--- title: "Bicycle touring in Kyrgyzstan | Cycle Planet" description: "Cycling Kyrgyzstan: visa, border crossings, safety, transport, places to sleep and points of interest, from cyclists who were there." canonical_url: "https://cycleplanet.org/countries/kyrgyzstan" meta: "og:description": "Cycling Kyrgyzstan: visa, border crossings, safety, transport, places to sleep and points of interest, from cyclists who were there." "og:image": "https://cycleplanet.org/_og/d/c_Blauwdruk%2Ctitle_Bicycle%2Btouring%2Bin%2BKyrgyzstan%2Cdescription_~Q3ljbGluZyBLeXJneXpzdGFuOiB2aXNhLCBib3JkZXIgY3Jvc3NpbmdzLCBzYWZldHksIHRyYW5zcG9ydCwgcGxhY2VzIHRvIHNsZWVwIGFuZCBwb2ludHMgb2YgaW50ZXJlc3QsIGZyb20gY3ljbGlzdHMgd2hvIHdlcmUgdGhlcmUu%2Cheadline_Central%2BAsia%2CsiteName_Cycle%2BPlanet%2Clogo_CP%2Cp_Ii9jb3VudHJpZXMva3lyZ3l6c3RhbiI%2Cs_xoA8J9VJHiqrHXBS.png" "og:image:height": "600" "og:image:type": image/png "og:image:width": "1200" "og:title": "Bicycle touring in Kyrgyzstan" "twitter:image": "https://cycleplanet.org/_og/d/c_Blauwdruk%2Ctitle_Bicycle%2Btouring%2Bin%2BKyrgyzstan%2Cdescription_~Q3ljbGluZyBLeXJneXpzdGFuOiB2aXNhLCBib3JkZXIgY3Jvc3NpbmdzLCBzYWZldHksIHRyYW5zcG9ydCwgcGxhY2VzIHRvIHNsZWVwIGFuZCBwb2ludHMgb2YgaW50ZXJlc3QsIGZyb20gY3ljbGlzdHMgd2hvIHdlcmUgdGhlcmUu%2Cheadline_Central%2BAsia%2CsiteName_Cycle%2BPlanet%2Clogo_CP%2Cp_Ii9jb3VudHJpZXMva3lyZ3l6c3RhbiI%2Cs_xoA8J9VJHiqrHXBS.png" --- > Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://cycleplanet.org/llms.txt) Central Asia # Kyrgyzstan [**View on the map**](https://cycleplanet.org/map?at=41.20438,74.766098,6.5) [** Download GPX (4) **](https://cycleplanet.org/api/gpx/KG) ## **About ** No information about this yet. Been here? Help the next cyclist. [Add information](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/kyrgyzstan/edit/about) ## **People ** The population is very friendly and curious. They all want to know where you come from and what you come here to do. Children all feel your tires. When you are invited by people, you will be received very hospitably and generously: usually you have to stay for dinner and even sleep is possible (also in the mountains in the so-called yurts = tents). Note: the Kyrgyz do not appreciate being compared to the Chinese, they prefer to see a relationship with the Turks. The Kyrgyz and Uzbek languages ​​are related to Turkish, so many people understand Turkish, some have also studied it. In addition to Kyrgyz or Uzbek, almost all adults also speak Russian, hardly any other language (not even in Bishkek). Young people speak much less Russian, but on the other hand - in the cities - often understand a word of English, although they are usually too shy to speak it due to a lack of practice. All inscriptions are in Cyrillic. So it is useful to learn the Cyrillic alphabet. Last updated 25 May 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/kyrgyzstan/edit/people) ## **Visa ** Quite a lot of nationalities can enter Kyrgyzstan without a visa, which means you can freely cross the border. Some nationalities need to apply for the e-visa. Source: [**Wikipedia**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Kyrgyzstan). Last updated 25 May 2021 by [Bas Idsinga](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/ieMGYdJeX6ZyKgKeeGhMXPFZkax2) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/kyrgyzstan/edit/visa) ## **Where to get a visa for Kyrgyzstan **(1) Sorted by most likes 1. [![Embassy](https://cycleplanet.org/markers/Embassy.png)**1. E-visa for Kyrgyzstan**Online visaIf you have to apply for the e-visa you might need a letter of invitation (LOI), which might be quite a hassle to obtain and can take up to 2 weeks. The e-visa… 1](https://cycleplanet.org/poi/26841089-bd5b-44b7-a447-c827edaacf90) ## **Border crossings **(3) Sorted by most likes 1. [![Border crossing](https://cycleplanet.org/markers/Border.png)**1. Bordaba (Kyrgyzstan) – Kyzylart (Tajikistan)**To TajikistanCorrupt border crossing, where lots of different fees are being asked. The only tax you need to pay is for your vehicle. It's not sure if cyclists need to pay…](https://cycleplanet.org/poi/53e1050c-3d20-4f05-820d-46296ac4b6af) 2. [![Border crossing](https://cycleplanet.org/markers/Border.png)**2. Manak (Uzbekistan) – Osh (Kyrgyzstan)**To UzbekistanOpen 24/7 (closed during luch 13:15 to 13:45). We did not actually use this border crossing yet, so please update the description if you do so yourself.](https://cycleplanet.org/poi/1dd805cf-3ccf-44d1-9ccb-41ac5de18acc) 3. [![Border crossing](https://cycleplanet.org/markers/Border.png)**3. Sary-Tash (Kyrgyzstan) – Irkeshtam (China)**To ChinaWe did not actually use this border crossing yet, so please update the description if you do so yourself.](https://cycleplanet.org/poi/a6a9e54a-cb63-464b-9765-8aad02c370d5) ## **Sleeping ** ### **Staying with locals** In Kyrgyzstan an extensive network of "sleeping in people's homes" is available. This is united in Community Based Tourism (CBT). We have regularly used this. Especially in Suusamyr it is very pleasant to stay. Usually there is a local coordinator. See also this [**website**](http://cbtkyrgyzstan.kg/?lang=en). ### **(Formal) camping** There are few or no campsites in Kyrgyzstan. Camping is always possible at yurts or road cafes (for safety reasons this is more sensible), and often spontaneous invitation from private individuals and even meals etc. ask for money, give what you would pay at a cheap hotel ('reimburse costs'). ### **Ho(s)tels** In general, hotels for foreigners are quite pricey. ### **Wild camping** Free camping is allowed and is possible everywhere. Certainly in the mountains, there is always a spot on a river. In the busy valley along the Tsjoe it is difficult to find a place because the valley is narrow and there is a busy road, a railway line and a wide river. Last updated 25 May 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/kyrgyzstan/edit/sleeping) ## **Safety ** In general, Kyrgyzstan is a safe place to travel. ### **Traffic** Most roads are quiet. On the northern route along the Issyk-Kul lake it is quite busy and the driving is very fast, so watch out. At night there is hardly any lighting in the cities (also in Bishkek there is a lack of lighting here and there). It is therefore not advisable to cycle at night, it can be really pitch dark. Mountain trails through the mountains are very rough and very tough, require a good condition and a lot of experience in rugged terrain. Especially in the south through the mountains, the roads are not paved but tamped. It is good to drive over. Last updated 25 May 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/kyrgyzstan/edit/safety) ## **Transport ** ### **Train** A daily train runs from Almaty and Moscow. It is possible to bring a bicycle, although the price sometimes has to be negotiated firmly. On local trains, taking a bicycle with you can usually be done without problems as long as there is space in the compartment. Simply put the bike on the luggage racks. ### **Bus** If there is space, the bicycle can sometimes be taken all the way in the back. Often you have to stand still for the entire ride. Last updated 25 May 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/kyrgyzstan/edit/transport) ## **Food and drink ** Off the main roads, it is wise to have food with you for at least a day. In yurts you can also buy bread from the people. There are many apricot trees along the road, so there is no shortage of fruit. **Stalls on the street** In villages there are all kinds of stalls where, for example, bread, pasta and bars are for sale, and where food is also prepared. There are also restaurants or canteens. The food in canteens is not great. In the restaurants, the food is usually quite reasonable. **Restaurants** Cafés serve Russian-style food, quite varied, and of course shaslicks, bread and tea in the south. 1 or 2E is enough per man. **Drinkable water** Tap water seems safe, except in Osh! Ask, pointing to the tap, 'ette vodda pietnaja?' (is this drinking water?). Bottled water is available everywhere. In the mountains all rivers are good to drink, the water comes straight from the high mountains. In addition, there are pumps in the villages, where there is pure water. Quite often, however, the pumps do not function. Last updated 25 May 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/kyrgyzstan/edit/foodDrink) ## **Other ** **Best time to cycle** The best months are June and September. In the spring there can still be snow on high passes. If it is not a through main route, there will be no clearing and passage is virtually impossible or in any case risky. In July and August it can be very hot in the lowlands (up to 40ºC), in the mountains, on the other hand, there is a mountain climate, where high in the mountains it can be especially cold at night. **Spare parts** Because there are hardly any bicycle shops, it is recommended that you bring your own gear with you as much as possible. The people are generally very resourceful. Take enough inner tubes and puncture-proof tires with you, the streets are full of glass! There is a bicycle shop / repair shop in Osh. It is called X-store / Bikemaster and is located in the Osh Business and Training Center, Alieva Road no. 145, tel. 56633. Very enthusiastic, young people. *Note from Cycle Planet: Please add this bike shop to the map when you find the exact location, and delete this bike shop description.* Last updated 25 May 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/kyrgyzstan/edit/other) ## **From the blog ** ### Bike touring in Kyrgyzstan - routes, seasons and survival tips for the mountains Bike touring in Kyrgyzstan - Song-Kul, Issyk-Kul, the Pamir Highway from Osh, the best months, food and water, yurt stays and gear for high passes. 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