Ask any person who has visited Kyrgyzstan at least once in life what he or she associates with this wonderful country. Absolutely every person will tell you that Kyrgyzstan means nature to him or her.
Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country, more than 90% of the country is occupied by mountains. It is even often compared with Switzerland, since the beauty of Kyrgyzstan’s nature is not inferior to that of Switzerland.
In recent years, Kyrgyzstan has been developing very rapidly in the tourist direction, every year more and more tourists from all over the world come here, the bulk of whom are interested in trekking, mountaineering, hiking and, of course, the nomadic lifestyle of Kyrgyz people. And also thanks to the visa-free policy of the country, citizens of many foreign countries easily come to Kyrgyzstan.
If you are interested in trekking, but do not know where to start, then this blog is for you. Travel Land Travel Company will tell you about the best one-day and multi-day trekking destinations and give useful tips.
Things You Need to Know before traveling to Kyrgyzstan
The best season for trekking around the country is the months from June to mid-September. At this time, snow usually thaws in the mountains, trekking trails and a beautiful landscape open.
The weather in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan can be unpredictable. Considering the fact that on average you will climb to an altitude of 2500-4000 meters above sea level, it may be hot during the day and very cold at night.
It is possible that you will encounter bad weather and find yourself in a downpour or you will have to cross the river, so do not forget to pack the necessary clothes for this, for example, hiking trousers, thermal socks, thermal pants, flip-flops, for crossing water or boots, a warm sweater, jacket, etc.
Equipment
Good equipment is an important component in hiking in the mountains. The most necessary equipment is a good tent, a warm sleeping bag, a rug, a large, comfortable and lightweight backpack, trekking poles, etc.
Another important thing is that you have to climb mountains and sometimes go through difficult routes, so the weight of your backpack should be as light as possible. After all, if you are a seasoned traveler, you probably know that the difference in weight even by 3-5 kg plays a big role when walking a long distance, as well as when climbing and descending from the mountains.
The cost of a hiking permit in Kyrgyzstan
Hiking and backpacking trails in Kyrgyzstan are free, except for border areas where permission must be obtained, and an entrance fee is required to enter some national parks.
Answers to questions: 
- Which places are border zones?
- Why do they exist?
- How much does a border permit cost?
- How to purchase it and what is needed for this?
find out by following the link: border permit and What are border zones in Kyrgyzstan and why do they exist?
Tips on safety in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan for trekkers
No matter what country you are in, mountains absolutely everywhere cannot be 100% safe and the mountains of Kyrgyzstan are no exception. Physical fitness also plays a big role when hiking, as the main load goes on the muscles of the body. To protect yourself and make the trekking easier, take note of the following tips:
Use hiking sticks, they will be very useful when climbing and descending through difficult sections of the mountains, so you can avoid many difficulties.
Protect yourself from sun or windy sunburn. Take sun creams, sunglasses, etc. with you.
To avoid poisoning, do not eat berries and mushrooms unknown to you. Drink water, preferably from springs or ask shepherds where you can get water from. Locals always know where the water is clean and whether it is possible to drink it.
There is no communication and electricity in the highlands of Kyrgyzstan, so if you are traveling alone, you need to inform someone about your direction and the duration of the hike.
If you suddenly decide to leave the trail and go through the mountains to deserted places, remember that wild animals live in the mountains; wolves and bears, so it is advisable to travel accompanied by a local guide who knows the area well and will help you in every possible way.
But you don’t have to worry, it’s almost impossible to get lost in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. If you follow the rivers flowing down from the mountains, you will definitely come across a nomad camp or a small village where you will get acquainted with the famous Kyrgyz hospitality.
Amazing people are Kyrgyz shepherds. They are very friendly and hospitable. The mountain silence and harmony of Kyrgyzstan’s nature have such a strong influence on their behavior.
Kyrgyz shepherds can invite a complete stranger to their yurt and treat him to a cup of tea or kymyz (fermented milk drink made from mare’s milk). Moreover, those who prefer their drinks during the hike can enjoy the preparation of aromatic coffee, which gives the trip a special charm.
Camping and accommodation in yurts
You can set up camp almost anywhere you want. The uniqueness of traveling in Kyrgyzstan lies in the fact that there are no strict places for camping, many backpackers prefer to camp near the shepherds’ yurts.
If you get tired of tents and want to sleep comfortably, have a delicious meal, take a warm shower, then in many localities you will find yurt camps or guesthouses. In addition, you can spend a few days with a family of shepherds and take part in their daily life.
Trekking and hiking are useful for people of all ages. Hiking is recommended for those who prefer to walk for a short time along already laid paths and routes.
Hiking in Kyrgyzstan is ideally combined with cultural tours and jeep tours of the nomad country, where you can stay, park your car in a mountain hotel or guesthouse and go for a walk with a light picnic and a camera.
The most popular one-day treks:
- Walk to Ak Say Waterfall in Ala-Archa National Park
- Hiking and horse riding in Chon-Kemin National Park
- Gorge of Chon-Aksu or Grigorievskoe
- Karakol Gorge
- Kel Suu Lake
The most popular multi – day treks:
- Lake Ala-Kul – Altyn Arashan (3-4 days), overnight in tents
- Chon Kemin – Tamchy (Issyk-Kul) 4 days, overnight in tents
- Kyzart – Son-Kul Lake (2 days), overnight in a yurt
- Kochkor – Kol Ukok – Kochkor (2 days), overnight in a yurt
The most interesting and unforgettable trekking routes are in Kyrgyzstan for both amateurs and professionals. There are a lot of interesting and beautiful places where you can go hiking. You can choose for yourself a hiking or horse riding, or combine both types of trekking tours.
How to find trekking tours in Kyrgyzstan?
For those who want to join a group trekking tour, we advise you to go to the Tours section on our website: https://trvlland.com/tours, where you can find suitable tours with fixed dates.
And if you are planning a trip with your company, friends or family, we will arrange for you an individual trekking tour to the most famous destinations of Kyrgyzstan, where we will take into account all your wishes. Contact us by email: info@trvlland.com, with us you will find the best directions for hiking and trekking.
It’s time to travel around Kyrgyzstan, together with Travel Company Travel Land!
