More than 90% of Kyrgyzstan’s territory is occupied by mountain ranges. The country impresses tourists with its majestic natural landscapes.
Nature tourism is usually considered a reliable way to escape the crowds, but in many popular European destinations, even it doesn’t always save. In some places, visitor flows have been restricted and fees for such active recreation as hiking have been raised, while elsewhere ecological fees have been introduced amid a record influx of tourists.
For adventure lovers who truly want to break away from civilization, Kyrgyzstan positions itself as one of the best destinations. Since more than 90% of the country’s territory is occupied by mountain ranges, it’s almost certain you’ll enjoy stunning natural landscapes away from the crowds here.
Kyrgyzstan (source in English) offers tourists an impressive natural spectacle, said Erdenet Kasymov, Director of the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic, in an interview with Euronews at the ITB Berlin tourism exhibition.
“We have three peaks over 7,000 meters and about 25 peaks over 6,000 meters,” he says. “Therefore, Kyrgyzstan is primarily associated with mountain tourism. In the mountains, guests can feel one with nature: untouched landscapes, rivers, lakes, and gorges.”
In the wild, travelers can also get to know Kyrgyzstan’s nomadic communities, who ascend to high-altitude pastures in summer. They are famous for their hospitality and introduce tourists to traditional dishes such as beshbarmak (boiled meat with noodles) and kumis (fermented mare’s milk drink).
Tourists can learn more about nomadic cultural traditions, such as horseback riding, eagle hunting, and making felt carpets that decorate yurts.
For those who want to get closer to nomadic culture, it’s especially worth going to Kyrgyzstan this year: the sixth World Nomad Games will be held here from August 31 to September 6, 2026.
“As part of our ongoing work, Kyrgyzstan positions itself as a destination for adventure tourism, ecotourism, and ethno-tourism, where travelers can truly feel one with nature,” says Kasymov.
He recommends visiting in spring—for alpinism, ascents to various peaks, as well as gastronomic tourism. At the same time, according to him, the authorities are striving to make Kyrgyzstan a year-round tourist destination.
A trip to Kyrgyzstan for Europeans involves virtually no bureaucracy. Citizens of more than 60 countries, including most European states, can visit the country without a visa. According to Kasymov, the authorities are working to expand this list.
Infrastructure is also improving. “We are reconstructing our airports and creating favorable conditions for tourists,” he says. “Roads are being repaired throughout the country.”
To enhance traveler safety, according to Kasymov, mandatory insurance is being introduced in the country, as most guests come for extreme and adventure tourism.
He adds that the Sustainable Tourism Development Program until 2030 has been adopted, which defines priority areas for the industry. Parallel work is underway on a state system for classifying accommodation facilities and sustainability criteria that fully comply with international standards.
Kasymov also reported that Kyrgyzstan, together with neighboring Central Asian countries, plans to create a “single tourist space where travelers can visit several countries in one trip” with one visa.
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Perfect for culturally curious travelers who want more than a standard sightseeing trip. Ideal for those who want a balanced combination of nature, authentic nomadic life, UNESCO heritage cities, and real Silk Road history — all in one seamless journey across three countries.
