Land of strong nomadic traditions, magnificent mountain landscapes, and impressive natural beauty, the small Central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan is the yet undiscovered jewel of Central Asia. However, with its modest tourist services and infrastructure, problems with corruption and current insecure political situation, Kyrgyzstan suits best for the adventurous independent travelers.
More destinations. Lake Issyk Kul is an alpine mountain lake situated in stunning settings between the highest mountains of the country and hosting some of the best spas in Kyrgyzstan, as well as suitable spots for fishing. Apart from its pristine nature, Kyrgyzstan offers also lively bazaars in the capital Bishkek, a Soviet style city reminding you of the times when Kyrgyzstan was a part of the Soviet Union, and offering you a good gateway into the astonishing nature of Kyrgyzstan. The southern parts of Kyrgyzstan, including the ancient city of Osh, are currently best avoided because of the volatile political situation.
The climate in Kyrgyzstan is continental with cold, snowy winters and hot summers. During the summer months (June-August) average monthly high temperatures in Kyrgyzstan stay around 30°C, but during the winter (December-March) below zero temperatures are common all over the country. Unless you travel there for winter sports, traveling to Kyrgyzstan is advisable between April and October when the weather in Kyrgyzstan is at its best.
Kyrgyzstan, land of nomadic traditions and scenic landscapes
With high mountains, remote valleys, wild rivers, open landscapes, nomadic villages, and ancient cities, Kyrgyzstan has plenty of beautiful and diverse nature attractions to offer. This mountainous Central Asian country is also home to interesting cultural and architectural sights. The natural attractions of Kyrgyzstan start from the highest peak of the country, Jengish Chokusu, rising up to 7439m as a part of the Tien Shan Mountains that dominate the landscape of Kyrgyzstan. Another popular natural attraction in Kyrgyzstan is Ala-Archa Canyon, an impressive gorge and a state national park with a high number of suitable trails for hiking as well as some facilities for skiing.More destinations. Lake Issyk Kul is an alpine mountain lake situated in stunning settings between the highest mountains of the country and hosting some of the best spas in Kyrgyzstan, as well as suitable spots for fishing. Apart from its pristine nature, Kyrgyzstan offers also lively bazaars in the capital Bishkek, a Soviet style city reminding you of the times when Kyrgyzstan was a part of the Soviet Union, and offering you a good gateway into the astonishing nature of Kyrgyzstan. The southern parts of Kyrgyzstan, including the ancient city of Osh, are currently best avoided because of the volatile political situation.
Adventure destination with changeable weather
Kyrgyzstan is best reached through the international airport of Bishkek, which receives flights mainly from Russia, United Kingdom, and Central Asian and Middle Eastern locations. Moving around in Kyrgyzstan is an adventure as your options are limited to domestic flights, which are considered dangerous, and local minibuses, with which traveling is quite slow. If you want to be independent, there is also the possibility of renting a car in Kyrgyzstan, in which case it might be wise to choose a 4WD jeep.The climate in Kyrgyzstan is continental with cold, snowy winters and hot summers. During the summer months (June-August) average monthly high temperatures in Kyrgyzstan stay around 30°C, but during the winter (December-March) below zero temperatures are common all over the country. Unless you travel there for winter sports, traveling to Kyrgyzstan is advisable between April and October when the weather in Kyrgyzstan is at its best.
Photo: Madmonk, used under Creative Commons License (By ND 2.0)
Visitor services. Kyrgyzstan is definitely not one of the world's most famous travel destinations, and this means you might have to accept some compromises when choosing accommodation and restaurants in Kyrgyzstan. Entertainment facilities and tourist information services found in the country are also modest. However, if you travel to Bishkek, the situation is better than elsewhere.
Safety. As a recent political conflict and ethnic riots have caused major devastation especially in Southern Kyrgyzstan, this area is yet not considered safe to travel to. Although the situation remains tense, the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek and the northern parts of the country are not particularly dangerous places to travel to. Violent crime and police corruption are not uncommon, either, and women should never travel around unaccompanied. Traffic in Kyrgyzstan is chaotic with bad roads, speeding, missing signs, and traffic rules generally neglected. English is not commonly spoken in Kyrgyzstan, so learning at least some phrases of Russian or Kyrgyz language before traveling to Kyrgyzstan is highly recommended.
