Road trip in Kyrgyzstan: the complete guide to prepare your itinerary by 4×4, van, motorcycle or bicycle
All the practical information you need to plan your 15-day road trip to Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan, which means “land of the Kyrgyz”, is a small jewel landlocked in the middle of Central Asia. Crossed by the Celestial Mountains, this small mountainous country is home to vast wild spaces steeped in a thousand-year-old nomadic culture.
In this article, we’ll give you some valuable tips and practical information for planning your road trip to Kyrgyzstan!
- If you’re planning a trip by van, 4×4, motorcycle or bicycle, don’t leave without our book EXPLORE KYRGYZSTAN.
- If needed, you can find our guide and rental recommendations here.
Hello! We're Olivia & Victor, authors of the OunTravela guides.
Over the years, our passion for adventure has led us to create original travel guides sold in over 70 countries worldwide. Our mission is to spread a travel philosophy based on adventure, freedom, improvisation and exploration. Our guides inspire travellers to explore the world's forgotten paths, encountering wilderness and civilization.
We hope you find this article, based on our own experience, useful.
Enjoy your reading!
Why travel to Kyrgyzstan?
Crossed from west to east by the Celestial Mountains and the famous Silk Road, Kyrgyzstan is a land of wild contrasts and beauty. Punctuated by vertiginous peaks reaching 7,000 m in places, the country unfolds through sumptuous green mountain scenery, where the slender silhouettes of horses and the white yurts of nomads blend harmoniously. From desert steppes to vast valleys shaped by erosion and time, this small landlocked country in the middle of Central Asia is the ideal destination for an off-the-beaten-track adventure.
Kyrgyz hospitality is outstanding. The door of their yurts is always open to you, for a bit of warmth, a cup of tea, warm bread or a glass of vodka… and this despite the language barrier (Kyrgyz and Russian mainly spoken).
Given the country’s topography and poorly-developed road network, we recommend the use ofan off-road vehicle: 4×4, trail bike or mountain bike. While it’s possible to stay on the country’s main asphalt roads, it’s the small mountain tracks that will give you access to magnificent, little-travelled regions, where the locals are keen to meet you. You can rent a 4×4, a van , a motorcycle or even a bicycle. It’s also possible to trek on horseback, a fun way to experience nomadic life in the mountains. We have a few local guides to recommend, and you’ll find them in our article dedicated to horseback riding in Kyrgyzstan.
The Explore Kyrgyzstan book
We were lucky enough to explore the country several times between 2017 and 2024. In fact, we return almost every year. In love with the country and its people, we decided to create the travel guide for travelers who want to discover and explore Kyrgyzstan off the beaten track. Explore Kyrgyzstanis aimed at all adventure-seeking travellers, whatever their means of transport – 4×4, van, motorcycle or bicycle. Designed as a road-book and illustrated with numerous maps and photographs, Explore Kyrgyzstan is both a beautiful book and an essential tool for your Silk Road adventure.
But the best people to talk about it are our readers!
See what our readers have to say โญโญโญโญโญ
5 star | 92% | |
4 star | 7% | |
3 star | 0% | |
2 star | 1% | |
1 star | 0% |
Customer Images
In this book, we highlight 24 itineraries across the country, as well as over 60 sites of natural and cultural interest (hikes, archaeological sites, museums, etc.). You’re free to choose from our selection of trails according to your desires and the time you have available. Use this guide to build an itinerary that suits you, but don’t forget to let yourself be carried away by the hospitality of the Kyrgyz people and your own personal favorites. ๐
How to organize a road trip to Kyrgyzstan?
How long will you be in Kyrgyzstan?
Despite its small size (1/4 the size of France), the country boasts an incredible diversity of panoramas, from majestic glaciers and sparkling glacial lakes to arid steppes and verdant valleys. Due to its mountainous terrain and poorly-developed road network, we recommend a minimum stay of 15 days in Kyrgyzstan. to take full advantage of all the country has to offer. Don’t forget to take the seasons and weather conditions into account when planning your trip. The best time to visit Kyrgyzstan is from June to September, in summer, when temperatures are pleasant and most mountain roads are passable. Don’t leave without consulting our top 10 tips for planning your trip to Kyrgyzstan.
Driving in Kyrgyzstan: what you need to know
Road conditions is very uneven from one region to another.
Roads linking the main towns (Bishkek, Karakol, Osh) are asphalted and in good condition.
Mountain roads, on the other hand, can be severely damaged by landslides and floods.
Once you’ve left the main roads behind, you’ll make rapid progress on more or less well-maintained trails.
That’s why an all-terrain vehicle is a must.
To help you prepare for your trip, we’ve sorted the 24 trails in our Explore guide by the following categories difficulty level from 1 to 5 (depending on the vehicle you have, your experience, the difficulties, the gradient, etc.). And beware of the many Kyrgyz who drive fast and carelessly! ๐
Where to sleep?
Wild camping in Kyrgyzstan is an experience not to be missed.
You’ll be alone, in the middle of nature, and you’ll have the chance to contemplate a starry sky free of light pollution.
Camping is permitted everywhere (except in certain protected areas that are not easily accessible).
In the mountains, you can also experience the pleasure of sleeping in a yurt and discover the semi-nomadic lifestyle.
In the valleys and in town, you’ll find small guesthouses and reasonably priced hotels.
We’ve also prepared an article on the best places to stay in Kyrgyzstan.
How do you plan your itinerary?
Download a navigation application onto your smartphone to geolocate yourself and download maps in advance (which can be consulted offline). We recommend, for example, Maps.me or OSMand. If you’re using a Garmin-type GPS, download the OpenStreetMap maps before you set off. For those who prefer, you can download the GPS tracks for the 24 trails in the Explore guide (with over 150 points: bivouacs, viewpoints, etc.). We can also provide you with a foldable A2 map of Kyrgyzstan (Scale 1:2,000,000). Here you’ll find the main roads, the 24 book trails and the country’s main tourist attractions. On the back of the map, you’ll also find a complete Kyrgyz-French lexicon!
If you are looking for a more precise map of the country. We recommend the 1:750,000 Gizi maps. Please note, however, that some roads are out of date.
Our 15-day 4×4 itinerary in Kyrgyzstan
During our first stay in Kyrgyzstan, we crossed part of the country in a Toyota Prado that we had rented in Bishkek with Almaz. The map below shows the itinerary of our 15-day road-trip, including 3 days on horseback(2 days at Lake Song-Kul with Timur and 1 day at Lake Kol-Suu).
This itinerary allows you to discover the different facets of the country, from the arid canyons of Lake Issyk-Kul to the mountains of Tian-Shan. It also offers a taste of nomadic life in the high-altitude meadows and the vestiges of the Silk Road, notably the Tash Rabat caravanserai.
Please note that crossing the Tosor Pass is reserved for travellers with off-road driving experience and a suitable vehicle (4×4 obligatory, ATV, trail-type motorcycle). If you travel before June, the pass may still be covered in snow. In addition, fording is more difficult in early summer (when the snow melts). Don’t hesitate to join our facebook group Overland Kyrgyzstan for live information on the slopes.
Prized by visitors for its turquoise-blue waters and shores invaded by horses and yurts in summer, Lake Song-Kul is now one of the country’s must-sees. Time permitting, we highly recommend a visit to Lake Kol-Suu. Perched at an altitude of 3,500 m, Lake Kol-Suu sparkles blue amid high granite cliffs. It’s undoubtedly one of the most beautiful lakes in the country! A border permit is required to visit this lake.
What you need to know before traveling to Kyrgyzstan
Visa
No visa required for stays of less than 60 days.
A passport valid for 6 months after your arrival in the country will suffice.
Airline tickets
400-500โฌ Round trip
Best season: June-September.
Spring is preferred for the green plains and transhumance, but beware of flooding rivers.
Cost of living
– Local currency: 1โฌ=79 soms
– Food: โฌ4-7 for a restaurant meal
– Overnight stay (Yurt): 5-8โฌ/pers with breakfast
– Free camping allowed except in certain parks closed to tourists.
– SP petrol: โฌ0.6/L
4x4 rental
To rent a 4×4 in Kyrgyzstan, you’ll need between โฌ70 and โฌ100/day, depending on the model (Toyota Landcruiser, Prado, Lada Niva, UAZ Buhanka, etc.).
Find our selection of the best rental agencies in Bishkek and Osh as well as our advice on:
– available models
-the best rental agencies
-driving in Kyrgyzstan
-insurance
Motorcycle rental
To rent a motorcycle in Kyrgyzstan, you’ll need to spend โฌ60-90/day, depending on the model (Yamaha 600XT, Africa Twin, BMW 650 GS, etc.).
Please note that the offer is quite limited, so we advise you to book in advance.
Find all our recommendations for renting a motorcycle in Kyrgyzstan here.
Find a local guide
There is a plethora of agencies and guides in Kyrgyzstan.
In order to promote employment in the country, we have created a list of the guides we meet on our trips to Kyrgyzstan and whose services we have been able to test.
This list is regularly updated, and you’ll find guides for hiking, horse trekking, rafting and more.
Go to this article: Find a guide in Kyrgyzstan.
Budget for a 2-week road-trip in Kyrgyzstan
For a 15-day road trip to Kyrgyzstan in 2025 for 2 people, you’ll need to budget around โฌ1887 per person. This road-trip consists of 12 days in a rented 4×4 with roof tent (Toyota Land Cruiser) and 3 days on horseback in high season (July/August). The budget calculation is based on our personal experience!
For 4 people, the budget per person is degressive, as the price of rental and fuel is divided by 4. What’s more, if there are 4 of you, the price of the trek on horseback is degressive: it’s around โฌ225 per person for a group of 4.
For 4 people, the total budget is around โฌ1,380 per person.
Our favorites in Kyrgyzstan
The south shore of Lake Issyk Kul
From its warm, salty waters to its golden sandy beaches, only the surrounding snow-capped peaks betray the true nature of Lake Issyk-Kul , nicknamedthe “Kyrgyz Sea”. Perched at an altitude of 1,609 m, Issyk-Kul is one of the world’s largest high-mountain lakes. The lunar landscapes on the southern shore of the lake are incredible!
Lake Kol-Suu
This magnificent turquoise lake suspended at 3400m altitude in the midst of sheer cliffs is a real gem! Note that we Lake Kol Suu can only be reachedon foot or horseback. The track leading to the yurt camp at the foot of the lake has recently been renovated. We rented horses on site with the nomads, an unforgettable experience.
Song Kol Lake
It was at Song Kul Lake that we got our first taste of horseback riding. Galloping down to the lake, which was at one with the sky, we’ll always remember the feeling of escape and freedom! We spent two nights in a yurt, with traditional meals served by Timur‘s family , an exceptional guide.
The Tash Rabat caravanserai and the track to Baetov
From gullied desert relief to green meadowsto high rocky cliffs to sparkling glaciersThe Baetov region is full of stunning landscapes. The region is also home to the famous Tash-Rabat caravanserai, an exceptional witness to the history of the Silk Road.
Tosor-Ashuu pass
Snowy and rocky, we never thought we’d make it over this pass (3893m), such was the difficulty of the route, but the view from the top remains our best memory, a valley of a thousand colors, where we came across hundreds of free-roaming yaks and horses. It was an incredible change of scenery. We had a few scares crossing the rivers, but all passed us by! You’ll find hot springs along the way… very welcome. The Celestial Mountains (Arabel Pass, Tosor Pass, Engilchek, etc.) are a must-see!
Our blog posts on Kyrgyzstan
Our articles on Kyrgyzstan
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to join our facebook discussion group dedicated to exploring Kyrgyzstan. You can also share your experience of the country and/or discover photos taken by other travellers.
If you liked this article, help us and share it with your friends!
And don’t forget to pin the article on Pinterest to find it more easily ๐
4 Comments
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Josef Reifenauer on 17 February 2025 at 20:43
Hallo, we are from Austria and we will go to Kyrgystan for 6 weeks in June and July.
One year ago we have ordered your beautiful book inkl. GPS tracks EXPLORE KYRGYSTAN.
Some routes from this book want we explore with a 4 x 4 car DELICA MITSUBISHI, which we have booked just now by Igor & Anna in Bischkek.
We want to drive the following routes from your book:
Number 15, 17, 14, 19, 20, 22 and 24
Is it possible to drive this routes with our 4×4 Mitsubishi car and are the routes and GPS tracks from your book currently OK. Where can I find out about changes?
THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your helping !
Best regard, we are looking forward to our trip to Kyrgystan.
Josef
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Raman KV on 29 October 2023 at 07:52
Planning a trip to Krygysthan self drive in the Mountains
Merci beaucoup. Livre magnifique et complet
Libro fatto molto bene non vedo l ora di metterlo in pratica
Trรจs beau livre avec des informations importantes et enrichissantes pour apprรฉhender le voyages
Livraison rapide. Livrรฉ magnifique au delร de mes attentes