3 week itinerary for visiting Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan is an amazing country to visit for anyone interested in camping, trekking and the great outdoors, with incredible nomadic culture and some of the most beautiful mountain terrain on the planet.
That mountainous terrain can make logistics and transportation between different regions of the country more time-consuming than expected however, so while this is the perfect country for an outdoor adventure, visiting the country on a time crunch could leave you feeling underwhelmed and like some highlights have been missed!
We think three weeks is the perfect amount of time to experience the best of Kyrgyzstan without sleepless nights in in busses and with plenty of opportunity to stop and enjoy the trip of a lifetime!
If you’re still planning, check out the most popular hikes and the essential packing list here.
Honestly, we have way too much info to share from spending over a month in Kyrgyzstan for just a few blog posts, so be the first to know about the release of our upcoming Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide. The first 50 on the waitlist will receive our entire Google Maps pin list for free with their copy.
Contents
Day 0
Arrive to Bishkek.
Get your SIM or eSIM.
Change currency (you’re going to need a lot of Kyrgyz Som’s).
Dinner in the city.
Day 1
Ala Archa day hike.
Post hike drinks at ‘The No Name Bar’.
Day 2
Last Bishkek breakfast at ANT’s.
Marshrutka to Karakol.
Dinner at Lighthouse Karakol or Duet Cafe.
Day 3
Morning marshrutka to Jyrgalan
Begin your first hike towards either Ailampa Lake or Kok Bell waterfall!
Day 4
Make your way back to Jyrgalan and walk through town to begin towards Turnaluu Kul lake.
Camp at the lake.
Day 5
Head down from the lake and back to the Jyrgalan bus stop in time for the marshrutka back to Karakol.
Stock up on supplies for the Ala Kul lake trek!
Day 6 - 8
Complete the Ala Kul lake trek.
Day 9
Jump on the marshrutka to Aksay to see the Aksay Canyon (This is seriously a highlight, be at the canyon for sunset if you can!)
Spend the night in Aksay.
Day 10
Head back to Bokonbayevo to find a marshrutka to Kochkor.
From Kochkor head to Naryn.
Pick up border zone permit at CBT Naryn.
Dinner at Nomad Cafe.
Day 11
Taxi to Kel Suu yurt camp.
Begin the day hike to Kel Suu lake! (Another absolute highlight of Kyrgyzstan).
Enjoy traditional games and dinner at your camp.
Day 12
Breakfast at your camp before beginning the journey to Bishkek and on to the southwest side of the country.
Shared taxi from Naryn to Bishkek.
Optionally, add an extra night here and head to Song Kul from Kochkor.
Day 13
Breakfast at your accommodation or cafe of choice.
Marshrutka to Tash-Komur.
Taxi direct to Arkit or overnight stay in Tash-Komur to wait for the next days marshrutka.
Day 14
Arrive to Arkit and begin the hike to Sary-Chelek lake. You should be able to hitchhike with a local tourist or workers from the national park.
Have a swim at the lake, then begin the panorama trek.
Day 15
You could continue on to a longer trek or return to the carpark and attempt to hitchhike back down to Arkit, or on to Jalal-Abad or even Osh.
Day 16
Check out Osh or Jalal-Abad depending on what city you end up, today you will end the day in Osh and see a few sights like the Suleiman-Too mountain and the Kelechek Bazaar.
Eat Osh plov!
Day 17
Marshrutka to Sary Mogul.
Begin your treks in the Alay mountains!
Day 18 - 20
Trek in the Alay mountains.
Tulpar-Kol lake.
Lenin Peak basecamp.
Day 21
Return to Osh.
Fly back to Bishkek if leaving Central Asia.
Travel onwards to Uzbekistan via the Osh land border and then marshrutka to Andijon.
Do not miss!
This is the very best of Kyrgyzstan, with a few hidden gems like Sary Chelek and Jyrgalan that not all travellers include in their itineraries, here are a few absolute must sees if you’re planning a trip to Kyrgyzstan.
Ala Kul lake trek.
Kel Suu lake.
Sary Chelek panorama hike.
Ala Archa national park.
Jyrgalan valleys.
That’s It!
If you’ve made it down here, thank you so much for reading!
Now you’re ready for the trekking trip of a lifetime in Kyrgyzstan!
