How to Properly Plan Time for Trekking in Kyrgyzstan
Hey there! In this brief article, we'll guide you on how to effectively plan your vacation time in Kyrgyzstan for an amazing trekking adventure.
Travel Time and Acclimatization
The key consideration when planning is to allocate days for acclimatization and travel from Bishkek (the capital of Kyrgyzstan) to the starting point of your trek.
There are two primary and recommended options for trekking tours in northern Kyrgyzstan: the first involves arriving in Bishkek (700 meters above sea level), spending the first day there, and then heading to the trek starting point; the second option is to arrive in Bishkek and travel on the same day to the town of Karakol (6-7 hours drive, 1700 meters above sea level). If you're offered to ascend to locations above 3000 meters on the first day for time efficiency, be aware that it's not a good idea.
There are two primary and recommended options for trekking tours in northern Kyrgyzstan: the first involves arriving in Bishkek (700 meters above sea level), spending the first day there, and then heading to the trek starting point; the second option is to arrive in Bishkek and travel on the same day to the town of Karakol (6-7 hours drive, 1700 meters above sea level). If you're offered to ascend to locations above 3000 meters on the first day for time efficiency, be aware that it's not a good idea.
The second day of the tour in the "green zone" for better acclimatization
The key consideration when planning is to allocate days for acclimatization and travel from Bishkek (the capital of Kyrgyzstan) to the starting point of your trek.
There are two primary and recommended options for trekking tours in northern Kyrgyzstan: the first involves arriving in Bishkek (700 meters above sea level), spending the first day there, and then heading to the trek starting point; the second option is to arrive in Bishkek and travel on the same day to the town of Karakol (6-7 hours drive, 1700 meters above sea level). If you're offered to ascend to locations above 3000 meters on the first day for time efficiency, be aware that it's not a good idea.
In the first scenario, you spend the first day in Bishkek, the second day en route to Karakol (or nearby locations), and your trek begins only on the third day.
In the second scenario, your trek could commence on the second day, but even then, you won't ascend to 3000 meters at this day day due to the need for gradual acclimatization.
After completing the trekking route, an additional day is usually required to return to Bishkek. Some trekking enthusiasts fly home on the same day, but most leave Bishkek only the next day due to the extensive travel time and limited rest if departing immediately.
There are two primary and recommended options for trekking tours in northern Kyrgyzstan: the first involves arriving in Bishkek (700 meters above sea level), spending the first day there, and then heading to the trek starting point; the second option is to arrive in Bishkek and travel on the same day to the town of Karakol (6-7 hours drive, 1700 meters above sea level). If you're offered to ascend to locations above 3000 meters on the first day for time efficiency, be aware that it's not a good idea.
In the first scenario, you spend the first day in Bishkek, the second day en route to Karakol (or nearby locations), and your trek begins only on the third day.
In the second scenario, your trek could commence on the second day, but even then, you won't ascend to 3000 meters at this day day due to the need for gradual acclimatization.
After completing the trekking route, an additional day is usually required to return to Bishkek. Some trekking enthusiasts fly home on the same day, but most leave Bishkek only the next day due to the extensive travel time and limited rest if departing immediately.
In summary, it's advisable to plan for 2 days before the trek and 2 days after the trek. This totals to 4 days of travel not dedicated to hiking.
Trekking Duration
The minimum time required for a truly interesting and beautiful trek in the Kyrgyzstan mountains is 3 days (2 nights in the mountains). More captivating routes may demand additional time. It's crucial to note that longer routes typically include at least 1 extra day in case of adverse weather conditions (mountain weather changes frequently and is challenging to predict). The optimal trek duration is considered to be 6-7 days, but this is highly individual and depends on your specific preferences.
Speaking of the absolute minimum route at a comfortable pace, you'll need 7 days - 2 days before the trek, 3 days for the trek, and 2 days afterward to return home.
Speaking of the absolute minimum route at a comfortable pace, you'll need 7 days - 2 days before the trek, 3 days for the trek, and 2 days afterward to return home.
3-days trekking tour to Ala-Kul lake
A Bit About Our Experience
Sometimes, for guests with limited time for trekking, we organize 5-day tours. Here's an example route: on the first day, we meet guests at Bishkek airport and head to Karakol; on days 2-3-4, we trek with a gradual ascent to 3600 meters and a smooth descent to 1700 meters; on the fifth day, we return to Bishkek around noon, allowing clients to fly home in the evening or night.
This example illustrates that a comprehensive tour can be achieved in just 5 days. However, if you have the opportunity to spend more time on your journey, we always recommend taking it slow and savoring the experience, allowing yourself the chance to relax.
If you're curious about the best time of year for trekking in Kyrgyzstan, we cover that in this article.
This example illustrates that a comprehensive tour can be achieved in just 5 days. However, if you have the opportunity to spend more time on your journey, we always recommend taking it slow and savoring the experience, allowing yourself the chance to relax.
If you're curious about the best time of year for trekking in Kyrgyzstan, we cover that in this article.
