Explore Kyrgyzstan book update
Last updated on 08/02/25
Route condition: A hotel has been illegally built at the end of the track (at the start of the hike). It is therefore no longer possible to camp at point 2. According to the authorities, the hotel will soon be demolished.
Route condition: Nothing to report
Route condition: After graduating in veterinary pharmacy, Issa had to leave his herd in the care of his father-in-law. He now lives in the village of Kemin, but on request he can organize the horseback ride with you. You can contact him by whatsapp here: +996500880447.
Route condition: Following major flooding, the runway has been damaged and is now at level 4 (pebbles, subsidence). And be sure to check the weather, because red sand becomes very slippery in the rain. If you go all the way down to point 4, there’s a real risk of slipping with your car and the return journey can be tricky!
Route condition: The section between points 7 and 9 along the lake is upgraded to level 4. Caution: check the weather forecast, because with rain, the sandy sections along the lake turn into sticky mud, and you risk slipping or getting stuck if you don’t have suitable tires.
Route condition: Following major flooding in 2022, the small hut that housed the hot spring on the trail was destroyed.
Route condition: Nothing to report
Route condition: Nothing to report
Route condition: Beware, every year the condition of the wooden bridges deteriorates. Sometimes they are renovated, but this is not always the case, so be careful. Always check on foot before passing. The price of access to the hot spring has risen(250 som).
Route condition: Nothing to report
Route condition: Nothing to report
Route condition: The last stretch of track between points 4 and 6 is in the process of being fully asphalted. The new border crossing is before point 4: 42.65231 79.22385.
Route condition: Nothing to report
Route condition: Nothing to report
Route condition: Nothing to report
Route condition: Nothing to report
Route condition: Nothing to report
Route condition: Nothing to report
Route condition: Nothing to report on the track. Please note that it is strictly forbidden to drive beyond the yurt camps, as indicated in the book (otherwise you’ll damage the scenery around the lake and get stuck in the mud).
Note that the The section between Kol-Suu and Torugart is level 4. The trail crosses the river and numerous sandy passages. Depending on the season, the river may be impassable.
Route condition: Nothing to report
Route condition: [Août 2022] The link between routes 21 and 22, which was blocked by a rockfall when we visited in June 2019, is now accessible. However, this is clearly a level 5 trail: very, very narrow cliffside track on the heights of the pass, hairpin bends and 2 very technical fords.
Route condition: Please note that the starting point indicated on the map is no longer possible, as many irrigation canals and some fields cover the track. Points 4 and 2 can be reached from GPS points: 41.89932, 72.86834. Between points 5 and 6, the track is cut off due to the floods of 2022.
Route condition: Nothing to report
Route condition: Nothing to report
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Olivia & Victor
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Hi, I’m Cas from the Netherlands. We are planning our off-road trip to Kyrgystan and have rented cars via Nick. The book is amazing, but we are having a difficulty planning the length of the route. Within 13 days, we are currently planning Bishkek -> 4 -> 15 -> 17 -> 14 -> 19 -> 13 -> 8 -> 7 -> (if we have time 10) -> 5 -> Bishkek. Are we planning too many routes? And is it possible to combine 13 and 8 to reach 7?
Thanks a lot!
Best,
Cas
hello Cas, thanks for ordering our book Explore Kyrgyzstan. Your itinerary is great, it is doable in 13 days but maybe a little short. I recommend to adapt your itinerary depending on the weather, the encouters you will make and your ability on the mountain tracks. Regarding your last question, yes it’s possible to do routes 13, 8 and 7 in a row. Enjoy your trip!
Hello, I am Ana from Spain and I have bought your book and I have a question regarding route number 7 Kumtor gold mine. is there a lot of truck traffic? I have read that they drive at high speed
Thanks
Hello Ana,
Yes, as explained in the book, you will meet many trucks from the Gold mine. But they don’t drive at high speed, especially not on the climb, as they’re extremely heavy and can’t move fast.
Best regards