Les Plus Beaux Sites à Voir au Kirghizistan

Kyrgyzstan may not (yet) be at the top of your travel list, and that’s exactly what makes it so special. Between the snow-capped peaks of the Tian Shan and the endless green valleys of Central Asia, the country remains largely untouched by mass tourism. A road trip through Kyrgyzstan takes you past high-altitude lakes, nomadic camps and canyons in ten shades of orange. On some nights, your hotel room is a traditional yurt.

At Kyrgyzstan Nomads, you follow a set route through the country, driving your own 4x4. Here are the must-see highlights along the way, with background information, distances and practical tips.

Every road trip in Kyrgyzstan starts in Bishkek, the capital. Don’t expect the urban chaos of other Asian cities: Bishkek is green, easy to navigate, and the perfect place to acclimatise before heading into the mountains. Here’s what to see:

• Ala-Too Square, the central square with a statue of Manas, the legendary hero of the epic of the same name;
• Osh Bazaar, the perfect place for dried fruit, fresh bread, and your first taste of local cuisine;
• the wide, plane-tree-lined avenues, a legacy of the Soviet era, offering welcome shade in summer.

Allow a full day to explore the city before setting off for the mountains. You’ll find all our recommendations in our complete guide to Bishkek.

From Bishkek, the road climbs over Too-Ashuu, a mountain pass more than 3,000 metres high, with sweeping views over the Suusamyr Valley. Your first stop is Kyzyl-Oi, a small village tucked into a green valley on the banks of the Kökömeren River, where you spend the night with a local family.

From there, the road continues to Song-Kul, a high-altitude lake at around 3,000 metres and arguably the most iconic stop on any road trip through Kyrgyzstan. Wild horses and yaks graze around the lake, while nomadic families bring their herds here in summer. You spend the night in a yurt, far from Wi-Fi and traffic. At Kyrgyzstan Nomads, this high plateau is a fixed part of the itinerary, and for good reason: nowhere else will you experience Kyrgyzstan's nomadic way of life so closely.

Good to know: plan for a long day of driving on unpaved roads. Bring warm clothes, as nights are cold at this altitude even in summer.

Issyk-Kul is one of the largest mountain lakes in the world, and a surprisingly warm escape surrounded by snow-capped peaks. On the northern shore lies Cholpon-Ata, with its sandy beaches where Kyrgyz families flock in summer. On the southern shore, heading towards Bokonbayevo, you can optionally watch a demonstration of traditional eagle hunting, an ancient Kyrgyz tradition that is still very much alive in the region.

This contrast, with glaciers in the background and a lake where you can simply go for a swim, is exactly what makes a road trip through Kyrgyzstan so special.

At the eastern end of Issyk-Kul lies Karakol, almost 400 km by road from Bishkek. This small town is the perfect base for hiking in the Tian Shan mountains, and has plenty to offer in its own right:

• the Holy Trinity Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox wooden church dating back to the 19th century;
• Karakol’s lively market, with stalls selling dried fruit, bread and handmade felt hats;
• Jeti-Ögüz, or “the seven bulls”: impressive red rock formations just outside the town;
• the Altyn Arashan valley, known for its natural hot springs and perfect for anyone planning an extra day of hiking.

Karakol is a regular stop on the Kyrgyzstan Nomads itinerary, precisely because it offers such a great mix of culture and nature.

As you make your way back along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul, you’ll pass through Skazka Canyon, literally the “fairytale canyon”. Its red and ochre rock formations look like a landscape from another galaxy, and you can explore them on foot in about an hour. Further on, heading towards Bokonbayevo, you’ll also find Ak-Sai and Konorchek, two lesser-known canyons with the same desert colour palette, but without the crowds.

The Chon-Kemin Valley is a broad valley framed by snow-capped peaks on both sides. The national park here is much quieter than the area around Issyk-Kul, making it ideal for a short hike or an optional rafting trip on the Chuy River.

On the way back to Bishkek, you’ll stop at the Burana Tower, the remains of an 11th-century minaret along the ancient Silk Road, about 80 km from the capital. The tower originally stood 45 metres tall, but earthquakes have reduced it to around 25 metres today. Those who climb the narrow interior staircase are rewarded with views of the valley, as well as the surrounding burial mounds and balbal stones.

Best time to go: June to September, when the high mountain passes are open and free of snow.

Vehicle: a 4x4 is far from a luxury. Many roads to Song-Kul and the canyons are unpaved.

Altitude: several stops are above 3,000 metres. Take it easy on your first day at altitude and drink plenty of water.

Visa: no visa is needed for tourist stays of less than 30 days, which easily covers the road trip.

Cash: bring Kyrgyz soms in small denominations, especially for villages and yurt camps.

When you travel with Kyrgyzstan Nomads, a good part of this is already taken care of for you: a 4x4, a road book with the complete itinerary, and nights in yurts and with local families. Pretty handy!

From high-altitude lakes where wild horses roam to sunset-colored canyons, a road trip through Kyrgyzstan takes you through landscapes you won’t find anywhere else. Want to see these wonders for yourself? With Kyrgyzstan Nomads, you’ll drive the entire route yourself, from Bishkek to the last yurt by the water.

Ready to experience this adventure for yourself? Discover the Kyrgyzstan Nomads road trip and its upcoming departure dates.