2024 Kochkor Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in November)

First time staying in a yurt at Song-kul!

At the beginning of this month, I had a chance to accompany my parents to Kyrgyzstan. Among all of the places we've been, Song-kul is probably my favourite. The road to the lake was quite bumpy, but the view along the way was so beautiful that it didn't feel like we spent 6-7 hours on the road. As we went there at the beginning of September, the grass has already turned yellow. This creates such a nice contrast of colours between the lake and the grass. If you would like to avoid large crowds and mosquito in July and August, September is a good month to visit here. Be sure to pack warm clothes as it can be very cold and windy! #kyrgyzstan #lakes #yurt

amazing place to be

Hike to Lake Kol-Ukok

In Kyrgyzstan there’s a lot of lakes and trail to choose, we passed bu Kochkor after our trip to Lake song-kul, and saw this small little lake on the maps, and decided to pay a visit here. It’s a 22km hike with elevation of 1200m to hike from kochkor to lake kol ukok, we hired a taxi to send us 7km in to the start of the trail, there’s a yurt camp to stay if u want to make it a 2 days trip. We choose to do it in one day, so it’s about 12 hours of hiking time for this round trip. But we get to find at least 4 cute marmots along the route, it’s fun to carefully look into every rocks we passed by to find the cute little fella inside. #lake #travel #centralasia #awesomepic

Horseback riding to lake song kul

Three days on the horseback and we reached heaven

Kyrgyzstan [Mountain Oasis]

⏸Kyrgyzstan is located in Central Asia, bordering China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. This beautiful country is known for its charming scenery, nomadic culture, and friendly people, and is a must-visit destination for many adventurous tourists. Let's embark on this magical journey together. 🕓[Best Travel Time] ✅Best travel time: The best season to visit Kyrgyzstan is from May to September, when the weather is mild and the mountains are lush green. Among them, July and August are the busiest months, with many festivals held. 🌄[Recommended attractions] ✅Issyk-Kul Lake: One of the most attractive tourist destinations in Kyrgyzstan. This charming lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and has clear water. It is an ideal place for swimming, sunbathing, and hiking. ✅Ala Archa National Park: located on the outskirts of Bishkek, is a popular hiking destination. It boasts stunning mountain views and abundant wildlife and plants, making it an excellent place for outdoor adventures. ✅Tash Rabat is an ancient caravanserai located in the mountainous area near the border of our country. It showcases the fascinating history of Kyrgyzstan as a trade center on the Silk Road. ✅Song-Kol Lake: This high-altitude lake is surrounded by green grasslands and Mongolian yurt camps, making it a popular destination for hiking and horseback riding. In addition, the lake water here is very clear, making it a great place for swimming and fishing. 🍗[Food Recommendation] ✅Beshbarmak is a traditional Kyrgyz dish made with boiled meat, noodles, and onions. ✅Lagman is a type of noodle soup with meat and vegetables, similar to Chinese noodles. ✅Manty is steamed dumplings filled with meat and onions. Samsa is a baked pastry filled with meat or pumpkin. 🛅[Accommodation Recommendation] ✅Hotel: This is an excellent way to experience Kyrgyz hospitality and culture. They are usually family-run and offer home-cooked meals. ✅Yurt Campsite: If you are looking for a unique experience, consider staying at a yurt campsite. These traditional felt tents are built in scenic areas throughout the country. ✅Hotel: There are many hotels in Bishkek and other cities in Kyrgyzstan. They range from budget options to five-star luxury hotels. 🎉[Festival] ✅Nooruz: This is the Kyrgyz New Year, celebrated on March 21st with traditional music, dance, and food. ✅Independence Day: Celebrated on August 31st, this is a national holiday in Kyrgyzstan. Cities across the country usually have parades and fireworks displays. ✅World Nomad Games: Held every two years, this event showcases traditional nomadic sports and cultural activities from around the world. 🛺[Transportation] Taking public transportation in Kyrgyzstan can be challenging as many roads are unpaved and in poor condition. The most popular way to travel is by taxi or marshrutka (minibus). Taxis and rental cars are also available but may be expensive. 💬[Language] The official language of Kyrgyzstan is Kyrgyz, but Russian is also widely used. English is not commonly spoken locally. 💰[Currency] The currency of Kyrgyzstan is the Kyrgyz som. Most major cities have ATMs, but it's best to carry some cash in US dollars or euros as credit cards are not widely accepted. ㊙[Tips] ✅In Kyrgyzstan, dressing appropriately is very important because the country is relatively conservative. ✅Respecting local customs and traditions is also very important, as Kyrgyzstan has a rich nomadic culture. ✅High altitude and dry climate can cause dehydration, so please be sure to drink plenty of water. ✅Although Kyrgyz food is delicious, please pay attention to street food hygiene to avoid getting sick. ✅Kyrgyzstan is an ideal travel destination for outdoor activities, but be fully prepared to deal with constantly changing weather and rugged terrain. In short, Kyrgyzstan is a hidden gem in Central Asia, with stunning natural scenery, rich nomadic culture, and friendly people. Here, you can go hiking in the mountains, stay in a yurt camp, or explore the cities, and we believe it will leave a deep impression on you.