Kyrgyzstan travel guide
Kyrgyzstan Tourism | Kyrgyzstan Guide
You're Going to Love Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan has natural beauty in abundance, from rugged mountain ranges to pastures that come to life in summer. Visit for the outdoor activities and the exploration of history and culture.
What to do in Kyrgyzstan
1. Go Shopping in Osh
Pay a visit to the Osh markets and bazaars and wander through the market looking at foodstuffs from the region as well as handicrafts, local textiles and souvenirs.
2. Explore Parts of the Silk Road
Visit Tash Rabat, which used to be the main port of call for traders on the route, or Osh, in the south of Kyrgyzstan, to learn about the history of the Silk Road.
3. Sightsee on Horseback
Choose from historical, cultural or scenic horseback riding tours to learn about the rich cultural history of the country as well as to ride through the landscape.
4. Visit Arslanbob
Arslanbob, in the southwest of Kyrgyzstan, is famous for the wild forests of walnut trees that surround the village. Visit the two waterfalls near the village.
5. Enjoy the Mountain Lakes
Swim in one of the highest alpine lakes in the world - Lake Issyk-Kul - and relax afterwards on the beach. Wander into the village of Cholpon-Ata after drying off.
When to visit Kyrgyzstan
Visit Kyrgyzstan in March and June to see the beauty of flowering pastures. Trekking is best done in summer between July and September. For skiiers, visit between December and March.
How to Get to Kyrgyzstan
Entry requirements
Nationals from the EU, Canada, UK, USA and Australia will need to hold a passport that has one blank page and is valid for at least three months from date of entry into Kyrgyzstan. This will allow for stays of up to 60 days.
Plane
International flights on airlines such as Air Kyrgyzstan (the local carrier), Air Manas, Turkish Airlines, Fly Dubai and Air China fly into both Bishkek and Osh, while Bishkek receives the majority of flights.
Train
Trains run between Moscow and Kyrgyzstan on a weekly basis and the journey takes around three days.
Car
Kyrgyzstan can be reached by car from Kazakhstan. While there are borders with other neighboring countries, such as Tajikistan, China and Uzbekistan, not all of these crossings are open to visitors.
Bus
A bus service runs between Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan and Almaty in Kazakhstan. There is also a route that runs between Tashkent in Uzbekistan and Bishkek.
Popular airlines serving Kyrgyzstan
Where to stay in Kyrgyzstan
International hotel chains, such as the Hyatt Regency and Ramada by Wyndham, are present in Bishkek. If you want to experience local accommodation, look for a homestay/B&B or book accommodation in a yurt. There are also hostels in Karakol, Osh and Bishkek.
Where to stay in popular areas of Kyrgyzstan
Most booked hotels in Kyrgyzstan
How to Get Around Kyrgyzstan
Public Transportation
The main cities have a network of buses, minibuses and trolleybuses that transport people around the city. There are also shared taxis where you may have to pay for luggage as well as your seat.
Trains
The only domestic train line is the one that travels east from Bishkek and stops at Balykchy, which is situated on Lake Issyk-Kul.
Bus
Long distance buses operate between Bishkek and Karakol, but these make many stops on the way to the destination. Minibuses will also travel longer distances, but these have more flexible timetables, often waiting until they are full before leaving.
Car
Cars and 4x4s can be rented in Bishkek, as well as in other cities such as Osh and Jalal Abad, via local companies like Car Rental Travel Land and Iron Horse Nomads.
Plane
Air Kyrgyzstan and the budget Air Manas operate domestic flights within Kyrgyzstan, linking Bishkek with Osh, while Tez Jet has flights to Batken and Jalal Abad as well as Osh and Bishkek.
The Cost of Living in Kyrgyzstan
It is relatively cheap to visit Kyrgyzstan. For grocery shopping, expect to pay around 260 KGS (3.70 USD) for a gallon of milk and a dozen eggs, while eating at restaurants is also inexpensive and meals cost around 275 KGS (3.90 USD) per person to eat in a slightly cheaper restaurant. Credit cards are accepted in some of the larger hotels and while ATMs are becoming increasingly more prevalent in the larger cities and towns, the majority of them accept Visa only.