Exploring Kyrgyzstan as a Solo Female Traveller: Tips and Insights
Kyrgyzstan probably isn’t the first country that comes to mind when planning a trip. But I was craving something different—something beyond the usual “Western” destinations. I wanted raw nature, authentic culture, and a sense of adventure. That’s how I ended up in the so-called “Switzerland of Central Asia.”
This journey took place in October 2024, so keep in mind that prices and details may change over time. If you’re wondering whether I’d recommend visiting—absolutely! And would I go back? Without a doubt, yes!
Kyrgyzstan 5 day itinerary, as you can see the nature is so diverse!
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Kyrgyzstan 5 day Itinerary
My 5-day adventure in Kyrgyzstan began and ended at Bishkek Airport. Every place I visited was unique, but if I had to pick favorites, Skazka Canyon and Kol Tor Lake left the biggest impression on me.
Since my trip took place in early October, some of the country’s most stunning spots—like Ala-Kul Lake—were already covered in snow or inaccessible. If you want to experience Kyrgyzstan in full color, I’d recommend visiting between July and early September.
That said, even in October, this 5-day trip was enough to get a taste of Central Asia’s beauty and culture.
Private GUIDE in Kyrgyzstan
Finding a private guide in Kyrgyzstan was a bit of a challenge. After weeks of comparing my options, I finally decided to go with Ernist (Whatsapp: +996 505 566 554) and I couldn’t have been happier with my choice!
As a solo female traveler, I took extra caution when choosing a guide—there are so many scams floating around on Instagram and Facebook. That’s why I was extra careful in my research before making a decision. Fortunately, Ernist turned out to be a fantastic choice! He was always on time, super relaxed, and even accompanied me on hikes and walks, making me feel safe and comfortable throughout the trip.
I also quickly realized that hiring a guide in Kyrgyzstan isn’t as budget-friendly as I had expected—in fact, it was pricier than in Sri Lanka! Even though the fuel is relatively cheap here! I decided on a mix: hiring a driver for three days and exploring on my own for the rest.
Ernist works together with Tika Bay and both speak fluent English. If you decide to reach out to them, feel free to mention my name (IEVA)—who knows, maybe you’ll even get a discount! 😉
Group Tours in Kyrgyzstan
If you’re travelling on a budget, joining a group tour can be a great alternative to hiring a private guide. Tour operators like Kettik offer daily trips starting from as low as $10 USD—a super affordable way to explore!
From my experience, the Kettik team is a young and energetic bunch, but English isn’t their strongest skill (at least during the off-season). Many of the tours are filled with locals, so knowing some Russian will be useful. However, things might be different in the summer when there are more international travellers.
Here are some group tour operators to check out:
• Kettik
• Intourist
• Ulush Travel
They offer a wide selection of trips, including multi-day tours to places like Kel Suu Lake, Almaty, and even Uzbekistan. My personal experience with Kettik was positive—despite reading some concerns about unsafe drivers.
Taxi Drivers in Kyrgyzstan
Another great option for getting around is hiring a taxi that waits for you—this can be a more affordable alternative to having a driver for the entire day. I used this method to visit Ala Archa National Park and can personally recommend Niyas (WhatsApp: +996 508 162 424). He waited for me for two hours at a very reasonable price.
MUST-VISIT PLACES IN Kyrgyzstan
Before my trip, I carefully planned my must-see list, prioritising the most stunning spots and skipping anything that felt less essential. Looking back, I wouldn’t change much—except maybe skipping the half-day I spent in Bishkek (trust me, the city isn’t the most exciting part of Kyrgyzstan).
That said, here are the places I visited and recommend:
Konorchek Canyon + Kok Moinok
The first hike at Konorchek Canyon was a bit challenging in some parts, but the stunning red rock formations made it totally worth the effort. If you enjoy adventure and don’t mind a bit of a workout, this is a fantastic spot to explore!
Skazka Canyon + Barskoon Gorge + Seven Bulls Rock + Jeti Oguz
This day was packed with incredible landscapes, each spot offering something unique!
Skazka Canyon – Also known as Fairy Tale Canyon, this place truly lives up to its name. The colorful rock formations look like something straight out of a fantasy world. The hike here was fairly easy, and the views were absolutely worth it!
Barskoon Gorge – I hiked to a small waterfall and made it about two-thirds of the way to the big waterfall before deciding to turn back. The scenery was beautiful, with alpine forests and rugged cliffs, but the hike can be a bit demanding, so be prepared.
Seven Bulls Rock & Jeti-Ögüz – This area was simply stunning. The red rock formations of Seven Bulls Rock were impressive, but Jeti-Ögüz completely stole the show—easily one of the most beautiful places I visited in Kyrgyzstan!
Grigorievska Gorge
The journey to Grigorievska Gorge was an adventure in itself! The drive toward the lake was quite challenging, with rough roads and some tricky sections, but I absolutely loved the wide-open landscapes along the way.
Once I arrived, I took a walk around the small lake, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and stunning mountain views. It was a refreshing and relaxing stop—perfect for soaking in Kyrgyzstan’s raw natural beauty.
If you don’t mind a bit of a bumpy ride, this place is definitely worth a visit!
Kol Tor Lake
This was one of the most challenging hikes of my trip—not because it was technical, but because of its length and steep incline. The 16 km trek felt long, but the reward at the end was absolutely worth it!
I did this hike with Kettik Tours, and despite the effort, it quickly became one of my favourite experiences in Kyrgyzstan. The trail climbs steadily, and while there are no particularly technical sections, the constant steep ascent makes it quite demanding.
If you’re up for a challenge and have the stamina for a long, steep hike, Kol Tor Lake is a must-visit! The turquoise water and dramatic mountain backdrop make every step worthwhile and somewhat reminded me of Banff in Canada.
Ala Archa National Park
I headed to Ala Archa National Park and hiked toward Ak Sai Waterfall. I didn’t finish the last section but still got a great view of the waterfall from afar. The hike itself was stunning, with beautiful alpine scenery all around.
To get there, I hired a private driver (Niyas) who waited for me for four hours. The total cost was 3,000 SOM, including the 700 SOM vehicle entrance fee. This worked out well and gave me the flexibility to hike at my own pace.
I noticed that many group tours only go as far as Broken Heart, which offers a shorter but beautiful hike. While I wanted a longer trek, I have to admit that the views around Broken Heart are stunning. If you’re short on time, it’s still well worth the visit, and you won’t feel like you’re missing out.
MONEY
You will definitely need cash in Kyrgyzstan. Only a couple of restaurants in Bishkek offered a card payment and only one hotel (still they charged extra). I withdrew money for FREE from the Bakai ATM at the airport with an N26 card (Revolut would work too).
ACCOMMODATION (HOTELS/HOSTELS/AIRBNB) IN Kyrgyzstan
When it comes to accommodation in Kyrgyzstan, just choose whatever is on the way—and don’t expect too much. In my experience, reviews don’t always mean much (10 is not equal 10 :)), so it’s best to keep expectations realistic. The hosts are generally very nice, but if you don’t speak Russian, communication might be a bit challenging.
In Bishkek, I stayed at ololoYurt, and I had a positive experience. It’s a coworking space + hostel, so it has a modern, clean, and spacious setup. They also have a café serving Western-style food, which was a nice bonus. OloloYurt is a little more expensive than other hostels
ESIM
The most convenient option for me was to install an eSIM from Airalo before my trip. I had no issues at all—the internet worked great throughout my journey, even in more remote areas.
If you are not familiar what is Airalo and how it works, you can read about it more here. If you want to save 3 USD, you can use my discount code (IEVA1707) or click here to apply the coupon directly.
Visa for Kyrgyzstan
For Lithuanian passport holders (EU citizens), no visa is required for a temporary stay in Kyrgyzstan.
The border control process was very smooth in my experience—quick and hassle-free! If you’re traveling on a different passport, make sure to check the latest visa requirements before your trip.
Kyrgyzstan I wish I knew
Restaurant Fees: A 12% service fee is added to restaurant bills, and it’s not included in the menu prices—so keep that in mind when budgeting. You can get a decent meal for 300–500 SOM (4-6 USD).
Bishkek’s Vibe: Honestly, Bishkek has no “soul”— I wouldn’t really recommend spending much time there apart from heading to the airport.
If you need to grab snacks or essentials, some supermarkets like Globus are open 24/7.
Paying for Group Tours: If you’re booking a group tour (e.g., with Kettik), you’ll usually pay via a terminal machine. Make sure to check the commission fee and have the exact amount ready.
Language Barrier: Knowing Russian is a huge advantage! Many locals and tour operators don’t speak English, so even basic Russian phrases can make your trip much easier.
Finding Tours & Inspiration: For the best search results, look for tours and travel inspiration on Instagram in Russian. You’ll find way more options this way!
The drive towards the airport was around 850 SOM (10 USD) booked via Yandex (I think from the airport to the city is cheaper). You can also use GoBus app (they run several times a day, the trip is 200 SOM (2.5USD)).
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I'm ieva vi - a wedding & lifestyle photographer, based in Copenhagen and photographing worldwide. When I'm not behind the lens capturing beautiful moments, i love to explore new places and share my experiences with readers. Take a look at my portfolio, and feel free to reach out for collaborations.
