Olivia Huerta recently travelled through Kyrgyzstan in our Roamer campaign, equipped with the 100-Litre Duffel, to explore the mountains, soak up the culture, and experience nomadic traditions. Fortunately for us and you, Olivia put together a comprehensive travel guide from her time in Kyrgyzstan, detailing her itinerary over the six days.
I got the chance to put together a last-minute trip to explore somewhere new. Obsessed with mountains and rich cultures, Kyrgyzstan felt perfect. Even if it’s on the other side of the world, ten hours isn’t bad for a week of adventure. I often travel for work, but never anything spontaneous. Nervous, excited, and alive, I asked two friends who share my love for mountains and culture — Maryam, an artist into archery and craftsmanship, and Martin, fascinated by nomadic life and Silk Road history.
Day 0 – Preparing for a last-minute Kyrgyzstan adventure.
At 6 a.m., Martin texted from the hospital — breathing issues meant no flying. Not wanting to lose the chance to bring someone, I called my friend Nina seven times at 7:30 a.m.
“Do you want to go to Kyrgyzstan tomorrow? Tickets are booked.”
Day 1 – Arriving in Bishkek, the capital city.
After ten hours, we landed in foggy, rainy Bishkek at 8 a.m. I hadn’t even checked the weather and started to worry it might pour all week.
I messaged Becca (@kyrgyzgirl__), who runs a local guiding company: “We want to see as much as possible in five days — culture, archery, mountains. Our plan is no plan.” She replied instantly, invited us to dinner, and mapped out a full route. She couldn’t join but sent a driver to pick us up at 9 a.m. the next morning.
Day 2 – Exploring Burana Tower and horseback riding in Chon Kemin valley
At 9, Danil arrived to show us Kyrgyzstan in five days. First stop: Burana Tower, remains of the Silk Road city Balasagun. Once 45m tall, now half that after centuries of earthquakes. Around it stood balbals — ancient stone grave markers shaped like people. Warm wind, endless steppe — like walking through a history book.
We climbed the narrow tower, barely fitting inside, and the view was worth it. Maryam looked out and said, “Happiness doesn’t come from inside, but from the mountain outside.”
We continued to Chon Kemin Valley, staying with a local family between mountains and wild nature. Ancient burial mounds surrounded the valley, said to be over 2,000 years old.
After settling in, Danil suggested a short horseback trip — my second time ever. The landscape was unreal; fall colors glowed in the light. My horse walked slow enough for endless photos.
Day 3 – From Chon Kemin to Karakol
Finally well-rested, we set off. Our first stop: Ruh Ordo in Cholpon Ata — a cultural complex symbolizing unity between religions. During Soviet times, faith was forbidden, so this place felt especially meaningful.
Then toward Karakol, near Issyk-Kul Lake. Danil casually told us we’d be riding five hours and climbing three more to Ala-Kul Pass (nearly 4,000m) the next day. We said yes immediately. Lacking warm gloves, we scoured the town until finding work gloves in a supermarket before crashing at the hotel.
Day 4 – Trek to Ala-Kul pass
At 6 a.m., a Russian UAZ-469 honked outside — time for the mountains. The rough road tossed us around, but we couldn’t stop laughing.
I prepped with allergy pills and mounted my horse. The snowy valley felt otherworldly, peaks rising 5–7,000 meters high. After hours, we dismounted to climb. Nina stayed behind, feeling altitude sickness, while Maryam and I continued upward. The steep snow made it feel like alpine climbing. Maryam was unstoppable. At the pass, strong wind and an insane view over the turquoise lake. We ate a dry fish and an orange before descending.
Day 5 – Jeti Oguz and the Fairytale Canyon
The ride down was rough, and this time we were too tired to laugh. Back in Karakol, we switched cars and headed to Jeti Oguz and the Fairytale Canyon. From freezing mountains to desert heat in hours — Kyrgyzstan felt like five countries in one.
At sunset, we met eagle hunter Nursultan and his family on the steppe. His seven-year-old son already trains his own eagle. They joked that female eagles are bigger and smarter — “just like you three.” Eagles hunt for 15–20 years before being released.
Maryam finally tried horseback archery, saying it felt raw and true — harder but more real. Practicing with traditional bows made us reflect on learning from the source — tracing things back to their roots.
That night, we stayed in a yurt by Issyk-Kul Lake. I took a cold swim; we slept like babies.
Day 6 – Return to Bishkek
The drive back felt bittersweet. Danil stopped often for photos, sensing we didn’t want it to end. In Bishkek, we shopped for handmade wool slippers — somehow fitting them all into our 100L Roamer Duffels.
That evening, Becca joined us for dinner. None of us could believe how much we’d seen and done in just six days — mountains, culture, history, and friendship packed into one unforgettable week.