Kyrgyzstan: Where Nomads Still Roam

Come with us to Kyrgyzstan: a country that’s basically mountains, meadows and horses pretending they’re in charge. This Central Asian gem is still blissfully off most people’s radar. Get ready for alpine lakes, endless green jailoos (that’s local for summer pastures), and yurts where you’ll probably drink more fermented mare’s milk than you ever asked for (don’t worry, we won’t judge if you pass).

Despite its rugged vibe, Kyrgyzstan has a surprisingly warm heart: nomads will happily invite you in for tea, bread, and stories of how they once rode their horse to school. Book your adventure now with us and see for yourself how life works when WiFi is optional, but hospitality is mandatory.

Read all the practical information

Group tours

Private tours

Contact

Read all the practical information

Group tours

Private tours

Contact

Kyrgyzstan in a Nutshell

Name: Kyrgyz Republic
Capital: Bishkek
Population: About 7 million
Surface area: 199,900 km²
Language: Kyrgyz & Russian
Neighbouring countries: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China

My Kyrgyzstan trip with CultureRoad was authentic and full of real nomad life. We rode horses, ate fresh bread in yurts and felt truly off the beaten path, exactly what I signed up for.
Luna Bakker (The netherlands)

Highlights Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek

Your Kyrgyzstan adventure mostly starts in Bishkek: a relaxed capital where Soviet history meets café culture. Expect leafy parks, big Lenin statues and friendly locals selling samsa on every corner.

Song Kul Lake

One of the biggest highlights of any Kyrgyzstan tour. This remote alpine lake sits at 3,000 meters and is surrounded by grazing herds and nomads living the same way for centuries. Stay in a yurt, ride a horse, live your best nomad life.

Issyk Kul Lake

Nicknamed the ‘Pearl of Kyrgyzstan’. This massive high-altitude lake never freezes and is perfect for a swim (cold but worth it). The surrounding mountains make it a dreamy spot for adventure seekers.

Meet nomads & Sleep in yurts

The ultimate Kyrgyzstan travel experience: spend time with nomadic families, sleep in a yurt, milk a mare (if you dare) and share endless cups of tea.

Ala Archa National Park

Bishkek’s best day trip. Hike through dramatic gorges, chase waterfalls and breathe in that crisp mountain air. Perfect for photos that’ll make your friends jealous.

History of Kyrgyzstan

For thousands of years, the Kyrgyz people have been roaming the Tien Shan mountains with their herds, their yurts, and an unshakable belief that freedom is worth chasing (even if it means living at 3,000 meters with only your horse for company). This land was once a key stop along the legendary Silk Road, where traders, storytellers and troublemakers moved silk, spices and ideas between China, Persia and Europe. Caravanserais (ancient roadside inns) still dot the landscape.

Later, the Kyrgyz tribes got swept up in empires big and small: Mongols, Kokand Khanate, Russian Tsars: you name it, they came through. But the nomadic spirit was stubborn: instead of cities and castles, the Kyrgyz stuck to yurts and jailoos, staying mobile so no empire could pin them down for too long.

In the 20th century, Kyrgyzstan became part of the Soviet Union: cue the statue parks and concrete apartment blocks you’ll still see in Bishkek. But even then, nomadic life never fully disappeared. Families still headed for the high pastures every summer, herding livestock the same way their ancestors did centuries ago.

Since independence in 1991, Kyrgyzstan has kept its rugged freedom alive. It’s one of the few places where you can still witness real nomadic culture up close, sleep in a yurt on the jailoo, and hear epic tales about Manas, the legendary hero whose story is so long that reciting it is basically a full-time job.

So, when you’re here, remember: the mountains are ancient, the hospitality is legendary, and the people are proof that living wild and free isn’t just history: it’s everyday life in Kyrgyzstan.