When is the best time to visit Kyrgyzstan?

Visiting Kyrgyzstan in April - May

At this time of year, the country starts waking up after its long winter lull. Yurt camps are still closed, but you’ll start to see people working in the fields in rural areas. There can be heavy spells of rain but, by late April, the spring flowers are in full bloom, making it a beautiful time to explore. Roads through mountain passes also begin to open up.

Events & Festivals

• Bishkek hosts its annual jazz festival in April, with international and local musicians performing and hosting workshops.
• Issyk-Kul Marathon (Run the Silk Road) takes place in and around Cholpon-Ata.
• There's a public holiday on 7th April called Day of the People’s April Revolution, which remembers the 2010 uprising.
• Victory Day commemorates the World War II victory on 9th May with memorials, fireworks, and patriotic concerts.

Visiting Kyrgyzstan in June - September

This is Kyrgyzstan’s summertime, so you can expect low rainfall and temperatures to rise steadily, reaching an average of 27 C (81 F) in July. The yurt camps of Song-Kul open, but the nights are still cold in these mountainous locations. Lake Issyk-Kul, with its mild, temperate climate, is particularly pleasant to visit at this time of year.

Events & Festivals

• Early June sees the Jaichy Agro-Festival held in Kok-Sai, showcasing the traditional crafts of sheep shearing, wool sorting, and the sharing of folklore.
• Many small festivals take place annually across the jailoo (summer pastures) with heritage sports, artisanal craft workshops, yurt camps, and local food.
• In late June the Kyzyl-Oi National Equestrian Games Festival celebrates the Kyrgyz people’s relationship with horses via traditional ceremonies and horse games.

Visiting Kyrgyzstan in October - December

The yurt camps close as nomads leave the jailoos and the days grow significantly colder. Travel is still possible in October, if you’re prepared to put up with greater chances of rain and more unpredictable weather. You’re likely to see far fewer international visitors at this time of year. Then, in November and December, winter again tightens its grip on the country, making travel during the final months of the year arduous and sometimes impossible.

Events & Festivals

• October hosts the Hunter Fest in Sovetskoe village, where Kyrgyz hunting traditions, including displays of falconry and Taigan dogs, take place alongside heritage games.