Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan: A Whirlwind Adventure!
PART I: Kyrgyzstan Road Trip - Why Not?!
Surprised I'm raving about a road trip through Kyrgyzstan ("KGZ")? Get ready, because it's seriously an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Nine days, one car, one driver, one guide, and two wanderers – we crisscrossed KGZ from north to south! Starting in Karakol, cruising along Issyk Kul, hitting Tash Rabat, Song Kul Lake, Kazarman, Gulcha, Turpal Kor, and the Lenin Peak basecamp. We looped through Arslanbob, stopped at Sary Chelek, and finally back to Bishkek via Toktogul. We had 12-hour drives, off-road adventures in pitch-black nights, and skipped meals, leaving us exhausted but our eyes wide with wonder. We were fueled by epic mountain views and vibrant valleys that stretched out before us!
I can (almost) call myself an experienced traveler now, but the diverse and stunning landscapes of Kyrgyzstan still blew my mind. The geological formations were beyond belief.
If I ever get the chance, I'll definitely return! Maybe not for another mega road trip, but to really soak in the places I fell in love with: Tash Rabat, Song Kul Lake, and Turpal Kol-Lenin Peak basecamp – truly the queen of my heart, even knowing it's a long journey back. But hey, you never know, right? Maybe fate will bring me back. Maybe your Kyrgyzstan adventure will too.
Handy Tips for Your Own Kyrgyzstan Adventure:
- Budget: Our 11-day Kyrgyzstan trip cost us $1,750 USD for two people. This included 9 days of car rental (with a driver and guide – the driver didn't speak English), the eagle show, horse riding day tour to Panda Pass at Tash Rabat (2 riders, 2 guides), food, lodging, and other miscellaneous expenses. We found this to be a great value.
- Cost Breakdown:
- $120/day for a 4-seater car with a driver, typically with pickup/drop-off in Bishkek (additional costs may apply for different locations).
- 3800++ soms for a private yurt (with or without meals) in remote areas.
- 1500-2000 soms for a basic double room in towns.
- 1500 soms/horse/day (6-8 hours).
- 2500 soms/horseman.
- 4000 soms/eagle show/group.
- 150-500 soms per meal, etc.
- Car Rental: We contacted Mr. Tika (Whatsapp +996(773)893463), but he was booked. He connected us with his younger sister, Ms. Aku (Whatsapp +996(771)861694), a young and enthusiastic guide, and Eddie, our careful and hardworking driver, who were both amazing!
- Kyrgyz People: I found the Kyrgyz people to be friendly and peaceful. They made me feel comfortable, unlike in Kazakhstan. So, consider starting your Central Asia trip and booking services from Kyrgyzstan, even if it's a bit unconventional.
- Must-See Places: For me, it's Turpal Kol-Lenin Peak basecamp, Tash Rabat, and Song Kul Lake. To get there on a budget (especially for solo travelers or small groups), take a minibus ("Marshrutka" in Kyrgyz) to the nearest town (like Sary Mogul for Turpal Kol or Naryl/At Basi for Tash Rabat) and then find a shared taxi/jeep. I'm unsure about public transport options to Song Kul Lake due to its remote location – any tips?
- Tash Rabat: Just wandering through the colorful valleys is enough. But if you have time, hike or ride a horse to the 4025m-high Panda Pass for panoramic views of Chatyr Kul Lake (Tian Shan mountains, near the KGZ-China border). For the hardcore, hike the entire route from Tash Rabat to Panda Pass and camp overnight at Chatyr Kul Lake (requires a border permit and adaptability to harsh conditions). We booked a horse riding day tour to Panda Pass with Tash Rabat Yurk (WhatsApp +996 704471020) due to time constraints.
- Lenin Peak: Considered the easiest 7000m+ peak to climb. But even for someone who struggles with hills, seeing it from the Lenin Peak basecamp and Turpal Lake was enough. The wild, beautiful scenery was so peaceful that I felt incredibly grateful to be alive! We stayed at Munar's family camp (WhatsApp +996709600505), who are incredibly sweet, attentive, and amazing cooks.
- Altyn Arashan: A popular destination, but we didn't make it due to heavy rain in Karakol. We heard you can take bus No. 350 to Ak-su, then find a shared Russian jeep to Altyn Arashan (cheapest option). Alternatively, hire a taxi for $100-120 USD/day or join a shared ride for about 4000 soms/person. If you start early, you might find a horse to take you to Ala-Kul Lake in one day. One traveler mentioned paying only $50 USD for a bus, jeep, and horse from Karakol to Ak-su and Ala-Kul.
- Best Time to Visit: From May (when the flowers bloom) to late September. We were there in late August, and the weather was mild, sunny, and breezy (except for the rainy day in Karakol). Nights were cooler. The Turpal Kol-Lenin Peak basecamp is only open from June 1st to September 15th (or earlier due to harsh weather). It's at 4000m+ altitude, so be careful if you're prone to altitude sickness.
- Border Crossing: Crossing the Kengen border (Saty-Karakol) or Almaty-Bishkek is easy for both people and vehicles, so issues likely mean you've found a bad tour operator or driver. If you get to Kegen early, you can hitch a ride to Karakol for ~1000-2000 soms/person.
- "NO SHOW" BOOKING Issue: Bookings in Kyrgyzstan can be unreliable. Except for Guesthouse SONO in Karakol, we had issues with all our Booking reservations. A common scam is the host claiming "no show" after you've paid them in person! Protect yourself by taking photos of the hotel/room, keeping messages, and contact info.
- Food: Kyrgyz food is simple but tasty (150-500 soms/dish). Grilled fish at Song Kul Lake or Toktogul is worth trying. My favorite was oatmeal porridge – simple and delicious, often served for breakfast. Kyrgyz people love hot tea (black or green) with fruit jam, consumed at least once a day during meals (unlike the Vietnamese preference for iced drinks).
- Bishkek Airport: Small and cute, but the airport is busier by night. Food and drinks are as expensive as Tan Son Nhat airport. The airport has plenty of flat seats to stretch out and sleep while waiting. Near the airport is a garden restaurant called "U Dyadi Toma," perfect if you want to relax for a few hours while waiting at Bishkek Airport.
#kyrgyzstan #travelphotography #natural #landscape #coupletrip
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