Central Asia. The 5 -Stans. A region of wild mountains, hospitable nomads, and endless bumpy marthrutka rides. It’s one of the best hiking regions in Asia, or even the world for that matter, but don’t expect much in the way of infrastructure or signage – prepare to be self-reliant and sort out all the logistics yourself.
Pick up most recent Lonely Planet: Central Asia guidebook to start planning your trip.
Kyrgyzstan: Issyk-Ata Waterfall The short Issyk-Ata Waterfall dayhike near Bishkek is one of the most popular options for tourists hiking in Kyrgyzstan‘s Chuy region. Total Km: 5km Total Days: 1 Elevation Gain/Loss: 344m+ / 344m- Start Point: Issyk-Ata Sanatoria End Point: Issyk-Ata Sanatoria GPS Files This walk couldn’t be more […]
Kyrgyzstan: Kol-Tor (Lower Jergez) This quick and easy hike not far from Karakol ends at a small mountain lake – while it’s pretty enough, the real draw is the massive panorama of Ak Suu region on the way up and down the hill. Total Km: 14km Total Days: 1 Elevation […]
Kyrgyzstan: Ak Sai Panorama Ak Sai Panorama offers perhaps the best payoff to effort ratio on the southern shore of Issyk Kol, the top of which is a massive 360 panorama of the lake and surrounding mountains of Ak Say Canyon. Total Km: 2 km Total Days: 1 Elevation Gain/Loss: […]
Kyrgyzstan: Boirok Grove Кыргызстан: Бишкек берозовая роща Boirok Grove is a very easy hike near Bishkek with incredible golden foliage in fall. Total Km: 6km Total Days: 1 Elevation Gain/Loss: 478m+ / 478m- Start Point: Kashka-Suu End Point: Kashka-Suu GPS Files Boirok grove (better known locally in Russian as berezovaya […]
Kyrgyzstan: Chok-Tal Valley An easy hike up a wide beautiful valley, proximity to the north shore of Issyk-Kul belies the rugged and remote feeling of Chok-Tal valley. To top it off, two pretty lakes (one atop a steep scree slope) cap the adventure. Total Km: 14km Total Days: 1 Elevation […]
Kyrgyzstan: Chok-Tal Seven Lakes Chok-Tal Seven Lakes offers a pleasant stroll through wildflower-filled pastures up to a string of seven lakes atop a small plateau above the main Chok-Tal valley. Local shepherds and the occasional marmot are likely the only company you’ll come across in this little-known valley high above […]