Kyrgyzstan Travel FAQ

Short answers to the questions travellers ask us most, from KAGAN, a local tour operator based in Toktogul, Kyrgyzstan. Each tour page has the full programme, prices and what is included.

About KAGAN

KAGAN is a local tour operator based in Toktogul, Kyrgyzstan, with 17 years of experience. We organise road trips, horseback riding tours, treks and backcountry ski tours for small groups and private travellers, with English- and French-speaking guides. Contact: [email protected], +996 704 433 338 (also WhatsApp).

Yes. Every tour on our site can be run privately for your own group, and dates and itineraries can be adapted. We also run small group tours with fixed departures for travellers who want to share the costs.

Our guides speak English and French. Tell us your language when you book and we will assign the right guide.

Prices, booking and visa

Prices are per person and fall as the group grows. With KAGAN, road trips of 7 to 14 days start from €635, horseback riding tours of 6 to 17 days from €670, treks of 6 to 16 days from €500 and backcountry ski tours of 7 to 11 days from €880. Each tour page shows the price for every group size.

A €300 deposit confirms your booking. The balance is paid in cash on arrival in Bishkek; bank transfer is also possible (bank fees not included), and card payments carry an 8% fee. The deposit is not refundable, but it can be used for a future trip.

Citizens of the EU, Canada, Japan, Singapore and several other countries can enter Kyrgyzstan without a visa for up to 60 days. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your entry date. Other nationalities can check the official e-visa site, evisa.e-gov.kg. No vaccine is mandatory.

Each tour page lists exactly what is included. Usually: transfers from and to Manas International Airport in Bishkek, your guide, transport, accommodation and meals as described in the programme, and the visits and activities of the itinerary. International flights, travel insurance, the single-room supplement, mineral water and alcohol are not included.

On the trip

It depends on what you want to do. Spring (April–May) and autumn (late September–October) are good for road trips with easy hikes. Summer (June to mid-September) is the season for horseback riding, treks and high lakes such as Song-Kul. Winter (December–March) is for backcountry skiing, with the most reliable snow from January to mid-March.

Road trips are easy: walks of up to about 500 m of elevation gain and short horse rides suitable for beginners. On horseback tours you do not need to be an experienced rider, but you must feel confident on a horse for 4–7 hours a day. Treks mean 5–7 hours of walking a day, sometimes above 4,000 m, so you need to be in good shape; each trek page gives its level and any age limit.

In guesthouses, homestays and traditional yurt camps, usually with shared bathrooms. On treks and long horseback expeditions there are also tent nights. In remote areas conditions are simple; each tour page describes the accommodation.

We serve traditional Kyrgyz meals with meat, rice, noodles and vegetables, and all meals are halal. Breakfast is at the guesthouse or yurt camp, lunch is in a local café or a picnic. Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available; if you follow a strict diet, bring some special food with you.

Your guide carries a first-aid kit. On road trips the vehicle stays close to the group during activities; on treks and horseback expeditions the guide carries a satellite phone and local people along the route can help with evacuation. If you are sensitive to altitude, talk to your doctor before the trip and bring your personal medication.

International flights land at Manas International Airport in Bishkek. Airport transfers are included in our tours, and most programmes start and end in Bishkek.

Yes. KAGAN rents Lexus GX470 and RX300 4×4 cars that suit mountain roads and rough tracks, and we offer a self-drive tour itinerary. See the rental cars page for details.

Backcountry skiing in Kyrgyzstan

Yes. KAGAN runs guided backcountry ski tours of 7 to 11 days in the Suusamyr valley and the Tien Shan, from €880 per person, with local guides and small groups. Snow is most reliable from January to mid-March.

Our backcountry tours are for intermediate to advanced skiers who are comfortable off-piste and touring on skins. They are not suitable for complete beginners.

Yes. Bring your own ski touring or splitboard equipment (skis, skins, boots, poles) suitable for backcountry use up to 4,000 m, plus avalanche safety gear: beacon, shovel and probe. Pack warm layers, a waterproof shell, gloves, a hat and goggles.

On our Suusamyr tours you stay at the KAGAN winter yurt camp at 2,800 m, about 200 km from Bishkek on the Bishkek–Osh road, and in guesthouses depending on the itinerary.