Tailor-made Kyrgyzstan: Introduction

Perched between two of the greatest deserts on Earth, remote and mountainous Kyrgyzstan glows in lush contrast to its dusty neighbours. Within a hundred miles of the scorched plains you can be high on the grasslands, larksong on the breeze, mingling with yak-herding nomads and contemplating the majesty of the mountain scenery. The Kyrgyz themselves, especially the nomadic families of the high steppe, are disarmingly friendly and welcoming to visitors. Bishkek, the leafy capital, makes a pleasant entry or exit point, and Lake Issyk-Kul, a great inland sea and renowned beauty spot, is now open to the wider world after being a favourite haunt of Soviet rulers. Many visitors will pass through quickly following the Silk Route from Kashgar to Uzbekistan, but for those with the time to look closer, horse trekking and yurt-stays offer access to pristine wilderness areas alive with eagle, deer, wolf and bear and the chance to experience a traditional way of life, unchanged over the ages.

Selected Highlights

Our specialists have travelled the length and breadth of the country to research the best places to stay and things to do. Here they list a few of their favourite “unmissables”. Click here for more highlights

Admire the scenery of the Jeti Oghuz Valley

In the east of the country, the Jeti Oghuz valley near Karakol offers some stunning Alpine walking. The head of the valley is Oghuz Bashi, meaning...  [more]

Enjoy the scenery of the Torugart Pass

The 3,752m Torugart Pass that forms one of the main border points between Kyrgyzstan and China, is one of the most spectacular border crossings in this part...  [more]

Enjoy walking through Ala Archa Canyon

Just outside of the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, is Ala Archa Canyon. This wooded valley offers some great walking, with numerous waterfalls and...  [more]