Kyrgyzstan 2026
Lakes & Mountains on the ancient Silk Road
Kyrgyzstan 2026, our amazing trail with Theo Trails! Have a read on how it all went and in case it appeals to you, the tour will also be on our agenda in 2027!
Kyrgyzstan, the country. A brief introduction.
Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked country in Central Asia, lying in the Tian Shan and Pamir mountain ranges. It is smaller in size than the UK with a population of less than 7 million people, bordered by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China. It is farther distanced from any ocean than any other individual country in the world. Kyrgyzstan attained sovereignty as a nation state after the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Kyrgyz people are an ethnic nomadic group which is believed to have come from a region within Siberia, during the 10th and 15th centuries. They have mixed with all kinds of groups, especially Mongols and Turks. Kyrgyz, a Turkic language, is the country’s official language but Russian is widely spoken.
Kyrgyzstan is home to some of the finest world-class hikes, connecting sweeping steppe lands, primal forests and turquoise lakes into a vista of lofty snow-capped peaks that, until some decades ago, were strictly off limits. These days, nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts quickly realise that trekking in Kyrgyzstan can easily rival Patagonian and the Himalayas.
Our Kyrgyzstan trail from 29/June – 09/July. A post tour reflection.
Day 1, 29/June/2026. Istanbul.
The easiest way to fly to Kyrgyzstan from the UK is to fly via Istanbul. Both Turkish Airways and Pegasus offer daily flights with various comfortable connecting possibilities. The flights from Istanbul to Bishkek are overnight, with arrival early the next morning.
Day 2, Bishkek.
Overnight at 800m.
Bishkek has a no-nonsense airport. Very casual and quick, no visa requirements for UK or EU citizens, easy to change money or to get a sim card, only about 40 min from the city centre.
We had an early check in and managed to rest several hours. In the afternoon we went for a delicious lunch followed by a light city tour. We visited the Osh bazaar, a working bazaar where locals buy fresh produce, spices and traditional foods. It is a chaotic, colourful and deeply local place where everyday life in Kyrgyzstan unfolds. The city centre main square with the parlement building, changing of the guard, Soviet area museums and statues (among them a huge one of comrade Lenin) were also visited. In addition, there were modern coffee shops, gen Z teenagers and stylish restaurants. We had dinner in one of the latter.
Conclusion; a city full of life, aiming for a big leap into modern life without forgetting the past. It definitely still needs to sort out its traffic stagnations (like Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia). Biggest surprise; the quality of the food. Plenty, fresh and delicious with ample choices for vegetarians.
Day 3, a visit to and a hike in the Ala Archa National Park.
2 Hours driving, 8 km (approx. 3,5 hrs) walking, 1,700m altitude gain and loss from overnight to overnight. Overnight at 800m.
Located only 40km to the south of Bishkek, in the Tien Shan Mountains, so ideal for a first acclimatisation hike. We drove from Bishkek (800m) to the park entrance (2000m), a pleasant drive on a beautiful, sunny day. The park entrance is well planned with facilities like coffee shops, info centers etc. It was clearly designed to accommodate day trippers from the capital and why not. We noticed straight away how everything was kept spotless clean; it reminded me of the countless parks I visited in China. Surely there is a connection here. Higher up ski facilities were partly finished, partly still under construction (cable card, chalets). As always, mixed feelings about this but equally an understanding that revenues have to be generated in order to keep the park managed and protected. The walk was beautiful, up for most of the time but not too steep. We crossed meadows, a forest and several mountain streams. Close before reaching the waterfall we decided not to cross a rather fast and furious flowing last stream but returned instead to the park entrance. Mission accomplished; we walked 8 km in a beautiful park, reached 2,500m to acclimatise, and returned back to our comfortable Bishkek hotel at 800m.
Day 4, drive from Bishkek to Son Kol Lake.
7 hours driving, several breaks, 1 hr walking. 2,200m altitude gain from overnight to overnight. Overnight at 3000m.
Once we left the Bishkek traffic behind the landscape started to unfold. We remained in the valley, often driving only a few miles from the Kazakhstan border. First stop was a visit to the Burana tower, an architectural complex of the 10th-11 century, and an important point on the Great Silk Road. We continued to a nearby village where we enjoyed a typical local and delicious lunch, hosted by an entrepreneurial family. After that, a long drive into the mountains. The weather started to change, sunny skies made way for dark, threatening and heavy clouds. It started to rain. The well-maintained highway made way for local gravel roads. Passing some isolated villages we crossed the Kalmah Ashuu pass (3,400m). The views were stunning, and we took that opportunity to embark on a walk, stretching the legs and breathing that thin and fresh mountain air. Eventually we reached lake Son Kol, at an altitude of 3000m centred in Kyrgyz nomad country. The yurts, the shepherds, the horses and the animals. In Kyrgyzstan, it had Mongolia written all over. We would stay here for 2 nights; to further acclimatise, to embark on a beautiful walk and to sniff-up some nomad culture.
Day 5, Son Kol Lake.
No driving, 3 hrs of walking, 300m altitude gain and loss from overnight to overnight. Overnight at 3000m.
The yurts we stayed in were comfortable; proper beds, enough blankets and to our surprise each yurt had a stove which was lit in the evening and kept it all cosy at this altitude. It rained all morning! For most of it, we stayed in our spacious dining yurt, drinking coffee and tea, chatting. After lunch, the skies cleared, the sun showed its face and the landscape started to unfold; big skies, rolling hills, deep green, grazing horses, yurt camps, a mirror like lake and the complete absence of permanent buildings. Prime nomad country! Time for a rewarding afternoon walk. Nothing too serious, a couple of hours at an easy pace at this altitude. Great to further acclimatise but most of all; pure walking enjoyment in an enchanting environment!
Day 6, Karakol.
8 hrs of driving, several breaks and sight seeings on the way, 1,400m altitude loss from overnight to overnight. Overnight at 1,750m
A long day of driving. We reversed directing, crossed yet again the gravel road mountain pass with isolated snow patches, and plunged again into a valley. Around mid-day we reached Lake Issyk Kul. At an altitude of 1,600m it is one of the world’s largest and deepest alpine lakes. Due to its slight salinity, it seldom freezes in winter, even with temperatures below -20°. The locals call it the ‘warm’ lake. A short stop near the Skazka Canyon, a local lunch, driving along the south shore in the late afternoon rain and thunder, we reached Karakol and were pleased with our spotless hotel and amazing local restaurant dinner.
You can click on the images below to get an impression of the first part of our Kyrgyzstan trail.
Day 7, Karakol Gorge
1,5 hrs of driving, 14km (4,5 hrs) of walking. 1,200m of altitude gain, from overnight to glacier point. Overnight at 2,500m.
We woke up and the skies were blue, the sun was bright and the mountain peaks were snow covered. What a day. From our hotel it was a 90 min drive in our special Russian made 4-wheel drive truck. Russian trucks are strong, robust but are not built for comfort, especially when you have to cross a shallow but fast flowing river! The Karakol Gorge is a deep, glacially carved gorge just south of the town of karakol. It forms the valley of the Karakol river and leads directly into the high peaks of the Terskey Ala-Too range. Our truck brought us to our Karakol alpine yurt camp, deep in the valley at the end of the dirt track, at an altitude of 2,500m. After lunch we started one of the most pleasant walks I ever walked (and I have walked many). Everything was just about perfect; the sky, the flowers, the forest etc. We slowly and gradually gained altitude and once we reached 3000m and turned a corner the Karakol glacier peak displayed itself in its full and majestic glory. Snow, ice, blue sky and sun. Perfect. We descended again to our Yurt camp for the overnight.
Day 8, Ala-Kul Lake
No driving. 11 km (8 hrs) of walking. Altitude gain of 1,100m from overnight to overnight.
Until day 8, everybody managed to walk each walk, comfortably. The itinerary was designed like this; walking for the pleasure of walking, the enjoyment of the surroundings and the purpose of acclimatising. It was also well known that day 8 and 9 would be the challenging days. As promised beforehand, there would be something for everyone.
It was possible to not climb to lake Ala Kul but instead to stay an extra night at the Karakol gorge yurt camp and fill day 8 and 9 with walks in the valley. One would reunite with the group again on day 9, late afternoon, at the camp, and travel with the group to our Karakol hotel. One participant opted for this option.
It was possible to not climb to lake Ala Kul but instead walk, on day 8, back to the park entrance with a guide (15 km, a beautiful walk) and stay at our hotel, in Karakol. One would then reunite in Karakol with the group on day 9. 2 Participants opted for this option.
It was, of course, possible to climb to lake Ala Kul on day 8 (3,600m), stay in our tent camp near the lake and descend on day 9 back again to the gorge yurt camp, and from there to our hotel. The remaining 11 participants of our group opted for this option.
This worked very well! Nobody was forced into something! Everybody chose the option that suited them best and nobody had any regrets about that choice. This is the direction I want to follow with Theo Trails (there is something for everybody) and I was very pleased with the outcome. You do not have to miss the entire tour when you have/want to miss one day. We have options!
The climb to lake Ala Kul involved an 11km trek during which you gain 1,100m in altitude. It involved comfortable trails, steep trails, forest area, rocky area. It is a demanding yet stunning trek. The reward being reaching an absolute stunning lake, deep blue turquoise coloured water, at 3,600m, surrounded by a glacier and snow-capped peaks. And camping next to it! It was a beautiful day, blue skies and sunshine. Everybody made the climb in good time with hours of daylight to spare to enjoy the stunning surroundings.
Day 9, Karakol
1,5 Hrs of driving. 11 km (8 hrs) of walking. Altitude loss of 1,900m from overnight to overnight. Overnight at 1,700m.
After a stunning, starry camp night near the lake we descended back to our previous yurt camp. Easier said then done for some but we always knew that we were up for it. We took our time, never in a rush, always safety first. Some rain, cloudy skies, helping each other. We reached the Yurt camp in good time; the Russian truck was waiting for us and brought us back to our comfortable hotel in Karakol. We were complete again as a group and celebrated that evening.
Day 10, Bishkek.
8 Hrs of driving. No walking (but swimming and sight seeing instead).
Back to the capital again, along the more developed northern shore this time. Still time to visit the beautiful orthodox, Siberian style church and the beautiful, Chinese style mosque in Karakol! We stopped at one of the local beaches for a very pleasant swim in mighty lake Issyk Kul and arrived back in Bishkek for a final dinner together on this tour.
Day 11, airport and flight back home.
You can click on the images below to get an impression of the second part of our Kyrgyzstan trail.
