Hiking in the Ak-Suu mountain region of Kyrgyzstan is one of the highlights of Central Asia. Snow capped mountains, remote lakes, thermal springs, great hiking routes, and a feeling of being in a place that the modern world has largely untouched. You still see farmers moving their animals to markets on the same routes you are hiking and people generally being open and friendly to help you. Also, without the usual hoards of tourists for a place so beautiful . . . I mean, how many people have Kyrgyzstan on their summer holiday list?
As with all places in Kyrgyzstan, there isn’t really an established infrastructure to make things easy for you when you arrive, but this is all part of the charm and giving you that feeling of adventure. So, I’ve added some tips below for how to get the most out of the trip.