Q: Do I need to bring camping gear like a tent?

No, you don’t need to bring tents or cooking gear – we provide all communal camping equipment on our organized treks. Our trekking tours typically include tents, sleeping pads, cooking stove, and utensils when camping is required. Many of our treks in Kyrgyzstan use established yurt camps or homestays each night, so you may not camp every night – but when we do camp, we handle all the gear. You will need to bring your own clothing and personal items , as well as a sleeping bag ( you can rent one from us if you prefer ). Essentially, you should pack as if you’re backpacking (clothes, boots, etc.), and we’ll take care of the rest: setting up tents, preparing meals, etc. If you have favorite personal gear (like a special lightweight sleeping pad or camp pillow), you’re welcome to bring it, but it’s not necessary. This full support means even if you’re not an experienced camper, you can enjoy nights under the stars without worrying about the logistics.

Q: Will I need to carry all my gear while trekking?

No, you won’t have to carry everything on your back. All our multi-day treks include pack animal support (usually horses or mules) or porters to transport the heavy gear. We ask that you bring a duffel or backpack that we can strap to the pack horse – typically we allow about 15 kg of personal luggage per person to be carried by the animals. This is where you put your clothes, sleeping bag, and overnight items. Meanwhile, you’ll carry just a small daypack with the essentials you need during the day’s hike (water, snacks, jacket, camera, etc.). Each morning, you’ll hand over your main bag to our staff who will secure it to the horses and you won’t see it again until we reach camp that afternoon. By carrying your heavy gear, we ensure that you can hike and trek comfortably without a heavy load , focusing on the stunning mountain scenery rather than the weight of your backpack. It’s also a nice aspect of community tourism as we hire local horsemen and their horses who know the terrain.

Q: What is accommodation like during treks? Will I be camping?

Accommodation on our treks is a mix of local homestays, yurt camps, and occasional tent camping depending on the route. We work with local families and providers so all of our accommodation along the treks and hikes are locally owned and have a personal, local feel to them. They are simple, but clean and comfortable. This also means that the money stays local in that community. Guesthouses and yurts usually offer shared rooms (3-6 people) with outdoor toilets. The accommodation type may vary depending on the route. Some of our high-altitude treks require camping in tents if there are no yurt stays in the area. Each of the trekking tour descriptions includes the type of accommodation used on that trek. Overall, while accommodation is rustic on treks, it’s clean and comfortable enough – and part of the adventure of exploring Kyrgyzstan’s mountains.

Q: What will we eat on a trek? Can my dietary needs be accommodated?

You will be well-fed on our treks. We provide three hearty meals a day plus trail snacks. One of the benefits of trekking and hiking in the Alay Mountains is that you will have access to delicious homemade Kyrgyz dishes at the different family-run accommodations. On our trekking tours most of the evening meals are home-cooked and provided by the yurt camp, homestay or guesthouse. These traditional Kyrgyz meals usually include some sort of meat (often beef or mutton) served with potatoes, rice, or home-made noodles for a hearty dinner after a long day of hiking. Fresh bread rounds are also a must at every meal and you’ll often find homemade jams and traditional sour cream to go with this. Lunch is usually picnic style and served at a beautiful overlook or near an alpine lake. This usually includes meats, vegetables, cheese, and other items that can be used to make sandwiches or light meals. Vegetarian or Vegan Food: Vegetarians and vegans are very welcome. We can absolutely accommodate a vegetarian or vegan diet. The homestays, guest houses and yurt stays are able to cook vegetarian and vegan food. Please inform the company and guide in advance in you are vegetarian or vegan so we can make the proper arrangements for the food needed along this tour. Gluten, Lactose or other Food Allergies: Please let us know if you have any specific food allergies or preferences about food. We will inform the different accommodation providers and also be sure that the picnic lunches have the right foods.

Question 1

Do I need any special permits for certain areas or treks in Kyrgyzstan?

Daniel · Accepted Answer

Yes, certain border regions of Kyrgyzstan that are close to the Tajik, Uzbek or Chinese borders require special permits to visit. For example, to hike to Lenin Peak Base Camp in the southern Pamir-Alay Mountains near the Tajik border, a Kyrgyz Border Zone Permit is officially required. This permit costs around $15 for the regular application time (1-3 weeks) and $30-$50 for expedited services (e.g., 1-3 days).

Visit Alay includes the application process and cost of the permit (for regular speed applications) as part of the tour cost for treks to Lenin Peak Base Camp or if your tour goes to another location that requires a permit. We ask for a copy of your passport at the time that you book your tour in order to apply for your permit.

If you are going to Lenin Peak Base Camp or another border zone not on one our tours, be sure to apply for your permit several weeks in advance through a local tour company.

Note: Although many travelers visit places like Tulpar Kol Lake and Lenin Base Camp without being checked, we strongly advise that you have the permit to avoid any issues with military border guards.

Question 2

How difficult are the treks you offer? Do I need prior hiking experience?

Daniel · Accepted Answer

The difficulty level of our hiking and trekking tours in Kyrgyzstan varies depending on the route, altitude and condition of the trail. Some hikes are suitable for beginners with an easy or moderate level of difficulty, while others are quite challenging and require good fitness levels, prior trekking and hiking experience at altitude.

You don’t need any prior trekking experience. For those treks that are rated medium to difficult this means you should be in decent physical shape and ready for some long hiking days and high-altitude passes. You don’t need technical climbing experience or special equipment; our multi-day treks are essentially extended mountain hikes with no ropes or vertical climbs.

Many of our hikes and treks in the Pamir-Alay Mountains and Tian-Shan Mountains fall into the medium to difficult range, but don’t let this scare you away. Our experienced guides are used to working with trekkers of all backgrounds and we also have luggage horses on many trekking tours that can provide support to go over a mountain pass or a steep ascent.

We recommend that you research the trekking and hiking tours and routes above in detail (each tour page provides the difficulty level, length in km, and maximum elevation) and determine whether it’s suitable for your fitness level and experience. You can always get in touch with us and we can provide advice as to which trek or hike in Kyrgyzstan would suit you best.

Question 3

How do I prepare physically for a trekking tour?

Daniel · Accepted Answer

It is always a good idea to do some physical training in advance so you can fully enjoy your trek. Cardiovascular fitness and leg strength are the most important. We recommend you start taking regular hikes or long walks in the weeks (or months) leading up to the trip. Gradually increase distance and carry a daypack to simulate the trek conditions. If you don’t have hills nearby, stair climbing or using a treadmill/incline trainer at the gym helps build uphill stamina. Aim to be comfortable walking 5-6 hours in a day.

Be sure to break in your hiking boots ahead of time so that they are comfortable and don’t give you blisters. In other words, don’t arrive with brand-new shoes.

Even if you can’t train much before your trek, don’t worry. Our experienced guides are very patient and will adjust the pace to the group. Having done a bit of prior training, however, will increase your enjoyment and reduce soreness.

Question 4

What should I pack for a trek or hike in Kyrgyzstan?

Daniel · Accepted Answer

We provide a detailed packing list for each trekking tour, but here are the essentials you should bring for mountain treks and hikes:

Warm clothes and layers as it gets warm during the day, but it can go below freezing at night and when it rains. This means having layers like fleece and light jackets during the day, as well as a down jacket for comfort at night.
Good hiking shoes. Ankle support is not necessary, but it might be useful to have when going up some of the steep inclines.
Small day pack to carry a camera, water, sunscreen, snacks, extra clothing layers.
Sun protection as the sun is very strong at altitude: Sunglasses, sunscreen (SPF 30 or above), and a sun hat /cap
Water- and windproof jacket and pants. It gets especially windy on the mountain passes and this provides another layer of warmth, in addition to protection from rain.
Walking sticks are recommended (we can provide for an additional fee if you don’t have them)
Medical kit for treating blisters, traveler’s diarrhea and other minor illnesses
Water purification tablets or drops if you want to clean the spring water
Refillable water bottle as we want to avoid single-use plastics waste in the fragile environments of the mountains. We recommend water bottles with their own filtration and purification like a Grayl Water Bottle or LifeStraw Water Bottle.
Lip balm: your lips get chapped very easily in the mountains
Wet wipes and/or anti-bacterial gel to clean hands
Hat and gloves to wear at night for warmth
Head lamp to navigate campsite and yurt camps at night
Warm sleeping bag (you can rent this from us if you don’t have one). Yurts and homestays provide blankets. Some people like to bring a sleeping bag liner with them as well for extra warmth and comfort.

Packing Tip: We advise splitting your gear into a daypack (carried by you) and a duffel/backpack for the pack animal. You can leave any extra luggage in Osh or Bishkek at our office or guesthouse while you trek. On the trail, we provide pack horses or porters to carry the heavy gear (up to 15 kg/person) so you can trek with just a light daypack.

Question 5

Do I need to bring camping gear like a tent?

Daniel · Accepted Answer

No, you don’t need to bring tents or cooking gear – we provide all communal camping equipment on our organized treks.

Our trekking tours typically include tents, sleeping pads, cooking stove, and utensils when camping is required. Many of our treks in Kyrgyzstan use established yurt camps or homestays each night, so you may not camp every night – but when we do camp, we handle all the gear. You will need to bring your own clothing and personal items, as well as a sleeping bag (you can rent one from us if you prefer). Essentially, you should pack as if you’re backpacking (clothes, boots, etc.), and we’ll take care of the rest: setting up tents, preparing meals, etc. If you have favorite personal gear (like a special lightweight sleeping pad or camp pillow), you’re welcome to bring it, but it’s not necessary. This full support means even if you’re not an experienced camper, you can enjoy nights under the stars without worrying about the logistics.

Question 6

Will I need to carry all my gear while trekking?

Daniel · Accepted Answer

No, you won’t have to carry everything on your back. All our multi-day treks include pack animal support (usually horses or mules) or porters to transport the heavy gear. We ask that you bring a duffel or backpack that we can strap to the pack horse – typically we allow about 15 kg of personal luggage per person to be carried by the animals.

This is where you put your clothes, sleeping bag, and overnight items. Meanwhile, you’ll carry just a small daypack with the essentials you need during the day’s hike (water, snacks, jacket, camera, etc.). Each morning, you’ll hand over your main bag to our staff who will secure it to the horses and you won’t see it again until we reach camp that afternoon.

By carrying your heavy gear, we ensure that you can hike and trek comfortably without a heavy load, focusing on the stunning mountain scenery rather than the weight of your backpack. It’s also a nice aspect of community tourism as we hire local horsemen and their horses who know the terrain.

Question 7

What is accommodation like during treks? Will I be camping?

Daniel · Accepted Answer

Accommodation on our treks is a mix of local homestays, yurt camps, and occasional tent camping depending on the route.

We work with local families and providers so all of our accommodation along the treks and hikes are locally owned and have a personal, local feel to them. They are simple, but clean and comfortable. This also means that the money stays local in that community.

Guesthouses and yurts usually offer shared rooms (3-6 people) with outdoor toilets. The accommodation type may vary depending on the route. Some of our high-altitude treks require camping in tents if there are no yurt stays in the area. Each of the trekking tour descriptions includes the type of accommodation used on that trek.

Overall, while accommodation is rustic on treks, it’s clean and comfortable enough – and part of the adventure of exploring Kyrgyzstan’s mountains.

Question 8

What will we eat on a trek? Can my dietary needs be accommodated?

Daniel · Accepted Answer

You will be well-fed on our treks. We provide three hearty meals a day plus trail snacks. One of the benefits of trekking and hiking in the Alay Mountains is that you will have access to delicious homemade Kyrgyz dishes at the different family-run accommodations. On our trekking tours most of the evening meals are home-cooked and provided by the yurt camp, homestay or guesthouse. These traditional Kyrgyz meals usually include some sort of meat (often beef or mutton) served with potatoes, rice, or home-made noodles for a hearty dinner after a long day of hiking. Fresh bread rounds are also a must at every meal and you’ll often find homemade jams and traditional sour cream to go with this. Lunch is usually picnic style and served at a beautiful overlook or near an alpine lake. This usually includes meats, vegetables, cheese, and other items that can be used to make sandwiches or light meals.

Vegetarian or Vegan Food: Vegetarians and vegans are very welcome. We can absolutely accommodate a vegetarian or vegan diet. The homestays, guest houses and yurt stays are able to cook vegetarian and vegan food. Please inform the company and guide in advance in you are vegetarian or vegan so we can make the proper arrangements for the food needed along this tour.
Gluten, Lactose or other Food Allergies: Please let us know if you have any specific food allergies or preferences about food. We will inform the different accommodation providers and also be sure that the picnic lunches have the right foods.

Question 9

Will I have access to clean water during the trek?

Daniel · Accepted Answer

Yes, our guides will ensure you have access to safe drinking water each day. In the mountains, we often source water from natural springs or streams. However, to be on the safe side, we boil water for you. In camp or at yurts, water for drinking and cooking will be boiled. We recommend that you bring a refillable water bottle or water bladder so that you can fill your bottles with cooled boiled water in the morning. This will also avoid plastic waste in a fragile natural environment.

If you have a particularly sensitive stomach or are concerned about water, we recommend you carry water purification tablets/drops and/or a refillable water bottle with its own filtration and purification like a Grayl Water Bottle or LifeStraw Water Bottle.

Question 10

Can I leave some of my luggage in Osh or Bishkek while I’m on a trek?

Daniel · Accepted Answer

Yes, we provide secure storage for any luggage you don’t need on the trek and this service is free for our clients. For instance, if you have a suitcase or extra clothes for after the trek, you can leave them at our Osh or Bishkek office. You can also choose to leave your luggage at your hotel or guesthouse in Osh or Bishkek if that is more convenient for you.

Organized big groups will leave their luggage at the hotel or guest house.

Question 11

Do I need to bring any special equipment or gear for a trekking tour?

Daniel · Accepted Answer

For our standard tours, you don’t need any technical gear or climbing equipment -- just your personal clothing and regular hiking gear (see below for this). We provide camping equipment (tents, mats) on trekking tours and riding gear on horse treks. However, depending on your activities, there may be a few extra things to consider bringing:

Sleeping bag: Recommended for treks for extra warmth and comfort. If you don't have one, we can rent one to you ($6/day).
Headlamp/flashlight: Very useful for any tour that has yurt stays or village overnights where there is often limited electricity.
Power bank: If you have cameras/phones, a portable charger helps on multi-day stretches without power.
Trekking poles: Optional but very helpful on hikes. We have some for rent, but if you have a favorite pair, bring them.
Riding helmet: If doing horse riding and you want a helmet. This is not provided as part of our horse tours, but we can try to source one for you.
Water bottle with filtration and purification: We supply safe drinking water on our tours, but some travelers like to use their own filters for additional protection. Consider something like Grayl Water Bottle or LifeStraw Water Bottle.
Specific snacks or electrolyte mixes: We provide basic snacks, but if you have special energy bars or electrolyte drinks you like then bring a few along.
Adapter: Power outlets are European two-pin round plugs (Type C/F) in Kyrgyzstan/Tajikistan, so bring an adapter if your chargers use a different system.

Question 12

Is vegetarian food or vegan options available on treks or tours?

Audrey · Accepted Answer

Yes, vegetarians and vegans are very welcome on our treks and tours! We can absolutely accommodate a vegetarian or vegan diet and have a lot of experience in this over the years. The homestays, guest houses and yurt stays are able to cook vegetarian food and will offer more eggs, dairy products (e.g., yogurt, kefir), and vegetables. Vegan eaters will be served more vegetable, fruit and grain options during meals.

Please inform us in advance that you are vegetarian or vegan so we can make the proper arrangements for the food needed along this tour.

Question 13

What are the best trekking and hiking routes in Kyrgyzstan?

Audrey · Accepted Answer

Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country with stunning landscapes filled with snow-covered peaks, turquoise alpine lakes, gorges and lush valleys at every corner. Therefore, there’s no shortage of trekking routes and hiking trails in Kyrgyzstan.

Some popular treks and hikes in Kyrgyzstan include the Ala-Kul and Jeti-Oguz treks in the Tian-Shan Mountains, Altyn Arashan trek, the Best of Alay Mountains and Peak Lenin Base Camp treks in the Pamir-Alay Mountains, and Sary Chelek and Arslanbob in central Kyrgyzstan. Each of these hiking routes has its unique attractions, ranging from glacial lakes and valleys to panoramic views of the mountain ranges.

You can find a listing of our most popular Kyrgyzstan hiking and trekking tours above. We suggest you research the treks and routes in detail to select the best hike and trek that matches your interests, desired difficulty level, length and altitude. You can either book a private tour or join a group tour. Just get in touch with us to find out more or book the trek.

Question 14

When is the best time to go trekking in Kyrgyzstan?

Audrey · Accepted Answer

The best time to go trekking and hiking in Kyrgyzstan is during the summer months, from mid-June or early July to early September. During this time, the weather is warm and sunny during the day and not too cold at night. Most importantly, the trails and mountain passes are usually clear of snow during this time.

However, the best time for trekking and hiking may vary depending on the trek you choose. Some hiking routes, like those in the Pamir-Alay Mountains, are at high elevations so snow on the mountain passes and trails can go into July. Lower elevation hikes can be done as early as mid-May or early June, which is a beautiful time when the wildflowers are out in force.

Each of our guided trekking tours in Kyrgyzstan above provide details on the best time to do them.

Question 15

Do I need to be physically fit to go trekking and hiking in Kyrgyzstan?

Audrey · Accepted Answer

It's recommended to have some level of physical fitness for a medium to difficult multi-day trek or hike in Kyrgyzstan as many involve hiking at high altitudes and on steep terrain. A good level of fitness and stamina will help you enjoy the trek and moving slow and steady will help avoid altitude sickness.

Question 16

What is the cost of guided trekking tours in Kyrgyzstan?

Audrey · Accepted Answer

The cost of guided trekking tours in Kyrgyzstan varies depending on the duration, route, services included, and quality of guide. It usually ranges between $70 – $175/day, depending upon the group size and transfers needed. All of our guided treks and hikes include an experienced English-speaking guide, transportation, accommodation, meals, and luggage transfer (on horses).

You can choose to book a private trekking tour, but if you are on a budget we recommend that you try to join one of our group tours as this will reduce the costs considerably. You can find the prices for each of the treks above depending upon group size in tour details.

Question 17

Are there any cultural considerations to keep in mind when trekking and hiking in Kyrgyzstan?

Audrey · Accepted Answer

Yes, there are a few cultural considerations to keep in mind when hiking and trekking in Kyrgyzstan in order to be respectful of local people, culture and traditions. For example, be sure to remove shoes before entering a yurt or a home. Additionally, always ask for permission before taking photographs of people, their animals and their belongings.

If you visit a mosque or other religious place, it's essential to dress modestly and for women to cover their heads.

Number of people	2	3	4 – 5	6	7	8
Price per person in USD	2500	2120	1960	1770	1690	1570

Best of Kyrgyzstan Trek

Hike the best of Kyrgyzstan's Tian Shan and Pamir-Alay Mountains in one epic trip!

Detailed Tour information about the Best of Kyrgyzstan Trek (14 days)

14-day trekking in Kyrgyzstan

What to Expect:

Recommended packing list for the trek:

Phone and Internet access:

Weather Information: