10 Epic Kyrgyzstan Hikes + Essential Trekking Tips (2024)

If you like hiking, then Kyrgyzstan is the place for you! With epic mountain scenery throughout the country, this Central Asian nation is bursting with amazing trekking opportunities. 

From beautiful day hikes to epic 10-day expeditions, there’s something for every hiker in Kyrgyzstan. 

Ready to hit the trails? Awesome! Read on for our essential Kyrgyzstan hiking guide, featuring 10 epic Kyrgyzstan hikes. 

How Did We Choose the Best Kyrgyzstan Hikes?

There are a lot of hikes in Kyrgyzstan, so we can’t pretend to list all of them, nor can we even claim to have done them all. That would take a lifetime! 

However, we have done a lot of hiking in Kyrgyzstan and these are our favourites. 

Why? We’ve chosen these treks based on their natural beauty but also tried to focus on other elements such as remoteness, serenity, accessibility and culture. 

We’ve compiled a mix of challenging and remote hiking trails with easy and accessible ones. Some offer the chance to engage with Kyrgyzstan’s unique nomadic culture and others a glimpse into its past. 

We think you’ll love them. 

Related: 14 Awesome Things to Do in Kyrgyzstan

Peak Lenin Base Camp

Peak Lenin, along with the Pamir Mountains within which it sits, is simply incredible. Of all the mountain ranges we’ve seen (which are many!), we’ve never seen anything quite like the Pamirs. 

The mountains are like something out of a fantasy, with vibrant purple and orange colours streaked through the ridges. 

Peak Lenin is the second-highest peak in the range and is famous for being one of the world’s easiest 7000m+ mountains to summit. (Although something tells me it’s still not easy). 

You don’t have to scale the massive peak to experience the beauty of the region. Instead, kick back with an easy day hike to Peak Lenin Base Camp. 

While you can technically hike in from the village of Sary Mogul, it’s best to take a taxi to Tulpar Lake. The section from Sary Mogul to the lake is a boring road that doesn’t offer anything exciting and only extends the hike unnecessarily. Instead, save your energy for exploring the mountains. 

To get the most out of the region, we recommend spending the night at Tulpar Lake and tackling the trek to Peak Lenin Base Camp as a day hike.

You can camp right at the lake (which is what we did), or if you don’t have gear, get a bed for the night in one of the many lakeshore yurt camps. 

From Tulpar Lake, base camp is just a couple of hours away on a pretty easy path.

Expect to see (and hear) tons of marmots along the way. While I’m not normally a fan of rodents, these chubby little guys are pretty adorable. 

You’ll know you’ve reached base camp when you get there – it’s not hard to miss the little village set up for climbers, volleyball court and all! 

For even better views, keep going past base camp to a point called Traveller’s Pass.

If you’re really up for it, you can go all the way to Advanced Base Camp, although that will require an overnight and is a much more serious endeavour. 

Read next: The Essential Guide to Horse Trekking in Kyrgyzstan

Kol Tor Lake

The hike to Kol Tor Lake was the very first hike I did in Kyrgyzstan and it left quite the impression on me. The shade of the lake is the most surreal, milky green-blue. 

I’ve seen a lot of majestic alpine lakes in my life, but nothing like this. 

Although I got hit by a pretty crazy storm and my tent almost blew into the lake (seriously), I still have very fond memories of this place and really love it. 

It’s not that well known (yet), nor is it a super popular Kyrgyzstan hike, so I love promoting it!

It’s particularly great for people who want some more peace and solitude than they’ll get from some of the more famous, and busier, hiking trails in Kyrgyzstan. 

Kol Tor is most commonly done as a day hike, but I think its real value lies as an overnight. Very few people camp there and the lakeside camping is superb. However, there are no established yurt camps at the lake, so your own gear (with a warm sleeping bag) is required. 

The hike to the lake is moderate and takes 2-3 hours. 

This is a great warm-up hike if you’re planning on hitting some of the more challenging Kyrgyzstan hiking trails. 

Read all about How to Visit Stunning Kol Tor Lake

Ala Archa National Park 

While not a specific hike, Ala Archa National Park is one of Kyrgyzstan’s most popular trekking destinations. 

Located just 45 minutes from the capital, Bishkek, Ala Archa is extremely popular amongst both locals and tourists alike. 

Being so close to Bishkek, Ala Archa is a convenient place if you’re looking to do some hiking without venturing too far. It’s not just convenient though – the park is exceptionally beautiful and has much to offer any hiker, of any skill level. 

There is a gentle day walk along the river, a more intense day hike and even an overnight hike on offer. The beauty of Ala Archa (besides its super convenient location) is that it is a make-your-own-adventure kind of place. You can play as you wish! 

How great is that?

Read Ala Archa National Park: The Complete Guide

Kel Suu Lake

Kel Suu Lake is quickly gaining popularity amongst travellers in Kyrgyzstan and for good reason! Of all the lakes in the country, it might just be my favourite. 

Kel Suu is super remote, meaning it takes a bit of work to get to. It’s a half-day drive in a 4×4, plus you’ll have to arrange a permit in advance in Naryn. 

But like all good things in life, effort = reward.

Kel Suu Lake sits in the Kok Kiya Valley and is truly a sight to behold.

The lake was formed by flooding, so the lake is surrounded by high, jagged cliffs. Some years, the water recedes so much that the lake disappears!

From the Kok Kiya Valley (where your transportation leaves you), the hike to Kel Suu isn’t terribly difficult. In my opinion, it’s an enjoyable half-day walk, with magnificent scenery along the way. Although short and sweet, I think it’s one of the best treks in Kyrgyzstan.

At the lake, you can go on a boat ride, or simply relax and take in the beauty of the area. 

Read: The Ultimate Guide to Kel Suu Lake

Ak Suu Traverse

I might be biased, but I think that the Ak Suu Traverse is, hands down, the best trek in Kyrgyzstan. 

It’s long, it’s hard and it requires a lot of planning, but it is absolutely amazing. No hyperbole here!

The Ak Suu Traverse is a 7 -10 day trek through the Tian Shan Mountains in northeast Kyrgyzstan. It traverses all of the region’s highlights, such as Ala Kul Lake, Altyn Arashan, the Boz Uchuk Lakes and the Karakol Valley. Hiking in Kyrgyzstan doesn’t get any better than this.

The elevation profile is insane (think a mountain pass a day) and it’s hella remote, so you gotta be willing and prepared to work hard. 

While it might not be for everyone, if it’s a challenge you’re after, this is it. 

Read – The Ak Suu Traverse: The Essential Hiking Guide

Ala Kul Lake Trek

The Ala Kul Lake trek is undoubtedly the most popular hike in Kyrgyzstan. Because of this, it’s probably the only one where you may actually feel crowded at times!

It’s not hard to see Ala Kul’s attraction: it’s a beautiful turquoise alpine lake, sitting in a picturesque mountain bowl surrounded by high snowcapped peaks.

It is something you really need to see to believe.

There are many different routes to reach Ala Kul Lake, but the most popular is a 3 – 4 day trek from the Karakol Valley to the village of Ak Suu.

Along the way, you climb the challenging Ala Kul Pass and are rewarded with a soak in the Altyn Arashan hot springs afterwards! Hot springs after a hike? Yes, please! That alone puts it on our list of the best treks in Kyrgyzstan.

Read: Ala Kul Lake Essential Guide – Everything You Need to Know

Heights of Alay

Here’s another one of our personal favourite Kyrgyzstan hikes! We loved doing the Heights of Alay trek and it is one we’d do over and over again. 

While the Tian Shan Mountains of northeast Kyrgyzstan get all the attention, the lesser-known Alay Mountains in the south are one of the country’s hidden gems. 

The Heights of Alay isn’t as difficult as the Ak Suu Traverse, but still features a hell of a lot of beauty over 4 days. There are multiple mountain passes, including the fabulous Jiptick Pass and Sary Mogul Pass – both of which are over 4000m. 

The scenery as you trek through the beautiful Alay Valley is very diverse, including the red rock formations of the Three Dragons Gorge – which is unlike anything else we’ve seen in Kyrgyzstan. 

This trek is commonly done in 4 days and if you don’t want to camp, there are yurt stays set up along the way. 

If you want a moderately challenging trek that doesn’t skimp on beauty, but don’t want the crowds of Ala Kul, this hike is for you. 

Ak Suu Highlights

The Ak Suu Highlights is an ‘in-between hike’. If you want more than just Ala Kul, but not the full Ak Suu Traverse, this is it. Essentially, it’s like a mini Ak Suu Traverse. 

The Ak Suu Highlights trek goes from Jeti Oguz to Altyn Arashan, taking in some of the most beautiful places in Kyrgyzstan, like the Telety Pass and Ala Kul Lake along the way. It’s a great example of the bounty that Kyrgyzstan trekking offers.

Song Kul Lake

In our humble opinion, you can’t visit Kyrgyzstan without visiting Song Kul Lake! 

This high-altitude lake is surrounded by an expansive jailoo (summer pasture) and soft rolling hills. It’s most famous for its horse trek, but yes, you can also hike to Song Kul on foot! 

For a multi-day trek, it’s pretty moderate and is one of the least demanding long-distance hikes you can do in Kyrgyzstan.

Just like with Ala Kul Lake, there are multiple routes you can take. The most popular route departs from Kyzart Pass and takes 2 days of moderate trekking to reach the lake. 

What really sets Song Kul Lake apart is the opportunity it provides to engage with Kyrgyzstan’s nomadic culture. There are many yurt camps set up along the shore (some touristy, some authentic), where you can stay and learn more about the culture.

We got to witness a horse milking and hey, if you’re lucky, maybe you’ll catch a game of kok boru (headless goat polo). 

Read: How to Visit Song Kul Lake in 2024

Asian Patagonia

Full disclaimer here: this is the only hike on this list that we haven’t personally done, but it comes recommended to us on good authority! 

Along with a summit of Peak Lenin, it’s the first on our list to do when we go back to Kyrgyzstan. 

The Asian Patagonia hike features the remote Turkestan Range in the far southwest and is as off the beaten track as you can get hiking in Kyrgyzstan.

On this strenuous 8-day trek, there are views of multiple 5000m+ peaks. The peaks here are high, sharp and rugged. 

This part of Kyrgyzstan has only recently opened up to foreigners (in fact, this was where rock climber Tommy Caldwell was kidnapped in 2000 – don’t worry, that’s not an issue anymore).

As it’s so off-grid and remote, you’re best off doing this Kyrgyzstan hike with an experienced guide. 

If it’s an adventure you’re after, this is the hike for you! 

Kyrgyzstan Hiking Trails – Honourable Mentions

Not every hike in Kyrgyzstan can make the top 10, but here are a few more that are worth your consideration.

Kol Ukok 

Kol Ukok is a short 2-day trek starting from Kochkor (the same place you organise a trek to Song Kul). 

The hike is relatively easy and features a beautiful lake nestled between two steep mountain slopes. 

The lake is beautiful, but the real appeal here lies in its serenity. It’s not widely known, so it’s likely you’ll have it all to yourself. 

Chatyr Kol

The hike to Chatyr Kol Pass is a moderate day hike leading to a pass overlooking Chatyr Kul Lake. In the distance, you can see China. 

While the scenery is pretty, what makes this hiking trail distinct is that it starts from Tash Rabat, the ancient Silk Road caravanserai. This is the only hike in Kyrgyzstan that has a history lesson involved!

If you’d like to extend the trek, you can cross the pass and spend the night at the lake. 

Archa Tor Pass

The Archa Tor Pass is a great option for those wanting to get out for a few days in the Karakol region, but wanting to avoid the crowds of Ala Kul.

As its name implies, this hike climbs over the Archa Tor Pass (3,900m). It’s beautiful and remote, with just enough challenge to keep it interesting. 

Boz Uchuk

The Boz Uchuk Lakes are two hidden lakes deep in the Ak Suu region. This Kyrgyzstan backpacking adventure features 3 days of hiking with two relatively easy passes. 

The best part is spending the night at the large Boz Uchuk Lake. 

Kyrgyzstan Trekking Essential Information

Now that we’ve got you excited about hiking in Kyrgyzstan, let’s go through the practical stuff, so you’re all prepared to hit the trails. 

Is It Safe to Hike in Kyrgyzstan?

Hiking in Kyrgyzstan is very safe – well, as far as hiking in the wilderness goes. 

The biggest risks you need to be concerned with while hiking in Kyrgyzstan are weather, altitude, river crossings and falling off a mountain because you are so distracted by the beauty around you. 

Most of Kyrgyzstan’s hikes are at relatively high altitudes. Popular Ala Kul Pass is around 3850m, while Peak Lenin Base Camp is around 4000m.

Always monitor yourself for altitude sickness – common symptoms are headache, dizziness and nausea. If any of these get severe, descend for a bit and then try again. 

Travel insurance, as always, is essential. If something goes wrong, you want to be covered. We use and recommend SafetyWing. Trust us, we’ve used a lot of travel insurance and they really are the best.

Mountain weather anywhere in the world is crazy and Kyrgyzstan is no exception! It’s not uncommon to experience all seasons in one day or for a storm to come in quick-fast. Seriously. 

When I hiked Kol Tor Lake, a storm rolled in in a matter of minutes – and of course, exactly when I was putting up my tent! Fortunately, I caught it in time before it went into the lake – by a matter of seconds.

Moral of the story here – monitor the weather (we use this website) and always bring supplies for all seasons. 

Many of the hikes in Kyrgyzstan require fording a river.

When you must ford a river, be sure to practice proper technique: always cross a river at its widest point (narrow spots are deeper and faster), cross at a slight angle heading downstream rather than straight across (as this will mean you are moving with the current rather than fighting against it) and undo your hip belt (so if you fall your backpack doesn’t drag you underwater). 

As for falling off a mountain because you’re so distracted by Kyrgyzstan’s beauty, well, we can’t help you there. 

Do You Need a Guide to Hike in Kyrgyzstan?

Whether you need a guide to hike in Kyrgyzstan depends on your level of experience and how comfortable you are in the mountains. But, as a general rule, you do not need a guide for any trek in Kyrgyzstan.

However, whether you’re required to get a guide and whether you should get a guide are different questions.

If you’re inexperienced (especially at altitude) or if you’re going solo (especially somewhere remote), then it’s probably a good idea to hire a guide. 

Fortunately, hiking guides are affordable and prolific all across Kyrgyzstan. You can hire a guide to go hiking in Kyrgyzstan through any CBT, or any one of the other numerous tour agencies throughout the country. 

If you’re an experienced hiker, then you’ll love Kyrgyzstan! Pretty much all of the routes are pretty well mapped and none require a guide, so you can explore as independently as you want. 

Best Time to Go Trekking in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is a summer trekking destination, which means the best time to go hiking is between July and September. 

In June, many of the passes will still be covered in snow, making it too difficult and dangerous to go hiking. There are exceptions, as you can go hiking in Ala Archa in the winter (so long as you are prepared for snow). 

By October, the temperatures will be very low and snow will be starting to fall, making it also an undesirable time to hike. 

Kyrgyzstan Trekking Permits

A permit is required for some of Kyrgyzstan’s hikes, notably, the ones close to sensitive borders (China and Tajikistan). 

You 100% require a permit to go to Kel Suu Lake (read more about how to get one here). 

Theoretically, a permit is required to hike to Peak Lenin Base Camp, but we were not checked, nor did we meet anyone else who was.

You’ll also need a permit if you plan to go to Chatyr Kol Lake (but not if you just plan on going to the Chatyr Kol Pass). 

What to Pack for Hiking in Kyrgyzstan

What you should pack for trekking in Kyrgyzstan depends on which hiking trail you’re heading off on!

For an overnight trek, check out our complete packing list of what we always take into the mountains.

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