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Kyrgyzstan is one of the best-kept secrets amongst adventurers, a hidden gem of a country nestled between some of the most isolated and epic landscapes in the world. Many people upon arriving exclaim at the beauty of Kyrgyzstan and why so few people know about it: we aim to change this.
We love Kyrgyzstan for its immensely varied landscapes, unique nomadic culture, and adventure potential. Few countries in the world allow you to experience soaring mountains, lush meadows, and surreal desert formations all in the course of a single day…
And we haven’t even gotten to the alien landscape that is Issyk Kul: arguably one of the most impressive alpine lakes in the world.
Best of all, Kyrgyz people are warm, friendly, and immensely hospitable. Doesn’t matter if you’re chilling in a yurt camp with nomads or having a pint of beer at the esteemed Save the Ales brewery in Bishkek – everywhere you’ll find good people.
Our staff has gone to great lengths to craft the best itinerary possible for Kyrgyzstan. It would seem simple, given the extraordinary nature of the country, but we’ve gone the extra length to make sure you have an authentic and unforgettable experience.
Join on a trip in the land of the horsemen and limitless boundaries. We’d love to show why Kyrgyzstan is one of our favorite countries in the world.
KYRGYZSTAN
Moderate
13 DAYS | NEXT DEPARTURE: JULY 31 - AUGUST 12th, 2023
Discover the Adventure Capital of Central Asia
June-September
Kyrgyzstan is subject to hot, dry summers and frigid winters. The spring months are a great time to visit the lower, more arid regions, but alpine areas will still be snowed in. Early July is when the trekking season starts and around late September is when the higher altitudes begin to be effected by the incoming winter.
Winter in Kyrgyzstan is a great time to visit if you are into snow sports and you can handle absolutely frigid winter temperatures.
We like to run August trips in Kyrgyzstan because there are fewer other tourists than in July pretty much everywhere in the country.
The hiking season is quite short by European or American standards, but pretty typical when it comes to greater Central Asia region.
The weather in Kyrgyzstan can be EXTREMELY variable. While it may be bright and sunny in the capital, it could be snowing in the mountains. Lower elevations are generally hotter and drier; snow is common at any time of the year in the mountains, even summer. A storm can happen at any time.
We offer a variety of unique and comfortable accommodation options on this trip. From hotels and guesthouses to traditional yurts and good ol’ fashioned camping tents; we do our best to make sure where we sleep is part of the overall tour experience.
It is important to discuss the significance of yurts in Kyrgyz culture and what it will be like staying in them. Yurts are large temporary structures built from felt and wood or metal support beams. They are always circular in shape and sort of resemble large tents or a small pavilion.
Yurts are extremely important to Kyrgyz society. They are believed to have been used by Central Asian nomads for over 3000 years and were crucial to their lifestyle and prosperity. To this day, yurts are still a cornerstone of nomadic lifestyle and are used regularly, especially in the summer when many Kyrgyz families escape to the high pasturelands (jailoos).
Yurts range in size but generally accommodate 3-6 people. Most of them are equipped with a coal-burning stove that is lit at night to keep guests very toast at night; smoke is vented outside the tent. (Please let us know beforehand if you are opposed to coal being used in your yurt.)
Here is a brief rundown of what kind of accommodation to expect in each location:
Horse culture in Kyrgyzstan is one of the aspects of the country that makes it so fascinating. Nomadic herders have been pasturing their animals on the Kygryz step for millennia — a practice that is still very much alive and well today.
On the first day of our trek in the Celestial Mountains, we’ll ride horses deeper into the valley to see Karakol Peak (5281 meters). No prior experience riding horses is required. In general, the horses are docile and used to being ridden by people often. Don’t worry, we won’t turn you out on some wild stallion!
There are several major networks in Kyrgyzstan: Beeline, MegaCom, and O! Foreigners can easily obtain SIM cards in Kyrgyzstan. You will need your passport in order to get a SIM.
Coverage in Kyrgyzstan is not so convenient. Cell Phone receptions will regularly drop when we are outside the major cities i.e Song Kul, Sary Jaz. Reception at Ala-Kul will be next to none.
In our opinion, it’s not worth the hassle of getting a SIM card as our hotels in Bishkek and Karakol have Wifi. Keep in mind that this trip is a chance for our guests to unplug and fully embrace a proper digital detox.
The internet situation in Kyrgyzstan is spotty at best, so please have realistic expectations regarding wifi and internet speeds/access.
Kyrgyzstan is a safe country by many standards. Violent and petty crimes are rare, although corruption is not unheard of. Water is generally potable in Kyrgyzstan and food sanitation is good. The chances of getting sick are comparable to those in a Western nation.
You may have guessed, this adventure tour carries a certain amount of risk since we are traveling and trekking DEEP into the mountains in a developing country. This is not your average holiday per se. There will be no cocktails on the beach (maybe on the lake though!) Sorry about that 🙂
Guest Safety is EBT’s #1 priority and our experienced ground team does everything within their power to set our group up for a safe adventure.
The name of the game is security and safety first and injury prevention.
In case of emergency, your EBT trip leader is equipped with a satellite communication device, which can contact outside emergency first responders from any place in Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyz cuisine is mostly a mix of Russian and traditional nomadic cooking. Meat and bread are very integral to the local diet. Fresh fruits and salads are still common though, which bodes well for vegetarians. Food can vary greatly depending on where we are. In Bishkek, there will be a respectable diversity — international restaurants are plentiful and are of a high quality.
In the more remote parts of the country, cooking is more traditional. Classic Kyrgyz cuisine is very filling — there will be a lot of bread, dairy, soups, and red meat. Spicing is simple. Vegetables are generally hearty and include potatoes, dark greens, and roots.
Kyrygz people love to offer sweets and jams at the end of every meal. Kumis (fermented mare’s milk) may also be offered. It is a very strange drink and we encourage going outside comfort zones to try it. Hosts will not be offended if you say no.
Food whilst camping will be the best possible quality, but please have realistic expectations of what our camp cooks can deliver. On some occasions, especially when trekking to Ala-Kul, we may have special opportunities: some entrepurnial locals pack wine and vodka up to the high camps and sell them (for reasonable prices).
Below is a list of what you can expect from our Kyrgyz hosts:
Read more about the food in Kyrgyzstan here.
All guests coming on the Discovering the Celestial Mountains trip MUST confirm their country’s visa agreement with Kyrgyzstan well in advance of the start of the tour.
Visa fees are NOT included in the tour price and it is your responsibility to obtain the correct visa in a timely manner from Kyrgyz Immigration if needed.
MOST nationalities are able to visit Kyrgyzstan without a visa or can obtain a visa upon arrival (VOA). Be sure to check the official immigration website to if your nationality qualifies. Not every country can receive a visa upon arrival. As such, it is a good idea to double check.
If you do not qualify for a visa upon arrival, then you will need to visit the nearest Kyrgyz embassy to apply for one in person. Follow this link to find the one nearest you. Private third-party visa services may be able to help you apply for a visa if you do not qualify for a VOA. Research these ahead of time
The official currency of Kyrgyzstan is the Kyrgyz som.
ATMs are common in the larger urban areas, like Bishkek, Kochkor, and Karakol but less common in-between. We also recommend that instead of relying on your ATM card, bring foreign cash and change it at the airport or in the city (if the money changer is open at the airport). USD, Euro, British Pounds are all fine. Outside of Bishkek, credit cards are not commonly accepted at local businesses.
As to how much money you should bring, here are some costs for you to take into account…
Money Recommendation for Epic trips: If you take out the equivalent of 300 USD in Kyrgyz soms, you should have more than enough to get souvenirs, buy beer, pick up snacks, and extra drinks and meals along the way.
When we return to Bishkek at the end of the tour, you will have a chance to get out more cash should you need (for shopping, tipping staff, last minute purchases, etc).
If they’d like to do so and have ample time, guests can choose to stay in Kyrgyzstan either before or after the tour begins. Since the tour is 12 days long and Kyrgyz tourist visas can last anywhere from 60-90 in length, doing so is reasonable.
Guests often ask us where they should visit in Kyrgyzstan if they have extra time. There are many options; here are a few suggestions based upon different travels:
The trekking in Kyrgyzstan that we do on our trips can be classified as moderate.
You can expect the following when trekking on almost any of our Nepal adventure tours:
Food in Kyrgyzstan can vary greatly depending on where we are. In Bishkek, there will be a respectable diversity — international restaurants are plentiful and are of a high quality.
In the more remote parts of the country, cooking is more traditional. Classic Kyrgyz cuisine is very filling — there will be a lot of bread, dairy, soups, and red meat. Spicing is simple. Vegetables are generally hearty and include potatoes, dark greens, and roots.
Kyrygz people love to offer sweets and jams at the end of every meal. Kumis (fermented mare’s milk) may also be offered. It is a very strange drink and we encourage going outside comfort zones to try it.
Hosts will not be offended if you say no.
Food whilst camping will be the best possible quality, but please have realistic expectations of what our camp cooks can deliver. On some occasions, especially when trekking to Ala-Kul, we may have special opportunities: some entrepreneurial locals pack wine and vodka up to the high camps and sell them (for reasonable prices).
Below is a list of what you can expect from our Kyrgyz hosts:
Breakfast: fried eggs, porridge, jam, sweets, bread, cheese, milk, tea, coffee
Hotel/Yurt Stay Lunch: Soup course, rice, veggies, meat, some sort of salad, pasta, tea.
Trekking Lunch: usually an array of finger foods e.g. cheeses, charcuteries, canned fish, bread, sandwiches, salads, more sweets.
Dinner: larger meals, rice, stews, grilled meats, bread, salads, sweets
Please let us know early on if you have any diet restrictions/preferences. If you are vegetarian/vegan, you might want to consider bringing some of your own food (for snacks/breakfast stuff), as it can be very difficult to cater to individuals in a big group, though we always do our best.
This adventure tour requires a lot of energy output each day and a big part of our job is keeping everybody well-nourished, happy, and energized.
The official currency of Kyrgyzstan is the Kyrgyz Som.
ATMs are common in the larger urban areas, like Bishkek, Kochkor, and Karakol but less common in-between.
We also recommend that instead of relying on your ATM card, bring foreign cash and change it at the airport or in the city (if the money changer is open at the airport). USD, Euro, British Pounds are all fine.
Outside of Bishkek, credit cards are not commonly accepted at local businesses.
The weather in Kyrgyzstan can be EXTREMELY variable. While it may be bright and sunny in the capital, it could be snowing in the mountains. Lower elevations are generally hotter and drier; snow is common at any time of the year in the mountains, even summer. A storm can happen at any time.
We have unique packing lists for each our adventure tours in Kyrgyzstan. You can access it using the link below.
Our team members are experts on all things adventure in Pakistan!
If you’re interested in traveling to Pakistan but still have unanswered questions, feel free to give us a shout anytime. We’re ready and able to assist you in any way possible when it comes to planning your next big trip. So ask away!
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Adventure Guide
Hailing from the Toronto region of Eastern Canada, with a background as a former standout athlete (hockey of course) and a love of mountain adventure, Clark is a welcomed addition to the Epic team.
In addition to being a keen photographer and adventurer, Clark brings his brilliant sense of humor, leadership skills, and positive attitude to everything he puts his mind to.
When he is not leading trips, he is working on taking over the hard apple cider game in Canada as a skilled craft brewer.
Meet him during : K2 Base Camp Trek
Adventure Guide
Noemi grew up in the mountains of German-Speaking Switzerland where she naturally developed a deep love and respect for mountain environments.
She is a talented photographer, aspiring climber, and speaks at least 5 languages fluently including Arabic (and probably a few more that we don’t know about), which she taught herself in a matter of months by watching YouTube videos.
Noemi has spent the last several years traveling, hiking, and photographing her way around many different countries in the Middle East, South and Central Asia, and Europe, and we could not be more stoked to welcome her to the Epic team!
Meet her during : Discover the Celestial Mountains | Island Peak Climbing Expedition
Adventure Guide
As our man on the ground in Mongolia, there is not much this legend can’t do. As a native the Bayan-Ölgii province of the Western Mongolia Altai, Syerik has been working as a guide and tourism entrepreneur…
for the past several years and is one of the rising stars in Mongolia adventure travel industry.
He is currently building a beautiful Ger (Yurt) camp near his hometown where he will host Epic Mongolia team members on our trip as well as other travelers from around the world!
“
He is the perfect guide for your trip to Mongolia. Serik did an amazing job giving us a well rounded experience in the Altai NP region and down in the Gobi…
The food was fantastic and Serik gave us many opportunities to learn about the Kazakh culture in that region including traditional meals. (I can’t recommend enjoying the milk tea enough!)
– Coastal
Head of canine operations
Choriza started off life as a care-free vagabond on the streets of Madeira Island without any place to call home. From the moment we met her, we knew this dog was just different, and it was pretty much love at first sight.
She gave up the dog street life in favor of joining her new dad Chris to become a full-time member of the Epic family towards the end of 2022.
These days she can be found listening in on the fringes of important Epic business meetings while half-asleep on the couch. She is a keen hiker, lover of mud, rare steak, and might just be the sweetest little dog we have ever seen.
Adventure Guide
An experienced trek leader and
IFMGA aspirant ski guide, avid alpine climber, devoted adventure photographer.
Organized and guided trekking expeditions, climbs and ski tours in Tajikistan’s Pamirs, Patagonia, Peru, Morocco, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, Georgian and Russian Caucasus and Kamchatka.
A full member and meets the organiser of the British Alpine Club. Visited over 40 countries, lived in the UK for four years. Certified first-aider.
“
We joined Andrew on a fantastic trip to the Fann Mountains in Tajikistan, pure nature and magnificent scenery! Andrey was super prepared and led us safely up and down numerous passes and through some rough and icy cold rivers. Thank you for a very memorable trip, your planning and prep was excellent!
– Monika Steinlechner
Meet him during : Trekking in the Fann Mountains
Adventure Guide
Our man in Nepal, Sandip is what we like to call a “Swiss Army Knife”. There is not much Sandip can’t do when it comes to helping Epic to run our expeditions smoothly in Nepal.
His tireless work ethic, passion for all things trekking in the Himalayas, and smart decision-making mean that Sandip is a truly invaluable member of our team.
Sandip is passionate about showing visitors to his country an amazing time, and he goes above and beyond to make sure that happens.
His company Himalayan Masters is Epic’s trusted partner in Nepal and one of the country’s top new tour agencies.
“
We really enjoyed the entire journey, and I would like to say that Sandip is truly professional. He guided us and he is a hardworking person, providing us with the best service and taking care of each one of us. Plus, he is super funny! The kind of professionnal you always want to find on your path for your explorations!
– Alexandra Ruth
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Our flagship Pakistani adventure tour. Road trip with some hiking and cultural immersion.
15 Days
Intermediate
$3125
A trekking-style tour that features some very remote locations, inlcuding a K2 viewpoint.
15 Days
Strenuous
$3200
Adventure Guide
João has born in the mountains of Madeira Islands in Portugal. Nature lover, writer, musician, guide, for him, a day without contact with outdoor vibes is a nightmare.
With a degree in Cultural Studies in Portugal and a Master of Arts in Global Cultures and Creativity in the U.K.
João found out what really matters in life can be found on the trails, and in the contact with people from different backgrounds and cultures.
Guiding, crazy trekking missions, and sharing observations about the natural world, – these are some of João’s passions.
After trekking to K2 Base Camp and exploring all over Northern Pakistan, he fell in love with the country and the local people. His experiences resulted in his desire to share these feelings with the world.
João is one of the most experienced guides at Epic and his skillset and positive mindset in the mountains is second to none
When not in Pakistan, João is guiding and exploring in the Madeira Islands trails – discovering some of the hidden treasures on his Portuguese Island.
“
João I can not thank you enough for the off the beaten paths and views you keep giving. Definitely one of the most challenging and amazing hikes we did 1200m meters all the way up to Fanal forest and circling back to the hidden village. Wow!
– Jeffery
Meet him during : Lost World of Europe | Discover the Hunza Valley | K2 Base Camp Trek
Adventure Guide
Sohail is the newest addition to the Epic team and we are beyond stoked to have him on board. As a veteran of the Karakoram and a native of Karimabad in Hunza, there is not much Sohail can’t do in the mountains.
Besides having the ability to speak more languages than we can count, Sohail has explored every corner of Gilgit Baltistan and logs more trekking miles
in a year than most people will do in a lifetime. As of the summer of 2022, Sohail has summited Gasherbrum 1, Gasherbrum 2, and K2 – three of Pakistan’s five 8000-meter peaks. Sohail guides several trips including our annual bespoke expeditions but specializes in Hunza Valley tours.
“
Chris and Sohail, and the team at Epic are FANTASTIC! Highly recommend anyone to do a tour with ‘Epic’. They have the perfect balance of fun, excitement and wild adventures, tied in with being super professional and ensuring your safety/health in a foreign environment. Don’t waste a moment and book a tour with these guys as the value for money is UNREAL!
– Borgan
Meet him during : Discover the Hunza Valley
Adventure Guide
Pedro’s been traveling all around the globe since 2009. His keen interests in documentary photography, rural life, and local people from different ethnic groups have been the focus of many of his professional projects.
Since 2012, he has developed his passion for travel and awesome shared experiences into a full-time adventure photography tour leader position.
Pedro has found himself continuously going back to the Middle East, with his likely favorite destination being Iran. Pedro lead his 11th tour in Iran with Epic in spring 2020
When Pedro’s not traveling the world with Epic Expeditions, you’ll find him based in the western south of Portugal planning he’s next adventure missions, logistics and working out his photos in local exhibitions.
“
I loved the combination of hiking, camping around breathtaking scenery mixed with the cultural aspects. The guide (Pedro) is knowledgeable and work very hard to make the trip as memorable as possible. All in all an epic adventure with some extremely epic individuals! Go for it, you won’t regret it!
– Coastal
Adventure Admin / Marketing
After fleeing from the corporate fashion world in Paris towards the start of 2020, Diane has been working as a web developer and graphic designer remotely from various bases across the globe
She brings all of her incredible design and organizational power to Epic Expeditions and is responsible for many of the beautiful behind-the-scenes design elements.
Diane has been to Iran and to Pakistan twice including all over Gilgit Baltistan and KPK.
Head of Operations | Guide
A veteran of Pakistan travel, Ralph is an experienced guide, photographer and writer who specializes in documenting remote locations.
Not one to simply go where everyone else does, he insists on exploring new and lesser-known areas.
Together with Epic Expeditions, he shows people parts of Pakistan that most other operators don’t even know about. He is particularly fond of the village of Barah, which he believes will become just as famous as Hunza one day.
“
Just got back from EBT’s Trekking Amongst Giants 15 day tour. The experience was first class. Ralph, our head guide, ensured that the entire trip ran smoothly and relatively on time (a bonus for anyone travelling in Pakistan). We had so many unforgettable days on the tour and the trekking was well-planned, safe but also a rewarding challenge.
– Calvin
“
Traveling to a non-tourist destination can be a little intimidating but EBT takes all of the worry and trepidation away. From the pre-trip call to meeting the wonderful staff in person you can tell that you are dealing with a company that has a passion for what they do each and every day. Ralph, Zahid, and Khan were supportive, kind, and always willing to go the extra mile to make sure that everyone on the trip was getting what they wanted out of the experience.
– Katrina
Meet him during : Trekking Amongst Giants | Discover the Celestial Mountains | K2 Base Camp Trek
Founder | Adventure Guide | Director
Since he started exploring the world, Chris has been seeking out every shade of adventure in various parts of the globe and had visited more than 70 countries along the way.
Over the last 10 years, Chris has logged more than 7000 trail miles across five continents and climbed multiple 6000 + 7000 meter peaks in Pakistan and Nepal.
A few years back, a distant dream and a deep passion for the mountains and the people of Pakistan led Chris to co-found Epic Expeditions at a time when foreign adventure tourism in Pakistan was almost nonexistent. Since then, Chris has guided more than 20 expeditions to various parts of Northern Pakistan.
Chris believes in using photography and powerful adventure experiences to dismantle negative stereotypes regarding what mainstream media considers “dangerous” countries while facilitating unique and meaningful memories in the mountains for countless people from around the globe.
For him, an ideal start to the day begins with a steaming cup of good coffee, the beam of a headlamp, alpine boots, and a camera in hand.
He lives in Madeira Island when not leading expeditions in far-flung lands.
Chris also works as a writer and photographer on his blog Off the Atlas – an adventure travel blog all about Pakistan.
Read this interview our staff did with Chris to learn more about him!
“
Chris believes in Pakistan and its people, and he believes in the value of journeys shared with others and family cultivated on the road. Honesty and integrity are at the heart of what he does, and this really shines through in his work as a guide. He also makes great coffee – whether at 5am in an empty guesthouse or half way up a Himalayan peak.”
– Will De Villers
“
Pakistan is a magical country! Had 3 of the best weeks of my life thanks to Epic Backpacking Tours with owner, and one of our awesome guides, Chris. From detailed itinerary, preparation with an equipment list, and visa assistance. To amazing food, great porters, helpful guides, and great accommodations. Epic really hit home run after home run. […]
Their desire for adventure and amazing trip is just as high as yours. Bring a good pound of coffee for the trip. French press coffee every morning and no average tin coffee, plus you’ll be in your guides good books.
– Clark Tyler
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