Road Trip in Kyrgyzstan: The Complete 10-Day Itinerary

What’s the best way to discover Kyrgyzstan? At Kyrgyzstan Nomads, we think we have the answer. Our 10-day itinerary was mapped out on the ground with local residents, taking you nearly 1,500 kilometres through some of the country’s most beautiful corners. Expect vertiginous mountain passes, a lake perched at 3,000 metres, striking red rock formations and a thousand-year-old minaret.

This isn’t a road trip viewed from an air-conditioned bus. You’ll be behind the wheel of your own 4×4, and each evening you’ll stay in a yurt, guesthouse or hotel, often with hosts ready to welcome you with open arms.

Here’s the complete itinerary, day by day, along Kyrgyzstan’s most beautiful landscapes.

The trip starts in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s leafy and surprisingly laid-back capital. At Osh Bazaar, you’ll get an immediate taste of the local cuisine, from dried fruit to salty yogurt dumplings. On Ala-Too Square stands a statue of Manas, the legendary hero of the epic that bears his name. At Victory Square, an eternal flame burns beneath a granite arch shaped like a yurt.

On day two, you’ll cover another 200 km, crossing the Too-Ashuu Pass, which reaches 3,586 metres. A 2.8 km tunnel built in the 1960s makes the crossing much safer. Near the summit are the Sulutor Lakes, two small glacial lakes that few tourists ever visit and that can be reached with a short hike. By the end of the day, you’ll arrive in Kyzyl-Oi, an authentic village perched at 1,800 metres in the Kökömeren River valley, where you’ll spend the night with a local family.

Passing through the impressive Kökömeren Gorge and the remote Ak-Kol Lake, you then climb to the Moldo-Ashuu Pass, at nearly 3,350 metres. The landscape changes completely: the arid hills give way to alpine meadows, and you can already feel the nomadic world of Song-Kul drawing near.

This lake, perched at over 3,000 metres, is undoubtedly the most iconic stop on any road trip in Kyrgyzstan. No trees, no villages, just endless meadows where nomadic families bring their herds for the summer. You spend two nights in a yurt beside the water. During the day, go on an optional two-hour horseback ride, or walk to Tash-Tulga, nine archaeological stone circles dating back to the first century BC that were once used as ritual hearths. Kazhyr Ty Waterfall, hidden below the Teskeytorpo Pass, is another popular stop.

At Kyrgyzstan Nomads, Song-Kul is an essential part of the set itinerary, and for good reason: nowhere else will you experience Kyrgyzstan’s nomadic way of life so closely.

After Song-Kul, you descend via Kalmak-Ashuu Pass (3,400 metres) towards Issyk-Kul, located at an altitude of 1,600 metres and one of the largest mountain lakes in the world. In Cholpon-Ata, on the northern shore, you’ll find the hippodrome where thousands of spectators gather to watch kok-boru, the national horseback sport, during the World Nomad Games. Afterwards, relax in the local hot springs, which can reach 43°C, or explore the ancient petroglyphs at the open-air museum.

The road then follows the shores of Issyk-Kul towards Karakol, a small town at the foot of the Tian Shan. Visit the 1895 Holy Trinity wooden church and the colourful Dungan Mosque, built between 1907 and 1910 without a single nail or screw. If you have some time, the Altyn Arashan Valley is ideal for a hike of around five hours along the Arashan River.

In Karakol, you can also optionally attend a golden eagle hunting demonstration. This ancient art, known as burkutchy, has been passed down from generation to generation and remains one of the most iconic traditions of the Central Asian steppes.

This day alone shows just how varied a road trip in Kyrgyzstan can be. The first stop is Jeti-Ögüz, meaning “the seven bulls”: imposing red rock formations that, according to legend, are petrified bulls. Next come the Barskoon waterfalls, tucked away in a lush valley, followed by Skazka Canyon, literally the “fairy-tale canyon”, where wind and time have sculpted the red sand into a landscape straight out of a storybook.

The day ends in Bokonbayevo, where you spend the night in a yurt camp on the shores of the lake.

On the way to the Chon-Kemin Valley, you'll pass a series of dry, colorful canyons: Aksai Canyon, Kok-Moynok Canyon (which brings to mind America's Antelope Canyon), and Konorchek Canyon, with rock formations reminiscent of Death Valley. For thrill-seekers, an optional rafting trip on the Chuy River is available, with Class 2 to 4 rapids.

The final stop before Bishkek is the Burana Tower, the remains of an 11th-century minaret near the vanished ancient city of Balasagun, once an important stop along the Silk Road. Originally about 45 meters tall, the tower now stands at only around 25 meters due to earthquakes. Along the way, you'll also pass Kegeti Waterfall, which drops more than 20 meters amid pine forests where horses graze.

Total distance: nearly 1,500 km covered over 10 days.

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

Vehicle: a 4x4 is essential. Several passes are over 3,000 metres high, and the roads are often unpaved.

Altitude: take it easy during your first few days at altitude and drink plenty of water.

Visa: no visa is required for tourist stays of less than 30 days.

Accommodation: a mix of hotels, guesthouses and yurt camps, all booked in advance and included.

When you travel with Kyrgyzstan Nomads, you don't need to plan a thing yourself: a 4x4, a roadbook detailing the full itinerary and accommodation for each stop are all included. You can also easily book flights that fit perfectly with your travel plans. To estimate the rest of your expenses, read our article How much should you budget for a road trip in Kyrgyzstan?

From a mountain pass at 3,586 metres to a lake where thousands of stars surround you at night, this itinerary showcases Kyrgyzstan at its best. A road trip through Kyrgyzstan along these stops takes you through a succession of landscapes you won’t find anywhere else. With Kyrgyzstan Nomads, you’ll drive the entire route yourself, from the first kilometre in Bishkek to the final yurt by the water.

For everything you need to know before you go (when to travel, what to do and where to go), check out our ultimate guide to a road trip in Kyrgyzstan.

This itinerary is the result of work carried out on the ground with local people who know every mountain pass, every trail and every host family along the route. The result is a trip that takes you far beyond the beaten track, without you ever having to worry about the logistics.

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