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Kyrgyzstan
KyrgyzstanFrom £3,0852 tours

Kyrgyzstan Tours & Holidays

Experience the majestic Tien Shan Mountains and the enduring nomadic spirit of a land where high-altitude lakes meet legendary

  • Best timeJun–Sep
  • Time zoneUTC+6
  • CurrencyKyrgyzstani Som (KGS)
  • LanguageKyrgyz & Russian (Official); English (Hubs)
Overview

An introduction to Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is a land where mountains dominate—over 90% of the country rises above 1,500 meters, with the fabled “Celestial Mountains” (Tien Shan) creating landscapes that rival Switzerland’s beauty. Visitors come to breathe pristine air, marvel at lush highlands and inaccessible peaks, and experience where Silk Road wealth brought diverse cultures together.

Today, Kyrgyzstan offers a hospitable glimpse into nomadic life and epochs where dynasties flourished in fabulous isolation. From the legendary Pamir Highway traversing the “roof of the world” to Issyk-Kul, Central Asia’s largest lake, the country captivates with dramatic landscapes, traditional cultures maintained in remote villages, and warm hospitality of communities hidden from the modern world.

Kyrgyzstan landscape
Kyrgyzstan detail
Explore

Kyrgyzstan

Why visit

What makes Kyrgyzstan worth the journey

01

Authentic Nomadic Culture

Experience a way of life that has changed little over centuries, from staying in felt yurts to tasting traditional Kyrgyz cuisine.

02

The Silk Road Legacy

As a crossroads for ancient traders, the country is dotted with historical sites like the Burana Tower and the caravanserais of the high passes.

Highlights

The moments that make Kyrgyzstan unforgettable

Issyk-Kul Lake

Relax by the shores of the world’s second-largest alpine lake, a vast "inland sea" surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Ala-Too range.

Song-Kol Lake

Stay in a traditional yurt beside this remote, high-altitude lake, where Kyrgyz nomads still bring their livestock to graze during the summer.

The Celestial Mountains (Tien Shan)

Marvel at the staggering beauty of one of the world's great mountain ranges, offering pristine air and inaccessible peaks.

Ancient City of Osh

Explore one of the Silk Road’s oldest trading hubs and visit Solomon’s Throne, a sacred mountain and important pilgrimage site.

Eagle Hunting Traditions

Witness the ancient art of hunting with golden eagles, a skill passed down through generations of nomadic hunters.

Bishkek’s Soviet Heritage

Discover the Kyrgyz capital, known for its wide boulevards, large public parks, and fascinating Soviet-era architecture and monuments.

Kyrgyzstan rewards travellers who slow down — the best stories are found off the tour-bus route.

From the field

When to go

Picking the right season for your trip

The ideal time to visit Kyrgyzstan is during the summer months, from June to September. This is when the mountain passes are clear of snow, making the high-altitude pastures (jailoos) accessible for visiting nomadic shepherds. Spring (May to early June) is beautiful as the valleys begin to bloom, though some higher routes may still be blocked. Autumn (September to October) offers pleasant temperatures in the cities and golden landscapes, while winter is bitterly cold and primarily suited for those interested in winter sports or eagle hunting traditions.

Live weather
Kyrgyzstan

Looking to travel outside the typical windows? Our Kyrgyzstan tailor-made team can advise on the best time for you.

From the journal

Stories from the region

Dispatches, field notes and practical advice from our specialists.

All stories
Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Reviews from across our small-group programme. Independently rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ travellers.

An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!

Anna

This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!

Grete

My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.

Frank

Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.

Cathy

Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.

Lynn

We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.

Andy

We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.

Jennie

Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.

Debbie

Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.

Alexis

Fabulous, unusual destination, and great people. A private tour of somewhere little-visited, with great service from start to finish and excellent knowledge and advice from Undiscovered Destinations throughout.

Steve

An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!

Anna

This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!

Grete

My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.

Frank

Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.

Cathy

Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.

Lynn

We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.

Andy

We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.

Jennie

Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.

Debbie

Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.

Alexis

Fabulous, unusual destination, and great people. A private tour of somewhere little-visited, with great service from start to finish and excellent knowledge and advice from Undiscovered Destinations throughout.

Steve

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our Kyrgyzstan journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

Tailor my trip
Tailor-made journeys

Didn’t find your perfect Kyrgyzstan trip?

We’ll build one around you.

Prefer to travel at your own pace? Our tailor-made Kyrgyzstan holidays allow you to design a journey around your own specific interests. Whether you want to spend more time trekking in the Karakol region, focus on the unique eagle hunting traditions of the south, or enjoy a more leisurely circuit of Issyk-Kul Lake, we can create the perfect itinerary. Every tailor-made trip includes private transport, dedicated local guides, and a variety of accommodation from boutique city hotels to authentic yurt stays.

Your dates
Travel when it suits you
Private group
Just you, family or friends
Your pace
Linger longer, skip the rest
Bespoke extras
Private guides, rare access

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Planning a trip to Kyrgyzstan?

  • Kyrgyzstan is one of the most affordable destinations in Central Asia, offering excellent value for money

Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

Before booking, please familiarise yourself with the UK FCDO advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We monitor all local situations closely to ensure safe travel.

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Join a small-group departure, or let our Kyrgyzstan specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.

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