Thread by @khyatimaloo

If Kyrgyzstan wasn’t on your radar, it’s time to fix that! Starting December 7, @FlyTezJet will fly direct from Delhi to Bishkek. And I’ve got just the right 7-day self-drive Kyrgyzstan itinerary.
Why self-drive Kyrgyzstan?
Because the country feels built for it. You don’t need to be an off-road expert for this particular itinerary, just a confident driver who loves wide skies and quiet roads. 1/9

Before you go, a few must-knows.
1. You don’t need a 4x4 for this itinerary.
2. Avoid night driving because the lighting is poor, and potholes sneak up on you.
3. Book yurts through WhatsApp, use Google Translate for messages in Kyrgyz, and check Visit Karakol if your route goes near the borders.
4. Police checks happen, but everyone’s polite if you are. Carry documents, drive responsibly, and you’ll be golden.
2/9

Day 1 – Bishkek
Land, pick up your rental, and ease into it. Bishkek has tree-lined streets, Soviet facades, and mountain views in the distance. Stock up on essentials like snacks, 10-litre water cans, disinfectant, and earplugs. Stay at Nomad Inn if you’re on a budget, or Futuro Hotel for something comfier. Wander through Oak Park, eat lagman noodles at a roadside café, and rest early. The next day, the real adventure begins. 3/9

Day 2 – Bishkek → Skazka Canyon → Issyk Kul Lake
Five hours, 300 km, and the scenery just keeps getting better. Pack your own lunch because the route is mostly empty. Skazka Canyon (Fairy Tale Canyon) is your first real taste of Kyrgyz beauty. A red-gold maze sculpted by wind. Make a quick detour to Aalam Ordo, an abandoned cultural site that feels eerie and poetic. End the day at a yurt camp by Issyk Kul Lake. 4/9

Day 3 – Karakol & Altyn Arashan Valley
Drive two hours (130 km) to Karakol, a peaceful town framed by peaks. Drop your main bags at your hotel and take a marshrutka or taxi to Ak-Suu, the starting point for your 15 km hike into Altyn Arashan Valley. The trail winds through pine forests, wooden bridges, and rivers. Cars can’t handle this path, not even tough 4x4s. The valley rewards you with raw silence, steaming hot springs, and an overwhelming sense of being far from everything. 5/9

Day 4 – Altyn Arashan
Stay in a simple yurt or wooden guesthouse surrounded by mountains and meadows. Book a private hour in the rustic hot-spring huts, no spa lights, just mineral heat and mist curling into the cold air. Walk a trail, drink endless cups of tea, or just sit and watch clouds roll by. This is the kind of slow travel that resets you completely. Nights here are quiet, dark, and perfect for stargazing. 6/9

Days 5–6 – Ala-Kul Lake Hike or Horse Ride
Time to choose your own pace.
Option 1 (Chill): Stay based in Altyn Arashan and do a horse day-trip to Ala-Kul Lake, a turquoise alpine lake surrounded by jagged ridges.
Option 2 (Active): Take on the full Ala-Kul Loop via Yurt Camp Sirota and Aydin-Kol Camp. It’s steep, gravelly, and every view feels unreal. Return to Karakol on Day 6, dusty, tired and amazed! 7/9

Day 7 – Karakol → Bishkek
Start early for your final stretch. Take the scenic detour through Jeti-Oguz, famous for its red cliffs called the Seven Bulls. Stop for photos, stretch your legs, and maybe grab lunch at a roadside café overlooking the valley. The drive back to Bishkek takes about seven hours, but it never feels long with the mountains keeping you company. If you can, stay one more night in the capital. Order plov, relive the week, and raise a toast to Kyrgyzstan. 8/9

Save this thread for when you need a destination that feels different from anywhere else you’ve been. And if you’d like a custom Kyrgyzstan itinerary, check my pinned tweet. I plan so you can just show up hungry, curious, and ready. 9/9