What can I do near Bishkek?

Ala Archa National Park is the star — day hikes to waterfalls and glaciers and introductory alpine climbs, all within an hour of the city.

When is the best time to visit?

May to October for hiking and climbing; the city is hot in July and August, when the cool of the mountains is welcome.

Is it good for a first trip?

Yes — easy logistics, guides and beginner-friendly graded routes make Bishkek and Ala Archa an ideal introduction to the Kyrgyz mountains.

Things to do in Bishkek

Kyrgyzstan's leafy, Soviet-planned capital sits on the steppe with the Kyrgyz Ala-Too filling the southern skyline. It is the arrival point for most visitors and a surprisingly good base for mountain days, with serious peaks less than an hour away and the country's best choice of guides and gear.

Peaks on the doorstep

Beginner mountaineering courses and day hikes in nearby Ala Archa National Park, and gravel rides on the city-fringe canyon roads. Bishkek is the natural staging post for trips across northern Kyrgyzstan. Open the Book here tab to see what is running.