Kyrgyzstan is one of my favorite countries in the world.

With so many incredible things to do, such as immersing yourself in the unique local culture or traversing the incredible Central Asian landscapes, there are numerous reasons to add Kyrgyzstan to the top of your bucket list.

In this post I’ll share fifteen of my TOP reasons to visit Kyrgyzstan, along with some of my favorite photos from my unforgettable adventure in Central Asia’s hidden gem!

You’ll be adding Kyrgyzstan to the top of your bucket list in no time 😆!

15 Reasons to Visit Kyrgyzstan

With my favorite pictures to convince you even more!

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1. Unmatched Hospitality

If you have the opportunity to stay in a traditional yurt in Kyrgyzstan, you’ll experience the unmatched hospitality of the local families firsthand. 

Sharing a mouthwatering meal around the dinner table, sipping warm black tea with other travelers, and enjoying wholesome moments with the local kids offers a rare glimpse into the family-centered Kyrgyz culture.

These small moments of genuine connection – even if there is a language barrier – remind you of the warmth and kindness that transcend words.

Whether it’s a shared laugh over the difficulty of trying to explain an unusual American phrase, or a game of UNO where you’re learning how to speak the colors of the rainbow in Kyrgyz, you’ll leave Kyrgyzstan with an appreciation for the nomadic way of life.

The memories and interactions from Kyrgyzstan will stick with you long after you’ve left the rolling plains, monumental mountain ranges, and scattered yurt camps behind.

2. Off-the-beaten-path (In the Best Way!)

When I first told my friends and family I booked a ticket to Kyrgyzstan, the million dollar question I was always asked was, “Where is that?”

“I’ve never heard of that country before!” was usually the next statement to follow.

I’d pull up a map, and watch their eyebrows rise as I pointed to a landlocked, mountainous country nestled in Central Asia—wedged between Kazakhstan, China, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. Truthfully, I needed the map too – geography is not my strong point! 

The many pictures of the jagged peaks, expansive green pastures, and unforgettable blue alpine lakes would always cause excited gasps and “take me with you!”s.

Most people have never heard of Kyrgyzstan, and even fewer could spell it on the first try (myself included!).

Kyrgyzstan is definitely off the beaten path for many travelers. You won’t find massive crowds or over-touristy landmarks. And that’s exactly what makes it so special.

Its “wait…where?” factor is part of the magic—it draws in the bold adventurers looking for unforgettable landscapes, unique cultural experiences, and a true departure from your classic travel experience (Euro summer, I’m looking at you).

3. Awe-inspiring Scenery Everywhere You Look

That first image when you type “Kyrgyzstan“ into Google was enough to have me booking a non-refundable flight to Central Asia’s mountainous hidden gem. 

I had seen jaw-dropping drone footage of the shimmering, turquoise Kel Suu lake. I watched as riders galloped along the wind-swept grassy plains of Song Kul. I felt Kyrgyzstan enticing me to visit long before my PTO request was even approved for my two-week trip.

Kyrgyzstan is a magical place with unforgettable postcard landscapes. 

Whether you’d rather explore the mirror-like shores of Song Kul, traverse the vibrant, copper rocks at Fairytale Canyons, or gaze upon the rolling waves of Issyk Kul, Kyrgyzstan will surprise you with a mix of awe-inspiring places – you’ll be eager to return to explore more!

4. Stunning, Untouched Alpine Lakes

I’ll never forget the moment I stood at the top of Ala Kul pass – which stands at a monumental 3,900 meters of elevation – with tears in my eyes as I looked down upon the startlingly blue water of the alpine lake below.

Traversing the pass on all fours, in my Air Force 1s, I didn’t think I would make it to the summit. I was VERY underprepared for this steep vertical ascent, but told myself I wouldn’t leave Kyrgyzstan without reaching the top. 

Ala Kul is just one of many breathtaking alpine lakes in Kyrgyzstan. Many of these beautiful lakes remain untouched – except by the brave, confident adventurers willing to make the treks. 

There are no lines or droves of tourists. Just pure, untouched nature the way it is intended to be…with minimal traces of civilization.

5. Unforgettable Hiking Trails

Forget the touristy walking trails you see all over social media, Kyrgyzstan is the ultimate place for hiking. 

With a variety of natural landscapes, ranging from gradual ascents to stunning viewpoints and steep scrambles up jagged peaks, Kyrgyzstan is a natural hiking destination.

Day hikes around Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital city, make for a great beginner friendly hiking adventure. Daring adventurers will enjoy multi-day treks (camping required) to some of Kyrgyzstan’s most breathtaking landscapes. 

Grab your hiking poles and a pair of sturdy shoes (boots or trail runners) and explore the untouched nature of Kyrgyzstan!

6. A Natural Playground for Horseback Riding

Kyrgyzstan is the homeland for horse girls – a place where horses are not just for hobbies, they’re a way of life. 

From nomadic traditions to multi-day horseback adventures across beautiful landscapes, Kyrgyzstan is a country where your dreams of galloping through rolling fields will come true!

Horseback riding is what brought me to Kyrgyzstan in the first place. Everything I imagined about horseback riding in this country – from peaceful walks through endless plains to steep journeys high above local villages – bloomed into reality.

There’s one thing you must do while visiting Kyrgyzstan – get on a horse!

7. Sleep Under the Stars in a Traditional Yurt

There’s more to Kyrgyzstan than just its jaw-dropping landscapes, delectable cuisine, and thrilling horseback riding adventures.

What truly sets this country apart is the chance to step into the nomadic way of life that has endured for centuries.

Rooted in its proud nomadic heritage, Kyrgyzstan offers a rare and unforgettable experience – one that can only be experienced in a few places around the world: spending the night in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt. 

These circular, inviting abodes aren’t just cozy shelters — they’re symbols of Kyrgyz culture, passed down through generations.

Yurts are so central to Kyrgyz culture, they even made it onto the national flag which showcases a traditional tunduk (roof) surrounded by forty sun rays, representing the forty tribes united under Manas.

As you lie beneath the vast expanse of stars, wrapped in layers of handmade cozy blankets and warmed by a stove, you’ll understand the spiritual connection Kyrgyz people have to nature, and tradition.

8. Unique Cultural Experiences

As a twenty pound eagle flew swiftly toward me, I was mesmerized by a timeless tradition still practiced by local hunters all over Kyrgyzstan. 

Eagle hunting is one of the many unique cultural experiences to discover in Kyrgyzstan. 

In a country so deeply rooted in its nomadic heritage, cultural traditions passed down for centuries prevail. 

At yurt camps around Song Kul, you’ll witness the awe-inspiring game of Kok Boru, a mind-blowing combination of rugby and football, on horseback, where riders have to pick up a goat carcass and make it into their opponents goal – without falling off the horse!

At the State History Museum in Bishkek, you can explore a collection of decorative shyrdak – intricate, handwoven rugs often used as yurt decor.

There are many unique cultural experiences in Kyrgyzstan to discover!

9. Delectable Local Cuisine

The moment you get your first taste of Kyrgyz cuisine, you’ll wonder why Central Asian cuisine isn’t at the top of everyone’s list of favorite cuisines.

Combining nutritious vegetables with hearty meats, including beef, lamb and horse, Kyrgyz cuisine is mouthwateringly filling and delicious. 

When you travel around Kyrgyzstan, I encourage you to try beshbarmak, the country’s National dish which features horse meat served over hand pulled noodles. This dish is meant to be devoured with your hands! 

10. An Affordable Travel Destination

Budget traveling will never go out of style. And Kyrgyzstan does it best!

With a variety of affordable accommodations, including guesthouses and traditional yurt stays ranging from $20–$40, Kyrgyzstan is the ultimate budget-friendly backpacker destination. 

You’ll get to experience a multitude of cultural and adventurous activities – horseback riding, eagle hunting, and guided (or not) trekking – for a fraction of the cost you would pay in the Western world. 

My two-week adventure in Kyrgyzstan with a local horseback riding company (Kyrgyz Riders) was less expensive than my flight to Central Asia. 

If you’re looking for an affordable travel destination, Kyrgyzstan is the place to visit!

11. Spectacular Night Skies

Kyrgyzstan is what I like to call an “unofficial” dark sky reserve. 

Though this Central Asia mountain paradise doesn’t carry the official dark sky reserve badge like some areas in New Zealand and Hawaii, Kyrgyzstan’s remote landscapes make it the perfect place to trace constellations in the midnight sky.

I’ll never forget my first night sleeping in a traditional yurt. I escaped the pitch black abode in search of the shining stars above me. As I opened the doors of the yurt, I was greeted by a night sky that shined vibrantly as if the fabric of the universe was pierced by a million bright pinholes.

It was infinitely beautiful – some of the most incredible night skies I’ve even seen.

12. Go Off-Grid

Don’t expect much time to scroll through Instagram when you journey to the remote landscapes of Kyrgyzstan!

From the wind-swept rolling hills of Song Kul to the surreal turquoise water of Ala Kul, Kyrgyzstan offers more than just postcard-worthy views and awe-inspiring photo ops – these landscapes invite you to slow down and be fully present.

Kyrgyzstan is the perfect place to “get unplugged” and forget about the many bells, whistles, and notifications that distract us from the simplicity of life. 

Modern life rarely allows for us to unplug from the digital world. But Kyrgyzstan – with its endless horseback riding trails and countless hiking adventures – is the perfect place to disconnect.

13. Test Your Driving Skills on Dirt Roads

As you venture beyond the city of Bishkek, the landscapes grow increasingly more rugged and remote—and so do the roads that lead you there. 

Kyrgyzstan is the perfect place to put your driving skills to the test. Whether you’re dodging potholes on the way to Kok Kiya Valley, trying to maintain your patience as a herd of sheep crosses the road, or navigating steep, unpaved mountain passes, every turn offers a challenge—and a view more breathtaking than the last!

Drive safe in Kyrgyzstan! Enjoy the (bumpy) ride!

14. Solo Travel Friendly

Inviting the boldest of adventurers, this mountain paradise is one of the best solo travel destinations in the world.

As you journey from village to village, you’ll naturally cross paths with other adventurers, many on the lookout for someone to split a taxi or share a private ride to Kyrgyzstan’s remote corners. 

The shared pursuit of adventure—and the challenge of navigating a language barrier—tends to bring travelers together in the most unexpected and meaningful ways.

You’ll connect in local yurt camps and guesthouses, playing soccer while the sun sets over camp. And when the sun goes down, there’s always time for a game of Werewolf or spoons!

Kyrgyzstan is also one of the safest countries I’ve even visited. Despite the language barrier, the locals were always welcoming and willing to help!

15. Visa-free Entry for Many Travelers

Kyrgyzstan is one of the most traveler-friendly countries, offering visa-free arrival for citizens of more than sixty countries, including the US and many EU member countries.

Depending on your nationality, you can visit Kyrgyzstan for 30-60 days, or even longer if you’re a passport holder of the neighboring countries such as Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and more!

This straightforward access to Central Asia’s hidden gem makes it the perfect hassle-free travel destination.

For travelers visiting from countries that aren’t visa-free, Kyrgyzstan offers alternatives including e-Visa and visa upon arrival to Manas or Osh airports.

Kyrgyzstan’s combination of easily accessible visas for non-exempt travelers and relaxed entry policies for visa-free nations makes it the perfect travel destination for adventurers hoping to explore the local culture and scenic landscapes, without the hassle or fees associated with getting a visa!

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