Kyrgyzstan Tours

Yes. Kyrgyzstan is one of the world’s friendliest countries. You’ll find locals ready to make new friends and offer help in main destinations like Bishkek, Cholpon Ata, and Karakol, not to mention rustic nomads who always invite tourists to share their handmade breads and fermented mare’s milk. However, like in any city, watch out for pickpockets when visiting crowded markets or bars.

Kyrgyzstan is primarily characterized by a continental climate, offering the most stunning views between June and September, which is ideal for horseback riding in the flower-carpeted valleys and watching cattle graze in the meadows. It’s also a good time to explore Issyk-Kul Lake, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim and discover Turkic carvings along the shore. Moreover, Song Kul Lake is accessible as the high-mountain passes are snow-free, making a yurt accommodation experience under a starry sky possible.

Kyrgyzstan’s mountains and canyons average over 2,000 meters (6,562 feet), and some are even over 3,500 meters (10,987 feet), bringing the risk of high-altitude sickness. It’s advisable to consult your doctor about precaution pills and do some light exercises like jogging before the trip.

Another consideration is restroom facilities. Though our guided tours include well-selected hotels and camps with Western-style toilets, allowing you to experience the country’s nomadic traditions with modern amenities, just be aware that there are only squat toilets outside urban areas.

The Kyrgyz have lived a nomadic life for more than 2000 years, and many are Muslims. To show respect, remember to take off your shoes before entering a yurt. Wear long sleeves, pants, headscarf when visiting mosques. In rural and mountain areas like Bokonbayevo and Kochkor, modest clothing is more appreciated. At the same time, please avoid using your left hand to greet local people, as this is considered impolite.

When traveling in Kyrgyzstan’s mountainous regions, you might go through four seasons in a day, so it is necessary to prepare layered clothing and a raincoat. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring pills for those bumpy roads. Type C and F power plugs and outlets are used in Kyrgyzstan, so consider preparing a power adapter; a portable power bank is also advisable, as electricity is not always reliable when staying overnight in yurt camps.

The traditional nomadic Kyrgyz diet consists of cattle, sheep, or horse meat, along with noodles, vegetables, tea, and fermented horse milk. If you are a vegetarian, please let us know when booking a Kyrgyzstan tour package, so we can ensure your guide confirms appropriate meals with the hosts at each destination.