Mountain bikes rental in Kyrgyzstan with FreeBike. Recommendation

You can also pre-book a transfer from the airport to Freebike or your hotel via this link:
https://tunduk-hostel.kg/ — with promo code transferfreebike.

How to get from Bishkek to the starting point of the route?

Intercity minibuses and taxis depart from the Western Bus Station of Bishkek to major towns.

Example for the direction to Karakol:

Minibus: ~5 hours travel time, ~500 som

Taxi: 2000 som per person, if you book the entire taxi — 10000 som

With bicycles: more expensive, 13000–15000 som

For remote starting points you can pre-book a transfer, approximately 70–80 som/km. In the wilderness there is no public transport; you will have to hitchhike or hire a car.

A special transfer with bicycles from Freebike or Tunduk Hostel to the starting point can be booked via this link:
https://tunduk-hostel.kg/ — with promo code transferfreebike.

Or just ask us — we will help you with the transfer.

Do I need a visa to enter Kyrgyzstan?

For most tourists no visa is required: citizens of the EU, USA, UK, Australia and dozens of other countries can enter without a visa, usually for up to 60 days.

If your country is not on the visa-free list, you can obtain an e-visa in advance via the official portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic:
evisa.e-gov.kg

Do I need permits for border zones?

For some remote border areas, special permits are required. Most popular regions — Kel-Suu, Lenin Peak, Enilchek, Ak-Sai valley, Bedel Pass — are located in border zones.

Processing time: from 10 to 20 working days.
Address: Bishkek, Zhibek-Zholu Avenue 381, 2nd floor, office 302.

Apply for permits in advance, before your arrival. We work as a “one-stop shop”.
Our partners: https://tunduk-hostel.kg/ — here you can order a permit for the 5-zone border of Kyrgyzstan.

With promo code permitsfreebike you get a 5% discount.
Do not waste your vacation days running around government offices.

What basic gear is mandatory for bikepacking in Kyrgyzstan?

You need a reliable bicycle with good brakes and strong tires: Kyrgyzstan has a lot of dirt roads and long descents. For full confidence you can buy new tires from us.

Mandatory repair kit:

spare tubes and patches
pump
multitool
chain lube
derailleur hanger
spokes
flashlight

These options are included in our rental for free.

Other gear can be rented from us:
bikepacking bags, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, gas, stove, cookware, etc.:
https://freebike.kg/services/equipment.html

Mandatory: warm clothing and a rain jacket — needed even in summer, as mountain weather can change rapidly.

Where can I repair my bike in remote areas?

Full bike workshops exist only in major cities.

In Bishkek — several bike shops and services

In Osh there is a qualified bike mechanic (contacts on the portal):
https://caravanistan.com/transport/cycling/kyrgyzstan/#bishkek

In small villages there are no specialized services, rely on your own repair kit and help from local handymen.

In towns like Naryn, local markets may have small bike stalls, but they offer only basic parts suitable for simple repairs.

Our team constantly updates the list of bike workshops across Kyrgyzstan — see here: link to locations of bike workshops.

What about water, filtration and cleanliness? What should I bring?

Water from rivers and springs must be treated: livestock graze everywhere, so contamination risk is high. Ideally, carry a water filter or disinfecting tablets. Boiling at altitude is also reliable, but takes more time.

Spring water is usually clean, but your stomach may not be used to the local microflora. In villages, drink bottled water or boil it.

Be sure to carry enough water containers: in the mountains there can be stretches of tens of kilometers without any water sources.

You can also buy a Travel water filter from us:
https://freebike.kg/services/equipment.html

How to deal with aggressive dogs?

Do not try to ride away: a dog’s instinct is to chase, and on a climb you are not faster than it.

Get off the bike and place it between you and the dog — usually this is enough for the dog to lose interest.

Pretend to pick up a stone: local dogs recognize this gesture and back off.

We rent out ultrasonic dog repellents — a humane and effective way to keep distance:
https://freebike.kg/services/equipment.html

Where to buy gas for stoves? Is it compatible with Western systems?

Camping gas canisters are sold in large towns:
Bishkek, Osh, Naryn, Kochkor, Karakol, Cholpon-Ata.

When booking a bike you can buy gas from us. We use standard threaded Kovea Premium canisters, which work at altitude and have been tested over time by our guests:
https://freebike.kg/services/equipment.html

Can I leave my suitcase or find a bike box in Bishkek?

Yes, you can leave your boxes and suitcases at our office for free for the whole rental period.

You can also buy a bike box and leave it for free at the hotel:
https://tunduk-hostel.kg/

We are located in the center of Bishkek, which is convenient.

Where to buy a SIM card and how is the mobile coverage in the mountains?

SIM cards are sold directly at the airport and in mobile operator shops in the city. Most tourists choose Beeline, O!, MegaCom — mobile internet with data starts from 5 USD per month.

A passport is required to purchase a SIM. At the airport they hand out free tourist SIM cards; make sure they activate and configure the tariff for you right away.

In cities and villages (Bishkek, Naryn, Karakol, Osh, etc.) — excellent 4G (LTE)

On passes and in gorges — partial coverage or no signal at all

At Son-Kul, Kel-Suu, Tash-Rabat and other locations you can find yurt camps with Starlink satellite internet, ask local people.

What is included in the repair kit from Freebike?

When renting a bicycle from Freebike, you receive basic tools and spare parts:

hand pump
tire repair kit (patches, glue)
spare chain
spare tubes
pedals
multitool
derailleur hanger
bolts, zip ties
spokes
rear light
spare tire

All bicycles are equipped with racks and are fully prepared for long-distance routes. Other items can be purchased or rented:
https://freebike.kg/services/equipment.html

Where to sleep – camping, yurts, guesthouses?

If you arrive in Bishkek and rent bikes from us, note that there are many guesthouses in our area, and you can choose accommodation close to the rental point — this is convenient for your logistics.

For example, at Tunduk Hostel (https://tunduk-hostel.kg/) you get a 5% discount on accommodation with promo code.

In Kyrgyzstan, wild camping is allowed and safe — you can pitch a tent almost everywhere, but that does not mean “anywhere and anyhow”. If there are yurts or a livestock pen nearby, politely ask for permission, or move a bit away. If there are people nearby, ask:
“Can I pitch my tent here for one night?”

This often turns into tea, a shower and a warm connection.

Authentic options are also available: in summer, many locations have yurt camps (at Son-Kul, near Tash-Rabat, etc.) offering overnight stays and hot meals for tourists.

In settlements, there are guesthouses, hostels and homestays, including those connected to the CBT network — this is an inexpensive family stay with basic amenities.

Acclimatization for bikepackers

Expeditions in Kyrgyzstan pass through the Tien Shan mountain system, where many passes exceed 3,800 meters, and some sections reach 4,000 meters. Lake Son-Kul, a popular overnight spot, lies at 3,030 meters. The risk of altitude sickness begins already from 2,500 meters.

It is recommended to start your trip from low altitudes: Bishkek is at about 750 m, and to gain elevation gradually.

An effective strategy is the concept “Sleep Low, Train High”:

sleep at moderate altitudes around 2200–2500 m

make day rides to higher elevations 2500–3000 m or higher

A common mistake of our bikepacking guests is to go straight away and attack Kegety Pass.

How to call mountain rescuers of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) in Kyrgyzstan?

Unified emergency number in the Kyrgyz Republic: 112 — free, from mobile and landline, operates 24/7

Duty officer of the MES KR (Bishkek and regions), including WhatsApp:

+996 312 32-36-44
+996 770 800-100 (WhatsApp)
Mountain Rescue Public Foundation — 24/7 phones for mountain areas:
+996 700 651 221 (WhatsApp)
+996 701 651 221 (WhatsApp)

Before going into the mountains:
save these numbers in your phone, write them down on paper, and share the contacts with your family and tour operator. We strongly recommend having travel insurance for the duration of your trip.

What are the road conditions – surfaces, passes?

Most mountain roads in Kyrgyzstan are dirt and gravel; more or less smooth asphalt exists only on key highways (Bishkek–Osh, Bishkek–Naryn–Torugart, etc.).

Many routes cross high mountain passes at 3000–4000 m above sea level

Roads on the passes can be washed out by meltwater, covered with rocks and snow, especially after heavy spring precipitation

More than 80–90% of the country’s territory is mountains, so almost any trip turns into a sequence of valleys and passes

Pass heights:

Too-Ashuu — 3,586 m
Ala-Bel — 3,175 m
Dolon — 3,038 m
Tosor — 3,893 m
Kegety Pass — 3,770 m
Suyek — ≈4,020 m

Detailed information about the specifics of passes for bikepacking tours is available at: www.freebike.kg

How to behave in a yurt?

A yurt (boz-üy) has a strictly organized interior. The right side (from the entrance) is traditionally the women’s and kitchen area, the left side is for men; here you may find harness and weapons.

Whistling ban

Guests should be attentive, enter calmly and sit where the host indicates.
In Kyrgyzstan, whistling indoors (in a yurt, house, shop) is considered extremely impolite and “bringing bad luck”.

Bikepackers should avoid this habit so as not to show disrespect to the hosts.

Respect for bread.

Bread is considered sacred. You must not put it on the floor, step on it, throw it, or turn flatbreads upside down.

Bread is always carefully covered and served neatly.

Major Bikepacking Routes in Kyrgyzstan

Tian Shan Traverse
A classic off-road crossing of Kyrgyzstan with almost no pavement, big climbs and very remote valleys.
For experienced bikepackers who want a long, wild expedition far from any bike shop.

Celestial Divide
Connects Bishkek with the south of Kyrgyzstan and the Lenin Peak region, with huge elevation gain and serious passes like Kegety.
Perfect if you want to ride from the capital deep into high mountains and link toward the Pamir.

At-Bashi Circuit
A shorter but more technical loop around the At-Bashy range, with a 4,000+ m Panda Pass and sections of hike-a-bike.
Great for riders who want a compact, high-altitude challenge instead of a multi-week traverse.

Silk Road Mountain Race (SRMR)
An ultra-endurance, self-supported race route, mixing extreme remoteness, rough tracks and massive climbing.
Treat any SRMR-inspired route as expert-level: long resupply gaps, harsh weather and very demanding terrain.

Where to download GPX and why you need it in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan

A GPX file is a digital route with a track line and waypoints: mountain passes, water sources, shops and campsites. It makes planning your day easier: you see the elevation gain, the distance to the next valley and understand where you should refill water and food.

You can download GPX routes in Kyrgyzstan from international bikepacking platforms and local resources — for routes such as Tian Shan Traverse, Celestial Divide, At-Bashi Circuit, Expedition Alay, as well as for regions of the Eastern Tien Shan.

Track platforms like Wikiloc, Komoot and Ride with GPS contain user-generated and race routes, including variants of the Silk Road Mountain Race (SRMR).

We have collected the most useful GPX resources for Kyrgyzstan — you can download them via the link: www.freebike.kg

Read more bikepacking stories, tips and route ideas in our blog on www.freebike.kg