Bishkek and the Northwest occupy the northern and northwest parts of Kyrgyzstan, north of the Ferghana Valley and south of Kazakhstan.
Bishkek – The capital and cosmopolitan center of the country, beautiful and interesting.
Kyzyl-Oy – A village popular with foreign tourists, has beautiful orange mountains around it and a mountain valley for hiking and yurt stay. Also gateway to the eastern regions of Kyrgyzstan.
Suusamyr – A small village in the Suusamyr Valley off the Bishkek-Osh highway.
Talas – A modern far off town with the popular Manar Ordo pilgrimage complex nearby, just north of Besh-Tash National Park.
Tokmok – Dwarfed by nearby Bishkek, but still large by Kyrgyzstani standards, Tokmok is a dull industrial center right by the ancient Burana Tower and the ruins of an ancient Silk Road capital, Ak-Beshim. 50 som by marshrutka.
Bishkek and the Northwest consist of the following 3 administrative districts: Bishkek and the Chuy Region 📍 in the north, and the Talas Region 📍 in the northwest.
See Naryn Region#Get around on how to travel between the western part of Kyrgyzstan and its eastern regions using the Kyzart Pass between Kochkor and Kyzyl-Oy or Suusamyr, respectively.
Bishkek's Manas International Airport (IATA: FRU)
See Kyrgyzstan#Get around for all general information on how to move around in Kyrgyzstan.
The road between Bishkek and Osh goes over two passes of about 3,600 m above sea level. At the Too Ashuu (Тео-Ашуу) pass near Bishkek, there is a 2 km long tunnel. It may be a good idea to try to hitch a lift in a car through the tunnel. But there is also a trail over the mountain ridge. Which however is almost impossible with heavy bicycles, because the trail on the northern side of the mountain is blocked by some landslides but manageable on foot.
Note, the tunnel at the Tör-ashuu pass on the highway between Bishkek and Osh isn't at 2,500 m as it is mentioned on most maps rather is at 3,100 m.
Burana Tower, 42.746476°, 75.250382°. All that remains of the ancient Silk Road capital of Balasagun, a massive minaret standing alone on the step. It is surrounded by some beautiful countryside. At the same site, there are also a small museum, some petroglyphs, burial mounds and remains of walls. The tower is just outside the close-by town of Tokmok, which can be reached with a frequent minibus departing from the east bus station of Bishkek (50 som). From Tokmok take a taxi or a bus, departing around 09:30, 12:00 and 15:00, to Burana. The buses return to Tokmok around 14:00 and 16:00. Or just hitch-hike. 60 som to climb the tower, 50 som (per group?) to enter the museum 2019-05-20
Suusamyr Valley (Суусамыр), 42.1941°, 73.5612°. Formed by the Suusamyr River, this valley lies to both sides of the Bishek-Osh highway between the Too Ashuu Pass and the junction towards Talas. At 2,000-2,500 m (asl) it is bordered by the Suusamyr Too (to the south) and Kyrgyz Ala-Too (to the north) mountain ranges of the Tian Shan. The valley offers beautiful valley views of the dusk and dawn sun soaked in the warmest colours, numerous yurts for overnighting and dinning, local sheep and horse herds, impressive sights of the snow-capped mountains around the valley, and just a very relaxing and calm atmosphere as soon as you are a few 100 m away from the highway. Since most (western) tourists focus on Issyk Kul and the (south)eastern part of Kyrgyzstan, this place is also very untouristy and much more authentic. You will probably still find the one or other nomad offering horseback riding, but for far less then used to in the more touristy places. Follow the river east, by Suusamyr village, for an even more remote feeling. 2019-03-25
Ötmök Pass (3,326 m), 42.276309°, 73.182208°. A mountain pass in the Talas Alatau mountain range. Many people stop here on their ride to/from Talas for the great view (when the weather permits). Great panorama and a few yurts to have tea and stay overnight. 2019-03-26
Graves. There are a few interesting graveyards around Suusamyr village. 2019-03-26
Too Ashuu Pass (Тео-Ашуу), 42.34379°, 73.80632°. The name literally means "camel pass". It is a great stop and hike between Bishkek and Osh. Instead of going through the tunnel, a hike across the mountain range (3,575 m) will be rewarded with magnificent views. There is a ski resort on the southern slope of the mountain. 2019-03-21
Alamedin Gorge (Аламедин), 42.6742°, 74.6797°. A beautiful valley along the Alamedin River with 2019-03-25
Hiking routes from Alamedin Gorge include: - Alamedin Gorge - Alamedin Pass - Ortokel lake - Issyk Ata. The trail goes over Alamedin Pass 📍 (4,037 m), by the beautiful Ortokel glacier lake 📍 and down again to Issyk Ata 📍 village thought the Issyk Ata Nature Reserve. Download coordinates: GPX, KML. 2019-03-25 - Alamedin Gorge - Glaciers - Ala Archa National Park. The trail goes across the glaciers and is a demanding mountain hike with equipement necessary. Download coordinates: GPX, KML. 2019-03-25
Please see the relevant city articles for details.
There are many yurts in the Suusamyr Valley offering overnight stays. You cannot miss them going along the highway. Also, you will find a few on the way up to Ötmök Pass.