Kyrgyzstan

Moutains and nomads

By Steven Hermans & Stephen Lioy

Things to do
Guides
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Kyrgyzstan, straddling the Pamir and Tian Shan ranges, is an adventure traveller's dream and most people come here to trek its stunning landscapes of mountains and lakes.

Kyrgyzstan has a rich culture but, unlike in neighbouring Uzbekistan, the nomadic shepherds have left few physical landmarks—you’ll find no shimmering Samarkand equivalents here. Instead, Kyrgyz history is woven into the tapestry of daily life. To get under the skin of the Kyrgyz it is necessary to accept their hospitality: drink enormous amounts of milky tea, play with the kids, and round up the sheep for the evening. Before long, your adopted lifestyle will be hard to leave.

Hidden gems in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan

Lenin Peak

Asel Ismailova

Experience

Lenin Peak is a fairly well-known and commercially organised trek in the southern Pamir-Alay range on the borders of Tajikistan and China. The trek is offered as a basecamp trek or a summit climb to the very top, a stonking 7,134m above sea level with views stretching right across the Pamirs to China, the Hindu Kush and beyond. The summit climb is a serious undertaking and requires prior experience, skill and plenty of prior acclimatisation. The basecamp trek gets you to a more achievable 4,400m.

Kyrgyzstan

Peak Palatka

Adri de Koning

Experience

An exceptional, and little-known summit trek to the roof of the Tian Shan mountains. At 4,770m, climbing Palatka is certainly a challenge but one that requires no technical mountaineering skills, just better than average fitness and an iron will! You might question your life choices on the way up, but the scenery – especially the views from the summit – are life changing. There are around eight days of actual trekking, with at least one rest / contingency day built in. Most organised trips will also include several buffer days beforehand for acclimatisation and organising logistics.

Kyrgyzstan

Trek to Merzbacher

Elmira Kalmakova

Experience

This is a really special hike, and probably my top recommendation in all of Kyrgyzstan. It's quiet and remote (you're unlikely to see any other trekkers the entire time), and it culminates at one of the most quirky geological locations in the whole country – the so-called "disappearing" Merzbacher Lake, on the border with China and Kazakhstan. This is a seasonal glacial lake that fills with meltwater from the Inylchek Glacier each spring and drains in spectacular fashion in late summer. This phenomenon is a rare – and incredibly dramatic and noisy – only witnessed by a lucky few. You'd be exceptionally lucky to time your arrival to witness the lake draining, and the lake itself is not hugely impressive, but the surrounding landscapes make it all worthwhile. You'll be hiking four to six hours each day, often along rugged and challenging paths. You'll spend the night in tents, or maybe in semi-permanent yurt camps if you're booking an organised trip.

Kyrgyzstan

Song-Kul to Issyk-Kul trek

Elmira Kalmakova

Experience

This is a popular route that offers a relatively easy introduction to the stunning Tian-Shan mountains as you hike between the two largest lakes in Kyrgyzstan: Song-Kul and Issyk-Kul. The route is offered by some operators as a three day itinerary, but in my opinion that’s a touristy option and not a great experience. I usually advise visitors to spend at least six days on this trek, partially to enjoy the beauty of the landscapes, but also to acclimatise to the altitude as you’ll cross three high passes over 3,500 metres along the way. The total distance is between 58 and 62 km with between seven and 12 hours hiking per day, depending on the conditions. There are some small rivers that have to be crossed and there are two options for the descent into Tuura-Suu. The exact route you follow will depend on the weather and the water levels in the rivers. You’ll follow ancient trading routes and donkey trails through the mountains, meeting nomadic herdsmen who live there with their horses, sheep and yaks during the summer months. This is where a good guide comes in handy – helping with the language and cultural barriers, and maybe securing an invite to take tea with a herder and their family. You’ll be staying in yurts at both lakes and wild camping during the hike, and organised treks will use horses to carry your equipment and baggage. The route is only really passable from June until mid-September.

Kyrgyzstan

Issyk-Kul to Naryn

Asel Ismailova

For experienced trekkers and those looking for a real challenge I usually recommend this route from Issyk-Kul over the dramatic Terskey Ala-too mountains to Naryn town. The route starts out gently over the Zhazy Kechuu pastures but quickly climbs into the mountains, crossing three high mountain passes, the highest of which, the Jakyp Bolot pass, reaches an eye-watering 3,960 metres. It’s essential you acclimatise before setting off and build rest days into your itinerary where necessary. I find it hard to describe just how beautiful this route is: you need to see it to believe it. You hike surrounded by snow capped mountains, past dramatic lakes and gorges, through forests and pastures, maybe passing the camps of nomadic herders. It’s a tough route, and not one you can do solo, but you won’t see any other trekkers out there and the scenery is out of this world.

Central Asia

Bachor to Yashilkul Lake

Alovaddin Kalonov

Experience

The Bachor region of the Pamirs offers some of the most remote, high-altitude and overall challenging trekking anywhere in the Pamirs, and all Tajikistan for that matter. One of my favourite routes is a ten day hike from Bachor to Yashilkul Lake staying in a mixture of camping and local homestays. This trek hops from one glacial lake to the next, with Kulen Lake topping out at 4,800 metres. But the scenery makes it all well worthwhile, the views over Zaroshkkul Lake can bring you to tears and after dark you’re treated to spectacular night scapes of the Milky Way. After eight days of high altitude hiking you descend through through the wide valley of the Chapdarkul river to Bachor pasture grazed by herds of yaks, before crossing the river to Yashilkul Lake.

Central Asia

Engels Peak Base Camp

HorizonGuides

Experience

Like the definition of short but sweet, Engels Peak Base Camp day hike is just a 3.1-mile round trip from Engels Village. Engels Peak Base Camp is the starting point for those looking to conquer Engels Peak, one of the significant summits in the Tajik Pamirs. The base camp sits at an altitude of around 4,200 metres and, for those with just a day, is a scenic introduction to Engels Peak without the commitment of a summit climb. The trail is graced with stunning panoramas, rivers, and isolated hamlets, where you can experience the Tajik mountain culture firsthand.

Central Asia

Bachor to Sarez Lake

HorizonGuides

Experience

The Bachor to Sarez Lake trek is a spectacular journey in Tajikistan's Pamir Mountains. This demanding eight-day trek starts in Bachor, a remote village in the Bartang Valley. Accommodation options are primarily camping, with occasional homestays. The route takes you across high passes, rocky landscapes, and past swift rivers. Along the way, you'll visit secluded villages, experience local Pamiri culture, and witness stunning panoramas of snow-capped peaks. The pinnacle of the journey is the arrival at Sarez Lake, a high-altitude lake created by a devastating earthquake in 1911. The natural dam, Usoi Dam, is the tallest in the world and has trapped a stunning body of water over 55 km long. The lake's deep blue waters set against the stark mountainous backdrop form a breathtaking vista and haven for migratory birds.

Kyrgyzstan

Heights of Alay Valley

HorizonGuides

The Heights of Alay Valley is a scenic long-distance trek that cuts through Kyrgyzstan's picturesque southern region. Most nights will be spent camping under the stars, providing a genuine connection with the wilderness or local community at a local yurt homestay. The trek involves crossing several high-altitude passes, including the Koshmoinok and Jiptik passes, where you'll be rewarded with views of the Pamir and Tian Shan ranges and the expansive Alay Valley. You traverse vast pastures, rugged slopes, and riverside trails, with the chance to encounter local shepherds and their livestock. And famously, you see the red rock formations of “Three Dragons Gorge."

Kyrgyzstan

Peak Karakol (Pik Karakol)

HorizonGuides

Experience

This is a rewarding but tough trek in the Karakol area and makes a quieter alternative to some of the region’s more popular routes. Note that it’s not a peak trek – unless you're mountaineering you don't reach the summit of Karakol Mountain, but you do get to the ‘basecamp’ where you can spend time exploring the Ontor glacier. It can be easily combined with other hikes in the region, such as the popular Ala Kol trek.

Kyrgyzstan

Arslanbob Holy Lakes hike

HorizonGuides

The Arslanbob Holy Lakes hike takes you on a four-day round trip through the largest walnut forest in the world and a community deeply rooted in traditional Kyrgyz culture. Starting and ending in Arslanbob, the trail ascends into the mountains, through forests, meadows, and eventually, to the trek's highlight - the two serene Holy Lakes. Local folklore preaches that these lakes are where the Prophet Muhammad prayed and left his footprint. The Holy Lakes hike provides an ideal blend of cultural immersion and natural beauty, with the added allure of local legends. Accommodation ranges from guesthouses in the village to camping near the lakes.

Kyrgyzstan

Khan Tengri Base Camp

HorizonGuides

Experience

Khan Tengri is one of the highest peaks in the Tian Shan Mountains, standing over 7,000 metres. The Khan Tengri Base Camp trek takes you up close to Khan Tengri, all without the commitment of a more technically challenging summit climb – but this is still serious business, with the potential for heavy snows even during the narrow trekking window of July and August. The journey begins in At-Jailoo (via Karakol) and traverses approximately 40 km over six to eight days to reach the base camp situated on the South Inylchek Glacier. The trek takes you through valleys, across streams, and over moraines, all while offering captivating vistas of rugged peaks and sprawling glaciers. You'll also pass Merzbacher Lake, which is an interested trek in its own right. However, the trek's highlight is the panoramic view of Khan Tengri from the base camp, nicknamed "Blood Mountain" at sunset. Nights are spent in tents, which will be provided by your trekking operator. You'll need to bring your own sleeping bag (four seasons) and a sleeping mat. Most people on organised tours leave basecamp by helicopter, although of course it's perfectly possible to hike back out again.

Lenin Peak

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Peak Palatka

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Trek to Merzbacher

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Song-Kul to Issyk-Kul trek

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Issyk-Kul to Naryn

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Bachor to Yashilkul Lake

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Engels Peak Base Camp

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Heights of Alay Valley

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Peak Karakol (Pik Karakol)

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Arslanbob Holy Lakes hike

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Khan Tengri Base Camp

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Talas Range to Sary-Chelek

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Ala-Köl trek

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View all 16 Kyrgyzstan experiences

Kyrgyzstan travel guides

Guide

How To Get To Song Kul Lake

Central Asia’s archetypal semi-nomadic culture is alive and well in Kyrgyzstan, and nowhere is this more evident than at Lake Song Kul. At 3,016m (9,900ft) above sea level, the lake’s surroundings are blanketed in deep snow for most of the year.

Guide

Visiting Arslanbob: Highlights & How To Get There

The fairytale walnut forest of Arslanbob in southern Kyrgyzstan is a year-round destination for visitors. When the Ferghana Valley below swelters in the heat of summer, travellers can find refuge here in the shade of a magnificent woodland that stretches deep into the mountains.

Guide

Visiting The Pamir Highway & Mountains

Known locally as “the roof of the world,” the Pamir Mountains dominate with their superlatives. From the largest glacier outside of the polar region to 7,000-plus metre (23,000ft) peaks, the landscape here is designed to awe.

Article

What to eat in Central Asia

Steven Hermans

Central Asia is generally absent from the world gastronomy map. Is that justified? At first sight, yes.

Guide

The Five 'Stans: The Best Places To Visit In Central Asia

Steven Hermans

The Five ‘Stans… just a handful of countries, but covering a vast swathe of Central Asia. Where do you start an introduction to a region that stretches from China in the east, to the Caspian Sea in the west, when just one of the countries, Kazakhstan, is almost the same size as Europe? Some definitions to get us going: the Five 'Stans consist of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and the largest, Kazakhstan.

Guide

Need To Know When Visiting Central Asia

Steven Hermans

There’s no escaping the fact that the more recent history of the region has been troubled. Post-Soviet independence saw the rule of dictators with appalling attitudes to human rights.

Guide

Trekking in Kyrgyzstan

Stephen Lioy

I’ve been trekking in Kyrgyzstan since 2012, hiked in virtually every oblast of the country, and travelled several times to the remotest corners of the state. Every other valley seems at times to be capped by some glacier or waterfall, not to mention the nearly 2,000 alpine lakes scattered across the country.