12 Best Hikes in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan may be one of the most underrated hiking destinations in the world. However, that’s likely all about to change as more people realise the spectacular mountains hidden in Central Asia. With plenty of trails traversing the ranges all over the country to alpine lakes, 7,000+ metre peaks, and summer yurt camps, there are lots of great hikes in Kyrgyzstan.

If you’re planning a trip to Central Asia, then I’m assuming you want to do some hiking. The trails in Kyrgyzstan feel like some of the best in the world, with outstanding views, on par with what you can find in Nepal.

Whether you want to do some day hikes or longer multi-day treks, I’m going to detail all the best hikes to do in Kyrgyzstan below. Hopefully this helps you plan the ultimate mountain adventure in Kyrgyzstan!

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Best Time to Hike in Kyrgyzstan

It’s only advisable to hike during the warmer summer months in Kyrgyzstan, from May until September. This is when the trails are cleared of snow and it’s safer to hike independently through the mountains. The peak hiking months are generally considered to be July and August.

The weather in Kyrgyzstan is unpredictable all year round though, especially in the mountains. You should be prepared for four seasons in one day, and it’s not unusual to experience snow, rain or wind, even in summer.

I’d recommend keeping an eye on the forecast before setting off on your hike, as you may have to adjust your plans or put off your start day to be safe.

Where to Rent Camping and Hiking Gear

For long treks, you should carry a tent and camping gear, so as not to rely solely on the use of yurts. While yurt camps have been set up along most popular treks now, like the 4-day Ala Kul trek, on longer trails like the Best of Alay or Ak Suu Traverse, I would recommend being self-sufficient in case you need to seek shelter between yurt camps.

You can either bring your own camping gear or it’s also possible to rent camping and hiking gear in Kyrgyzstan. If you bring or hire a gas cooker, you can purchase gas canisters once you arrive in Bishkek or Karakol.

Karakol is a popular trekking base in the eastern part of the country near the Tian Shan Mountain Range. You can find a couple of equipment stores there to rent gear. I recommend 4Rent as they have good quality camping and hiking gear, while EcoTrek is another popular place to rent gear, although they typically offer heavier stuff.

You can also rent camping gear from some CBT (Community Based Tourism) Offices. The offices in Jyrgalan and Osh rent camping gear for those wanting to trek nearby in more remote places.

Otherwise, you can find gear rental shops and camping stores in Bishkek as well, if you want to arrange your gear as soon as you land. You can find a few outdoor stores and rental options in the city, including:

Apple Hostel (they rent gear)
Gergert Shop (outdoor store with camping, hiking and biking equipment for sale and rent)
Red Fox Shop (outdoor store which make popular hiking tents and other outdoor gear)

Be aware though that most of the gear for rent in Kyrgyzstan is quite old and heavy (nothing ultralight!), so be prepared to carry some weight.

Find More Places on my Kyrgyzstan Map on Rexby:

Camping and Staying in Yurts

The other form of accommodation for hikers in Kyrgyzstan is the various yurt camps set up in the summer months in the mountains. Traditionally, families have moved to the mountains in the warmer months and set up jailoos or yurt camps for their animals to graze in higher altitude fields.

Today, some have opened their yurt camps to tourists wishing to experience life in the jailoo, or for hikers trekking through the mountain passes.

Yurt camps typically offer a bed in a yurt (sometimes you’ll get your own yurt, but in high season you may have to share), an outdoor shared toilet (usually squat toilet, but sometimes a flushing toilet), and shared dining yurt. Typically, there’s no electricity in the yurts, just occasionally solar powered lights at night.

You can also opt to camp in your own tent near a yurt camp and just pay for meals or use their toilet.

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Do You Need a Guide for Hiking in Kyrgyzstan?

No, there are no rules requiring guides in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. However, if you’re not an experienced hiker then I would recommend considering hiring a guide for multi-day treks.

Most trails in Kyrgyzstan are clearly trafficked by locals and tourists; however, signage is almost non-existent and you won’t find any helpful trail markers along the way. This means that you need to have some form of a map or navigation tool, so you don’t get lost.

For most day hikes, you can find your way without a guide. Although I’d recommend having Maps.Me downloaded for offline use. Or AllTrails for some trails (not all hikes are on there in Kyrgyzstan).

However, for multi-day hikes, I would strongly recommend ensuring you have planned out a route on a navigation or map app. If you aren’t experienced in mountain hiking, then I’d recommend hiring a guide. You can do this through any CBT Office, which can be found in most towns.

I have trekked alone in many countries, including Nepal, India, Peru and Australia. So, I felt comfortable trekking alone and with friends in Kyrgyzstan, although we relied heavily on Maps.Me for navigation and finding camping spots. We camped both in rented tents that we carried for the Ala Kul trek, and also in yurt camps in other areas like the Alay Mountains.

Best Day Hikes in Kyrgyzstan

If you don’t want to carry camping gear, then there are plenty of day hikes in Kyrgyzstan that still offer incredible views and will have you back to your accommodation all within a day. Here are the best day hikes to add to your itinerary:

Ak-Sai Waterfall or Ak Sai Glacier (Ala Archa National Park)

Distance: 8.2 km
Time: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Nearest town: Bishkek

Ak-Sai Waterfall is the best day hike to do in Ala Archa National Park, the closest mountain region to the capital, Bishkek. It’s easily accessible from the city and can easily be done in a day, including transport to and from Bishkek.

The path to the Ak Sai waterfall is well marked and begins at the main trailhead just inside the national park entrance. There is a steep climb at first, but then an easier walk through the open valley. It then follows a final steep climb to the waterfall.

If you’re incredibly fit and have plenty of time, then you can continue to Ratzek Hut and the Ak Sai Glacier. This is a further 2.5 km one way on a steep trail. This is also an ideal overnight hike for those looking to acclimatise before heading to bigger mountains in Kyrgyzstan. You can camp or stay at Ratzek Hut.

You can reach Ala Archa National Park by public transport. Bus #1 departs regularly from near the State of Lenin in Bishkek and takes about an hour to get to the entrance. Then, pay the entrance fee and jump on the free shuttle bus that transports visitors to the main trailhead. Or join a day tour so logistics are taken care of for you.

Kol Ukok and Kol Tor

This is really like two different day hikes that can be completed either consecutively, or you can drive to Kol Ukok lake and then just complete the day hike to Kol Tor instead. We opted to hike both with a night at a yurt camp at the lake.

Kol Ukok lake is located about 20km southeast of Kochkor town. It sits in a valley of snow-capped mountains and grassy slopes where animals graze during summer. The lake has a handful of family-owned yurt camps on the shoreline where tourists can stay. In my opinion, it’s one of the most underrated places to visit in Kyrgyzstan.

Hiking to Kol Ukok

Distance: 14.5 km one way
Time: 4.5-5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Nearest town: Kochkor

You can either hike or drive to the lake. If you want to hike, then you can take a taxi to the outskirts of Kochkor town to a bridge, from where it’s about 14.5km on a dirt road all the way up to the lake.

I hiked this route to the lake with two friends and so did some other backpackers. However, if you have a 4×4 car or prefer to take a taxi the whole way to the lake to save time, it’s easy to organise in Kochkor. Any guesthouse in Kochkor can help find a driver for you.

From Kol Ukok, you can then hike to Kol Tor as a day hike return. This would require a night spent at Kol Ukok lake in one of the yurt camps, or in Kochkor. We stayed two nights in a yurt camp at Kol Ukok and a night in Kochkor at Liliya Guesthouse. We booked the yurt camp through the guesthouse in Kochkor.

Hiking to Kol Tor

Distance: 12 km return
Time: 5.5-6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate

This hike leaves from Kol Ukok lake and takes you up to the glacial-fed sparkling lake of Kol Tor at nearly 3,500m. The trail begins from the yurt camps at Kol Ukok and follows the shoreline of the lake all the way around to the far end. From there, you turn right and head up through another valley that slowly gets steeper and steeper.

Once you finally make it to Kol Tor, you’ll have an incredible view of a sparkling blue lake underneath glaciers and jagged peaks. There’s even a little sandy beach on the lake, where you can sit to relax for a break before heading back.

Read more: Essential Guide to Kol Ukok Lake

Travellers Pass

Distance: 16 km return from Tulpar Lake
Time: 5-8 hours
Difficulty: Moderate-Hard
Nearest town: Sary Mogul

This is one of the best day hikes to do in Kyrgyzstan. Travellers Pass is a high-altitude pass on the climbing route to Lenin Peak in the Alay Mountains of southern Kyrgyzstan.

It’s not as heavily visited as the area around Issyk Kul in eastern Kyrgyzstan, so you’ll likely have a more remote feeling on this trail. The pass is accessible on foot, with no mountaineering experience required, making it the best way to get a close-up view of Peak Lenin, which reaches 7,134m.

The day hike begins from the yurt camps at Tulpar Lake, which is 23km from Sary Mogul. You can reach this lake by hiring a taxi for 1 hour (recommended) or walking the 23km on a dirt road.

The trail leaves directly from the last yurt camp and crosses the river before heading to Lenin Peak Base Camp. From here, it’s a long slog up to Travellers Pass, with the trail getting steeper and more ruthless the higher you get.

The final climb requires navigating a steep scree slope with several switchbacks getting you up to Travellers Pass. From there, you can continue to the left up to the top of a small ridgeline which offers a stunning panoramic view.

This is 4,200m high, so you’ll likely feel the effects of the lack of oxygen at that altitude. Take it easy and allow plenty of time to make it up and back from Tulpar Lake.

I recommend spending the night in a yurt camp at Tulpar Lake, or take the taxi back and stay in Sary Mogul village at CBT-1 Guesthouse.

View of the glacier from Travellers Pass

Koshkol Lakes

Distance: 22 km
Time: 8 hours
Difficulty: Moderate-Hard
Nearest town: Sary Mogul

One of the more difficult and longer day hikes to attempt in Kyrgyzstan is to Koshkol Lakes in the Alay Mountains. This is a very remote trail and reaches up to 4,200m in elevation.

You’ll need to take a 4×4 taxi from Sary Mogul to the start of the trek. Any guesthouse or the local CBT-1 Guesthouse in Sary Mogul will be able to arrange this for you.

From there, it’s a simple trail through a valley up to a viewpoint from where you can enjoy snow-capped views over several high peaks and alpine lakes. While it’s a straight forward out and back hike, it requires a good level of fitness and is best done with a friend, or guide.

Turnaluu Kol Hike

Distance: 14.5 km loop
Time: 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Nearest town: Jyrgalan

This is the best day hike to do from Jyrgalan village. The loop hike takes in a scenic peak and a hidden alpine lake not far from the village. We did the day hike in an anti-clockwise direction, which I’d recommend doing because it gets the steep climb done first.

The trail heads up to Chaar Jon peak at 3,000m on a very steep, direct path that is not signposted, so ensure you have offline maps downloaded. At the top, you’ll have panoramic views over the area.

From there, the trail heads down to Turnaluu Kol (Crane Lake), hidden amongst the trees. The loop brings you back to Jyrgalan village on a more gentle descent.

This trail is not easy to follow with some confusing tracks going everywhere. I highly recommend having Maps.Me or AllTrails downloaded. You can also stop in at the CBT Office in Jyrgalan to ask for advice.

Kel Suu Lake

Distance: 18 km return
Time: 6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Nearest town: Naryn
Permit is required

Kel-Suu lake is considered to be one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in Central Asia. It is located in the Kok-Kiya valley at 3,500m and is very close to the border with China, which is why a travel permit is required to visit.

The day trek to Kel Suu lake starts at the yurt camps in Kok-Kiya Valley. The first couple of hours are easy as you head through the valley, before the final steeper climb brings you right to the lake. The stunning body of water splits through towering jagged rocky cliffs, with the bright turquoise water at its best when the sun is shining.

Obtain a border permit by contacting the CBT Office in Naryn prior to travelling, as it can take up to a few weeks to process. The only way to get into the Kok Kiya Valley is by a 4×4 vehicle, so either rent one yourself or join a group tour in Naryn or Bishkek.

You’ll likely need to stay the night inn Kok Kiya Valley at one of the yurt camps, which the CBT Office can arrange for you, or you can try your luck and organise upon arrival.

Day 1 of the Ala Kul trek — Walking through Karakol Valley

Best Multi-Day Treks in Kyrgyzstan

For those wanting to extend their time in the mountains and explore more on foot, then there are several long multi-day trekking routes to attempt. The most popular is the Ala Kul trek which takes about 3-4 days.

However, there are plenty of other lesser known treks, or even longer options for up to a week. Here are the best multi-day treks in Kyrgyzstan.

Ala Kul Trek

Distance: 55 km
Time: 3-4 days
Difficulty: Moderate-Hard
Nearest town: Karakol

The Ala Kul trek has become the most popular multi-day trek in Kyrgyzstan. The 55km section of the much longer, Ak Suu Traverse, is considered the most beautiful part of the Terskey Alatau mountain range in eastern Kyrgyzstan.

The highlight of the trek is reaching Ala Kul, a scenic alpine lake sitting at 3,500m in a bowl of mountains. The lake can only be visited on foot, and it requires some tough climbing on rocky terrain to reach.

Anyone with a good level of fitness should be able to complete the trek over 3-4 days one way. However, be prepared for some wild mountain weather, loose scree, relentless climbs, and a treacherous descent down from Ala Kul Pass.

It’s a very rewarding trek though and can be easily completed independently. Starting from Karakol, you can take a marshrutka to the start of the trekking route. From there, you walk through the pretty Karakol Valley, then up to Sirota Camp, before finally reaching Ala Kul lake. The descent takes you down to Altyn Arashan, a popular hot spring resort and perfect spot to relax after some tough walking.

I carried a tent and all camping gear for this trek with two friends. However, you can also stay at yurt camps along the way if you don’t want to carry the heavy gear. Drop into the Destination Karakol Office for more information. Or hire gear from 4Rent in Karakol.

Ak Suu Traverse

Distance: 110 km
Time: 7-9 days
Difficulty: Hard
Nearest town: Karakol

Arguably, the ultimate Kyrgyzstan trek is the Ak Suu Traverse. This 110km one way journey from Jyrgalan to Jeti Oguz takes about 9 days for most people. It’s best reserved for experienced hikers only as it crosses several high mountain passes and includes river crossings, hostile weather, and extremely steep terrain.

Even fit hikers have been shocked by the brutality of this trail at times. It has relentless elevation changes, and plenty of loose scree, that you’ll almost certainly need trekking poles to help you descend from passes.

However, along the way, you’ll get to see the very best of the Tien Shan Mountains, including several alpine lakes, summer jailoos (yurt camps), snow-capped peaks and stunning forested valleys.

Be sure to check detailed reports online and ask at the Destination Karakol Office about the latest conditions before setting out.

While most people carry full camping gear and food to complete this trail, it’s now possible to stay in yurt camps the entire way too. However, this will make your itinerary less flexible, as it will dictate where you’ll stay each night. You should expect to pay around US$40-60 per night for yurt camps in this region, so it adds up quick. KyrgyzLife operate the yurt camps, so you can contact them for more information.

This trek can also be shortened into sections. The Ala Kul trek mentioned above is the most popular section of this trek, and is a 4 day trek that arguably takes you to the highlight of the entire trail, Ala Kul.

The Boz Uchuk Lakes trek from Jyrgalan is also a section of this trek, so you can also opt for that 3 day adventure instead if you’re looking for something shorter.

Boz Uchuk Lakes

Distance: 46 km
Time: 3 days
Difficulty: Moderate
Nearest town: Jyrgalan

Fast becoming a popular three day hike in Kyrgyzstan, the Boz Uchuk trail begins in Jyrgalan. It’s a one way hike, making it a bit more logistically challenging than some other loop treks on this list.

The trail crosses a few passes, with views of the Terskey-Alatoo Range, camping by several lakes, before arriving in the village of Boz Uchuk. From here, you can arrange a pick up, or walk to the main road for a marshrutka.

Before setting out on this trek, ask in Jyrgalan about the state of the river bridge at Tiorgen Ak-Suu, otherwise you’ll have to take a horse over the river (that needs to be paid in cash to the horse owner).

Destination Jyrgalan Office in the middle of the village is the best resource for maps, rental camping gear, and up to date information on the trail. They can also arrange a guide for you, if you don’t feel confident tackling this alone.

You will come across yurt camps and grazing livestock along the way, but it’s recommended to carry camping gear. Although, yurt camps can offer accommodation. Check before setting off if you want to book them.

Keskenkija Loop

Distance: 53 km
Time: 4 days
Difficulty: Moderate
Nearest town: Jyrgalan

This 53-km loop starts and finishes in Jyrgalan village. It’s a fairly accessible multi-day hike that climbs up to a moderate 3,500m. The Keskenkija Loop trek heads out to Eki Chat before crossing Jyrgalan Pass and continuing through Kesken Kija canyons. It takes on average four days to complete.

Similarly to the Boz Uchuk Lakes Trek, it requires a potential river crossing that can be dangerous depending on the water levels. Check in at the Destination Jyrgalan Office before leaving.

You will come across yurt camps along the way, but you’ll likely need your own camping gear to complete this trek. If you want to book the yurt camps, do so at the Destination Jyrgalan Office or enquire upon arrival on the trail.

Tulpar Lake with Lenin Peak in the background

Best of Alay/Heights of Alay

Distance: 90 km one way
Time: 7 days
Difficulty: Moderate-Hard
Nearest town: Sary Mogul

The Best of Alay trek is easily the ultimate way to explore the Alay Mountains in southern Kyrgyzstan. It’s one of the more challenging treks in the country as it takes about a week and crosses several high altitude passes over 4,000m.

However, for experienced hikers, the reward is one to remember. You’ll be able to take in some of the best mountain views in the world, easily on par with Nepal, but with basically nobody else around. Be prepared to not see anyone except local shepherds on this trail.

There are semi-nomadic families who live in yurt camps in the alpine meadows throughout the Alay region. This offers the ability to shelter with them or get a hot meal. Check with the CBT Office in Sary Mogul before setting off for the availability of yurt camps for the upcoming season.

Otherwise, you can also carry camping gear and wild camp basically anywhere you like. Most trekkers will carry a tent and food so as not to rely on yurt camps.

If you’re not confident in mountain trekking, then I highly recommend arranging a guide for this trek. You can do this through the CBT Office in Sary Mogul or Osh.

Holy Lakes Trek

Distance: 46 km
Time: 4 days
Difficulty: Moderate-Hard
Nearest town: Arslanbob

Th Holy Lakes Trek is an underrated multi-day adventure beginning from Arslanbob, near Osh. It was for a long time an important pilgrim site in the sacred Baba Atash Mountains.

It’s not an easy trek, and you’ll need a guide to complete the round trip, as there are no signposts along the way and no designated yurt camps catering for hikers. This is an off-grid trek, that will get you deep into the mountains away from crowds.

You’ll need full camping gear and enough food to last the entire trek. It’s also a great horse trekking option, which can be done within 3 days from Arslanbob (a day less than walking).

To arrange this trek, you can contact CBT Arslanbob or Destination Jalal-Abad for more information. Ibrahim at Ibrahim Guesthouse in Arslanbob can also organise the trip for you. I stayed at his place while in Arslanbob and he speaks excellent English and German. His Whatsapp no is +996 777 733 056.

Ala Kul Pass, the highest point of the trek

Safety Tips for Trekking in Kyrgyzstan

Whether you’re planning a day hike or multi-day trek, here are some safety tips and general information that you need to know before hiking in Kyrgyzstan.

Pack for all seasons: Weather in the mountains can be unpredictable even in summer. Pack warm layers and wet weather gear even in the warmer months, so you’re prepared for all conditions.

Acclimatise slowly: With 90% of the country above 1,500m, you’ll need to allow your body time to adjust when arriving. Expect yourself to feel out of breath and a slight headache for a few days in the mountains. You may notice that if you cross high mountain passes, you feel a bit slower than usual. If you have a persistent headache, it’s best to descend to a lower elevation. Staying hydrated is one of the best ways to help your body adjust.

Download offline maps: As mentioned already, having offline maps downloaded on your phone will help you navigate the trails. Maps.Me is very accurate in Kyrgyzstan. Or you can also try AllTrails, which has some hikes on the app in Kyrgyzstan.

Carry first aid and a PLB: Always carry a first aid kit and an emergency device like a PLB when hiking anywhere in the world. This will ensure that you can manage any injuries that occur on trail.

Carry a water filter: I recommend carrying a water filter or a filter drink bottle for all hikes in the country. This way you can fill up from all the mountain streams and rivers without having to worry about getting sick from the water. It also ensures you won’t run out of water along the way.

Appropriate level of fitness: Some of the trails in Kyrgyzstan are incredibly steep and rugged, with rough terrain. Having a good level of fitness is recommended for most hikes, which ensures that you can safely make it back or to camp before dark. Taking trekking poles will also help navigate the slippery scree that is common on the mountains passes.

Leave no trace: Be responsible and pack out all of your rubbish on any trek or hike. Do not bury rubbish or burn it. For multi-day treks, carry a trowel for going to the toilet.

I hope this hiking guide was useful and that you enjoy trekking in the stunning mountains of Kyrgyzstan. Let me know if you have any questions!

Exploring More of Kyrgyzstan? Read My Guides:

Travel Tips: Everything You Need to Know About Travelling Kyrgyzstan
Highlights: 20 Amazing Things to Do in Kyrgyzstan
Sary Mogul: Guide to Hiking Travellers Pass and Tulpar Lakes
Train Travel: How to Take the Train From Bishkek to Balykchy
Bishkek: 10 Best Things to Do in Bishkek
Issyk Kul: How to Get From Bishkek to Karakol and Exploring Issyk Kul
Karakol: 15 Best Things to Do in Karakol
Ala Kul Trek: Complete Guide to the Ala Kul Trek
Jyrgalan: Essential Guide to Visiting Jyrgalan Valley
Song Kul: Guide to Horse Trekking to Song Kul Lake
Kol Ukok: An Essential Guide to Kol Ukok Lake Near Kochkor
Arslanbob: Essential Guide for Visiting Arslanbob and the Walnut Forest
SIM Card: Best SIM Cards for Kyrgyzstan and How to Buy