Kyrgyzstan, a stunning gem in the heart of Central Asia, is known for its breathtaking mountains, rich culture, and warm hospitality.
However, regardless of whether you’re trekking through the Tian Shan mountains, exploring Bishkek’s vibrant markets, or experiencing the nomadic lifestyle firsthand, packing smartly is key to enjoying your adventure. Here’s a comprehensive Kyrgyzstan packing list to ensure you’re well-prepared trip for your trip – from someone who used to live there!
Bring Plenty of Layered Clothing!
- Base Layers: Quick-drying and lightweight tops and bottoms are essential for comfort, especially if you’re hiking.
- Mid Layers: Fleece or wool sweaters, which can be easily added or removed for warmth.
- Outer Layer: A waterproof and windproof jacket is crucial for unpredictable weather, which can occur with no notice, even in the capital!
Due to its inland location, Central Asia experiences highly seasonal and variable weather. In Bishkek, I often found myself wearing a thick jacket (Soviet-style, of course) during my morning walk to work, only to be sitting outside with a cup of coffee in just a t-shirt by lunchtime. While the country is generally dry, when it does rain, it pours. As a result, it’s wise to pack a range of layers that can be easily added or removed as the weather changes.
If you’re coming in the Summer, expect temperatures of up to 40OC… or higher in the Ferghana Valley. However, if planning a trip to Song Kol – possibly the most beautiful place in Kyrgyzstan – or indeed anywhere up in the mountains, it may struggle to get above 10OC even on a July afternoon.
Visiting in winter? Be prepared for temperatures to drop into the negative double digits… and then remain there for weeks on end. It’s wise to add a warm jacket to your Kyrgyzstan packing list, or you can buy one after you arrive — if you can brave the short walk from the airport to the market!
Invest in Some Excellent Footwear:
- Hiking Boots: Sturdy, waterproof boots for trekking, or for longer explorations.
- Casual Shoes: Comfortable shoes or sandals for shorter city trips.
- Warm Socks: Bring wool or thermal socks for cold weather, even in summer.
Be sure to pack several types of sturdy footwear. Even in Bishkek, you’ll encounter some challenging footpaths and roads that haven’t been maintained since the Soviet period. While it’s a charming city to walk around, overflowing with parks and interesting architecture, don’t be surprised if you go through a pair of shoes by doing this.
Once you venture outside of Bishkek, you’ll probably find yourself outdoors. And while you may see your fellow tourists going for a “short walk” in sandals or flip-flops, this becomes a distinctly bad idea very quickly. is nice for the summer, prioritize shoes that are comfortable and suitable for walking.
Many houses, especially in the South, prefer guests to take off their shoes before entering. Consider bringing a pair of slippers or similar for this, although they will often be provided – and you can buy excellent Kyrgyz felt ones instead of adding them to a Kyrgyzstan packing list before leaving home.
If you plan to visit during the winter, keep in mind that the footpaths can become quite icy and will not be gritted. In that case, ensure you have a good pair of boots with decent traction, or you will go flying!
Bring your Favourite Pieces of Hiking Gear:
- Trekking Pants: Lightweight and quick-drying pants are ideal for hiking and can be thrown over shorts or thermals.
- Shorts: Comfortable shorts for warmer days in the cities, or longer treks in summer.
- Long-Sleeved Shirts: Adds an extra layer and protect against the harsh mountain sun and numerous insects in the summer.
- Insect Repellant: Mosquito repellent to ward off bites, especially in the summer months.
Obviously, ignore this if you do not plan on hiking, but you would be missing one of the best things about Kyrgyzstan!
If you’re an experienced hiker, you’ve likely built up a personal collection of favourite gear and accessories such as trekking poles. Given Kyrgyzstan’s mountainous terrain, a pleasant day at 1,000 meters can feel quite different as the sun sets 2,000 meters higher up the pass. Packing lightweight layers and keeping them handy while you’re outdoors will help you adapt to these changing conditions.
Perhaps Leave your Louis Vuitton Suitcase at Home…
On our group and private tours, we try and avoid you having to carry your luggage far. However, “accessible building design” hasn’t remotely taken off in Kyrgyzstan, and there are occasions where an easily portable bag will make everyone’s life much easier.
It’s advisable to bring a soft-shell case instead of a hard suitcase, as they are generally easier to carry on rough terrain. On domestic flights, the checked luggage allowance can be as low as 15 kg, and many international airlines serving the country charge extra for any checked bags. If you do decide to check anything, be prepared for potential mishandling. The rugged terrain may also lead to damage, despite everyone’s best efforts.
Bring a Decent Power Bank!
A power bank is a good device to have anywhere in the world, but especially to include on your Kyrgyzstan packing list! Many yurts lack power outlets or have ones that don’t work. We highly recommend you go camping in the Kyrgyz wilderness, but sources of electricity will likely be non-existent, leaving you without a way to charge your camera or phone.
Even if you’re not doing anything “outdoorsy,” the country is extremely mountainous, making bus rides long. Do not expect vehicles to have outlets. Blackouts, while rare, do occur outside of Bishkek – you’ll be thankful for that powerbank if you’re caught in one!
Save Space for those Last Accessories:
- Sunscreen: High SPF is essential at high altitudes, which almost all of Kyrgyzstan is. This is true even if you don’t normally burn and it appears cold outside.
- Lip Balm: For most of the year, the air is extremely dry, and even those who don’t usually need lip balm find themselves glad to have put it on their Kyrgyzstan packing list.
- Sunglasses: Protect your eyes from the high-altitude sun. While they are sold everywhere in Kyrgyzstan, almost none have UV protection, and those that do are very expensive.
- Universal adapters: Kyrgyzstan uses 220V plugs of the Type C and F varieties, the same as in Western Europe. If you come from a country that doesn’t use this then bring an adapter.
The benefits of bringing a torch (or flashlight as our North American friends call it) deserve their own paragraph. It’s essential for nights spent in yurts and for navigating Bishkek after dark, a city known for having notoriously bad street lighting. While we know most phones come equipped with a flashlight feature, having a dedicated torch on your Kyrgyzstan packing list can be a lifesaver when your phone – and powerbank – run out of battery during a multi-day trip in the mountains.
Don’t Forget your Medication!
While this may sound obvious, there are a few pieces of advice that we have specifically for this Kyrgyzstan packing list, as well as the wider region.
The country has numerous pharmacies, and they can be found even in the most remote of villages. They are clearly labelled as АПТЕКА in Russian and ДАРЫКАНА in Kyrgyz. However, the labelling will be in Cyrillic only, supplies may be limited, and don’t expect your favourite Western brand to be available. They are (usually) inexpensive, though.
Pads can be found in most supermarkets and pharmacies, but tampons are still unusual, so bring a plentiful supply of feminine hygiene products. Condoms can be found in most shops, but other contraceptives are rare.
Bring anti-nausea medication, both for upset stomachs and motion sickness, as they can be difficult to find in-country.
If in doubt, or want some more generic tips when it comes to health, then we recommend checking out our article which outlines seven essential health tips for globe-trotters!
A Note on Cameras and Drones…
There are no restrictions on bringing drones into Kyrgyzstan. However, bear in mind that they’re banned in neighbouring Uzbekistan if you’re planning a trip across the Stans. There are a few places in the country where they can’t be used, but they are covered in signs and, honestly, should be common sense!
In terms of taking pictures, the country is a photographer’s dream for nature lovers, historians, and urban explorers alike. However, remember the obvious courtesies – this means not shoving cameras into people’s faces without permission.
Now you have a Kyrgyzstan Packing List… Ready to Head Off?
With this packing list, you’ll now be ready to embark on your Kyrgyz adventure.
If you’re still unsure where to start with planning a trip to Kyrgyzstan, then look no further than YPT! We come to Kyrgyzstan at least 4 times a year as part of our “Five Stans” trip, spending an average of five nights in the nation.
Alternatively, if you want to organize a private tour to suit your needs, time, and interests, let us know and we will craft the perfect itinerary for you. We can put together anything from a city tour to more specialized schedules such as architecture or political tours. Just drop us an email here and we’ll get back to you soon.
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