The Kyrgyzstan Tourism is going to boom in the coming years: discover why and why you should visit right now.
Welcome to the Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide! Kyrgyzstan is a country covered with mountains, jewel lakes and nomadic people. When traveling through the country, you can only feel connected to nature and yearning for a simpler life. This Travel Guide will help you discover in photos the things to do and see around the country. The detailed information and tips for each destination will also help you plan your own trip.
MAKE THE BEST OF YOUR TIME IN KYRGYZSTAN!
Each post includes info, planning tips and many pictures!
KYRGYZSTAN TOURISM - General Posts
If you have reached this Travel Guide, you are probably thinking of traveling to Kyrgyzstan. If you are still unsure or just want to day dream, below are some general articles to show you how incredible The Kyrgyz Republic is home stunning sceneries, rich traditions and adorable people.
Below are some summary posts to show you how incredible Kyrgyzstan is:
As I wrote on my huffington post article "Tourist please stay away from Kyrgyzstan... or not" I am torn between wanting the country to keep its authenticity and for the world to discover its beauty.
TOURISM KYRGYZSTAN MAP
Here is a map of Kyrgzystan with the main things to do all around the country. Those are numbered and correspond to the posts or descriptions in the following sections of this guide.
PLANNING AND PREPARING YOUR TRIP TO KYRGYZSTAN
Thinking of visiting the beautiful Kyrgyzstan, the pearl of Central Asia? Here are some posts to help you plan and prepare your trip: visa, language,
THINGS TO DO - AROUND BISHKEK
Kyrgyzstan Tourism starts in Bishkek, the capital city. Located in the North of the country, it is full of trees, squares and statues with the backdrop of high mountains. Discover some of the top things to do in Bishkek as well as a location not far away from it: the Burana Tower where I was lucky to see two girls playing the traditional Kyrgyz Guitar.
TOURISM - REGION OF ISSYK-KUL
The main toursitic area of Kyrgyzstan is Lake Issyk-Kul, the second largest altitude lake in the world. It is quite impressive with its intense colors and the surrounding mountains. All the valleys around it have a lot to offer. Discover some posts with geological, natural, historical and cultural places to discover as you tour the lake.
4 - Rukh Ordo Cultural Centre - site to discover the Kyrgyz culture
6 - Ala-Kol lake - beautiful small lake at 3500m, in a bowl with snowy mountains around - stunning pictures on Trip to Kyrgyzstan
10 - Sarychat-Ertash Reserve
11 - Barksoon waterfall : on a road going to a gold mine, just accross from a but of Youri Gagarine. Requires steep climbing.
CENTRAL KYRGYZSTAN TOURISM
Outside of the beaten path, away from the wifi, you can discover the natural beauty of Kyrgyzstan. It is like driving in the museum where each turn reveals a new painting or structure. Don't just believe me, check the pictures in the post below, pack your bag and go there. My top experience here was my yurt stay near Song-Kul lake.
- 14 - Kol-Suu - 3500m high alpine lake in the Tian Shan mountains
- 15 - Chatyr-Kol - yellowish-green alpine lake in the Tien Shan mountains
- Check out this great post and pictures by Eric and Taylor about their trip to both Kol-Suu and Chatyr-Kul
- 16 - Tash Rabat Fortress - 31 room - stone caravanserai at 3200m in atlitude from the 15th century - Check the pictures from Eric and Taylor
- 17 - Uzgen Historical Complex - located in Uzgen, one the of the most ancient cities in Kyrgyzstan. It dates from the 11th / 12t century and includes 3 mausaleums and a minaret
- 18 - Sulaiman-too Mountain - World Heritage site in the city of Osh, sacred mountain worshipped over several millennia
- 22 - Manas Mausoleum (Gumbez of Manas) - located near Talas, it is landmark of the Silk Road period - Built in 1334
TOUR REVIEW
Of course there are much more things to do in Kyrgyzstan. I am only sharing the ones I have experienced myself. Feel free to share yours in the comments when you come back from your trip!
Inspired? Which ones do you want to experience?
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT
Salut Claire
Je suis tombée sur ton blog il y a quelques temps, nous étions sur le meme tour en Namibie. Juste un petit clin d’œil pour dire que je m’amuse à voir tes destinations car elles sont très similaires aux miennes! J’avais finalement passé 3 mois en Nouvelle Zélande peu de temps après la Namibie et j’étais allée en Jordanie juste avant ca. Je suis actuellement au Kyrgyzstan et je poursuivrai en Ouzbékistan. Je regarde donc régulièrement les destinations que tu choisis! A bientôt. Camille
Salut Camille!
Quelle surprise! Amusant que nous voyagions sur les même destinations. Fais mois signe quand tu passes par Paris.
Claire
That was a beautiful place I’ve ever seen
Hi there,
we are planning a trip to Kyrgyzstan in early May touring the Son-Kul area. (we are doing a longer tour in Kazakhstan after Kygyz.) Absolutely loved your photos. Want to know in which season you sent to Song-Kul/Issyk-Kul? Would the Steppes be green in early May? And would it be cloudy/rains?
Hi Najma
Those photos were taken the first half of June.
I would believe the Steppes will be green in May but there might still be a lot of snow – it can be very variable as you are in the mountains.