Every little thing it’s essential to know to plan your Kyrgyzstan itinerary for journeys between 10 and 21 days!
This beautiful expanse of land smashed between the opposite 4 Central Asian nations and China is likely one of the most beautiful on the planet.
The vast majority of travellers usually go to Kyrgyzstan as half of a bigger journey throughout Central Asia and because of this will price range a hefty chunk of time to play with.
Over the previous few years, the variety of guests has grown significantly. This has improved the vacationer infrastructure, in addition to additional opening up components of the nation that had been beforehand inaccessible.
Kyrgyzstan is nation that pulls its guests again once more, and once more. So no matter you’ll be able to’t do that time, put them in your again pocket for subsequent time.
We’ve put collectively 2 itineraries for 10 days and three weeks that might be of use to any traveller no matter how lengthy you intend to go to Kyrgyzstan.
The Good Kyrgyzstan Itinerary – Issues to Think about
Earlier than we dive deep into these Kyrgyzstan itineraries, there are some things it’s essential to contemplate relying on how a lot time you could have.
Learn Subsequent: Searching for different superior issues to do in Kyrgyzstan? Take a look at our submit on all of the actions you don’t wish to miss!
Journey Time
Journeys in Kyrgyzstan will be lengthy. In some areas, roads will not be in nice situation (that is very true if crossing from the east to the west or vice versa).
However the mountainous terrain can considerably improve even the shortest distance.
Subsequently when placing collectively any Kyrgyzstan itinerary it’s necessary to price range a day the place doable for lengthy journeys.
Moreover if planning on taking marshrutka your entire method it’s good to anticipate these journeys to take longer than marketed. Vans could not go away till full, they could be selecting up and dropping off issues en route, or they could break down.
East and/or West?
Kyrgyzstan is a gorgeous nation value each little bit of time that you’ve. If you’ll be able to decide to our 21-day itinerary then you definately gained’t must resolve whether or not to discover the jap or western a part of the nation.
Nonetheless, in case your time is proscribed then that is one thing you will want to resolve on. Roads span to the east and west from Bishkek.
Nonetheless, going from the east to the west in different components of the nation depends on a seasonal four wheel drive street. Subsequently the probabilities of with the ability to go to each ‘sides’ of the nation on a brief journey are fairly unlikely.
Kyrgyzstan Itineraries
If doable, we suggest that you just try to price range to spend 3 weeks in Kyrgyzstan. This gives you one of the best expertise and go away you wanting for nothing greater than to return again once more.
However with 10 days you are able to do a whirlwind tour that gives you a style of Kyrgyzstan and offer you an thought of what you’ll wish to revisit on a return journey.
We’ve damaged down our 10-day Kyrgyzstan itinerary suggestions into an jap and western itinerary.
The being stated, listed here are our 3-week and 10-day Kyrgyzstan itinerary suggestions.
3-Week Kyrgyzstan Itinerary
With 3 weeks in Kyrgyzstan, it’s doable to discover each the jap and western sides of the nation.
Nonetheless, this itinerary would solely work in the summertime because the roads linking the western and jap halves of the nation are closed through the winter months.
With three weeks in Kyrgyzstan, it is possible for you to to tackle quite a few multi-day hikes, so chances are you’ll want to convey tenting gear with you, particularly for a number of the much less well-known locations.
I’ve jam-packed this itinerary. Nonetheless, I’ll suggest options the place doable.
Naturally, you’ll be able to exchange a number of the components right here with suggestions from the 10-day itinerary as you see match.
There may be various climbing right here, so make so you’re taking relaxation days if you happen to want it!
Day 1 – Bishkek
The entry level for most individuals into Kyrgyzstan is the nation’s capital, Bishkek. There are few cool sights to take a look at that can hold you occupied.
Get your fill of meals aside from manti, plov, shashlik and lagman. Pretty much as good as they’re you can be consuming a variety of them over the subsequent 3 weeks!
Day 2 – Journey to Jyrgalan through Karakol
For Day 2, get all the way down to the bus station and hop on a marshrutka heading to Karakol. You will want to get to the bus station early as marshrutka will refill previous to departure.
Upon arriving in Karakol your finest to get to Jyrgalan might be a non-public taxi. That is more likely to be $20-30 relying in your negotiating abilities.
Day 3 – Mountain climbing in Jyrgalan – Bulak Ashuu Day 1
There are quite a few trekking and climbing choices in Jyrgalan. Nonetheless, this 3-day route in Jyrgalan comes extremely beneficial. It’s an absolute magnificence.
Listed below are a couple of posts we now have on one of the best climbing in Jyrgyalan:
Day 4 – Mountain climbing within the Jyrgalan – Bulak Ashuu Day 2
The second day is somewhat simpler than the primary. Take a look at this submit for extra data on the entire particulars for this hike!
Day 5 – Mountain climbing within the Jyrgalan – Bulak Ashuu Day 3
That is the shortest day on this hike. If you get again to Jyrgalan, take a taxi or marshrutka again to Karakol.
Day 6 – Karakol – Jeti Oguz
It’s possible you’ll wish to spend the day resting. Nonetheless, the day hike to Jeti Oguz is each spectacular and never too difficult on the knees.
Carry a picnic and discover a spot overlooking the beautiful jailoos.
Or alternatively, you could possibly skip this and head to Kochkor a day early to present you extra time afterward on this Kyrgyzstan itinerary.
Day 7 – Journey to Kochkor for a Horse Trek
From Karakol, you’ll be able to hop on a marshrutka to Kochkor. Nonetheless, be sure to get to the bus cease a minimum of half-hour earlier than it’s as a consequence of go away to make sure it is possible for you to to get an area.
It’s higher to have booked the horse trek upfront if doable. This may be carried out by way of your guesthouse or the CBT in Kochkor.
We booked it by way of our guesthouse, Kochkor Household Guesthouse and can’t suggest them extremely sufficient!
Day 8 – Track Kul Horse Trek – Day 1
Get able to ache like you could have by no means ached earlier than! You should have some spectacular surroundings on the primary day. Nonetheless, that’s only a warm-up for day 2.
Day 9 – Track Kul Horse Trek – Day 2
The surroundings on the second day of the trek as you cross passes all the way down to the lake itself is totally spectacular. When you get to the yurt camp on the lake’s edge you’ll be able to hike within the hills surrounding it.
Day 10 – Track Kul Horse Trek – Day 3
After getting again to Karakol, be sure to take it straightforward, as you can be fairly achy.
READ MORE: Plan your entire journey to Kyrgyzstan utilizing our complete Kyrgyzstan Journey Information!
Day 11 – Kol Ukok Trek – Day 1
This spectacular 2-day trek begins a 15-minute drive from Karakol. The yurt camp is about 4 or so hours from the trailhead.
You’ll be able to then hike onto the lake, Kol Ukok in your first day, return to the yurt camp after which hike again the subsequent day. Or you’ll be able to hike as much as the lake and again on day 2, which was what we did.
The explanation for this was the climate was presupposed to the be higher on day 2 (by the way it ended up being sunny on each days).
Day 12 – Kol Ukok Trek – Day 2
Heading to the lake we bought up simply earlier than dawn, round 5:30 am, and began the trek to the lake itself.
The primary couple of hours will not be notably spectacular. Nonetheless, after the ultimate climb, the lake seems earlier than you, and it’s well worth the aches and sweats.
Hike alongside the lake’s edges for some spectacular mountain views past the lake. It’s doable to hold on. Nonetheless, you would wish extra time and your personal tenting gear.
Day 13 – Journey to Arslanbob through seasonal street
Right here is the place we transfer over to the western facet of the nation. Probably the most direct route is through a seasonal street to Arslanbob, dwelling to the world’s largest walnut forest. If this isn’t open there’s a for much longer route that goes again round Arslanbob.
Attending to Arslanbob is more likely to very more likely to require you to take a public taxi. It’s best to try to ebook this as early as doable.
Day 14 – Discover Arslanbob
Spend a few days exploring Arslanbob at your personal leisure. There are a variety of fantastic day hikes within the space.
Regardless of its elevation, there may be a variety of inexperienced right here
Day 15 – Discover Arslanbob
Take one other day to hike and discover Arslanbob after which journey to Osh within the afternoon/night.
The journey to Osh is between 3 and 4 hours, if leaving within the early afternoon a marshrutka needs to be high-quality.
Nonetheless, if going later than that then a non-public taxi will in all probability be your finest guess.
Day 16 – Osh
Welcome to Kyrgyzstan’s second metropolis. It’s neglected by Suleiman Too, a 5 peaked rocky crag, that appears to maintain a watchful eye on you wherever you go. Town has is historically extra Central Asian really feel than Bishkek.
The bazaar within the coronary heart of town is one in every of Central Asia’s largest and is properly value a go to.
Day 17 – Journey to Sary-Mogol
From Osh head to Sary Mogol to tackle the trek to Lenin Peak Base Camp, which isn’t as difficult as you may suppose.
Journey to Sary-Mogol generally is a little tough from Osh. Nonetheless, we now have an article on climbing to Lenin Peak Base Camp, which might be actually helpful.
Day 18 – Hike to Lenin Peak Base Camp – Day 1
Hike to Tulpar lake and onto the bottom camp itself. There are two base camps, the second being the superior base camp which is additional on.
In case you have the time, gear and health then that is very doable. And it’s doable to hike this route and not using a information.
Day 19 – Hike to Lenin Peak Base Camp – Day 2
In your second day hike again to Sary-Mogol with weary legs and a few wonderful photographs.
Day 20 – Again to Osh
Head again to Osh through marshrutka or personal taxi.
Day 21 – Fly to Bishkek
Osh is quick turning into an inexpensive entry and exit level for Kyrgyzstan. Subsequently chances are you’ll not must fly again to Bishkek earlier than heading dwelling.
Nonetheless, the overwhelming majority of worldwide flights enter and exit through Bishkek.
The flight from Bishkek to Osh is on 40 minutes, so it’s doable to fly very first thing and arrive in Bishkek with loads of time to spare on your subsequent flight.
10 Day Kyrgyzstan Itinerary
With 10 days it’s fairly straightforward to soak up most of Kyrgyzstan’s spectacular surroundings. I’ve put collectively two 10 day itinerary’s for you. One specializing in the east, and one specializing in the west.
In these 10 day Kyrgyzstan itineraries I’ve taken in a number of the nation’s most well-known areas.
In Kyrgyzstan, it is vitally widespread to base your self in a single place for a big time frame to reap the benefits of various climbing trails within the space.
As time is brief it’s finest to ebook as a lot as doable earlier than you go. It will make issues a lot simpler when in Kyrgyzstan.
10 Day Kyrgyzstan Itinerary – Japanese Kyrgyzstan
Day 1 – Bishkek
Spend your first day in Bishkek testing some Soviet structure, wandering within the cities parks and chowing down on one thing that isn’t plov, manti, shashlik or lagman.
Within the night Ala-Too sq. is lit up and the parks refill with folks having fun with a night stroll.
Day 2 – Bishkek – Day hike in Ala Archa
Get out into Kyrgyzstan’s spectacular surroundings in your second day within the Ala Archa Nationwide Park.
You’ll be able to organize a non-public taxi by way of your guesthouse or you will discover on exterior of the bus station. Be sure to go to the Alplager, as that is the place the trailheads start.
There are quite a few day hikes within the space so prepare for some achy legs.
Should you don’t fancy Ala Archa there are many different hikes round Bishkek!
Day 3 – Journey to Karakol
The journey to Karakol is an extended one, about 8 hours by marshrutka and somewhat faster by personal taxi. Should you’re taking a marshrutka to try to get to the bus station earlier than 9 am to make sure you get a seat as they will refill quick.
Nonetheless because it’s such a typical route, there are a number of marshrutka that run all through the day.
Upon arriving in Karakol head to your visitor home after which probably the CBT if it’s essential to ebook a yurt camp in Altyn Arashan.
For the subsequent 3 days, Altyn Arashan will act as your base as you go climbing into the wilderness. The hikes I’ve steered beneath can simply be switched or changed as you want.
Day 4 – Karakol – Hike to Altyn Arashan
Head out to the trailhead brilliant and early to start your hike to Altyn Arashan. This 2-day hike is likely one of the hottest in Kyrgyzstan.
You’ll be able to ebook a yurt by way of the Karakol CBT or probably by way of your visitor home.
The recent springs at Altyn Arashan are an ideal place to recharge your aching muscle tissue. It’s doable to hike from the new springs to the sting of the Palatka Glacier in about 5 hours.
Day 5 – Karakol – Return from Altyn Arashan
On day 5 return to Karakol from Altyn Arashan. If the climate is sweet then chances are you’ll wish to hike past the yurt camp earlier than returning to the trailhead.
Day 6 – Karakol – Hike to Jeti Oguz
From Karakol, the trailhead to Jeti Oguz is roughly half-hour away. This is likely one of the most spectacular one-day hikes in Kyrgyzstan.
The views overlooking the jailoos and onto the snow-capped mountains past.
Carry a packed lunch and a ebook to take pleasure in searching over the spectacular surroundings round you.
Within the night take a non-public taxi to Kochkor.
Day 7 – Kochkor – Track Kul
Stand up brilliant and early and head off to soak up one in every of Kyrgyzstan’s most spectacular horse treks – Track Kul. This is a superb addition to any Kyrgyzstan itinerary.
You’ll be able to organize this by way of CBT or by way of your lodging if you happen to haven’t organized it upfront.
After I was in Kyrgyzstan I organized this by way of my hostel. It was cheaper than CBT and we had a incredible expertise.
The primary day will go away you in oodles of ache (until you commonly trip). You’ll cross by way of lush inexperienced jailoos as you cross various passes.
Day 8 – Kochkor – Track Kul
The second day of a horse trek to Track Kul is nothing in need of spectacular. The views from the ultimate cross as you descend down in direction of the lake are awe-inspiring.
As you get to flatter floor don’t be stunned in case your horse will get a wee bit excited on the change in surrounds and bolts off. That is precisely what occurred to my spouse.
Thankfully, the horse was very obedient and he or she was capable of simply convey him again underneath management. My horse carried on trotting. It was protected to say he didn’t fairly have the identical stage of enthusiasm.
Spend the day climbing across the yurt camp and all the way down to the lakes edge.
Day 9 – Kochkor – Track Kul
The ultimate day of the Track Kul horse trek will convey you alongside the lake’s edge and up over your closing cross. The descent from right here down is steep, and the steadiness of the horses is totally unimaginable.
You’ll ache a heck of rather a lot after three days on the again of a horse, so be sure to take it straightforward once you get again to Kochkor.
Day 10 – Bishkek
In your closing day, head again to Bishkek through marshrutka or personal taxi.
10 Day Kyrgyzstan Itinerary – Western Kyrgyzstan
Day 1 – Bishkek
Land in Bishkek and spend your first day getting acclimatised. Take the time to walk by way of metropolis’s parks and take a look at Ala-Too sq..
Day 2 – Journey to Arslanbob
Get all the way down to Bishkek’s bus station brilliant and early to catch a marshrutka to Arslanbob. It’s possible you’ll must take one going to Osh and alter en route.
There may be some notably beautiful mountain surroundings on this route, so take pleasure in!
Day 3 – Mountain climbing in Arslanbob
House to the worlds largest walnut forest, Arslanbob is dwelling to some epic climbing trails and wonderful waterfalls. Spend your time right here climbing the forest trails and testing the waterfalls within the space.
That being stated, Arslanbob is a stunning place to only watch the clouds go by, so chances are you’ll simply wish to sit out with a cup of tea and watch the clouds glide previous the mountains.
Day 4 – Mountain climbing in Arslanbob
Some of the well-liked hikes is to the large and small waterfalls, which your guesthouse and most locals will have the ability to offer you instructions to.
The small waterfall is behind a mosque within the city whereas the large waterfall is roughly 2 hours there and again.
Day 5 – Mountain climbing in Arslanbob
Arslanbob is dwelling to some lovely day hikes, with one of the spectacular being Babash-Ata. The views on this hike are fairly superior.
Nonetheless, if you happen to get amongst the walnut bushes then the day hike to Kyzyl-Unkur crosses the forest itself.
Day 6 – Travl to Osh
From Arslanbob head to Kyrgyzstan’s second metropolis of Osh. Nestled within the mountains with the peaks of Suleiman Too wanting down over you, Osh is extra Central Asian than Bishkek.
The sweaty climb to the highest of Suleiman Too affords some nice views over town.
Town’s bazaar, as one of many largest in Central Asia is famous, so be sure to test that out too.
Day 7 – Journey to Sary Mogol
Getting right here generally is a little tough so taking a non-public taxi could also be your best choice. From Osh, chances are you’ll must take a marshrutka to Sary Tash first, after which head onto Sary Mogol through personal taxi.
Day 8 – Mountain climbing to Lenin Peak Base Camp
Lenin Peak base camp is roughly 2 hours from Tuplar Lake, which itself is 5-6 hour stroll from Sary Mogol. Many individuals will get a taxi to Tulpar Lake after which hike onto the bottom camp itself
There’s a yurt camp at each Tulpar Lake and base camp, unsurprisingly the latter is costlier.
There are many hikes within the space, so after getting hiked as much as base camp you could possibly take a look at a number of the trails within the space.
Day 9 – Mountain climbing again to Tulpar Lake
After spending the night time at base camp hike again to Tulpar Lake and perhaps tackle one of many trails across the lake earlier than taking a taxi again to Sary Mogol, or probably again to Osh.
Day 10 – Again to Osh and head dwelling
Head again to Osh the place your Kyrgyzstan journey ends. You’ll be able to fly dwelling instantly from Osh, most probably through Bishkek.
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