 0. Prices are obviously higher but still, it’s quite affordable. I was following your other post on how to cross over to kyrgyzstan from xingjiang china and it seems that we will arrive in Sarah Tash/Osh first. Hi, no, I haven’t been there, but looking forward to explore that area on my next visit. This ride sharing app makes traveling in a new area hassle-free and is a great option for traveling shorter distances. After visiting Osh, I explored the Fergana mountain range and moved east along the Chinese border. Unless you are coming from or going to China or Tajikistan, due to its remoteness, people tend to skip the Alay Valley, a dreamy plain situated 3,200 meters above sea level, which marks the border with Tajikistan and from where you get perfect views of the Pamir range. Lenin Peak is, definitely, one of the best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan. There is no need to book for a yurt in Kochkor. For people who don’t want to stay in hostels, this is the best place in the city. Budget Homestay – Muras Homestay – A pretty decent but average homestay where you are likely to meet overlander travelers coming or heading to China or Tajikistan. Do you haven any suggestions on which direction I should head towards if I want to follow your itinerary? The CBT Arslanbob can tell you about the available homestays. Here we had one of our best camping spots in the country. Thanks, great advice. We choose one tour for 13 days. Lenin Peak is a 7,200-meter mountain, the second highest within the Pamir range. **There are other guest houses around town but I don’t remember the name of the one I stayed at and they are no available online. With a wide array of cool cafés and restaurants, the most touristic town in Kyrgyzstan is a great base to rest after some trekking. Hi Steven, the Song Kul trek will be posted end of this month but on another website, not mine. I’ll be heading to the Pamir Highway after kyrgyzstan so Im trying to wrap my head around the route. To do so, you can first go by local shared taxi (from Naryn bazaar) to a village called Ak-Tal or somewhere close, because nearby there’s a direct road going to Kazarman. They serve home-made dinner and everything you can expect from the lovely local families. Thanks Thanks so much in advance! In Tulpar Lake, rates are cheaper. The second most important city in Kyrgyzstan, Osh is a must-stop for anyone trying to cross the border to China over  the Irkeshtam pass, to Tajikistan over Kyzyl Art, or to Uzbekistan. Note: You may need an extra day if you come walking from Kyzart. It is a pretty awesome trek but still, it may get busy during peak season. Song Kul is around 100km from Kochkor and there is no public transportation but just expensive taxis. Ala Archa National Park is located 40 km from Bishkek and makes for a perfect day-trip destination from the capital. Nobody checked it . Kyrgyzstan’s capital city is easily explored on foot. After some hard-backpacking in Pakistan and a short visit to Xinjiang, for me, Bishkek felt like a dream. With very modern facilities and extremely comfortable mattresses, this hostel is a great choice for those looking for a more comfortable place to stay. Kyrgyzstan Food | Eating our favorite Kyrgyz cuisine in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan - Duration: 11:08. It’s an 11-hour journey and it costs around 1,000KGS (14USD). Know the key sights and can't-miss experiences. – Sabrina and Kati, Government: Unitary parliamentary republic. You may have heard from a famous trek called Ala-Kul, which is a 3-5-day trek to a high-altitude lake. There are plenty of yurt camps but I recommend you stay with Elizat, since she is the only person speaking proper English. Marshrutkas leave daily until 2pm from the Osh station located here: 40.536484, 72.798298. Gill. I know one guy from Ireland who did it. For more information, read this great Bishkek City Guide. Alternatively, you can hitchhike but keep in mind that, in this part of the world, even locals pay when hitchhiking. I am not sure about the prices as I did the journey in small sections, but you should not pay more than 250KGS (3.60USD) for both tickets. Super Budget Hostel – Osh Guest House – Much cheaper than Biy Ordo but, of course, not as cool and comfortable. Did you know how to get there? Awesome! Whoever you work with will need to organize a. Another quite ugly Kyrgyz town where you need to spend the night if you are heading to the beautiful Tash Rabat. You can also go by taxi but it’s a bit expensive. Your complete travel guide and backpacking itinerary for Kyrgyzstan, A country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic tradition. I will definitely have a guide for the Archa Tör Pass and a guide and horse for Tash Rabat too, so I guess I’ll only need a map for the Kyzart pass hike? Very comfortable, amazing breakfast and at a very good price for what you get. It’s a 2-hour journey. Naryn has a wide range of budget accommodation, shops, and restaurants. Highly recommend. You will see that pics are mine and my bio at the bottom of the post, Sorry, missed that. No matter where you are, the journey to southern Kyrgyzstan is absolutely insane. Your email address will not be published. You can contact her at atelizatmasirova@gmail.com or call her at +996707880161. Mid-range Hotel – Riverside – An ideal place for couples. However, when I went there in July, in the main area of the lake, there were plenty of commercial yurt camps hosting dozens of different tourists. Still, the Ala Kul trek is a great alternative, and here you can read the full review. I’m considering extending my trip to Kazakhstan to also explore Kyrgyzstan. Köl Ükök is a mountain lake, located about 17 km from Kochkor. Something Interesting: 70% of Kyrgyzstan is covered in mountains. Kyrgyzstan is a safe and stable Central Asian country. First of all, because sunset is the best time to visit it. And you definitely don’t want to see that…. Of course, you should! There are plenty of yurt camps where you can stay for around 10USD, including dinner and breakfast. Backpacker Hostel – Tent Hostel – A pretty cool and unique place. Covid-19 Travel Resources. The easiest way to go would be in your own car or by taxi but be aware that taxis are quite expensive. Read: A guide to the Pamir Highway. Prices range from 1,200KGS to 2,000KGS (17USD to 30USD). Hiking & Trekking in Kyrgyzstan: The Complete Guide to Trekking in Kyrgyzstan with the 14 best hikes in the country; The 8 best day trips and hikes from Bishkek; 2 Itineraries to hike independently to Song Kol lake; How to hike to lake Ala Kul – a day-by-day trekking itinerary; Hiking near Osh – Be a Nomad Hike; Horeseback riding in Kyrgyzstan: