r/Kyrgyzstan

Hey there!

I’ll be traveling to Kyrgyzstan soon, and will be staying there for about a week. My dad and I will be starting in Bishkek, but I hear there’s not much to do there, and I’d really love to do some horseback riding/horseback camping in the mountains for a few days. Does anybody have any recommendations for who to use?

Also, is there anyone who wants to meet up with us while we are there? We’ll be there around May 22/23.

Many thanks!

I started riding a bicycle, but I still can’t get used to using it when people are around. I get very anxious. So maybe if I had some company and rode for fun instead of trying to reach a destination, it would help. Is there anyone who would like to bike in Jal on Sunday afternoon?

Planning an 8-day trip to Kyrgyzstan with 3 friends towards the end of May, and would love some feedback from people who’ve done something similar.

Here’s our rough itinerary:

Day 1–2:

- Bishkek → Kyzart → horse riding to Kilemche Valley

- Continue horse riding to Song-Kol Lake (yurt stay)

Day 3–4:

- Drive to Issyk-Kol (south shore)

- Visit Ak-Say Canyon, Fairy Tale Canyon, Barskoon waterfalls, Jety-Oguz

- Reach Karakol

Day 5–7:

- Trek to Altyn-Arashan (12 km)

- Attempt Ala-Kol trek (19 km, ~3900 m pass)

- Trek back and stay in Karakol

Day 8:

- Drive back to Bishkek

A couple of things about us:

- Decently active but not hardcore technical trekkers

- First time in Central Asia

- One of us (me) is plant based, so trying to plan food a bit in advance

Would love advice on:

- Any dos and don’ts for this route?

- Anything people usually underestimate (weather, altitude, logistics)?

- How realistic is Ala-Kol in late May?

- Anything we should definitely carry but might forget?

- Any cultural etiquette we should be aware of?

- How is the coffee scenario there?

- How open are the hiking agency to discuss about 🍁?

Also open to any suggestions on:

- food hacks (especially plant-based options in rural areas)

- must-not-miss spots along this route

- Appreciate any insights 🙏

I'm Male 24, student living in bishkek and would like to make friends in bishkek, probably South Asian (Indian , Pakistani, Bangladeshi) and Arabic.

Hi.

I’m travelling alone to Kyrgyzstan (33M from Switzerland) and would be great to meet with other expats / foreigners, do some horse riding / hiking, shooting range or just do some trips to explore the surrounding areas 🙂 It’s my first time in Central Asia.

Feel free to write me a PM if someone is during that time frame in Osh.

If anyone here has booked a trek before solo, are you actually just alone with the guide and yurt group? Or are there other travelers who book the same times and ride alongside you but just in their own groups?

I love solo travel activities but I do it to meet people, would there be other people on these treks at the same time?