Kyrgyzstan tours & travel

Like most of Central Asia, the best time to visit Kyrgyzstan is spring and autumn. As well as being the best weather, in spring the desert flowers bloom and in autumn markets fill with fresh harvest produce. Summer can get very hot and winters are bitterly cold. Winter can also get quite wet and some roads may close due to snow.

With around 90% of Kyrgyzstan above 1500m, your adventure is sure to reach some heady heights. The Tian Shan (Heavenly Mountains) range takes up most of the country and around every corner appears another rolling hill or majestic peak. Kyrgyzstan is also home to some of Asia’s largest lakes, the most famous being Issyk-Kul in the northwest. Kyrgyzstan shares borders with Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and China.

Top 4 Natural Highlights of Kyrgyzstan

1. Son-Kol

This reserve on the shores of one of the biggest lakes in the country is surrounded by pastures that are favoured by nomadic herders. Don’t be surprised to see a fierce game of ulak tartysh (goat polo) during the summer months.

2. Jeti-Ögüz

Spend days hiking canyons and valleys surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Seven spectacular red sandstone cliffs stand guard over the entrance to the Jeti-Ögüz Valley. Local tradition says that the cliffs were once wild bulls, immobilized by the gods to stop them terrorizing local yurt dwellers.

3. Karakol

Even in urban areas, Kyrgyzstan’s natural beauty abounds. Karakol is surrounded by orchards and mountains, with a lovely Russian church and colonial houses. Explore tree-lined streets that slope up towards glaciers and pine forests.

4. Issyk-Kul

Take a beach break with a difference. This alpine lake has been a favourite holiday spot for locals for centuries. After relaxing on the beach, be sure to see the petroglyphs that date back to 500 BC.

Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously, and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure: