When to go · Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan in December
Mixed month. Ski season starts at Karakol.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Crowds
- Low
- Kyrgyzstan
- Prices
- Low
- Kyrgyzstan
Verdict
Ski season starts at Karakol.
Is another month better than December?
December is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
Weather in December
- Bishkek and the Chuy valley · Bishkek, Ala Archa, Buranacool
Snowy winters with smog, hot summers in the city; Ala Archa is 15 °C (27 °F) cooler.Snowy winters with smog, hot summers in the city; Ala Archa is 27 °F (15 °C) cooler.
- Issyk-Kul · Cholpon-Ata, Karakol, south shorecool
The lake never freezes and softens the climate; beach season July–August, trekking June–September.
- High pastures (jailoo) · Song-Kul (~3,000 m), Tash Rabat, Kel-Suu, Alaycool
Summer only: yurt camps run roughly June to mid-September; snow possible any month; roads close by October.
- South (Osh and Fergana edge) · Osh, Jalal-Abad, Arslanbobcool
Hotter and earlier than the north; walnut forests of Arslanbob best in May and September–October.
- Bishkek and the Northwest: Bishkek & Northwest · Northern Kyrgyzstancool
Clear roads and open passes May‑September; July‑August warm but occasional rain in valleys.
- Issyk Kul and the Tian Shan: Issyk Kul basin · Lake shore and surrounding foothillsbest weather
Warm lake water (20‑25 °C (77 °F)) June‑September; occasional thunderstorms in summer.Warm lake water (20‑77 °F (25 °C)) June‑September; occasional thunderstorms in summer.
- Bishkek3 °C (37 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 6 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 6 rain days
- Arslanbob3 °C (37 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 5 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 5 rain days
- Balykchy1 °C (34 °F) / -9 °C (16 °F), 3 rain days34 °F (1 °C) / 16 °F (-9 °C), 3 rain days
- Batken4 °C (39 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 6 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 6 rain days
- Bokonbayevo0 °C (32 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 4 rain days32 °F (0 °C) / 18 °F (-8 °C), 4 rain days
- Cholpon-Ata0 °C (32 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 8 rain days32 °F (0 °C) / 18 °F (-8 °C), 8 rain days
- Jyrgalan-2 °C (28 °F) / -10 °C (14 °F), 6 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 14 °F (-10 °C), 6 rain days
- Kadji Say2 °C (36 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 6 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 6 rain days
- Kazarman-2 °C (28 °F) / -12 °C (10 °F), 3 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 10 °F (-12 °C), 3 rain days
- Kochkor-1 °C (30 °F) / -9 °C (16 °F), 5 rain days30 °F (-1 °C) / 16 °F (-9 °C), 5 rain days
- Kyzyl-Oy4 °C (39 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 5 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 5 rain days
- Manas5 °C (41 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 6 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 6 rain days
- Naryn3 °C (37 °F) / -10 °C (14 °F), 5 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 14 °F (-10 °C), 5 rain days
- Sary-Tash-7 °C (19 °F) / -19 °C (−2 °F), 3 rain days19 °F (-7 °C) / −2 °F (-19 °C), 3 rain days
- Song Kul-2 °C (28 °F) / -10 °C (14 °F), 5 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 14 °F (-10 °C), 5 rain days
- Talas3 °C (37 °F) / -9 °C (16 °F), 5 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 16 °F (-9 °C), 5 rain days
- Tamchy0 °C (32 °F) / -9 °C (16 °F), 5 rain days32 °F (0 °C) / 16 °F (-9 °C), 5 rain days
- Tamga3 °C (37 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 5 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 5 rain days
- Toktogul0 °C (32 °F) / -10 °C (14 °F), 6 rain days32 °F (0 °C) / 14 °F (-10 °C), 6 rain days
- Uzgen4 °C (39 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 6 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 6 rain days
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Kyrgyzstan
- Low
- Prices · Kyrgyzstan
- Low
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Kyrgyzstan, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Mixed
May: Great (better)
Crowds
Dec: Low
May: Low
Prices
Dec: Low
May: Low
Festivals listed
Dec: 0
May: 2
December: Ski season starts at Karakol.
May: Good for Bishkek, Osh and Arslanbob; high pastures still snowy.
Kyrgyzstan: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket