Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan, or the Kyrgyz Republic to give it its proper title, is quite simply one of the most beautiful countries on earth.
The Mountains of Heaven that stretch across its length and breadth are lush and green, high and wild, dissected by sweeping steppe lands, primal forests, crystal streams and turquoise lakes. And far away, scratching the belly of the endless sky, is a never-changing vista of lofty snow-capped peaks, which until a decade ago, where strictly off-limits.
The country rises in altitude from 400 metres in the Ferghana Valley to the 7,437 metre summit of Peak Pobeda. In fact, Kyrgyzstan contains several mountains over 7000 metres, glaciers, deserts, alpine meadows, forests, over 2000 lakes; and a third of the country is permanently covered in snow.
But despite the immense natural beauty of this landlocked Central Asian, Silk Road republic, it is the people themselves that bring Kyrgyzstan to life, and on all our tours you will stay with local families with whom we have developed special friendships. Whether visiting eagle hunter Aslan Bek and his family on the shores of lake Izzyk Kul, Noorgul and her family at Son Kul, or Nazira in Tash Rabat, in the people of Kyrgyzstan you will find ordinary folk with proud nomadic traditions, an indomitable strength and great sense of hospitality.
If at Wild Frontiers we have our favourite countries - Kyrgyzstan would definitely be one of them!
Wild Frontiers offers unique Group Adventure & Cultural Tours, Horse Riding Holidays and Tailor-Made Holidays in Kyrgyzstan and along the Old Silk Road.
Watch footage from our Kyrgyzstan: Celestial Mountain Action Adventure
How to book a trip
What to do in Kyrgyzstan
Visit Arslanbob Walnut Forest
Arslanbob Village
Enjoy a excursion to the famous walnut forests. In 11th century, scientist and military leader Arslanbob-Ata is thought to have planted these valleys with walnuts trees in order to boost the local economy. Your guide will take you on a walk through the woods and on to the waterfalls; other activities in this area include horse-riding, herb-collecting and hikes to Sacred Mirror Lake and the Holy Rock.
Trek through Jety-Oguz Canyon
Jety Oguz Canyon
Enjoy a full day of trekking in this beautiful area dotted with green valleys, fir forests and high glaciers. Enjoy walking along pristine trails by streams and take in the breathtaking mountain views.
Trek the Karakol valley
Karakol
Go on a full day trekking excursion to the gorgeous Karakol Valley. The mountains in view begin as low hills but soon become soaring, jagged sky-scrapers as the day draws on. Hike through the wooded canyon to Ayu-Tor meadow, finishing in the moraine of the Karakol Glacier. Depending on the weather, you will enjoy the breathtaking view of the Karakol Peak (5218 m) at the head of the valley, the highest summit of the Terskey Alatoo Range.
Mountain Bike The Naryn Valley
Naryn
Whether it's following the sparkling ribbon of the little Naryn River, on the edges of the great Central Asian steppes, stopping for a swim in a crystal pool, or gazing up to see yak, wild horses and eagles soaring on the mountain thermals high above you, mountain biking through the Naryn Valley is an open-air chance for adventure, health and raw and natural beauty.
Ride the Mountains of Heaven
Mountains of Heaven
There could be no more apt name for a mountain range than this rider's paradise. Whether it is watering your horse on the beautiful shores of Lake Son Kul, stopping for the night at the last remaining Silk Road caravanserai at Tash Rabat, or galloping in the footsteps of nomads, traders and warriors, this truly unspoilt Kyrgyz wilderness is an unmissable adventure in a real riding heaven. We think this is one of the best riding adventures you can do!
Visit with eagle hunter
Bokonbayevo
On the southern side of Lake Issyk Kul is Bokonbaevo village where you meet the eagle hunter and watch traditional eagle hunting. Hunting with birds of prey is one of the Central Asian people's most cherished nomadic traditions and the hunters demonstrate the art of using these regal birds to catch hares and other small animals.
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Where to stay in Kyrgyzstan
Jety Oguz Yurt Camp
Jety Oguz Canyon
This authentic yurt camp provides the ultimate adventure experience, sleeping in traditional nomadic tents in the...
Amir Hotel
Karakol
Built in 2006, the Amir Hotel offers the best accommodation available in Karakol and is the only hotel with private...
Celestial Mountains Guesthouse
Naryn
Sitting at the eastern end of town, this charming guest house offers a true Kyrgyz welcome.The Celestial Mountains...
Hyatt Regency Bishkek
Bishkek
With all the amenities you would expect from the five star Hyatt chain of hotels, the Hyatt Regency Bishkek enjoys a...
Silk Road Lodge
Bishkek
A small, privately owned hotel in the centre of Bishkek. Rooms are large and all have private bathrooms and the hotel...
Ashu Guesthouse
Ashu
Ashu guest house is a two and half hour drive east of Bishkek and provides an alternative to staying in Kyrgyztstan...
Tash Rabat Yurt Camp
Tash Rabat
The Tash Rabat yurt camp is basic, but has comfortable traditional nomadic tents in the garden and a separate toilet...
Royal Beach Hotel
Lake Issyk Kul
The Royal Beach Hotel is a three star hotel located on the shores of the Lake Issyk Kul, surrounded by majestic...
Son Kul Lake Yurt Camp
Son Kul Lake
This authentic yurt camp provides the ultimate adventure experience, sleeping in traditional nomadic tents in the...
Tamga Guest House
Lake Issyk Kul (South Side)
Situated in the south shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, in Tamga village, this is a conveniently located guesthouse only 15...
Asia Guesthouse
Bishkek
This centrally located guesthouse has been built in the style of a Swiss chalet, with 12 en suite bedrooms, a breakfast...
Karkara Mountain Camp
Karakol
Karkara Mountain Camp, geographically in Kazakhstan but only accessible from Kyrgyzstan, is a fun and interesting place...
How to book a trip
Suggested Itineraries
How to book a trip
Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide
Bishkek
The capital of Kyrgyzstan is Bishkek, an attractive modern city with wide avenues, set against the backdrop of snow capped mountains with an abundance of green spaces. In 1825 the Khan of Kokand established a clay fort here called Pishpek. Following the Russian Revolution, the town was renamed Frunze after the famous Bolshevik general who was born here. It reverted to its original name Bishkek in 1991 following Kyrgyz independence.
Lake Issyk Kul
Lake Issyk Kul meaning "warm lake" is the second largest mountain lake in the world. Measuring 182km long by 58km wide, the lake is heated from below by volcanic activity and never freezes even in the depths of winter. In the summer the water temperature reaches 25-28 degrees centigrade (warmer than the air) and you can swim in the clear blue waters enclosed on all sides by the snowy peaks of the Tien Shan Mountains. Most of the resorts are on the north shore of the lake and the area between here and Almaty in Kazakhstan is excellent trekking territory.
Karakol
Karakol is the administrative centre of Issy-Kul province and a good base from which to explore the lake. It was founded in 1869 after the commander of a nearby garrison realised that with its mild climate and fertile soil it was well suited for settlement. Today the town is famous for its surrounding apple orchards and there is a very good Sunday market. Things to see include the Chinese mosque, which was built entirely without nails by Chinese artisans in 1920, and the Holy Trinity Cathedral. There are also good walks to be had in the valley of the Karakol River.
Naryn
The province of Naryn is a territory of wild beauty with alternating white peaks, valleys and gorges and an abundance of wildlife. Despite the rugged terrain, the Central Tian Shan has been inhabited since ancient times and numerous rock drawings and burial sites testify to the fact. It was also a main caravan route on the Silk Road and one can visit the beautifully preserved 15th century Tash Rabat caravanserai. The largest lake in Naryn province is Lake Song Kul. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, the lake's colour changes from violet to dark blue to pink, depending on the time of day. The highest lake is Lake Chatyr Kul around which the spectacular Torugart Pass runs all the way to the Chinese Border.
Jety Oguz Canyon
Twenty-five kilometers west of Karakol is the Jety-Oguz Canyon. These red sandstone cliffs are said to resemble bulls and the name itself means 'Seven Bulls'. It is said that these splendid animals grew to huge proportions because of the lush pastures in the valley. There is a village nearby and walks can be taken into the canyon. Below the cliffs is one of the few surviving Issy-Kul spas. It was built in 1932 and there are a variety of pools and treatment rooms.
Son Kul Lake
Lake Son Kul is an alpine lake and the second largest lake in Kyrgystan. It is situated in the Northern Province on a high mountain plateau. The shepards of the Kochkor, Naryn and At Bashi regions often use the green mountain meadows surrounding the lake for their summer pastures. There are a wide variety of herbs and grasses in the surrounding area as well as 66 species of water foul which make their homes on the lake.
Tash Rabat
Sheltering in the lee of a black granite cliff, in what must surely be one of the prettiest valleys in the country, this ancient Silk Road caravanserai, constructed of dark stone with a huge arched entrance, domed roof and corner turrets, appears like some ancient eastern castle, a mythical outpost from some long forgotten legend. Before it, sweeping out of sight behind a sheer ridge is a wide green valley, dotted with yurts and hundreds of animals: horses, cattle, yaks and sheep. With a friendly family to stay with in cosy, well-equipped yurts, wonderful walks and rides in the mountains around, a visit to Tash Rabat is one of the highlights of any trip to Kyrgyzstan.
Osh
Osh is Kyrgyzstan's second largest city. It is one of the region's most ancient towns with a history stretching back to the 5th century BC and legends tell of it being founded by all sorts of people from King Solomon to Alexander the Great. It was a major hub on the Silk Road. Today it has a strong Uzbek feel which is unsurprising as 40% of the population are Uzbeks. The huge daily Jayma Bazaar is one of Central Asia's best markets, it is spread out along the river and is at its busiest on Sunday. Just outside the town is a rocky outcrop known as Solomon's Throne. It's long been a place of Muslim pilgrimage as Mohammed is supposed to have once prayed here.
Arslanbob Village
Situated 1,600 metres above sea level on the south-facing slopes of the Ferghana range, Arslanbob boasts striking mountain scenery, friendly locals and the most prized walnuts in the country. Alexander the Great is said to have brought back large quantities of nuts from Central Asia, but had to give them up once he reached Greece as a payment to the boatmen who transported his troops. The population is predominantly Uzbek and Arslanbob is considered to be rather conservative, as it it close to may Muslim holy sites and due to its isolation from the rest of the country.
Mountains of Heaven
The Tien Shan, or Celestial Mountains, are quite simply one of the most beautiful mountain ranges on earth. Though perhaps not as immediately dramatic as the mighty Himalaya or Karakoram, the colour, variety, shapes and simple wildness of the Tien Shan will still have you buzzing with wonder. But what makes a trip into these mountains so special isn’t just in the views, it lies in the fact that here you really feel as though you are among them, a part of them, not simply staring up at far-away peaks. Living with nomads in their yurts or camping by wild rivers in forests of pine, for the most part many miles away from ‘civilisation’, after a few days in the Tien Shan will feel like a nomad yourself!
How to book a trip
Kyrgyzstan Travel Information
Visa Information
UK Passport holders require a visa to visit Kyrgyzstan .
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your trip, and it must have at least one blank page for each visa required. Please ensure the passport details we hold for you are correct.
Please note it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa documentation when starting your trip. Country entry regulations can alter daily and it is always best to check with the relevant embassies for any changes.
You can use a visa company such as:
Travcour (UK)
Tempo House
15 Falcon Road Battersea
London
SW11 2PJ
Tel: 020 7223 5295
Fax: 020 7738 2617
Email: info@travcour.com
Website: www.travcour.com
If you are travelling on a non-UK passport, please contact your nearest consulate/embassy for up to date visa information.
Insurance:
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours.
You should be aware that many standard insurance policies may not cover you adequately for all aspects of a Wild Frontiers trip and so we strongly recommend that you purchase a suitably designed insurance policy.
One such policy is the "Wild Frontiers" policy underwritten by Ace European Group Limited (ACE " firm reference 202803), which is available to EU residents (which excludes Norway & Switzerland) through our website or via the insurance company direct on 0845 345 3456. Under this policy there are two different levels of cover available.
Standard policy: a comprehensive travel insurance policy that provides cover for all Wild Frontiers activities, including trekking up to 6,000m. This policy does not provide cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel.
Elite policy: provides the same comprehensive level of cover as the standard policy. In addition the Elite policy also provides cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel. The policy will not provide cover for any claims arising from or relating to the reasons why the FCO is advising against travel.
If purchasing the Elite policy you also have the option to extend the cover provided by the policy to include cover for claims arising from a terrorist act in an area where the FCO is advising against travel. You can add this cover to your policy when purchasing online or over the telephone.
These policies are only available to those travelling on a Wild Frontiers holiday.
For more information and to purchase your policy online please visit the Insurance section of our website.
The cover is underwritten by Ace European Group Limited (ACE), and is arranged by Travel & General Insurance Service Limited. Both companies are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Wild Frontiers Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Travel & General Insurance Company plc, details of which can be found at the FSA's website www.fsa.gov.uk.
To contact them please visit their website at www.travel-general.com or call 0845 408 0583.
Health and Vaccinations:
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Kyrgyzstan, although you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. We recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
We also recommend:
• A dental check-up prior to travelling.
• You inform us of any pre-existing medical conditions or medication.
To be on the safe side you can also check on www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
