Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide

1/9. Views of Altyn-Arashan Gorge

2/9. Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs

3/9. Horse riding at Issyk-Kul

4/9. Ak-Sai Canyon

5/9. Jeti-Oguz Gorge

6/9. Ruh Ordo open-air museum

7/9. Grigoriev Gorge

8/9. Chon-Kemin River

9/9. Tears of the Snow Leopard waterfall in Barskoon

Five reasons to visit Kyrgyzstan

Travellers come to Kyrgyzstan for the Tian Shan mountains, lakes, nomadic culture and hospitality. A single trip can combine trekking, visits to historic sites, time at Issyk-Kul and an introduction to local food.

🏔️ Mountains and lakes. Mountains cover 90% of Kyrgyzstan. The Tian Shan offers routes for short walks, multi-day hikes and climbs, while Issyk-Kul, Son-Kul and dozens of smaller mountain lakes lie between its ranges.

🏛️ History and culture. Routes of the Great Silk Road once crossed the territory of modern Kyrgyzstan. You can see ancient settlements and archaeological sites, hear the epic of "Manas" and learn about nomadic traditions.

🏕️ Hospitality. Villages and yurt camps introduce travellers to local life, traditional games and home cooking. These experiences reveal a side of the country beyond the usual sightseeing route.

🍲 Local food. Kyrgyz cuisine brings together nomadic and settled traditions. Try beshbarmak, plov, manty and kymyz, a drink made from mare's milk.

🗺️ A trip for any schedule. You can spend a weekend in Bishkek and Ala-Archa, a week at Issyk-Kul or take a full mountain trek. It is easy to choose a route that suits your time, fitness and budget.

Start with an overview of the regions and choose places that fit your season and style of travel. If you would like to follow a ready-made itinerary with guides, see our seven-day programme.

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10 best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan

This selection covers national parks, lakes, canyons, cultural centres and mountain resorts. Each entry explains what makes the place worth visiting and where to find more details.

Ala-Archa Natural beauty close to the capital. Ala-Archa National Park is not far from Bishkek. Its routes range from short walks and treks to mountaineering climbs.

Issyk-Kul The country's largest lake. Issyk-Kul lies at an elevation of 1,607 metres between the Kungey Ala-Too and Terskey Ala-Too ranges. Its shores are home to beaches, resorts, gorges and historic sites.

Ruh Ordo A spiritual centre at Issyk-Kul. Ruh Ordo is a cultural complex on the shore of Issyk-Kul. Its grounds bring together exhibitions on five world religions, art and the history of Kyrgyzstan.

Grigoriev Gorge A scenic corner of the Tian Shan. Grigoriev Gorge, one of Kyrgyzstan's most beautiful gorges, lies in the Tian Shan mountains. Visitors come for its imposing scenery, clear mountain rivers and rich variety of plants and wildlife.

Chon-Kemin Mountain meadows, forests and rivers. Chon-Kemin is known for its scenic landscapes and diverse wildlife. The national park encompasses mountain meadows, forests and rivers, as well as many rare species of animals and birds.

Ak-Sai Canyon Dramatic cliffs and quiet trails. Ak-Sai Canyon is known for its sheer cliffs and narrow paths. Travellers come here for trekking, rock climbing and secluded scenery.

Karakol Ski Resort A mountain resort with varied pistes. Karakol is a well-known ski resort near Issyk-Kul with excellent mountain views. Its pistes cover different levels of difficulty for beginners and experienced skiers alike.

Son-Kul Lake Alpine beauty high in the mountains. Son-Kul lies at an elevation of more than 3,000 metres. Yurt camps open along its shores in summer, when local families bring their livestock to the high mountain pastures.

Skazka Canyon Unusual landscapes that resemble Mars. Skazka Canyon is known for colourful cliffs and shapes carved by erosion. The rocks change colour in different light.

Barskoon Waterfalls and the history of space training. Barskoon is known for its scenic waterfalls and its history as a site for space training. A monument to Yuri Gagarin also stands here.

About the I Love KG travel guide

I Love KG helps you plan a trip around Kyrgyzstan by choosing a region, route, season and style of travel. The guide covers nature, culture, food, language and practical travel questions.

The project's authors, Dmitry and Maria Kalyuzhny, are qualified sports tourism guides. They have guided more than 300 people through Kyrgyzstan, from accessible gorges to high-altitude routes in the Tian Shan.