Highlights of Central Asia: Kyrgyzstan's mountains & Uzbekistan's architecture
Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan
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Kyrgyzstan your way
Tailor-made Kyrgyzstan holidays shaped around your passions
Song-Kul Lake
Green, mountainous, and strewn with lakes, Kyrgyzstan is sandwiched between deserts and scorched plains. The region’s nomadic roots are close to the surface here, remarkably untouched by modern influences. Our specialists have traversed its landscapes by road, on foot, and on horseback, and they’ll draw on their firsthand knowledge to plan your own visit.
They can suggest experiences for your holiday to Kyrgyzstan that will give you a vivid sense of the Kyrgyz people’s hospitality and traditional lifestyle. You could stay in a family-run yurt camp in an alpine meadow or on the banks of azure-bright Lake Song-Kul. Or, if you’re looking to incorporate hiking into your trip to Kyrgyzstan, they’ll advise on the best trails, from ones that wind past glaciers to others that lead you to wildflower-dotted valleys. They can also help you take in the country’s quintessential sights, from the petroglyphs around Lake Issyk-Kul to the stone caravanserai of Tash Rabat.
Creating tailor-made tours for 30 years
Suggested Kyrgyzstan tour
This sample tour will give you an idea of what is possible when you travel in Kyrgyzstan, and showcases routes we know work particularly well. Treat this as inspiration, because your tour will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Suggested activities for Kyrgyzstan
Whatever your interests, our specialists will build activities into your trip that connect to how you want to experience Kyrgyzstan.
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Hike Ala Archa State Nature Park ![Ala Archa, Bishkek]()
Hike Ala Archa State Nature Park
BishkekHike Ala Archa State Nature Park
Towering over the park are the highest peaks of the Kyrgyz Alatau Range, including Korona Peak (4,860 m) and Semenov Tian Shansky (4,895 m), both higher than anything Europe has to offer.
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Guided trip to Altyn Arashan ![Altyn-Arashan, Kyrgyzstan]()
Guided trip to Altyn Arashan
KarakolGuided trip to Altyn Arashan
High in Kyrgyzstan’s Tian Shan, Altyn Arashan rewards a visit with fragrant pine valleys, steaming hot springs, and sweeping meadows framed by jagged peaks. Whether hiking or venturing by 4x4, you’ll find a pristine alpine retreat where time slows and nature reigns.
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Bishkek city tour ![Market spices, Bishkek]()
Bishkek city tour
BishkekBishkek city tour
Delve into Bishkek on a half-day private tour where your local guide will bring alive Kyrgyzstan’s history and culture as you take in Ala-Too Square, Soviet relics, Kyrgyz heritage, and the lively Osh Bazaar, all framed by the dramatic Kyrgyz Ala-Too mountains.
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Best time to visit
Our specialists advise on the best months to visit Kyrgyzstan, including information about climate, events and festivals.
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Useful information for planning your holiday in Kyrgyzstan
What languages are spoken in Kyrgyzstan?
In Kyrgyzstan the most commonly spoken languages are Kyrgyz and Russian. Kyrgyz is a Turkic language and the official national language of the country. Russian remains widely used as a lingering language from when Kyrgyzstan was part of the Soviet Union.
What's the currency of Kyrgyzstan?
The currency of Kyrgyzstan is the Kyrgyzstani som (KGS), and it’s the sole legal tender in the country. One som is divided into 100 tyiyn, though tyiyn coins are rarely used in everyday transactions. Banknotes are the most common form of currency, available in denominations ranging from 20 to 5,000 som. Cash is widely used for all daily purchases, especially outside major cities.
In urban areas like Bishkek and Osh, credit cards are increasingly accepted and ATMs are available, but we advise that you keep local currency on hand, especially when visiting rural regions.
What food and drink should I try in Kyrgyzstan?
Kyrgyz cuisine is hefty, communal, and deeply rooted in the country’s nomadic traditions. The national dish, beshbarmak — literally “five fingers” — is made of finely chopped boiled meat, usually lamb or horse, served over wide noodles with an onion sauce, and is traditionally eaten by hand. It’s often accompanied by shorpo, a rich meat broth that highlights the importance of soups in Kyrgyz dining.
Other staples include laghman, hand-pulled noodles stir-fried with meat and vegetables in a savoury, slightly spicy sauce, as well as plov, a rice pilaf cooked in a kazan pot with meat, carrots, onions, and sometimes chickpeas or raisins. Manti steamed dumplings filled with meat or pumpkin, are also popular and are usually enjoyed with sour cream or a spicy tomato sauce.
For something simpler, kuurdak, fried meat with onions and potatoes, is a beloved everyday dish, reflecting the Kyrgyz emphasis on straightforward, hearty fare. Meals are typically shared, reinforcing the culture’s strong sense of hospitality and tradition.
Where can I find the latest travel advice for Kyrgyzstan
For the latest travel advice for Kyrgyzstan, including entry requirements, health information, and the safety and security situation, please refer to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website.
Where can I stay in Kyrgyzstan?
Kyrgyzstan offers a variety of stays that balance comfort with authentic cultural experiences. In the capital, you’ll find contemporary hotels with full amenities, including spacious rooms, restaurants, and wellness facilities.
In mountain towns, smaller boutique-style guesthouses provide a more personal atmosphere, with cosy interiors and hearty homemade breakfasts that reflect local hospitality.
For a look into nomadic life, you can spend the night in a traditional yurt on the shores of a high-altitude lake, surrounded by panoramic mountain landscapes.
To get some ideas, you can browse our collection of places to stay in Kyrgyzstan.
Where should I go in Kyrgyzstan?
Most journeys begin in Bishkek, where its grand Soviet-style boulevards, functionalist urban design, and thriving traditional bazaars give you a taste of urban life. Just outside, Ala Archa State National Park offers alpine meadows, glaciers, and hiking trails into the Tien Shan mountains.
To the east, Issyk-Kul Lake shimmers against snowcapped peaks. Its northern shore has beaches and resorts, while the quieter south reveals yurt camps, villages, and ancient petroglyphs. Nearby, Karakol blends cultural heritage with outdoor adventure, from its wooden Orthodox church and Dungan Mosque to nearby valley trails.
If you want to venture further afield, Song-Kul Lake sits high on a summer-pasture plateau, where herders live in yurts and welcome visitors with horse rides, hearty meals, and starlit skies.
How long does it take to fly to Kyrgyzstan from the UK?
It takes approximately 10–12 hours total travel time to fly from the UK to Kyrgyzstan. There are no direct flights to Kyrgyzstan from the UK, so you’ll be likely to fly from a major UK airport (London Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, etc.) to an international hub like Istanbul, Dubai, or Doha, before an onward flight takes you to Bishkek’s Manas International Airport (FRU).
What's the time zone in Kyrgyzstan?
Kyrgyzstan Time (KGT) is the official time zone of Kyrgyzstan, which is GMT+6.
What's the best way of getting around in Kyrgyzstan?
Your specialist will arrange for a private driver and a guide to take you from place to place within Kyrgyzstan.
Do I need a visa to visit Kyrgyzstan, and what do I need to check with my passport?
Use our travel tool to find up-to-date visa and passport requirements for Kyrgyzstan. Enter where you’re travelling to and from (including any stopover destinations en route or flight layovers), along with your intended travel dates and passport details, for a full list of requirements.
Do I need vaccinations to visit Kyrgyzstan?
Your doctor is best placed to offer up-to-date advice on recommended vaccinations for Kyrgyzstan. You can also check the suggested vaccinations on the Travel Health Pro website. It’s also a good idea to ensure you’re up to date with the recommended vaccinations at home.
Kyrgyzstan in pictures
Admire the mountainous landscapes
Visit deep alpine lakes
Learn about the nomadic culture
Go trekking through Ala Archa Canyon
Go alpine walking in the Jeti-Ögüz Valley
Spend the night in a yurt by Lake Song-Kul
Take in the scenery of the Torugart Pass
Experience a homestay in Arslanbob
Our expert guides to travelling in Kyrgyzstan
Written by our specialists from the viewpoint of their own travels, these guides will help you decide on the shape of your own trip to Kyrgyzstan. Aiming to inspire and inform, we share our recommendations for how to appreciate Kyrgyzstan at its best.
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![My travels along the Silk Route]()
My travels along the Silk Route
Travel specialist Nick documented his journey along the ancient Silk Route, taking in the cultures and landscapes of China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, from the Gobi Desert to the beautiful mosaic buildings of Samarkand’s Registan Square.
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The Silk Road unpacked: highlights of Central Asia ![Kyrgyzstan]()
The Silk Road unpacked: highlights of Central Asia
The Silk Road unpacked: highlights of Central Asia
The Silk Route spans a vast area of the globe from China to Uzbekistan. Here, Silk Route specialist Chris explains why you should focus your energies on Central Asia, and why this region is so fulfilling to explore.
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