Regions of Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan is divided into seven regions (oblasts). Bishkek is an independent city of republican significance and the capital of Chüy Region. Osh is also an independent city. The regions differ in their climate and mountains.
Chüy Region is in northern Kyrgyzstan, near Bishkek, and next to Kazakhstan. The weather is dry and hot in summer, and cold and snowy in winter. Settlements include Tokmok, Kara Balta, Kemin and Orlovka, which are between 700 and 1200 metres above sea level. The fertile Chüy Valley meets the rugged Kyrgyz Ala Too and Zailiysky Alatau ranges, with glaciers feeding the Chu and Ala Archa rivers. The region feels like a crossroads: modern but also traditional, busy but also wild.
The outdoor scene is vividly alive in Ala-Archa National Park, home to a distinctive array of alpine routes close to Bishkek. The Kyrgyz Ala-Too range has numerous peaks between 3,500 and 4,500 metres, which are accessed via classic alpine routes similar to those in the Alps. Ascents involve glacier crossings, ridgelines, scrambling and bivouac options, with the Ak-Sai Glacier being a central mountaineering hub. Routes to Uchitel Peak (4,543 m) and Korona Peak (4,860 m) attract climbers for multi-day ascents, while easier hikes (e.g. to Ratsek Hut or Ak-Sai Waterfall) are day trips. The area also offers well-equipped sport climbing and some mixed rock and ice climbs, making it a versatile destination year-round. In the Chong-Kemin Valley and Issyk-Ata, you can do longer trekking traverses, often linking high pastures and glacial valleys with yurts and shepherd camps. While horseback access is common, trekking remains the core experience.
Access Bishkek via the M39/E40 highway and railway to Balykchy. Take public buses or shared taxis to Kemin, Tokmok and the surrounding gorges. Buses to Ala-Archa depart from Bishkek centre every 30 minutes. The climbing-focused ‘Alpinada’ festival in Ala Archa is organised early in spring by the Kyrgyz Mountaineering Federation.
The Issyk-Köl Region is east of Bishkek, around the world’s second-largest high-altitude saline lake. It is between the Terskey Ala-Too and Kungei Ala-Too mountain ranges. The region extends into the Central Tien Shan, where Kyrgyzstan’s highest peaks are: Khan Tengri (7,010 m) and Pobeda Peak (7,439 m), which mark the border with China. The climate is harsh: dry and warm in summer, and cold and snowy in winter. The lake and the peaks create a sense of vastness. Key towns include Karakol, a popular outdoor destination, and Cholpon-Ata, whose beach resorts give the northern shore a Mediterranean feel.
The area is a year-round outdoor playground. Multi-day alpine treks in the Terskey range (e.g. Altyn Arashan – Ala-Kul – Jeti-Oguz) combine glaciers, ridgelines and wild camping. The high mountains host serious climbing. In winter, Karakol and its side valleys (like Boz Uchuk or Jyrgalan) are Kyrgyzstan’s most reliable backcountry ski touring zones. Ice climbing is common, and ski expeditions venture deep into the Eastern Tien Shan. Lower down, sport climbing, horseback trekking and wind-based water sports (kite- and windsurfing) offer variety.
Access via public transport and shared taxis between Bishkek and Karakol is easy. Most trekking valleys can be reached from Karakol by marshrutka or 4×4 taxi. Serious preparation is required due to sudden weather changes in the mountains.
Naryn Region is south of Bishkek and east of the Bishkek–Naryn–Torugart route. It is in the Central Tien Shan, 1,600–4,500 metres above sea level. The region has vast alpine plateaus, deep river gorges and high passes, such as Song-Köl or At-Bashi. Summers are short and mild, and winters are brutally cold and snowy. The region is remote: empty tundra intersects with snow-capped ridges and isolated villages.
There are lots of outdoor activities, such as long-distance treks, seasonal horse-packing routes and multi-day hikes. Peaks such as Kurumduk (5,168 m) and other unclimbed local summits offer alpine-style ascents. There are many unclimbed mountains, which is why Naryn offers plenty of adventure. Naryn Oblast is especially known for Ines Papert’s expeditions to Kyzyl Asker. Naryn is also an ideal base for exploring the eastern Kyrgyz wilderness via remote valleys and yurts. In winter, there is limited ski touring in the groomed snowfields of the valleys, though infrastructure is minimal.
Access is via the Bishkek–Naryn road (M41), continuing to Tash Rabat and the Chinese border. Seasonal dirt spurs lead to lakes like Son Kol or highland pastures, but landslides and snow can block passes. Marshrutkas run daily, but on-site logistics require readiness to deal with breakdowns or cancelled rides.
The Talas Region is in northwestern Kyrgyzstan, in the Talas Valley between the Kyrgyz Ala-Too to the northeast and the Talas Ala-Too to the south and west. It is between 650 and 4,500 metres above sea level. The climate is continental, with warm, dry summers and cold winters. The landscape is dominated by alpine pastures, but weather can shift rapidly in higher altitudes. The region feels isolated and deeply rooted in Kyrgyz heritage. Talas is home to the legendary warrior Manas, whose mausoleum is a national cultural site.
Treks across the Talas Ala-Too range, such as the Talas–Sary-Chelek loop, combine ascents of alpine passes over 3,000 metres with lake crossings and the chance to experience yurt hospitality. Manas Peak offers challenging ascents through steep scree and mixed terrain, while nearby summits such as Chatangat and Bakayyr-Choku provide more moderate climbs at altitudes between 3,800 and 4,200 metres. The Besh-Tash Valley is ideal for moderate hiking, ridge traverses and lakeside camping, surrounded by juniper forests and cold trout streams.
Access is via the Bishkek–Talas road, with snow and landslides affecting the Töö-Ashuu and Ötmök passes. Marshrutkas connect Bishkek and Talas town, but transport is limited, so be self-reliant.
Jalal-Abad is in the western Tien Shan, where Kyrgyzstan’s wildest and most diverse landscapes are found. The region is from the warm, low Toktogul Valley (~700 m) to alpine summits in the Chatkal Range (4,500 m). The climate is dry and hot in summer, cold in winter, with abrupt changes in mountain weather year-round. Key areas include the Chatkal highlands, the Sary-Chelek lakes, the Arslanbob walnut forests, and the Toktogul reservoir landscapes.
The region is perfect for long, remote mountain journeys. In the Chatkal Range, there are 10–12 day routes that cross multiple high passes over 3,300–3,900 metres, such as Ashuu-Tör or Kashka-Suu, linking ridgelines with alpine lakes. Sary-Chelek has gentle, high-alpine treks: 2-day loops around the main lake, or 3–5 day traverses over passes like Kotormo (~2,446 metres), with horseback or foot access. Around Arslanbob, the terrain is greener, forested and lower, but still dynamic: day hikes to waterfalls, 10–15 km ridgeline routes, and MTB trails through the world’s largest natural walnut forest. East of the region, Toktogul Reservoir gives access to backcountry valleys like Uzun-Akmat or Alatay, which are isolated areas for trekking.
Osh Region is in the south of Kyrgyzstan, on the edge of the Alay Mountains and the Pamir. The Fergana Valley is about 900 metres high, and the city of Osh is at the foot of the Trans-Alay Range. The climate is hot and dry in the lowlands, and harsh and snowbound in the mountains. The Kerme-Too foothills are near Osh, and are a good place for day hikes and short climbs. The Suleiman-Too Mountain is a place of local pilgrimage.
Further south, the Alay Mountains offer multi-day trekking routes. One trail crosses the Jyptyk Pass (~4,175 m), connecting the Alay Valley with the hinterlands near Lenin Peak. The 4–7 day route offers glacier views, isolated yurt camps, and panoramic perspectives over the Pamir. The high-altitude Alay Valley itself is between 1,600 and 3,600 m, with snow-capped ridges and herding families during summer. Mountaineers gather at Achik-Tash base camp to attempt Peak Lenin (7,134 m), one of the world’s most accessible 7,000ers.
Access is via Osh city, which serves as a transport and logistics hub (international airport, daily flights between Bishkek and Osh). Marshrutkas and shared taxis reach Gulcha, Sary-Mogol and other zones. The Pamir Highway leads over Taldyk and Kyzylart passes.
Batken Region is in southwestern Kyrgyzstan, bordering Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The landscape rises from around 800 m at regional centres to over 5,500 m. World-class sites include the Madygen Geopark, which is full of Triassic fossils, and the Karavshin massif in the Turkestan Range, a granite wilderness known as “Asian Patagonia”. The climate is continental, with hot summers and cold, snowy winters, and local weather in the mountains can change quickly.
Batken is a great place for outdoor adventures. The Madygen Geopark offers gentle treks and geology hikes that combine nature travel with science and education. The Karavshin zone is challenging: its granite walls support technical rock and alpine climbing, and routes into the gorge involve multi-day trekking, river crossings, and glacier passages. For experienced climbers, Pyramid Peak and Yellow Wall are famous examples. The Alay side valleys feed into the region from the south, with high passes funneling into the Alay Valley network. These valleys offer mixed trekking and expedition-level routes toward the Pamir threshold.
Batken can be accessed via Osh, with minibuses reaching local hubs. However, to reach Karavshin, liaison with border officials is required for permits, and to access the Madygen Geopark, 4×4 vehicles or hiking boots are necessary.