Kyrgyzstan 2 week itinerary: An amazing adventure in this underrated country
Last updated: 07.01.25
Having explored nearly 50 countries, I can confidently say Kyrgyzstan is one of the most underrated of them all! If you are ready for an unforgettable adventure off the beaten path, this travel blog post is for you! Here, I share my personal Kyrgyzstan 2 week itinerary to inspire and help you plan your own stay in this breathtaking Central Asian gem.
Kyrgyzstan offers countless outdoor adventures. Imagine horseback riding through majestic mountains, hiking to breathtaking alpine lakes, soaking in hot water in hot springs, witnessing an eagle hunting, sleeping in a yurt, and so much more. These are just some of the unique and unforgettable experiences that await you in beautiful Kyrgyzstan.
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Kyrgyzstan 2 week itinerary: An amazing adventure in this underrated country
Why visit Kyrgyzstan?
Are you wondering why you should add Kyrgyzstan to your bucket list? This country is a hidden gem in Central Asia and is often overlooked – Which, in my opinion, is a huge mistake. Before visiting the country myself, it wasn’t a place I had heard much about, but I’m so glad we went. It is one of the countries that has surprised me most positively.
Here are 4 reasons why you should plan a trip to this underrated destination:
- The nature in Kyrgyzstan is raw and majestic
- The country isn’t filled with huge crowds
- It feels authentic traveling around Kyrgyzstan
- Bonus: If you are an animal lover, you will have plenty of opportunities to connect with animals, especially dogs and horses, along the way.
For more details on why to visit this stunning country, check out this blog post.
How to plan your trip in Kyrgyzstan?
Our 2 week itinerary in Kyrgyzstan was planned differently than usual. We booked a package deal that included accommodations, transportation, most food and activities.
This is how we typically organize most of our trips:
- Accommodations: We use Booking.com and Airbnb for most bookings.
- Flights: We compare prices on Momondo and book directly through the airline.
- Local transportation: Transportation while visiting the country depends on the destination. We often use apps like Grab and Uber for convenience (when available), along with taxis, rental cars or public transportation.
- Food: We don’t usually book meals in advance and rely on Google Maps reviews to discover great places to eat and buy groceries.
- Activities: Viator is our favorite platform for booking activities.
For more details about booking a trip, check out my blog post: “Best travel websites to plan your trip”.
In Kyrgyzstan, we met up with a friend who worked at a hostel in Bishkek before we joined him. The hostel, called Apple, helped us plan our Kyrgyzstan travel itinerary. If you are interested in travel budgets, you can find our total expenses for 2 weeks in Kyrgyzstan here.
We booked flight tickets and our stay at Apple hostel, everything else was part of the package deal (except for a few meals – Details can be found in my Kyrgyzstan travel costs blog post).
Overview of highlights and a map of the 2 week Kyrgyzstan itinerary
Here is a quick overview of the highlights and map of our trip before diving into each day of the 2 week Kyrgyzstan itinerary in detail.
- Day 1: Bishkek
- Day 2-4: Lake Song Kul (horseback riding in the mountains and yurt camp near the lake)
- Day 4-5: Naryn (city break and rest stop)
- Day 5-7: Kok-Kiya Valley & Kel Suu (hike to the lake)
- Day 7-9: Issyk Kul (yurt camp near the lake and an eagle show)
- Day 9: Fairy Tale Canyon, Barskoon waterfall, Lunch at private home and Jeti Oguz
- Day 9-10: Karakol (city break and rest stop)
- Day 10-12: Altyn Arashan (hiking, yurt camp, hot springs and possibly Lake Ala-Kul)
- Day 12-13: Bishkek
A map showing the different locations
A complete guide to your 2 week Kyrgyzstan itinerary: Daily breakdown
Here is how our 2 week (13 days) itinerary in Kyrgyzstan unfolded. I hope it inspires you to plan your own Kyrgyzstan adventure.
Day 1: Bishkek
Kick off your adventure in the largest city and capital of Kyrgyzstan. Our Kyrgyzstan 2 week itinerary began by arriving in the city Bishkek, where we prepared for the journey ahead. We carried only small backpacks for the coming trip around Kyrgyzstan and stored our suitcases in Bishkek.
In Bishkek we met up with a friend, as planned, who joined us as our travel companion for the entire adventure around Kyrgyzstan. Besides packing and preparing for our trip around the country, we also spontaneously attended a football match between Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan. As a result Kyrgyzstan won the match and the vibe was great – This was a fun way to start our trip.
Day 2-4: Lake Song Kul
After leaving Bishkek it is time for your first authentic Kyrgyzstan adventure – And is there a better start to a real nomadic adventure than a combination of horse riding and staying in a yurt camp? I don’t think so! To make it even greater, it’s all in beautiful surroundings of mountains and a breathtaking alpine lake (Lake Song Kul).
After approximately a 3 hour drive we arrived at the starting point, where we enjoyed a lunch and met our furry companions for the upcoming days – Majestic horses.
It’s time to reconnect with animals and nature! Around 4,5 hours of riding in the mountains will bring you to your campsite. This riding tour up the mountains will make you reach high altitudes, like 3400 meters, while you are surrounded by stunning nature.
Your camp is located by the beautiful Lake Song Kul, which is in a remote area surrounded by untouched nature at an altitude of 3016 meters. This beautiful alpine lake offers breathtaking reflections of the surrounding mountains. These reflections made the view absolutely insane! I highly recommend adding a visit to Song Kul Lake to your Kyrgyzstan itinerary to enjoy this fantastic landscape.
For 2 nights you stay in a yurt camp by the lake. A yurt is a traditional Kyrgyz tent. Furthermore it’s an iconic symbol of the country and a big part of the Kyrgyz nomadic culture.
At the camp we had one yurt for sleeping and another for eating our meals. The toilet was located in a small outhouse outside the yurts and there was no shower (expect the lake).
After the first night we went on a 3 horseback riding tour in the mountains. We explored a viewpoint with an amazing view of Lake Song Kul and the surrounding mountains. Horse riding in Kyrgyzstan is an incredible way to experience the country’s beautiful nature.
When we returned to the camp there was time to relax and soak in the peaceful surroundings.
The following day we rode back to the starting point where we had first collected the horses, wrapping up 3 unforgettable days on horseback. This adventure allows you to reconnect with nature and disconnect from daily distractions, which allows you time to be more present and connect with your surroundings. You get a taste of the nomadic lifestyle, which makes it all more memorable. This remains one of my all time favorite adventures!
Highlights:
- Horseback riding through the mountains
- Yurt camp by Lake Song Kul
- Experiencing the nomadic lifestyle
Day 4-5: Naryn
After some incredible days on horseback in the mountains near lake Song Kul, it was time to head back to civilization. We drove to the city Naryn, where we stayed in a guesthouse. During your stay at the guesthouse you can enjoy a shower (the first real one since we left Bishkek) and recharge with internet connection and a “real” bed again. Furthermore you get a break from driving, before a long drive the coming day.
Day 5-7: Kok-Kiya Valley + Kel Suu (lake)
After a long drive you arrive at the remote Kok-Kiya Valley, which will be your home for the coming nights. The reason you visit this valley is to experience the majestic Lake Kel Suu.
Lake Kel Suu is another amazing alpine lake with the most stunning surroundings of impressive mountains. It’s located at an altitude of 3514 meters. Besides the beautiful views at the lake, the hike getting there offers beautiful sceneries too.
We arrived early in the season and were surprised to find snow. Thankfully, by the next day, the snow had melted, which made the conditions for the hike much better.
I haven seen photos online of Lake Kel Suu where it has the most magical turquoise colored water. Due to our timing the water was more brownish. But the place was still absolutely amazing! The view is so beautiful with the tall mountains framing the scene perfectly.
The hike from the yurt camp (we didn’t sleep in yurts due to the cold weather) in the valley to the lake was a true adventure. You are surrounded by beautiful mountains, adorable groundhogs, and walking along a river. We had an unforgettable live “National Geographic” moment, where we were watching a herd of cows crossing the river, when a calf got caught in the current while the mother was waiting on the river bank. The calf was fighting against the current and after a while we could happily watch it win the fight and safely reach the river bank and get reunited with its mother and the rest of the herd. Then we could continue our hike with a big smile on our faces.
We experienced different weather conditions during our stay. We arrived in the snow. But the next day and the day of our hike to the lake brought perfect sunny weather. However by nightfall the weather turned bad again. It became so stormy that the toilet was knocked over.
Even though the lake is in a remote location, it’s definitely worth a visit! We did the tour in mid-June, and I expect the weather to be better and the lake even more pretty if you visit later in the season.
Highlights:
- Beautiful Lake Kel Suu
- Hiking with views of stunning mountain landscapes and wildlife encounters
Day 7-9: Issyk Kul (lake)
Once again back to a less remote location with internet connection. This time you will stay in a charming yurt camp by Issyk Kul. Lake Issyk Kul is another great destination to add to your itinerary. It’s known as the second largest mountain lake in the world, situated at an altitude of 1607 meters above sea level, and it is the biggest lake in Kyrgyzstan. Additionally it is an incredibly deep lake and ranks among the top 10 deepest lakes in the world.
The lake is a perfect choice for a refreshing swim and enjoying a beautiful sunset.
During our stay we slept in a cozy yurt camp equipped with real beds and even a shower – Such a luxury while adventuring in yurt camps.
On our full day at the lake we watched an eagle show. Eagle hunting is an ancient tradition in Kyrgyzstan, where locals train these huge majestic birds for hunting. When visiting Kyrgyzstan it is possible for you to witness an eagle show, where you experience some of the eagle’s impressive skills as trained predators. During our visit we watched a show with a 6 kg heavy Golden Eagle. It was fascinating to observe the eagle in action. (Note: During the show, we watched, no living animals were captured).
Highlights:
- Very comfortable yurt camp
- Lake Issyk Kul
- Eagle show
Day 9: Fairy Tale Canyon, waterfall and more
Day 9 was packed with different adventures from exploring impressive colored rock formations to hiking to a stunning waterfall, enjoying a lunch in a local home and watching more unique rock formations.
First stop is the magnificent Fairytale Canyon, also known as Skazka Canyon, is a must visit destination in Kyrgyzstan for anyone who appreciates unique, raw and dramatic landscapes. The untouched scenery here is unlike anything else we experienced in this stunning country. At this amazing place you can watch impressive rock formations in different shades of red, orange and yellow, which create magical views.
It is a perfect place for a hike or a short stroll to enjoy the breathtaking views of this impressive nature.
The next stop is Barskoon waterfall. Exploring waterfalls is always a great choice, and in Kyrgyzstan Barskoon Waterfall is a fantastic option.
Besides the stunning waterfall, the surrounding nature is amazing too. For a brief moment, I felt as if I were back in the Alps in Europe, with views of grazing cows and picturesque mountains that made the beginning of the hike to the waterfall very charming. Reaching the waterfall requires a short uphill hike, but it’s worth the effort.
If, like us, you have seen many waterfalls. You might find Barskoon Waterfall modest in size, nevertheless it’s still a very nice stop on the way to your next location.
After hiking in the stunning nature it is time for a lunch break. How about an authentic Kyrgyz lunch at a private home? Having a tasty lunch in a private home is a great opportunity to taste local food in the authentic surroundings of a welcoming local Kyrgyz home.
Typically in Kyrgyzstan we got jam, bread, candy, soup and a main dish. At all our meals we had hot tea.
The last nature spot of the day is Watch Jeti Oguz. Jeti Oguz is famous for its striking red rock formations. Watching these impressive red rock formations is a nice stop when traveling around the country.
Highlights:
- Breathtaking Fairytale Canyon
- Barskoon waterfall
- Authentic lunch in a private home
- Watch Jeti Oguz rock formations
Day 9-10: Karakol
After a day filled with discoveries at various nature stops and driving it is time for a well deserved rest in the city Karakol. Where we stayed in a nice guesthouse.
During our time in Karakol we went out for drinks and met up with a fellow traveler, who joined us for our upcoming hiking adventure. We also rented hiking poles in the city to prepare for the journey ahead.
Day 10-12: Altyn Arashan
Another fantastic destination for hikes in Kyrgyzstan is Altyn Arashan. After a restful night in the comfortable guest house it was time to head to Altyn Arashan. The journey begins with a drive from Karakol, followed by a 14 km hike with all your gear through stunning landscapes to reach the campsite. Here you will stay in another charming yurt camp surrounded by beautiful nature.
During our stay in the yurt camp we played with the camp’s adorable puppy, tasted fermented horse milk, explored the area on scenic hikes and relaxed in the hot springs.
One of the things Altyn Arashan is known for is its hot springs. I just love soaking in hot water, especially when my muscles are a bit sore after a hike and even better when it is in stunning surroundings.
You will find two different types of hot springs in Altyn Arashan, both located near the river. The first option is small private pools inside guesthouses. In each guesthouse you bathe in your own small private pool. The second hot spring option is out in the open air. They have a beautiful view of the river, However the water might look a bit dirtier. These outdoor hot springs are free to use.
Bonus lake when visiting Altyn Arashan – Lake Ala Kul:
There are many beautiful lakes in Kyrgyzstan and besides the 3 mentioned above you can also visit Lake Ala Kul. Unfortunately Nicko and I did not make it to the lake. It was our plan to hike to Lake Ala Kul when visiting Altyn Arashan but due to sickness and bad weather conditions we skipped it. It is a challenging 22 km hike with 1400 meters of elevation. However our friend completed the hike and recommended it. But you should definitely google this lake to see how beautiful it is!
The altitude is 3532 meters. As you can tell, many of Kyrgyzstan’s lakes are located at high altitudes, so be prepared for some high altitudes when chasing scenic lakes!
Highlights:
- Stunning hike to your yurt camp in Altyn Arashan
- Charming yurt camp
- Beautiful nature and a great spot for hiking
- Hot springs
- Lake Ala Kul
Day 12-13: Bishkek
After some action packed adventures and breathtaking nature experiences you will return to Bishkek, where your journey began. Hopefully you will love this authentic adventure as much as I did. It is truly one of my favorite countries for outdoor adventures! Kyrgyzstan has blown me away and surprised me with its beauty and uniqueness. It is a country that allows you to disconnect, reconnect with nature and step out of your comfort zone.
We enjoyed 13 amazing days in this underrated country! But you can easily extend your Kyrgyzstan itinerary to a full 2 weeks.
For more details and photos about this trip, check out my Instagram highlights called Kyrgyzstan part 1 and 2. If you are looking for more inspiration to plan your 2 week Kyrgyzstan itinerary you can check out these 13 unique and unforgettable experiences in beautiful Kyrgyzstan. Enjoy your planning and trip to this amazing country!
If you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment below or to contact me through my instagram account @dailytravelmoment or mail.
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