Mountain Biking Tour in Kyrgyzstan
Accommodation, guides, transport included.
Mountain Biking Tour in Kyrgyzstan Highlights
This 10-day mountain biking tour from Bishkek explores the quiet southern shore of Issyk-Kul – “the aquamarine in a silver setting of mountains”, as the explorer Semenov-Tian-Shansky called it. At 1,600 m above sea level and up to 668 m deep, it is one of the largest mountain lakes in the world. Over five riding days you pedal through gorges and canyons, along cool mountain rivers and over passes of up to 2,540 m, with a support vehicle and a bike mechanic at your side.
On the way to the start you visit the women’s felt-carpet cooperative in Kochkor. The ride begins at Kara-Talaa and crosses the Ala-Bash Pass (2,370 m) to Kyzyl-Tuu, the village of yurt makers, then follows the Konur-Olen Valley to a yurt camp at Kok-Say with an eagle hunting show. Via Bokonbaevo you reach the lakeshore, climb back into the Tegerek Mountains to Boz-Salkyn and enjoy a long descent along the Tosor River to the yurt camp at Tamga.
After a free day on the beach or an optional ride to the waterfalls of the Barskoon Valley, you drive back to Bishkek with stops at Skazka (Fairy-Tale) Canyon and the Burana Tower, a remnant of the Silk Road town of Balasagun. A day in the capital and a farewell dinner with traditional Kyrgyz music round off the trip. Nights are spent in hotels in Kochkor and Bishkek, a family guesthouse in Kyzyl-Tuu and four yurt camps.
Difficulty: Moderate Five cycling days of 30–55 km (3–5 hours) plus an optional 40 km ride, with 250–890 m of climbing per day on mountain tracks and village roads; passes up to 2,540 m, altitudes 1,600–2,600 m. Recommended for riders with biking experience and average fitness; a support vehicle carries the luggage.
Tour Itinerary
Arrive at Bishkek international airport early in the morning, meet your guide and transfer to the hotel to rest until 11 am (early check-in is included). After a briefing on the details of the tour, have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, drive to Kochkor and visit the Altyn-Kol women’s handicraft cooperative. It was founded in 1996 by local women who turned their traditional carpet-making skills into an income in difficult economic times. Watch how felt carpets are made, make a small felt carpet of your own to take home and browse the handicrafts in the shop. Dinner and overnight at a small family-run hotel in Kochkor. Altitudes: Bishkek 800 m, Kochkor 1,700 m.
Bishkek, Kochkor
- Bishkek → Kochkor (270 km)
Overnight: Kochkor (Hotel)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Private (in the room)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, transfer to Kara-Talaa, a small village near the south-western shore of Issyk-Kul Lake (70 km, about 1.5 hours), where the cycling begins. Ride about 20 km along the Tuura-Suu River up to the Ala-Bash Pass (2,370 m). Over the pass you enter the Ala-Bash Valley, the so-called “Second Valley”, and ride down about 30 km to Kara-Koo village, then a few kilometers on the main road to Kyzyl-Tuu. After a short rest at the community-based guesthouse, visit the workshops where local craftsmen make the wooden parts of the yurt. Traditional dinner and overnight. Cycling: about 55 km, 4–5 hours. Altitudes: start 1,750 m, Ala-Bash Pass 2,370 m, Kyzyl-Tuu 1,820 m.
Kara-Talaa, Ala-Bash, Kyzyl-Tuu village
- Kochkor → Kara-Talaa (70 km)
- Kara-Talaa → Kyzyl-Tuu village (55 km)
Overnight: Kyzyl-Tuu village (Guesthouse)
- Toilet: Shared (indoor)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic), Dinner
After breakfast, cycle up from Kara-Koo village through the Dubana Gorge to the Konur-Olen Valley, known for its many small creeks and swamps, and continue to Kok-Say village and the Jaichi yurt camp. Later, watch an eagle hunting show: see how the eagle hunts while the hunter tells you about the traditions, history and techniques of this ancient form of hunting. Dinner and overnight in the yurt camp. Cycling: about 40 km, 4–5 hours. Altitudes: start 1,820 m, highest point 2,100 m, Kok-Say 1,950 m.
Konur-Olen, Kok-Say
- Kyzyl-Tuu village → Kok-Say (40 km)
Overnight: Kok-Say (Yurt camp)
- Toilet: Outdoor (pit / drop toilet)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic), Dinner
After breakfast, continue along the Konur-Olen Valley and ride down to Bokonbaevo village, with a glimpse of daily life in remote Kyrgyz villages along the way. From Bokonbaevo the route leads to the shore of Issyk-Kul Lake and the yurt camp near Ton. Dinner and overnight in the yurt camp. Cycling: about 50 km, 4–5 hours. Altitudes: start 1,950 m, highest point 2,200 m, end of the day 1,650 m.
Bokonbaevo, Ton, Issyk-Kul Lake
- Kok-Say → Ton (50 km)
Overnight: Ton (Yurt camp)
- Toilet: Outdoor (pit / drop toilet)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic), Dinner
Leave the lakeshore and ride back into the Tegerek Mountains along the Ak-Terek River, with fields of flowers lining the track. Cross a pass at 2,540 m and arrive at the Boz-Salkyn yurt camp. Dinner and overnight in the yurt camp. Cycling: about 30 km, 3–4 hours. Altitudes: start 1,650 m, pass 2,540 m, Boz-Salkyn 2,300 m.
Boz-Salkyn
- Ton → Boz-Salkyn (30 km)
Overnight: Boz-Salkyn (Yurt camp)
- Toilet: Outdoor (pit / drop toilet)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic), Dinner
After breakfast, ride down from the pass along the Ak-Terek River and enjoy a long descent along the Tosor River. An old road leads to the main road and on to the lakeshore at Tamga. Settle into the yurt camp on the shore of Issyk-Kul and enjoy the fresh air and wild nature. Dinner and overnight in the yurt camp. Cycling: about 50 km, 4–5 hours. Altitudes: start 2,300 m, Tamga 1,700 m.
Tosor, Tamga village
- Boz-Salkyn → Tamga village (50 km)
Overnight: Tamga village (Yurt camp)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Shared (indoor)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic), Dinner
A free day on the shore of Issyk-Kul. Relax on the beach, or join an optional bike excursion (about 40 km) to the Barskoon Gorge to see its famous waterfall, the “Tears of the Snow Leopard”. Dinner and overnight in the yurt camp. Altitude: Issyk-Kul 1,700 m.
Barskoon Valley
- Tamga village → Barskoon Valley (20 km)
- Barskoon Valley → Tamga village (20 km)
Overnight: Tamga village (Yurt camp)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Shared (indoor)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic), Dinner
After breakfast at the yurt camp, drive back to Bishkek, stopping for a walk in the Skazka (Fairy-Tale) Canyon. Lunch at a local café on the way. Visit the Burana Tower and the ruins of the ancient town of Balasagun, a resting and trading place for Silk Road caravans in the 10th–13th centuries. On arrival in Bishkek, check in at the hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel. Altitudes: Issyk-Kul 1,700 m, Bishkek 800 m.
Skazka Canyon, Burana Tower, Bishkek
- Tamga village → Bishkek (320 km)
Overnight: Bishkek (Hotel)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Private (in the room)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Restaurant)
A full day in Bishkek. Explore the city with the Osh Bazaar, the History Museum, the main square and the park in the city center, with lunch at a local restaurant. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with a folklore performance: listen to traditional Kyrgyz songs, see the national musical instruments and learn about the history of Kyrgyz music. Overnight at the hotel. Altitude: Bishkek 800 m.
Osh Bazaar (Bishkek), Ala Too Square, Bishkek
Overnight: Bishkek (Hotel)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Private (in the room)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Early-morning transfer to the airport and flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Share this tour privately
Travelling alone or as a couple? Join other travellers who want to take this tour privately, or post your own request. The private price per person drops as the group grows.
No open requests for this tour yet. Post the first one and we'll show it here and on the group requests page.
What's included
Included
- Transfers in a Mercedes Sprinter minibus (16 seats) for 4–9 travelers or a minivan for 2–3 travelers
- Support vehicle with space for the bikes on the cycling days (days 2–7)
- Hotels in Bishkek and Kochkor in twin/double rooms (early check-in on day 1 included)
- Family-run guesthouse in Kyzyl-Tuu (twin rooms)
- Yurt camps (4 people per yurt)
- English-speaking tour leader
- Bike mechanic / assistant guide on the cycling days (groups of 3–9)
- Full board as listed in the itinerary
- Bottled water (2 liters per person per day)
- Entrance fees for the excursions in the program
- Felt carpet show of the women’s cooperative in Kochkor
- Yurt production show
- Eagle hunting show
- Folklore show
Not included
- International flights
- Mountain bike rental (175 USD per bike for the tour)
- Spare parts for your own bike
- Single room in Bishkek and Kochkor (96 USD per person)
- Yurt for 2 people in the yurt camps (50 USD per person)
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Porter service at the airport and hotels
- Visa costs (if needed)
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
Nargiza is the office manager of Central Asia Guide and mostly responsible for multi country "Stan" tours.
Where you'll stay
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Night 1
Kochkor
Nomad Lodge Hotel or similar
-
Night 2
Kyzyl-Tuu village
Family guesthouse in Kyzyl-Tuu or similar
-
Night 3
Kok-Say
Jaichi Yurt Camp or similar
-
Night 4
Ton
Sonun Yurt Camp or similar
-
Night 5
Boz-Salkyn
Green Yurt Camp or similar
-
Nights 6–7
Tamga village
Nomad Lodge yurt camp or similar
-
Nights 8–9
Bishkek
Bridges Hotel or similar
Good to know
- Fitness and experience: The tour is recommended for people with biking experience and an average level of fitness. Expect 35–60 km and 3–6 hours of riding per day at altitudes of 1,600–2,600 m.
- Cycling gear: Bring cycling clothes you are comfortable in and a helmet. If you have specific medical conditions, bring your own first aid kit with the necessary medication.
- Guides: The tour is led by experienced guides trained in first aid, who have led more than 10 cycling tours with groups of over 8 people and speak English, German or French.
- Transport: The vehicles are in good condition with air conditioning and experienced drivers – a Mercedes Sprinter minibus (16 seats) for the transfers and a support minivan for the bikes.
- CO2 emissions: The tour covers about 1,830 km by petrol vehicles, which produces about 2.1 t of CO2 (about 0.18 t with electric cars). The aim is to offset emissions by planting trees at the yurt camps around Issyk-Kul.
Mountain bikes
- Rental bikes: New medium-range hardtail mountain bikes every year, with aluminium frames, Shimano Deore or SRAM X4/X5 components, hydraulic disc brakes and a spring front fork, in a range of sizes. The rental is 175 USD per bike for the whole tour; you can also bring your own bike.
- Spare parts and repairs: Spare parts for the rental bikes (tubes, tires, chains etc.) are included in the rental and carried in the support vehicle with a tool kit and a track pump. If you can do simple repairs yourself, bring a small repair kit so you don’t have to wait for the support vehicle.
- Pedals and saddle: The bikes have flat pedals and one water bottle cage. You are welcome to bring your own SPD or clip-in pedals with cycling shoes and cleats, and your own saddle.
- Helmet: Helmets are not included in the bike rental. We strongly advise wearing a helmet on all our trips.
What to bring
- Clothing: waterproof/breathable jacket and pants, fleece jacket or wool sweater, synthetic hiking pants, long- and short-sleeve T-shirts, midweight wool or fleece gloves, sun hat
- Footwear: waterproof hiking boots, camp footwear
- Equipment: day backpack (20–40 l), sleeping bag (0 to 15 °C), torch with spare batteries, 1-liter water bottles, sunglasses
- Health and care: first aid kit with personal medication, insect repellent, sunscreen and lip balm (SPF 15+), towel
Kyrgyzstan travel information
Practical essentials for travelling in Kyrgyzstan. Open a topic to read more.
Visa policy
Find your country from the list and check possible visa requirements for Kyrgyzstan before booking.
The official currency is the Kyrgyz som (KGS). Bishkek has plenty of ATMs, but outside the larger towns and the northern shore of Issyk-Kul cash is how almost everything is paid.
ATMs and cards
Some ATMs in Bishkek dispense US dollars as well as som. Beyond the capital, ATMs are found in the few largest towns but mostly not in smaller ones, except on the northern shore of Issyk-Kul. Mastercard works in all ATMs, but Visa is still the more widely accepted card. Demirbank's red ATMs have lately been the best option for foreign cards, with moderate fees.
Exchanging money
Exchange offices in the major cities change US dollars, euros and roubles into som. Notes must be clean, fresh and without any signs of wear. Exchange offices prefer larger notes from 50 USD and 50 EUR, and sometimes give a better rate for them.
Paying by card
Cards are accepted in major hotels, restaurants, large supermarkets and some museums in Bishkek and Osh, and occasionally even in taxis. Elsewhere, apart from the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, paying by card is not practical.
Kyrgyzstan is generally safe for travellers and tourism is growing fast, but the usual precautions matter.
Documents
Always carry your passport or a notarised copy. Without proper identification you can be detained by the police.
In towns
- Robberies, some of them violent, and thefts happen especially in crowded places such as the bazaars. Take care after dark.
- Sexual harassment has been reported on public transport. Avoid walking or travelling alone, especially at night.
- Book taxis in advance from established services.
- Stay away from crowds and demonstrations.
- Watch where you step: some streets have large holes and pavements are often uneven.
Laws and customs
- Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religious practices.
- Possessing or using narcotics is strictly prohibited.
- Do not photograph anything related to the armed forces or security services.
- Same-sex relationships are legal but not widely discussed or publicly recognised.
Border areas
Smuggling makes the southern border zones with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan unstable and best avoided.
Kyrgyzstan is visa-free for travellers from many countries. Others can apply for an electronic visa or through an embassy.
Visas
For a tourist visa, most passport holders need an invitation letter from a tourism company. Kyrgyzstan has had an electronic visa system since 1 September 2017.
Border regions
Visiting border regions requires a special permit.
The best times to visit Kyrgyzstan's lower areas are May–June and September. In the high mountains, July and August are best.
Lower areas: May–June and September
In late spring and early autumn the valleys, Issyk-Kul's shores and the towns are green or golden, days are pleasant rather than hot and there are fewer visitors.
High mountains: July and August
This is when the high pastures, yurt camps and mountain passes are open, and trekking and horse-riding routes that are under snow the rest of the year can be reached. Days in the valleys can reach about 30°C, and nights at altitude can still be close to freezing. Summer is also the time of festivals celebrating Kyrgyz traditions.
Winter
Winters in the highlands are long and close the high passes, but it is still a captivating season. Hiking, horse riding and skiing are all possible, and yurt stays are available too.
Healthcare in Kyrgyzstan is basic and medical facilities are scarce, so comprehensive medical and travel insurance is essential.
Medicines
If you rely on regular medication, bring enough for the whole trip: it can be hard or expensive to find locally.
Insurance
Arrange comprehensive medical and travel insurance before you arrive. A serious accident or illness may mean emergency air evacuation to a neighbouring country.
Food and water
Treat tap water and other local water as contaminated and boil it before drinking; bottled water is the safest choice throughout your stay. Be careful with unpasteurised dairy and other animal products.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations against polio and tuberculosis are recommended before entering the country, and others may also be advisable. Ask your doctor or travel clinic.
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