Silk Roads Through Celestial Mountains – It’s Time to Meet Kyrgyzstan & Tajikistan 

Central Asia – mountainous and mysterious, ancient and adventurous, open and alive. These rugged and varied lands, squeezed between giant countries, have been criss-crossed for thousands of years by nomads, tribes, warriors, explorers, and traders of the Silk Roads. Now, it’s your turn.

Central Asia is booming as a travel and adventure destination. While the early explorers of this region would have had to deal with menacing mountains and brutal deserts to reach their destination, you get to decide how rugged you want to make it.

In Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan especially, you’ll have lots to choose from. The two smallest states in Central Asia, they’re covered almost entirely in mountains, including the Tien Shan and Pamir ranges, coating the countries in high-altitude lunar landscapes, snow-stacked peaks, and alpine lakes. In and around these are cities and towns, nomadic camps, rich culture and history – and endless adventures.

About Kyrgyzstan & Tajikistan

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are predominantly Muslim, landlocked countries. More than 90% of their total land area is mountainous, with an average elevation of around 3000m and peaks over 7000m. Kyrgyzstan is almost as big as the state of Victoria, while Tajikistan is a bit smaller than New Zealand’s South Island.

Their capital cities are Bishkek and Dushanbe respectively. Russian is the most widespread language, though most people also speak Kyrgyz, Tajik, and other local dialects. The Kyrgyzstani Som and the Tajik Somoni are the currencies – you’ll generally need cash for most purchases, particularly outside of the few cities across the two countries.

Euros are the most common currencies to exchange, though USD will also usually be traded.

Where To Stay in Kyrgyzstan & Tajikistan

Much accommodation throughout Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are guesthouses and homestays. This includes yurt camps, where you can stay in a yurt, a traditional style of tent. But there are also hostels, particularly in the cities and more touristy towns. A few options are:

• Tunduk Hostel, Bishkek
• Park Hostel, Osh
• Green House Hostel, Dushanbe
• Pamir Lodge, Khorog
• Lenin Guest House, Sary Mogul
• Mine Hostel, Jyrgalan
• Duet Hostel, Karakol

Watch the stars twinkle above your yurt

Where To Eat (and What!) in Kyrgyzstan & Tajikistan

Central Asia is not much of a foodie’s destination, but there are a few dishes that you ought to try. These include laghman noodles, thick, hand-pulled noodles with vegetables and usually lamb; plov, a spiced rice dish with lamb, onion, carrot, sultanas, and sometimes other vegetables; kumis, or fermented horse’s milk; chechil, a smoked and salted braided cheese; manti, the regional dumplings; and kurt, dried, hard balls of cheese. This isn’t a friendly place for a vegan to travel, though you can often get laghman or plov without meat in it.

Generally, the best food will be found in homestays and bazaars, but a few restaurant options are:

• Lagmankana, Bishkek
• Dewan e Hareem, Bishkek
• Tsarskii Dvor, Osh
• Coffee House Brio, Osh
• The Hut Bar, Karakol
• Coffee Moose, Dushanbe

Things to Do in Kyrgyzstan & Tajikistan

• Stay in a yurt, the traditional tents of the local nomadic people
• Horse trek or hike around Son Kul, an alpine lake sitting at around 3000m in Kyrgyzstan’s Tien Shan mountains (also a great place to spend a few nights in a yurt camp!)
• Go hiking! There’s plenty to choose from: Tajiikistan’s Fann Mountains, the trekking towns of Jygralan and Karakol in the Tien Shan, climbing to the basecamp of Lenin Peak in southern Kyrgyzstan, or take an easier trip just out of Bishkek to Ala Archa National Park
• Buy a bike, bring one, or rent one: Central Asia is a bikepacker’s mecca. You’ll meet several cycle tourists almost anywhere you stay. If you’re keen on adding an extra dose of adventure to your time in Central Asia, grab a bike and a few bags and get riding
• Learn the ancient art of eagle hunting
• Travel the Silk Road along the world’s second-highest highway, the Pamir Highway, from Dushanbe in Tajikistan to Osh in Kyrgyzstan, by bike, motorbike, or 4WD.

Essential Gear for Kyrgyzstan & Tajikistan

• A decent-sized backpack, for multi-day hikes
• Hiking boots
• A translation app on your phone
• Clothing options for hot days and cold mountain nights

Read more: Remember to leave no trace!

What It’s Like to Visit Kyrgyzstan & Tajikistan

Travelling to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan can often feel a bit like travelling in an earlier age: guesthouses and homestays are more common than hostels; few travellers are sticking to a known circuit like in Europe or Southeast Asia, and are often rather moving overland on long expeditions by bike, 4WD, beat-up cars or their own boots. It’s hospitable, friendly, and safe with just the right dose of wildness and absurdity. Here, all of your options for activities will be an adventure – all you have to do is decide the type you want.

Hiking

As mentioned, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are almost entirely covered in mountains, enormous ranges running down from the Hindu Kush and the Himalaya. Spend some time in eastern Kyrgyzstan hiking trails in the Tien Shan, like the Ala Kul trek out of Karakol or the Panorama hike in Jyrgalan.

The mountains and forests around Jyrgalan

Go south to Sary Mogol where the peerless Pamir mountains meet the Tien Shan and hike the Heights of Alay trek, up to Travellers Pass, or take on Lenin Peak Base Camp. Or head to Tajikistan’s Fann Mountains, where you could spend weeks finding new trails to wander, like the Seven Lakes walk.

Often, you can leave your own tent and instead stay in yurt camps on overnight treks – similar to staying in teahouses in Nepal. Hire a guide to help arrange these for you. You can also ask your guesthouse for trekking advice; they can often help arrange accommodation and transportation if needed.

No cosier sight than a warm yurt after a long day of adventures

Horse Trekking

Why hike when you can horse trek? Central Asia is roughly the region where horses were first domesticated, and they remain a common mode of transport today, so it only makes sense to hop on one for a fully supported and guided trek.

Hoof your way to the spectacular Kel Suu Lake in the Naryn region, around the magically peaceful lake Son Kul, or in the Pamir area of Tajikistan. You may even get lucky enough to bump into a herder on their horse while you’re walking and get a horse trek – and a morning tea – for free!

Nomadic shepherds in Jyrgalan

Cycling

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are both renowned for cycle touring. In Kyrgyzstan, you can ride through the Tien Shan mountains, where the legendary Silk Road Mountain Race is ridden, up breathtaking roads to high altitude lakes. In Tajikistan, you can travel along the famed Pamir Highway which rises more than 4000m above sea level.

Cycling through the bare landscapes of the Pamir

In both countries, wild camping is allowed and generally safe, though you can tailor your trip so that you can stay in accommodation each night, if you prefer.

If you don’t fancy cycling solo or unsupported, there are plenty of tours you can join to experience the wildness while forging a few new friends.

Skiing and Snowboarding

While they’re certainly still no Canada or Japan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are becoming better known for snowsports. If you’re keen, popular resorts in Kyrgyzstan include Karakol and Chunkurchak. There’s only one ski resort in Tajikistan, called Safed Dara.

There are plenty more options, too, from 4WD tours and whitewater kayaking, to rock climbing and mountaineering.

Culture & Nature

The people in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are warm, kind, and incredibly hospitable – the predominantly Muslim countries seem to take great pride in welcoming travellers. Culturally and ethnically, Kyrgyz people are Turkic, while Tajik folk are more closely related to Iranians. Though several decades under the Soviet Union has made the nuances differentiating them harder to spot. It most notably shows up in language, as well as the more nomadic culture in Kyrgyzstan (though you’ll also see elements of this in the Pamir region in Tajikistan).

As for nature…well, there’s a lot of it! With only a few cities floating in a pretty large land area, there’s plenty of great outdoors to pick from.

In Kyrgyzstan, mountain chains cascade throughout the country that could be compared to the Swiss Alps, the Rocky Mountains, or Patagonia, depending on where you are. These are detailed by forests, rivers, and lakes, like Issyk Kul, the world’s third-largest saline lake and a popular resort destination for local people, and Son Kul. There’s also the world’s largest walnut forest in Arslanbob.

In Tajikistan, the Pamir region covers much of the country. This huge mountain range runs between the Tien Shan and the Hindu Kush, flickering with enormous dramatic peaks reaching over 7000m. Few people live in this treeless, lunar landscape and it can often feel like another planet. The Fann Mountains in the north rise out of the Ferghana Valley; they’re greener than the Pamir and full of lakes, little villages, and many trails to hike.

Tips for Visiting Kyrgyzstan & Tajikistan

• Do your research on activities, tours, and destinations, but remember that much is better booked and organised once you’re there
• The cities are interesting, but not much of a destination in themselves – rest up here and get some tips and advice, then head back out!
• Download Russian, and ideally Kyrgyz and Tajik, onto Google Translate or your preferred translation app, so you have them offline. Learning Russian letters and some simple words can help too
• The website Caravanistan is the online hub for Central Asia travel information – the forums and articles will answer any you have, and they’re useful for booking tours
• Read up on the history. The region is pretty overlooked, so unless you have sought out information specifically, it’s unlikely you’ll have heard much about it. But knowing a bit will make your experience much richer

Final Thoughts on Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are special places, and people are beginning to notice. If you’re looking for an adventurous escape this southern winter and want something a bit wilder than Europe or Southeast Asia, one or both of these countries are a great option. They’re places you’re not likely to forget anytime soon, and there’s no better time to go get lost and found on the old Silk Roads.

Time to get out there!

FAQs for Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan

Do you need a visa for Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan?

Central Asia has long been a bureaucratic nightmare for travellers, but no more. Australian citizens can now get visa-free entry into both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, for up to 60 days and 30 days respectively. Both countries offer e-visas for longer stays. If you plan to travel along the Pamir Highway, you’ll also need a GBAO Permit, as the highway runs through the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region. You can apply for these online beforehand, but it’s probably easiest to just go to the office in Dushanbe – it shouldn’t take more than one day to process if you visit in person.

How many days do I need in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan?

That’s tough to say! You probably want at least two weeks in each country. That’d give you time for a few hikes, other activities like horse trekking or eagle hunting, and to get from place to place without rushing. But many people spend much longer than this, and as it’s not the easiest place to get to from Australia, you don’t want to be turning around too quickly!

Which month is best to visit Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan?

With the brutal winters Central Asia experiences – especially in the mountains – the ideal time to visit is from late spring to early autumn, around May to September. The temperatures can get hot – often over 30℃ – but in higher altitudes it’ll be pleasant, and snow is unlikely to be an issue.

What do I need to know before going to Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan?

Local currencies: Kygyzstani Som; Tajiki Somoni
Language: Russian, as well as Kyrgyz and Tajik; some English is spoken in the cities and by tourism providers
Climate: warm, dry summers; freezing cold, snowy winters