Kyrgyzstan vs. Kazakhstan: A Winter vs. Summer Adventure?
A guide from your friendly neighbourhood explorer to help you make a decision!
I know, I know, Beyond Expeditions offers SO MANY epic locations, how are we supposed to choose?
Luckily for you, I've had the joy of going on two adventures now and hopefully more to come, but till then, here is an honest comparison of my experience in Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan in Winter & Summer to help you choose which adventure you may prefer!
To help you decide, I will cover different topic such as unique activities, atmospheres, packing demands, pace of travel & more in a preference questionnaire style. So, by the end of reading this, you should have a clear winner!
But first, here is a quick introduction on each country:
Kyrgyzstan, Kel Suu Lake, December 2023
Kyrgyzstan is the smallest Central Asian country in terms of population with a little over 7,100,000 people. Their economy is largely supported by their agricultural sector such as cotton. The country is nestled within the grand Tien Shan & Pamir Mountain ranges and is home to Lake Issyk-Kul, the 2nd largest alpine lake in the world, after Lake Titicaca in the Andes Mountains of South America.
Kazakhstan, Kol Sai Lake, June 2024
Kazakhstan is the 9th largest country and the largest landlocked country in the world, home to over 20,500,000 people! Its capital is Astana but the main ancient city is Almaty (also the one you will fly into). Kazakhstan is the richest country in Central Asia in terms of GDP as well as having rich natural resources such as oil, natural gas, minerals and metals. Almaty is visibly modern, rich and diverse in terms of food, activities and more.
Alright, let’s jump into the decision guide!
Am I a summer or Winter person?
The winters in Kyrgyzstan are no joke. It can get down to –30 degrees Celsius. So, if you know that you are not good with the cold or do not enjoy having your extremities in some discomfort, this may not be for you.
Kazahkstan summer on the hand will be a similar climate to Singapore, but thankfully, less humid and at some points of higher elevation, you may even need more layers due to chilly wind.
Of course, you can also visit Kyrgyzstan in the summer and vice versa so this is more of a season preference decision and less a country specific one.
2. Do I have the necessary equipment & clothing?
Hey maybe you love winter & summer equally, that’s totally fine, because I am the same. So, don’t worry, here’s another question to help you choose what is most practical first.
Let’s be honest, winter wear & gear is not cheap! I bought a single set of high-quality merino wool underlayers and it cost over $300. Another option of course is to rent! That is an option that I recommend especially for outerwear such as outer shell jackets and shoes! I personally rented one down jacket & my winter boots that I wore to Kyrgyzstan. You will also need all the other accessories and layers such hats, gloves, scarves etc, so unless you already have a partial or full set from previous winter trips, the trip preparation itself could be quite an investment.
On the other hand, packing for Kazakhstan is very straightforward. Lightweight pants and a top and one layer of jackets for when it gets chilly will suffice to tide you through all the days. Accessories could include hiking shoes, hats, sunglasses, sunblock & insect repellent. I personally wore just nike running trainers and that was fine through all the terrain so don’t worry if you don’t have the newest swanky hiking shoe, you will be fine.
Take a look at your cupboard & decide what’s most financially & practically accessible to you right now.
3. Am I a fast or slow traveller?
Preference for pace of travel is a really big yet personal factor in deciding where to go and who to go with. So of course, let me share some clear contrasts of my experience!
An easy answer is that Winter in Kyrgyzstan is a much slower paced expedition than Summer in Kazakhstan.
Kyrgyzstan, Son Kul Lake, December 2023
There are two main reasons for this:
Being in the thick of winter means that the sun sets early! Around 5pm+ which means that there is usually time for one big activity in the day before night falls and you settle into the accommodation for dinner and conversation to wind down the night
The Kyrgyzstan expedition bring you across north, south and east regions! The purpose for that is to experience great diversity of the best landscapes, but that also requires long hours of driving. There are some days of the trip where after one morning activity like breakfast and a museum visit, the rest could just be driving! The long drives are also to gain elevation, for example, Lake Kel Suu, is at over 3,500masl (metres above sea level), as compared to Bishkek the capital you arrive in, that sits at just 800masl.
Kazakhstan, Charyn Canyon, June 2024
Kazakhstan is a much larger country but the destinations you will be seeing are much closer in proximity to each other, mostly in the southeast region around the city of Almaty. Summer also brings a later sunset, from 5pm+ in winter to closer to 7pm in Summer, meaning more time to be outdoors.
This means two things for the pace of travel:
Kazakhstan covers alot more destinations with most days covering 2 or 3 locations each. Driving times can still be a few hours at a stretch for sure, but not as long as a whole day. If you are someone who loves diversity and are curious to see as much as you can, this would definitely suit your pace.
However, that also does mean that there is less time spent in each location as compared to exploring one location per day in Kyrgyzstan, so if you prefer taking your time to deeply see and experience a new place, perhaps you may prefer the serenity of winter exploration.
To summarise, if you are a fast-paced racer: Kazakhstan Summer
If you are a slower traveller: Kyrgyzstan Winter
4. Am I seeking peace or am I seeking wonder?
This one builds on the previous point on speed & pace of travel. Of course, there is a grand sense of wonder in both countries but there is a reason why I'd describe Kyrgyzstan as more peaceful.
Let me compare the 2 expeditions in terms of activities & tourism.
Activities & Locations:
Kyrgyzstan itinerary spends more time out of the city, with minimal exploration of Bishkek (about a day each at the start & end). Activities include horse riding, playing on frozen lakes, running with eagle hunters and skiing.
Kazakhstan itinerary spends more time in the city as there is also more to see in terms of history & heritage (about 2 days each at the start & end). Activities wise, there is lot more walking and trekking through canyons, horse riding to lakes (though the rides are much shorter than in Kyrgyzstan), a cable car ride, and climbing up & sliding down a sand dune.
Level of Tourism:
As mentioned earlier, Kazakhstan is a richer & larger country that draws more crowds. Coupled with the peak summer season, you will be seeing alot more other tourist groups and the city centre will be bustling and vibrant with local life.
This contrasts with my time in Kyrgyzstan in the winter where the mood was more quiet, calm and reflective. There were even a few days where we (the small BE group, our guides and hosts) were the only people you will see around.
Essentially, if you don’t do so well with solitude and want to see Central Asian city life, a Kazakhstan summer maybe better for you, but if you are looking for a rare chance of experiencing silence in your surroundings, perhaps to find stillness within yourself, a Kyrgyzstan winter may be a more transformative experience.
5. Am I okay with roughing it out do I want comfort?
Here’s the big one! I know many of you who are thinking of going on your first outback adventure feel worried about the sleeping & toilet situation. Fair concern coming from the comforts, cleanliness and convenience of Singapore. So let me give you the low down on accommodation styles & toilets:
Kyrgyzstan, Son Kul Lake, December 2023
Kyrgyzstan Winter:
There will be one night in a yurt (no shower) and two nights in a container home (also no shower) but honestly, it will be so cold that trust me, you wouldn’t want to take a shower anyway. Personally, it wasn't hard to not take a shower, but you can pack wet wipes to wipe down if that makes you feel better.
The rest of the nights are in cosy guest stay homes with modern bathroom and toilets. When you are outdoors in the yurt and container home, the bathroom is a simple rustic hole in the ground but it comes with a premium landscape view that no hotel bathroom could ever beat.
Kazakhstan Summer:
You are well taken care of in this expedition and every night is in a hotel (Almaty) or guesthouse (elsewhere), all equipped with proper showers & bathrooms.
You may be wondering why I am not comparing food, but the easy answer is that both cuisines are similar and absolutely delicious, more importantly, absolutely abundant. Every single day is filled with breakfast, lunch and dinner with generous serving and mouth-watering diversity. You'll be well fed in both places I promise.
The Final Decision
Kazakhstan, Bestamak Canyon, June 2024
The truth is, whichever you choose, you will enjoy yourself if you set that intention.
Nevertheless, this guide is meant to help you make a more informed choice, especially if this is your first time travelling with Beyond Expeditions.
Let me summarise the key guides I shared above in a table:
Ultimately, the choice between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan in different seasons depends on your personal preferences, travel goals and availability. Consider your interests, desired activities, and tolerance for crowds when making your decision. Both countries offer unique and unforgettable experiences, so truly, you can't go wrong.
Hope this helps & enjoy!
Photographs & Words by Kahmy
Kahmy is an adventurous dreamer & jack of many trades. She travels the world with her camera, journal & open heart.
With boundless energy & courage, she feels called to inspire people to reconnect with themselves, nature and each other.
Watch more of her travel stories & tips on Youtube!
