Get off the beaten path: 13 unique and unforgettable experiences in beautiful Kyrgyzstan
Last updated: 10.12.24
The beautiful Kyrgyzstan is a hidden gem in Central Asia. It’s the perfect destination for those seeking unique and memorable adventures. If you are planning a trip to this underrated country, get ready for an experience like no other!
Kyrgyzstan takes you off the beaten path and offers you endless opportunities to discover unforgettable places and activities. It’s a great country for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Imagine wandering through the magical Fairytale Canyon, sleeping in a yurt, witnessing an eagle show, horseback riding in stunning nature, hiking in Kyrgyzstan’s spectacular mountains and so much more. If this sounds like your kind of adventure, you have come to the right place.
This Kyrgyzstan experiences travel guide “Get off the beaten path: 13 unique and unforgettable experiences in beautiful Kyrgyzstan” will take you through 13 things to do in Kyrgyzstan.
Get off the beaten path: 13 unique and unforgettable experiences in beautiful Kyrgyzstan
Why visit Kyrgyzstan?
Are you wondering why you should visit Kyrgyzstan? Let me share why this amazing country deserves a spot on your travel bucket list. If Kyrgyzstan isn’t already on your list, I highly recommend considering adding it. Before visiting the country myself, it wasn’t a place I had heard much about, which I now realize was a huge mistake. Now having experienced this incredible destination, I’m happy to share my love for this hidden gem with others!
Here are 3 reasons why you should plan a trip to this underrated destination:
The nature in Kyrgyzstan
This country offers the most spectacular and breathtaking nature with its impressive mountains and beautiful lakes. Kyrgyzstan offers endless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors in the most fantastic scenery – Everything from horseback riding to hiking. If you are an outdoor enthusiast this country is a dream destination.
No crowds in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated countries I have visited! But this underrated status also works in favor of adventure seekers who prefer avoiding big crowds. There are not many crowds (yet). Who doesn’t love exploring a new place or taking a photo without a huge crowd of tourists in front of the background?
Plan your trip before the secret about this stunning place gets out.
Authentic travel experiences in Kyrgyzstan
Traveling through Kyrgyzstan feels so authentic! You will have the chance to get a taste of their nomadic lifestyle and history by living as nomads and sleeping in a traditional yurt. The absence of mass tourism adds to its charm and makes the experience feel more authentic.
If you aren’t already convinced to visit Kyrgyzstan, here is a bonus reason: They have lots of adorable animals. During our visit we met so many cute and friendly dogs along with majestic horses. Animals are everywhere – Sometimes even on the road.
The 13 best things to do in Kyrgyzstan
Ready to explore Kyrgyzstan with its unique culture and breathtaking landscapes? I absolutely loved our 2 week stay in Kyrgyzstan – The country is so unique and breathtaking! It made me get out of my comfort zone in a great way and taught me so much! I hope this hidden gem of a country impresses you as much as it did me.
Here is a list with some of the best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan to help you make your Kyrgyzstan itinerary:
1. Bath in hot springs in Altyn Arashan
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’s 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 ones we visited were very hot! So be sure to bring drinking water to stay hydrated.
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.
2. Watch an eagle show
Eagle hunting is an ancient tradition in Kyrgyzstan, where they train these huge majestic birds for hunting. When visiting Kyrgyzstan it’s 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.
3. Do horse riding
Horse riding in Kyrgyzstan is an incredible way to explore the country’s beautiful nature. We did a 3 day horseback riding tour, where we explored the majestic mountains and slept in a yurt by the stunning Lake Song Kul. This adventure allows you to get out in nature and be disconnected. Which allows you time to be more present and connect with your surroundings. You get a taste of the nomadic lifestyle, which makes it really memorable. This is one of my favorite adventures!
There is nothing quite like the feeling of ultimate freedom that comes with galloping (full speed), where you are feeling the wind in your hair and the power of the majestic animal beneath you. It’s addictive!
In Kyrgyzstan they are really impressive riders.
A fun observation is the difference in horseback riding traditions between Denmark (my home country) and Kyrgyzstan. In Denmark horse riding is more popular among females. In contrast, during my time in Kyrgyzstan I only saw local men and boys riding the horses. This is just one of the many culture differences I encountered during my trip in Kyrgyzstan.
4. Sleep in a yurt
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.
Spending a night in a yurt is an authentic and unique experience in Kyrgyzstan. We stayed in several yurts. Where some of them had mattresses directly on the ground, and others had beds. Regardless of the setup, this is something you must experience when visiting Kyrgyzstan.
5. Try fermented horse milk
When visiting Kyrgyzstan, you will have the opportunity to try fermented horse milk, also known as Kumis.
Personally I didn’t enjoy the taste, but I had to give it a try. For me, trying local specialities is an essential part of traveling. If you also love tasting local specialties such as traditional foods and beverages around the world, Kumis is something you should try. It’s a Central Asian beverage.
6. Admire 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 – Such as the breathtaking ones we explored in Iceland (“8 best waterfalls in Iceland“) – You might find Barskoon Waterfall modest in size, nevertheless it’s still a very nice stop!
7. Visit Song Kul Lake
Song Kul is a beautiful alpine lake with 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.
The lake is located in a remote area surrounded by untouched nature at an altitude of 3016 meters.
This part of the trip was one of the highlights from my own Kyrgyzstan adventure – Honestly, it was one of my favorite adventures the entire year! As you can tell, I was really impressed, but it wasn’t just about the lake itself. It was the entire experience: The journey of getting there on horseback through the mountains and staying in a yurt camp by the lake. You feel completely remote and disconnected, making it a great way to get in touch with nature. It’s such an authentic experience and a true taste of the “real nomadic lifestyle”. Definitely one of the coolest things I have ever done.
8. Visit Fairytale Canyon
Fairytale Canyon, also known as Skazka Canyon, is a must visit destination in Kyrgyzstan for anyone who appreciates unique, raw and untouched landscapes. The scenery here is unlike anything else we explored in this stunning country.
It’s no wonder it’s called the “Fairytale” Canyon, with its impressive rock formations in different shades of red, orange and yellow, which create magical views.
It’s a perfect place for a hike or a short stroll to enjoy the breathtaking views of this impressive nature.
9. Visit Issyk Kul Lake
Lake Issyk Kul is another great lake 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.
Furthermore it’s a very deep lake and among the top 10 deepest lakes in the world.
This lake is a great choice for a refreshing swim.
We stayed in a cozy yurt camp by the lake, equipped with real beds and even a shower – Such a luxury when you are on adventures in yurt camps. We enjoyed a beautiful sunset at the Issyk Kul Lake.
10. 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.
11. Hike to 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.
Lake Kel Suu is located quite remote, but it’s definitely worth a visit!
We had a long drive getting to Kok Kiya Valley, where we stayed the night before our hike to Lake Kel Suu. 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 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.
12. Enjoy lunch in a private home
Another authentic experience is having lunch in a private home in Kyrgyzstan. It’s a great opportunity to taste local food in the authentic surroundings of a welcoming local home.
Typically in Kyrgyzstan we got jam, bread, candy, soup and a main dish. At all our meals we had hot tea.
13. Hike to Altyn Arashan
Another great place for hikes in Kyrgyzstan is Altyn Arashan. We hiked in beautiful surroundings to reach Altyn Arashan. Once there, we slept in a charming yurt camp with a cute puppy, explored the area on a stunning hike and relaxed in the hot springs.
Bonus lake when visiting Altyn Arashan:
There are many beautiful lakes in Kyrgyzstan and besides the 3 mentioned above you can also visit Lake Ala Kul. Unfortunately Nicko and I couldn’t 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. However our friend completed the hike and recommend it. But 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!
Now it’s time to start planning your holiday in Kyrgyzstan. If you are interested in how to combine the different experiences check out our 2 week Kyrgyzstan itinerary.
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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