Kyrgyzstan Tours

For many travelers from European, North American, Middle Eastern or South-East Asian countries, no visa is required for Kyrgyzstan for stays up to 60 days. You can check the specific visa requirements for your nationality here.

If your nationality isn’t visa-exempt, Kyrgyzstan offers a convenient e-visa system online. It usually takes three days and requires a credit or debit card for online payment. Always double-check the latest entry requirements before your trip, as policies can change.

Here is a full list of the countries whose citizens do not require a prior visa to visit Kyrgyzstan and the length of the visa. Please always double check the Kyrgyz government websites above for the latest information.

Citizens of the following countries can enter Kyrgyzstan without obtaining visas for a term of up to 60 days:

A visa-free regime applies to citizens holding national passports of the following countries:

Yes, certain border regions of Kyrgyzstan that are close to the Tajik, Uzbek or Chinese borders require special permits to visit. For example, to hike to Lenin Peak Base Camp in the southern Pamir-Alay Mountains near the Tajik border, a Kyrgyz Border Zone Permit is officially required. This permit costs around $15 for the regular application time (1-3 weeks) and $30-$50 for expedited services (e.g., 1-3 days).

Visit Alay includes the application process and cost of the permit (for regular speed applications) as part of the tour cost for treks to Lenin Peak Base Camp or if your tour goes to another location that requires a permit.  We ask for a copy of your passport at the time that you book your tour in order to apply for your permit.

If you are going to Lenin Peak Base Camp or another border zone not on one our tours, be sure to apply for your permit several weeks in advance through a local tour company.

Note: Although many travelers visit places like Tulpar Kol Lake and Lenin Base Camp without being checked, we strongly advise that you have the permit to avoid any issues with military border guards.

Yes, Kyrgyzstan is generally very safe for travelers. The country is known for its warm hospitality toward foreign visitors. Violent crime is extremely uncommon in tourist areas and local people are often eager to help guests.

The best time to visit Kyrgyzstan is during the late spring, summer, and early autumn months – roughly late May through late-September. This is when the weather is warm and the mountain passes become free of snow.  Kyrgyzstan cultural tours are possible all year round, but late spring and early autumn are often favorite times as the temperatures are cooler.

For high-altitude treks and hikes in Kyrgyzstan, July to mid-September are ideal as the days are long, mountain temperatures are at their warmest, the highest mountain passes are clear of snow, and nomadic families are up in the jailoos (summer pastures), which adds to the cultural experience.

We’ll advise you on the best time for your chosen tour, as some tours and routes have slightly different optimal windows based on their location, altitude and activity level.

In summer (June–August), weather in Kyrgyzstan’s mountains is generally sunny and mild, but it varies greatly by elevation and time of day. During the day in the mountains temperatures can reach 20–25°C (68–77°F). The temperatures vary during the day depending upon the altitude, wind and other weather conditions, so it’s still important to bring layers to stay warm. The sun is very strong at these high altitudes, so be sure to protect your skin and your eyes.

Nights in the mountains can be cold, even in summer. You can expect around 5°C at high altitudes and frosty mornings, especially by late August.

Although rainfall is relatively rare in summer, mountain weather can change quickly so you might experience an afternoon thunderstorm or a brief rain/snow shower over a high pass. You  should be prepared for a bit of everything by dressing in layers and having the right gear: warm sunshine, cool winds, cold nights and maybe a bit of rain.

Our treks and tours have recommended packing lists, but if you have specific questions about the weather and what to bring on your tour, just let us know.

Kyrgyzstan in winter (December through February) is cold and snowy, particularly in the mountains. Although our trekking or horseback riding tours are not offered during winter, you can still enjoy cultural tours and city visits. And Kyrgyzstan offers a lot of other winter activities and sports like skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and winter yurt stays.

If you’d like to visit Kyrgyzstan in winter, we’re happy to craft a special winter itinerary so you can enjoy Kyrgyzstan as a winter wonderland.

We specialize in cultural tours, treks and horseback riding trips that immerse you in local life and culture. This includes spending the night in remote and family-run yurt camps and visiting shepherd communities in summer high pastures (jailoos). You’ll find that interacting with Kyrgyz nomadic culture is a natural part of the tour as you may be invited for tea by a shepherd you pass on your hike or perhaps you help your host make traditional bread (naan) at the yurt camp.

We are a local tour company with deep roots in these remote mountain communities as many of our guides and drivers come from these places. We aim to connect our travelers with local people and culture in an authentic way, avoiding commercialized activities or stops whenever possible. If you want a deeper cultural encounter, let us know and we can design a trek or cultural tour with specific activities like cooking classes, hands-on experiences like milking animals or learning traditional handicrafts.

Kyrgyz cuisine is hearty and meat-forward, with staples like lamb, beef, and horse meat, often served with noodles, rice, or bread. Meals are influenced by nomadic culture and neighboring Central Asian cuisines.
Here are some traditional Kyrgyz dishes to try:

• Beshbarmak – Boiled meat (often lamb or horse) with wide noodles and onion broth
• Laghman – Hand-pulled noodles in a rich, spicy broth with vegetables and meat
• Plov – Central Asian rice pilaf cooked with carrots, onions, and meat
• Manty – Steamed dumplings filled with meat or sometimes pumpkin
• Samsa – Oven-baked pastries filled with meat, potato, or pumpkin
• Ashlyan-fu – A cold noodle dish with vinegar and chili, often vegetarian (especially in Karakol)
• Shashlik – Skewered grilled meat, commonly served at roadside cafes
• Kuurdak – Fried meat with onions and potatoes
• Boorsok – Fried dough bites, often served with tea
• Chalap – A savory fermented yogurt drink, similar to ayran

While traditional meals are centered around meat, vegetarian travelers can still eat well in Kyrgyzstan. Many local dishes include fresh produce, grains, and dairy. Salads, manty with pumpkin, fried potatoes, and lentil soups are widely available, especially in cities and tourist areas.

Where in Kyrgyzstan is it easiest to find vegetarian food?

Karakol stands out as one of the best destinations for vegetarian travelers. With its diverse community and active trekking culture, Karakol offers a range of restaurants and cafés that cater to vegetarians and vegans, including international and fusion cuisine options.

In larger cities like Bishkek, Osh, and Karakol, you’ll find cafés and restaurants serving European, Asian, and Middle Eastern cuisine that often include vegetarian or vegan-friendly foods.

Are there any local vegetarian dishes to try?

Yes! Try ashlyan-fu, a cold noodle dish from Karakol often served vegetarian, or samsa filled with vegetables or pumpkin. In Osh, you can also find maida manty, which are ravioli/dumplings/stuffed pasta filled with potatoes or spinach.  You can also find fresh dairy products, homemade breads, and seasonal fruit preserves in local guesthouses and bazaars. Many of the large food bazaars have sections with “Korean salads” that are vegetarian/vegan.

It’s becoming easier to get to Kyrgyzstan with an international flight as more connections are added each year. Although there are no direct flights to Kyrgyzstan from Europe or North America, it is easy to catch a connecting flight through Istanbul or Dubai as they have many flights to Kyrgyzstan each week.

Kyrgyzstan has two main international airports: Bishkek Airport (FRU) and Osh Airport (OSS).

The majority of international flights to Kyrgyzstan land in Bishkek including:

• Turkish Airlines from Istanbul to Bishkek
• Pegasus Airlines from Istanbul to Bishkek
• Flydubai Airlines from Dubai to Bishkek
• AirArabia Airlines from Sharjah in UAE to Bishkek
• Jazeera Airways from Kuwait to Bishkek
• Air Astana from Almaty to Bishkek

There are an increasing number of international flights direct to Osh, which is convenient if you are doing a trek or tour in the Alay Mountains.

• Pegasus Airlines from Istanbul to Osh
• Flydubai Airlines from Dubai to Osh

Domestic flights between Bishkek and other cities.

There are 4-5  regular flights everyday between Bishkek and Osh cities. There are also domestic flights to other cities in Kyrgyzstan as to Tamchy village and Karakol in Issyk-Kul Region and Jalal-Abad. However, these are not regular and usually only operate in the high summer season. You can book domestic flights only one month in advance. The best local websites to book domestic flights in Kyrgyzstan online are bookit.kg and tickets.kg.

We can also assist you in buying domestic flights in Kyrgyzstan for a small fee as one of our services. Just let us know how we can assist you.

You can find almost all types of accommodation in Kyrgyzstan to match every level of comfort, style and budget. Booking.com is one of the easiest ways to book accommodation online in Kyrgyzstan as many hotels, guest houses, hostels and even yurt camps are listed there.

Different accommodation options in Kyrgyzstan include:

• Hotels: These are mostly found in the big cities or larger towns like Bishkek, Osh or Karakol. These can range from simple 2* to more luxurious 5* hotels. Bishkek has several main international hotel chains like Sheraton, Hyatt, Marriot, Novotel and Ramada.
• Guest houses: These are smaller accommodation that are usually run by a family business so while they may be more basic than a hotel, they offer many modern comforts with a more personal touch. Guest houses are common throughout Kyrgyzstan and most include breakfast as a standard service.
• Hostels: Easiest to find in the cities or bigger towns, hostels are becoming more popular as they are budget accommodation option that provides travelers a good way to meet each other.
• Homestays: These are located in the smaller towns and villages. Homestays are usually where a family has opened up several rooms in their house to host visitors. Sometimes this might mean shared rooms and facilities. Although the services and comfort might be more basic, it’s a more personal experience with your local host. Often a home-cooked breakfast and dinner is provided.
• Yurt Camps:  Yurts are the traditional Kyrgyz nomadic homes that are circular and are made from felt. Staying in a yurt is one of the most memorable experiences in Kyrgyzstan. These are located along the south shore of Lake Issyk-Kul and high in the mountains. Many of our trekking tours include yurt stays.

Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country with stunning landscapes filled with snow-covered peaks, turquoise alpine lakes, gorges and lush valleys at every corner. Therefore, there’s no shortage of trekking routes and hiking trails in Kyrgyzstan.

Some popular treks and hikes in Kyrgyzstan include the Ala-Kul and Jeti-Oguz treks in the Tian-Shan Mountains,  Altyn Arashan trek, the Best of Alay Mountains and Peak Lenin Base Camp treks in the Pamir-Alay Mountains, and Sary Chelek and Arslanbob in central Kyrgyzstan. Each of these hiking routes has its unique attractions, ranging from glacial lakes and valleys to panoramic views of the mountain ranges.

You can find a listing of our most popular Kyrgyzstan hiking and trekking tours above. We suggest you research the treks and routes in detail to select the best hike and trek that matches your interests, desired difficulty level, length and altitude. You can either book a private tour or join a group tour. Just get in touch with us to find out more or book the trek.