9 Things to Do in Kyrgyzstan (Plus My 3-Day Route)

Okay, Kyrgyzstan. I am DYING to go back.

You’re sitting on the shore of a giant alpine lake. Right behind you are red, rocky, almost desert-looking hills. And behind those? Snowcapped mountains. Even in September, when you’d think the snow would be long gone, it’s still sitting up there on the peaks.

That’s Kyrgyzstan in one view. Raw, epic, and nothing like what I expected.

I only had about 3 days here as part of my 17-day Central Asia itinerary, and that taste was not nearly enough. But I packed in a lot. Here are the 9 things worth your time around Issyk-Kul and Bishkek, plus the 3-day route I’d use to fit them in.

Heads up: Steppe Journeys invited me on the tour that got me here. As always, opinions are 100% my own.

9 Things to Do in Kyrgyzstan

These are in the order I did them, starting at the east end of Issyk-Kul and finishing in Bishkek. If you’re flying into Bishkek, just flip it.

1. Seven Bulls (Jeti-Oguz) and Broken Heart Rock

Seven Bulls is a row of big red rock cliffs in the Jeti-Oguz gorge, with yurts and a cave sitting right at the bottom. It’s gorgeous, and it’s one of those spots that looks fake in photos.

Just down the road is Broken Heart Rock, a big rock split in two. Legend says a girl had to choose between two guys who both loved her. LOL. It’s a quick roadside stop, with a little river running right below.

Tip: If you’ve got your own wheels, you can drive right up to the Seven Bulls viewpoint. The big tour buses have to stop at the bottom, and those folks had a muddy trek up.

2. Fairytale (Skazka) Canyon

Skazka means fairytale in Russian, and yeah, it fits. It’s a maze of red, orange, and striped rock formations right off the south shore of Issyk-Kul, and you can wander and scramble all over it.

You can climb up onto the ridges for views, or just roam around down in the canyon itself. Either way, go slow and soak it in.

Tip: The red clay is slippery and crumbly, especially after rain, and it’ll probably stain your clothes. Wear real shoes and don’t wear your nicest stuff (especially if you’re clumsy like me). The dirt road in gets muddy, and the parking is tight, too.

3. Sleep in a Yurt on Issyk-Kul

Issyk-Kul is a massive alpine lake, and falling asleep in a yurt right on its shore is a must, at least once.

This is where I had that view I mentioned up top. Red, rocky hills right behind the shore, then snowy peaks stacked behind those. Grab a seat by the water around sunset and just stare.

We stayed at Beltam Yurt Camp on the south shore. It’s a simple, budget-friendly camp close to the water, and the meals were good. It also poured that night; the power went out, and my yurt leaked a little. All part of the experience, right?! You should probably bring a headlamp!

Tip: One night in a yurt is plenty. There are regular hotels along the lake too, so if you’re staying longer, mix it up.

4. Watch an Eagle Hunting Show

Hunting with golden eagles is a centuries-old nomadic tradition in Kyrgyzstan. Near the south shore, you can watch a local hunter fly his eagle with the mountains behind him, and even try your hand at traditional archery.

Honestly? I don’t know how I feel about it. I’m not a huge fan of animals in tourism. But it’s a real part of the culture here, and it’s something you’ll see offered everywhere. So it’s your call.

5. Burana Tower and the Balbals

Burana Tower is an 11th-century minaret standing alone in a field, with big mountains as the backdrop. Scattered around it are balbals, old carved stone figures that were found all over the country and gathered here in one spot.

There’s a small museum on site too, packed with old tools and objects in surprisingly good shape. It’s an easy stop on the way between Issyk-Kul and Bishkek.

Tip: You can climb the tower, but if you want photos of it, skip the climb. You can’t photograph a tower when you’re inside it! 😆

6. Ride the Gondola at Ala Archa National Park

Ala Archa is a big mountain park about 40 km outside Bishkek, and it’s the easiest way to get into the Tien Shan mountains from the capital. Grab a taxi out on your own, or join an Ala Archa day tour.

A brand-new gondola takes you up for huge valley views. From there, there are easy trails to wander. We hiked up to a great valley viewpoint with a little bridge leading off to more trails. I could have stayed out there for days.

Tip: The gondola costs 600 som (about $7) per person. The views from the top are great, but honestly, I liked hiking in way better!

7. Wander Bishkek

Bishkek is a leafy, easygoing capital with mountain views peeking out at the edges. It’s not a city packed with must-see sights, and that’s kind of the point. You just wander.

Start at Ala-Too Square, the city’s big main square, with the Manas monument and the State History Museum. From there, walk through the parks and tree-lined boulevards. Oak Park is a nice one, and the whole center is very walkable. Want the backstory? Join a Bishkek walking tour.

Swing by Victory Square too, where the big arched monument is shaped like the frame of a yurt. And grab a cup of kvas from one of the street vendors along the way. It’s a tangy, beer-like drink made from bread, but without the buzz.

8. Bishkek at Dusk and After Dark

This is when Bishkek really won me over.

Erkindik Boulevard: This long, leafy park strip runs north from the train station, and around dusk it’s prime people watching. On my walk one evening, I stumbled upon several tables full of little grandpas playing chess. Adorable!!!

IWA Sky Bar: This rooftop bar at the top of the Sheraton has epic mountain views. There’s usually a minimum spend of 4,000 som (about $46) per person. I showed up at an off time and somehow sweet-talked my way in for just some shrimp and a glass of wine. No promises you’ll get that lucky!

No Name Bar: Yep, that’s literally the name, and it gave me major Southeast Asia vibes (IYKYK), and I think that’s what drew me in. End the night here with a cold Arpa, the local Kyrgyz beer.

9. Pass Through Karakol

Karakol is the biggest town at the east end of Issyk-Kul, so if you’re road tripping the lake, you’ll probably roll through it. I’ll be honest, it’s not really a place to plan a night around.

It’s a regular town with shops and stores. Great for stocking up, grabbing cash, or a sit-down meal (we had a nice dinner at Dastorkon).

If you’ve got an hour, see the Holy Trinity Cathedral, an old Russian Orthodox church built entirely of wood, and the Dungan Mosque, a wooden mosque built in a Chinese pagoda style. Then pop into the Bugu Bazaar if it’s open.

Tip: Karakol’s real value is as a jumping-off point.

Seven Bulls and Broken Heart Rock in Jeti-Oguz are a short drive away, and it’s the base for the hike up into the mountains south of town to Altyn-Arashan, a valley with natural hot springs, and on to Ala-Kul, a turquoise alpine lake.

I didn’t have time for that hike, but it’s first on my list next time. If you’re a hiker, that’s your reason to stay in Karakol.

How I’d Do Kyrgyzstan in 3 Days

Most people fly into Bishkek, so here’s my route flipped into a loop from the capital.

Day 1: Bishkek and Ala Archa. Head out to Ala Archa in the morning for the gondola and an easy hike. Come back for an afternoon wander around Ala-Too Square and the parks, then catch the chess grandpas at dusk and sunset drinks with a view.

Day 2: Burana Tower, the south shore, and a yurt night. Drive east, stopping at Burana Tower on the way. Then follow the south shore of Issyk-Kul to Fairytale Canyon, and end the day in a yurt by the lake.

Day 3: Seven Bulls and Karakol. Keep heading east to Jeti-Oguz for Seven Bulls and Broken Heart Rock, then swing through Karakol. From here, either drive back to Bishkek along the north shore (a long day) or continue on into Kazakhstan.

Coming from Almaty like I did? Just run it in reverse. We crossed overland via the Kegen border, and it was quick and painless. Your driver drops you off, you walk across with your bags, and you show your passport a few times to a few different people. That’s it.

Got more time? Add a night in Karakol and do the Altyn-Arashan hike, or slow down and spend an extra day on the lake.

Getting Around Kyrgyzstan

The big sights here are spread out, so you’ve basically got three options.

Rent a car. This gives you the most freedom, and it means you can drive right up to spots like Seven Bulls. The north shore of Issyk-Kul is more developed, with more towns along the way.

The south shore is rougher, with dirt roads and some construction in places. You don’t need a 4×4, but a car with some clearance helps. We were in a regular 2WD SUV and it did just fine. Oh, and expect the occasional sheep traffic jam.

Base yourself in Bishkek and book day tours. This is the easiest DIY option. Burana, the canyons and Issyk-Kul are all doable as day trips or overnight tours from the capital.

Or do what I did and let someone else drive. I was on a tour with a private driver and a sturdy SUV that handled every dirt road and border crossing, so I didn’t have to figure out a thing. If you’re combining Kyrgyzstan with the other Stans, this is the easiest way to do it.

Quick Tips for Kyrgyzstan

• Visas: Americans can visit Kyrgyzstan visa-free for up to 60 days.
• Best time to go: Summer into early fall (roughly June to September) is prime time for the mountains and the lake. Even in September, pack layers. The weather changes fast, and it rained on us more than once.
• Money: The currency is the som. Cards worked in a lot more places than I expected, but carry some cash for the smaller spots around the lake.
• Language: Kyrgyz and Russian are spoken everywhere, and English is limited outside Bishkek. A translation app goes a long way.

DIY or Take the Easy Button?

Kyrgyzstan is very doable on your own, especially with a rental car or a couple of day tours from Bishkek. Where a tour really earns its keep is when you’re stringing together multiple Stans with land borders in between. That’s what I did, and someone else handled all of it.

Kyrgyzstan Gets Under Your Skin

Red rock canyons, a giant alpine lake, snow on the peaks in September, and grandpas playing chess at dusk. Kyrgyzstan is raw and beautiful, and it’s still flying under most people’s radar.

I got a taste, and it was nowhere near enough. Next time, I’m coming back to hike for weeks. If you want to see how Kyrgyzstan fits in with the rest of the Stans, check out my full 17-day Central Asia itinerary through Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Have you been to Kyrgyzstan, or is it on your list? I hope this helped you plan your Kyrgyzstan itinerary!

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