Trek the Tian Shan Mountains of Kyrgyzstan

A truly one of a kind adventure in an incredible landscape. The MBA team’s attention to detail and admin was top notch, and our local guides (Nursultan, Danyiar, Abdurakhman + driver Mikhail and the horsemen) made the trip so memorable with their humour and kindness. Of the days in the mountains, the first two and the last day of hiking I found very challenging - long days & steep ascents in the heat. But the guides and group were very understanding and compassionate for this slow hiker in the back :) The middle days of trekking were very doable with moderate fitness level, and the trip is bookended by moderate day hikes to some more popular tourist sites. The kit list was very helpful, although we had no rain, I used almost everything else. Kyrgyzstan is unlike any place I’ve ever traveled to before - cannot recommend enough.

From start to finish, this trip was seamless, well organised and unforgettable. A little piece of me has stayed in Kyrgyzstan and I can't wait to return one day.

The landscape was breathtaking — towering peaks, vast alpine meadows, and crystal-clear rivers (which some of us in the group swam in) and our wild camping spots were incredible too.

The hiking routes were challenging but rewarding and our guides Viktor, Adai and Adyl were knowledgeable, friendly and passionate about their homeland. They even went to the extra effort of making as much food gluten free as possible for an allergy.

One of the highlights was staying in traditional yurts and stargazing at night. We saw the Milky Way every night which was such a treat.

Much Better Adventures did a fantastic job of balancing adventure and culture and it was clear that sustainability and supporting local communities were a priority throughout the trip.

If you're looking for a unique, off-the-beaten-track adventure that connects you with nature and culture in a meaningful way, I couldn’t recommend this trip more!

Great trek with lovely group of people in a beautiful country, away from all the noise, bliss!

Wow!

If you are reading this review, that means you're probably interested, my best advice to you is DO IT!

This trek is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see one of the last remaining true wildernesses in the world. You will be walking up and down mountains, meeting so many cool and interesting people, and you will be supported the whole time by caring and helpful guides who are all fluent in English, and are happy to help with whatever problem you may have. The walking pace is set by the group, so it never felt too fast or too slow. It is challenging but you will be supported by the group every step of the way. I have left with memories that will last a lifetime and group of adventuring friends. The views are spectacular. Every part of the country is beautiful. There is nothing I would have done differently or wished I would have known before booking. Treat the kit list like gospel and be prepared for the time of your life.

This is a truly spectacular trek. Every day delivered new and spectacular scenery. From red canyons, to pine forests to snow capped mountains with glistening lakes… Kyrgyzstan is stunning. Adeel, Aidai and Danir looked after us so well - knowledgeable, fun and professional. This is an incredibly well organised trip. I absolutely loved it!

This was one of the best trips I’ve ever been on. I’d thoroughly recommend it and it’s inspired me to travel more around Central Asia.

The scenery and landscape was so varied but all stunning. The group was lovely and the guides were attentive. There was plenty of food and on the whole, they catered well for vegetarians (one time when a restaurant served beef in a vegetarian dish, the guides swiftly arranged for a new dish). The hike itself was challenging with some very steep ascents but manageable. We had all weathers from 36C in Bishkek to a blizzard during the hike but the kit list covered exactly what we needed. I’d make sure you have good walking boots that you have hiked in during hot weather and good walking socks - those with blisters struggled with the hike.

This is a special trip to a unique and still largely undiscovered gem. I found the hiking very manageable, the views were amazing, we had a great group, and I made some very nice memories. The camp food was impressive and plentiful, and they did well at catering for vegetarians and those with allergies.

Some advice: invest in good gear - it will make or break your trip. The nights are very cold, so pack warm clothing, and unless you have a good sleeping bag I would rent one from MBA - as then there is also more space in your own bag. Also definitely buy a travel, insulated airbed - I really regretted not having one. We had some rain in August - so make sure you have waterproofs. A water filter system like Sawyer or Life straw is key - tablets don't work well as they don't eliminate any debris in the water. Finally I would recommend arriving 1 or 2 days before the start of the trip to recover from jet lag and see a bit more of Bishkek.

I perhaps wouldn't do this trip if you haven't been at altitude before - as it's quite an extreme way to test it out considering you are so remote. It would be great to have a communal tent where people can sit and socialise in the evening before the meals. Because it was so cold we couldn't sit outside so most evenings people were in their tents until the dinner was ready. It would be great to have somewhere to warm up and play cards etc with the group.

Otherwise its a really great trip and the trek really is spectacular.

This trip surpassed my already high expectations, from our guides, the campsites, the food, the group and of course the scenery and views. Everything was 10/10!

Couldn’t recommend this trip enough. Kyrgyzstan will definitely be a country I visit again further down the line!

The first two days are crossing valleys, with some steep climbs and descents interspersed with crystal-clear mountain streams. Rewards include a hidden canyon and a field of rosemary! After a night in a yurt the "real" trek begins, a steady incline toward the looming snow-capped peaks. The valley sides narrow, we pass fields of monstrous boulders lying sleepily in the grassy meadows. The last yurt homestead, and turn to climb toward the high-altitude upland "jailoo". En-route is the most picturesque lakeside camp you can imagine. Gray Marmots play in the sunshine, unperturbed by our passing.

Expertly led by an experienced team of local guides and horsemen, the trek was an unforgettable experience.

I loved this trip.

This trip absolutely lives up to all the glowing reviews. I had the most amazing time, loved challenging myself with the hikes, enjoyed the cultural experiences, and appreciated the warmth of our guides, horsemen and driver. I'm so glad I did this trip, and am already eyeing up my next MBA adventure in Central Asia.

A fantastic trip with very few areas for improvement

Excellent - Kyrgyzstans nature is beautiful

Excellent trek. Very well organized and matched the description.

Well-organised adventure shared with like-minded people and experienced local guides and horsemen. We were able to swim most days on the multi day trek in (cold) rivers and lakes, with the trek bookended by shower-saunas if desired. The guesthouses and hotels were well-chosen. The trek itself required only a moderate level of fitness, with the weather having the potential to take the challenge up a notch. We had only an hour or so of rain so it was relatively easy going. Treat the kit list as a bible - I used it all, albeit most of the cold weather gear only on the last night of camping. The eagle hunters are magnificent. A big recommend for this tour - and a shout-out to Fabien who managed on-the-ground admin impeccably.

Incredible trip! Exactly what I was looking for for in terms of visiting Kyrgyzstan off the beaten track, experiencing the local cultures, cuisines, past times and landscapes.

Amazing walk through the Tian Shan Mountains. The hike was tough but doable if you have a decent level of fitness. The scenery was stunning and we walked along a mix of roads and paths as we wound up into the mountains. The weather was really changeable and we had some rain most days so definitely make sure to bring rain trousers/jacket and bring more socks than you think you'll need. Having a dry/clean pair of socks to put on at camp in the evenings was a dream.

Jaw dropping scenery, best camp sites ever experienced, good physical exertion, cultural immersion and constant lovely little surprises. I left with a little piece of Kyrgystan in my heart.

I could not recommend this trip more - Kyrgyzstan is a magical country and this trek is the perfect way to explore its spectacular valleys, canyons and nature. Plus, not many tourists around which I loved.

The enthusiasm and genuine passion of our guides Victor, Adyl and Aidai made this the best guided tour I have ever done, a real dream team! A big thanks to the rest of our the crew and all our group for all the fun and laughs!

In a nutshell - BOOK NOW!! You wont' regret it, I promise :)

Mountains landscapes breathtaking

This was an excellent mountain adventure, made even better by the thoughtful and fun guiding from Victor, Adyl and Aidai (plus the horsemen and the drivers) together with a fantastic group of fellow trekkers!

Spectacular country showcased by our guide - Victor, whose infectious enthusiasm for Kyrgyzstan and the mountains, made it one of the most fun trips I’ve been on. He and his team can’t be praised enough for how enjoyable they made the trip!

Kyrgyzstan itself was beautiful and there was incredible scenery and views basically every day. The people we encountered were all so friendly too.

If you enjoy hiking in amazing places then I’d highly recommend the trip.

I booked MBAs because I had an amazing guide for my Kilimanjaro hike. Kyrgyzstan felt so foreign to me that I knew I needed another guided service again.

Let me start by saying how beautiful the mountain ranges are here. You can experience them even in the city center. The people are kind and welcoming. The tour hits all the highlights on my checklist: horseback riding, eagle hunting, a city tour and beach day on Issyk kul lake.

The hike itself wasn’t technically difficult. The path was pretty straightforward, with a few steep climbs. We even reached the 4000m mark on the last day! Some hiking days were quite long, but honestly, the longest and most tiring part was the 8-9 hour drive to and from the starting point. Thankfully, our guide kept us entertained throughout the journey.

The landscapes were so beautiful and pristine. Each day in the mountains was more beautiful than the last. Aybek, Abdu, and the team took care of us like family.

This trip was incredible throughout. The lead guide Victor was world-class, and the assistants, Adyl and Aidai were incredible as well.

The scenery in this trek was astounding and diverse. In one day, it feels like you go from the Swiss Alps to the Utah Canyons and back again.

We covered a decent amount of ground, but the trekking wasn't too difficult. The coolest part was that we didn't see a single other tourist group-- only an occasional shepherd. This is some of the most untouched nature you'll find!

Good, itinerary needs some work

Based on the reviews I was expecting a great trip. I got that and more ! Amazing week in the mountains - varied scenery and fantastic guides. If you’re debating this trip, book !! You won’t be sorry :)

An incredible trip! It was a privilege to walk in such remote areas, with an unbelievable variety of landscapes, from arid canyons to lush green grass and the smell of wild thyme. A special thanks to the local tour operator, Nomad's Land, who, in addition to generally being great, helped me out of a pickle when I lost my passports and was exceptionally helpful.

What an opportunity to explore a country that feels so untouched. Our main guide Aibek was very knowledgable and enthusiastic. The other guides and horsemen were always smiling and happy to help. Everywhere you turn on the hikes is just like something out of a picture book it is gorgeous. Highly recommend this tour!!

Kyrgyzstan is an incredibly country and the MBA tour does an astute job in showcasing the varied landscape and geographies the country has to offer. The tour was well organised, with Fabien doing a great job behind-the-scenes prior to/ during the trip. Meanwhile, our guides Aibek, Daniyar and Abdurahman were a consistent source of knowledge, positivity and very warm meals in the mountains :)

I would heartily recommend this tour to anyone looking to get off the beaten track and explore the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. You will come back with new friends, plenty of memories, and an appreciation for this small, yet beautiful, country in Central Asia

This trip was an incredible experience and introduction to a country still generally undiscovered. The hiking was across varied but always beautiful terrain, and our amazing guides Meers, Idai and Adyl had lots of interesting information to pass on about the landscapes and Kyrgz culture. The campsites were also well chosen, and sometimes we even arrived at the camps to find our tents put up by the wonderful horsemen. I would highly recommend this trip to people who like hiking (a base level of fitness helps but the elevation is not too challenging) and who want to experience Kyrgzyzstan off the beaten track.