Kyrgyzstan Highlights 10 Days

Day 1 Amsterdam - Departure

Today the adventure begins. From Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, you fly via Istanbul to Osh, Kyrgyzstan - one of Central Asia's most remote and pristine countries.

Day 2 Arrival - Osh

Osh - The gateway to the heart of Central Asia
Osh is the oldest city in Kyrgyzstan, and even one of the oldest in all of Central Asia - with a history of more than 3,000 years. Strategically located on the ancient Silk Road, it has been a crossroads of cultures, religions and trade routes for centuries.

Today, Osh is a vibrant city with a mix of Soviet influences and centuries-old traditions. The market (Jayma Bazaar) is still a bustling hub where traders offer spices, carpets, clothing and everything in between - just like in the old days.

Towering over the city is Suleiman-Too, a sacred mountain and pilgrimage site that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Local legends say that those who pray atop the mountain receive prosperity or even fertility.

For us, Osh is the starting point of a great adventure: here the motorcycles are ready to take you into the mountains - heading for lakes, passes and yurt camps, far away from the modern world.

Day 3 Osh - Toktogul

Today we leave city life behind and dive straight into the impressive mountain landscape of Kyrgyzstan. We leave Osh and follow the road that runs parallel to the border with Uzbekistan. Soon we catch sight of Lake Anjiyan - an elongated reservoir that lies between the hills like an azure snake.

In the lively city Jalal-Abad we stop for coffee or tea and to briefly soak up the atmosphere of this southern city. After Bazar-Korgon we turn and leave the asphalt for an adventurous, unpaved route that leads us into the mountains.

The road winds along a raging river through a gorge and takes us deeper into the countryside. After some 50 kilometers of off-road driving, we reach the isolated village Arslanbob, famous for its ancient walnut groves and warm hospitality. Here we enjoy a simple local lunch.

After lunch, the dirt road climbs further uphill, with sweeping views of the Alyampasy-mountain, which at 3,800 meters towers over the landscape like a giant. This route is an introduction to the remote beauty of Kyrgyzstan, with each bend revealing a new panorama.

Later in the afternoon we reach asphalt again and it is not far to Toktogul, where we spend the night in a simple but comfortable hotel near the lake. For those who want: a refreshing dip in the crystal clear waters of the Toktogul Lake is the perfect ending to this first real day of riding.

Day 4 Toktogul - Kysyl Oy

After breakfast, we leave Toktogul and its calm lake behind and continue driving along the south side of the water. The road soon takes us up into the high mountains. The world around us changes: the trees give way to vast grassy plains and bare mountain slopes. Here, at high altitude, there is a special silence, broken only by the roar of engines and the whistle of birds of prey in the sky.

We drive across an undulating plateau with panoramic views, a landscape that is both soothing and impressive. Then we take a turn that leads us to a narrow mountain road. The surface gets rougher, littered with boulders and stones, which for a moment puts the focus entirely on driving. This challenging climb takes us to almost 3400 meters altitude - literally and figuratively a highlight of the day.

After this passage, we slowly descend and arrive near Kyzyl-Oy, a remote village in a green valley. There are no hotels here, but we are warmly received in a homestay. In practice, this often turns out to be a cozy guesthouse with a personal touch: simple, clean rooms, a wood-burning stove and homemade Kyrgyz food on the table.

At night, as the sun sinks behind the mountains and the valley slowly darkens, you feel how far you are from civilization. The starry sky here is unforgettable.

Day 5 Kysyl Oy - Son Kul

After a hearty breakfast, we leave Kyzyl-Oy and get ready for one of the most special days of this trip. Today we drive to Son Kul, the high mountain lake considered the soul of Kyrgyzstan.

We follow a gravel road that takes us slowly but steadily back into the high mountains. Along the way we pass an area where mining is taking place - gold is mined here, among other things. The contrast between the human activity and the rugged, unspoiled landscape is remarkable.

The route then winds further uphill with numerous hairpin turns and spectacular views. At an altitude of over 3300 meters suddenly opens up a vast plain: a desolate plateau surrounded by mountain peaks, where nomads graze their herds and the wind has free rein.

In the midst of this impressive emptiness lies the Son Kul Lake - a mystical blue jewel sparkling in the sunlight. Here, on such a 3000 meter altitude, we spend the night in a traditional yurt right on the lake.

A hot meal is prepared with local ingredients, and when the temperature drops quickly in the evening, the wood stove in the yurt for cozy warmth. The starry sky here is breathtakingly clear, and with no light pollution, you imagine yourself closer to the universe than ever before.

This is a place you won't soon forget - pure, quiet and grand in its simplicity.

The traditional yurt is the symbol of nomadic life in Central Asia. In Kyrgyzstan, you see them scattered across the high plains especially in the summer months, as here at Son Kul.

A yurt is a round, felt-covered tent with a wooden frame, easy to assemble and disassemble - ideal for a life on the move. The structure is centuries old, but still in use. Inside, it is surprisingly spacious: there are rugs on the floor, colorful canvases adorn the walls, and in the center is usually a wood or dung stove which heats the yurt.

Around the lake in the summer months still live nomadic families with their livestock: horses, sheep, goats, yaks and cows. They move with the seasons, looking for the best grazing grounds for their animals. Nomadism is hard but pure, and deeply connected to nature and the rhythms of the land.

You'll see children helping with livestock, women baking bread in a clay oven, and men traveling miles on horseback. Horses are indispensable here - they are means of transportation, work animals and cultural heritage.

As a traveler, you get to share in this simple but rich existence for a while. A night in a yurt at Son Kul is not just an overnight stay, but an introduction to an ancient way of life that is still alive and well.

Day 6 Son Kul - Naryn

Today awaits a breathtakingly beautiful stage through the rugged heart of Kyrgyzstan. More than half of the route is on gravel roads, through an area where time seems to stand still. We climb up into the mountains via a narrow road with unpaved hairpins, south of the immense Issyk Kul Lake.

This is a remote, untouched part of the country - a landscape of raw ridges, desolate valleys and endless views. Here you are truly far away from everything.

At a high crossroads, we choose the route south. We descend slowly as the landscape changes to wide valleys with grazing herds and small settlements.

At the end of the afternoon, we reach Naryn, a simple town that feels like an oasis after today's rugged route. Here we spend the night in a friendly guesthouse where a hot shower and a home-cooked meal await - welcome after a long day of dust, stones and beauty.

Naryn is one of Kyrgyzstan's most remote and characteristic towns. It lies at an altitude of over 2,000 meters, deeply hidden among the mountain ranges of the Tien Shan Mountains, and is crossed by the river of the same name, the Naryn.

The town is relatively small, with wide streets, a few simple stores and a local market, but exudes a calm, almost timeless atmosphere. Naryn was once founded as a Russian fortress outpost and later grew to become an important stop on trade routes between China and Central Asia.

What makes Naryn so special is its location. The vast valleys surrounding the town are still the domain of nomadic shepherds with their yurts and herds of sheep, goats and yaks. Here you are in the heart of traditional Kyrgyz life. The people are warm, proud and hospitable - and always ready for a chat or a cup of tea.

For travelers, Naryn is an important base to such places as Tash Rabat, the border with China whether it Song-Kul lake, but it also pays to pause here yourself. Not for the sights - for there are hardly any - but to experience the feel of life in this remote corner of the world.

Day 7 Naryn - Tas Rabat

Today's route is relatively short, but no less special for that. We leave in the direction of Tash Rabat, an impressive historical monument hidden in the high mountains. The ride consists of a varied mix of on- and off-road sections, taking us higher and higher into the mountains, up to over 3,300 meters.

Just before arriving, we make a stop at the ancient ruins of Tash Rabat itself - a former caravanserai on the Silk Road. This fortified inn once offered shelter to traders and travelers using this remote but strategic mountain pass. Walking among the massive stone walls, you can still feel the echoes of ancient stories and encounters.

Arriving at the place of lodging, a traditional yurt awaits us, hidden amidst breathtaking mountain scenery. Surrounded by peaks and vast valleys, this is a unique place to experience the peace and pure nature of Kyrgyzstan. The silence here is almost tangible - a moment to completely come to yourself.

Day 8 Tash Rabat - Kazarman

After a hearty breakfast, we set off back to the main road, but after only 2 kilometers we turn off again toward the mountains. The unpaved route takes us high into Tien Shan, to an impressive height of 3,400 meters - the highest pass of our trip. The road winds through rugged landscapes, with breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks and deep valleys.

We ride almost all day at this altitude, where the fresh mountain air and quiet landscape completely absorb you. The rugged trails demand concentration while offering an unforgettable riding experience among bare rock and green alpine meadows.

At the end of the day, we descend to slightly quieter terrain and reach the paved road that leads to the small mountain village of Kazarman. Here you can relax, enjoying a hot meal and the hospitality of the locals. A well-deserved break after an impressive day in the high mountains.

Kazarman is a small and quiet mountain village located on the edge of the impressive Tien Shan Mountains. It truly feels as if time has stood still here: simple houses, friendly people and a convivial atmosphere make it a typical Kyrgyz settlement far away from the hustle and bustle of the modern world. Kazarman used to be an important mining town because of the nearby gold mines, but today life here revolves mostly around agriculture and cattle breeding.

The area around Kazarman is characterized by vast valleys, forested slopes and meandering rivers - perfect for unwinding after a day in the mountains. The small town offers a few good guesthouses where you can experience the hospitality of the locals and sample authentic Kyrgyz cuisine. Kazarman is thus an ideal place to feel the silence and purity of the Kyrgyz countryside before the journey continues.

Day 9 Kazarman - Osh

The last leg of this impressive journey, but certainly not the least. From Kazarman we do not opt for the fast, paved route, but for a beautiful mountain road over the Kaldama Pass - a real treat for lovers of adventure and rugged nature.

This pass is one of Kyrgyzstan's hidden gems: a succession of narrow, unpaved roads that wind their way slowly up to a height of some 3,300 meters. Vast mountain landscapes loom on the way, with impressive panoramas over the heart of the Tien Shan Mountains. Several places in this remote region still search for gold, which only adds to the feeling of raw authenticity.

On the other side of the pass, the landscape slowly changes. We leave behind the solitude of the high mountains and re-enter inhabited areas. Small villages with friendly faces appear along the route. At Jalal-Abad we reach the asphalt again and feel the transition to a more urban environment.

From there it is a short drive back to Osh, where our circle has come full circle. Time to shake off the dust of the mountains and enjoy a trip full of adventure, overwhelming nature and genuine hospitality. An experience that will resonate for a long time.

Day 10 Osh - Amsterdam

A day flight via Istanbul back home.