Things to do in Kyrgyzstan

25 things to do in Kyrgyzstan

Listed in full below. The running order is set by votes and loads with the page.

• Swim in the crystal-clear waters of Issyk-Kul Lake

  Float in the world's second-largest alpine saline lake, backed by the snow-capped Tian Shan peaks. The beaches near Cholpon-Ata offer warm, turquoise shallows perfect for a summer dip.

  Cholpon-Ata, Issyk-Kul region

• Trek to the turquoise Ala-Kul Lake

  A strenuous high‑altitude hike from Karakol gorge to a breathtaking glacial lake at 3,500 m. The milky‑blue water, framed by towering rock walls and snowfields, is a classic Kyrgyz wilderness reward.

  Karakol region, Terskey Alatau

• Explore the surreal red rock formations of Skazka Canyon

  Walk among otherworldly, wind‑carved sandstone pillars and cliffs painted in deep red, orange, and gold. The 'Fairy Tale Canyon' lives up to its name with shapes that let your imagination run wild.

  Tosor village, south shore of Issyk-Kul

• Stay overnight in the ancient stone caravanserai of Tash Rabat

  Sleep inside a beautifully restored 15th‑century Silk Road inn, hidden among high‑altitude peaks. Its domed chambers and pitch‑dark corridors echo with centuries of trader tales.

  At-Bashy district, Naryn region

• Witness a traditional eagle hunting demonstration with berkutchi hunters

  Watch a trained golden eagle swoop from the sky to its master’s arm, a ritual that has persisted for centuries. These demonstrations on the shores of Issyk-Kul bring nomadic hunting heritage to life.

  Bokonbayevo, Issyk-Kul region

• Bargain for handicrafts and spices at Osh Bazaar in Bishkek

  Lose yourself in a labyrinth of stalls selling everything from colourful felt shyrdaks to dried apricots and fresh samsa. The clamour and aromas capture the soul of Central Asian trade.

  Bishkek

• Ride a horse through the jailoo to the remote Song-Kul Lake

  Canter across the endless summer pastures on the way to a vast, mirror‑smooth lake at 3,016 m. Nights are spent in a shepherd’s yurt under a dome of stars.

  Song-Kul lake, Naryn region

• Photograph the dramatic red cliffs of Jeti-Ögüz (Seven Bulls)

  A spectacular row of rust‑coloured sandstone peaks rises abruptly from a green valley. Legend says they are seven slain bulls, turned to stone, still bleeding into the earth.

  Jeti-Ögüz village, south of Issyk-Kul

• Savor beshbarmak, the national dish, with a local family in a yurt

  Tear strips of handmade wheat noodles and mix them with tender horse or lamb meat under a felt roof. The communal plate and warm hospitality make it a meal you’ll never forget.

  Karakol region

• Contemplate the diverse religions at the Ruh Ordo open-air cultural complex

  An eclectic park on the lakeshore features five white‑marble chapels representing major world faiths. Meditative walkways and sculptures invite reflection on unity and tolerance.

  Cholpon-Ata, Issyk-Kul

• Marvel at the ancient Burana Tower and the mysterious stone balbals

  A lone 11th‑century minaret rises from the steppe, a remnant of the Karakhanid city of Balasagun. Rows of weathered stone warrior‑markers stand guard nearby.

  Tokmok, Chuy region

• Raft the exhilarating rapids of the Chon-Kemin River

  Paddle through a tight, forested gorge with sections of frothing Class III whitewater. The rush of glacial melt and steep canyon walls delivers pure adrenaline.

  Chon-Kemin valley, Chuy region

• Kayak or hike around the pristine emerald lake of Sary-Chelek

  A deep‑green gem hidden in a biosphere reserve, fringed by walnut forests and mirrored peaks. Its stillness is broken only by birdsong and the occasional splash of a kayak.

  Sary-Chelek reserve, Jalal-Abad region

• Wander through the monumental Ala-Too Square and watch the changing of the guard

  The central square of Bishkek, dominated by a towering flagpole and an equestrian statue of Manas, pulses with city life. The military ceremony adds a crisp rhythm to the openness.

  Bishkek

• Explore the eerie, abandoned Soviet spas and sanatoriums of Kadzhi-Sai

  Dilapidated buildings from a forgotten uranium‑era spa town cling to the cliffside above Issyk-Kul. Crumbling murals and empty halls whisper stories of a bygone utopia.

  Kadzhi-Sai, south shore of Issyk-Kul

• Climb the sacred Sulayman Too mountain and visit its cave museum

  This five‑peaked limestone hill has been a place of pilgrimage for millennia. Stone stairways lead to small caves, ancient petroglyphs, and a museum inside a peak.

  Osh city

• Soak in natural hot springs surrounded by snow-capped peaks at Altyn Arashan

  Wooden pools fed by piping‑hot mineral water sit in an alpine valley accessed by a bumpy Soviet‑truck ride. The steaming water against a backdrop of glaciers is pure bliss.

  Altyn Arashan valley, near Karakol

• Soar like a golden eagle: paraglide above the turquoise Issyk-Kul lake

  Launch from a hillside and drift hundreds of metres over the cobalt‑blue expanse. Thermal currents give you a bird’s‑eye view of the lake and the snowy Terskey Alatau.

  Cholpon-Ata area, Issyk-Kul

• Taste the authentic nomadic drink kymyz with shepherds on a high summer pasture

  Sip the lightly fizzy, fermented mare’s milk fresh from a leather flask, surrounded by grazing horses. Its tangy, slightly sour taste is an acquired delight.

  Song-Kul jailoo, Naryn region

• Learn the ancient craft of shyrdak felt carpet making from local artisans

  Under their guidance, layer and stitch dyed wool to create a bold, traditional pattern. Your own hands produce a piece of living nomadic heritage.

  Kochkor village, Naryn region

• Trek to the remote high-altitude petroglyph site of Saimaluu-Tash

  Thousands of carvings spanning millennia are scattered across a high volcanic plateau. Horses, ibex, and sun‑worshipper figures tell the story of ancient Central Asia.

  Jalal-Abad region, Fergana range

• Witness the colossal Inylchek Glacier from the At-Jailoo base camp

  Gaze across a sea of rubble‑coated ice toward the massive Merzbacher Lake and Khan Tengri. The scale of this 60‑km glacier is humbling, even from the camp.

  Engilchek glacier area, Issyk-Kul region

• Wander through the atmospheric Jayma Bazaar in Osh, one of Central Asia's oldest markets

  A sprawling riverside market where lanes are dedicated to spices, breads, and colourful textiles. The call from stallholders and scent of fresh lepyoshka create an irresistible sensory overload.

  Osh

• Carve fresh powder at the Karakol Ski Base, Central Asia's best ski resort

  Plunge down wide, tree‑lined runs with dry, waist‑deep snow. The base sits at 2,300 m, and the views of Issyk-Kul from the upper lifts are unbeatable.

  Karakol, Issyk-Kul region

• Hike to the sublime, hidden Kol-Tor lake in the Terskey Alatau

  A tough uphill path leads to an intensely blue lake cupped in a cirque of sharp peaks. Fewer visitors mean you often have the turquoise mirror to yourself.

  Kegeti gorge, Chuy region