Kyrgyzstan in January

Cold and smoggy in Bishkek; skiing at Karakol.

January is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

• MayGreatGood for Bishkek, Osh and Arslanbob; high pastures still snowy.
• JuneGreatYurt camps open mid-month; flowers at Song-Kul (check road).
• JulyGreatPeak season: treks, lake beaches, horse games.
• AugustGreatAs July; book drivers and yurts ahead.

• 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.

• Bishkek1 °C (34 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 6 rain days34 °F (1 °C) / 18 °F (-8 °C), 6 rain days
• Arslanbob2 °C (36 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 5 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 5 rain days
• Balykchy-2 °C (28 °F) / -12 °C (10 °F), 3 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 10 °F (-12 °C), 3 rain days
• Batken2 °C (36 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 6 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 6 rain days
• Bokonbayevo-2 °C (28 °F) / -12 °C (10 °F), 2 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 10 °F (-12 °C), 2 rain days
• Cholpon-Ata-2 °C (28 °F) / -11 °C (12 °F), 7 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 12 °F (-11 °C), 7 rain days
• Jyrgalan-3 °C (27 °F) / -12 °C (10 °F), 5 rain days27 °F (-3 °C) / 10 °F (-12 °C), 5 rain days
• Kadji Say-2 °C (28 °F) / -12 °C (10 °F), 5 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 10 °F (-12 °C), 5 rain days
• Kazarman-5 °C (23 °F) / -15 °C (5 °F), 3 rain days23 °F (-5 °C) / 5 °F (-15 °C), 3 rain days
• Kochkor-3 °C (27 °F) / -12 °C (10 °F), 5 rain days27 °F (-3 °C) / 10 °F (-12 °C), 5 rain days
• Kyzyl-Oy2 °C (36 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 5 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 18 °F (-8 °C), 5 rain days
• Manas2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 5 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 5 rain days
• Naryn2 °C (36 °F) / -12 °C (10 °F), 5 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 10 °F (-12 °C), 5 rain days
• Sary-Tash-10 °C (14 °F) / -22 °C (−8 °F), 3 rain days14 °F (-10 °C) / −8 °F (-22 °C), 3 rain days
• Song Kul-2 °C (28 °F) / -12 °C (10 °F), 5 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 10 °F (-12 °C), 5 rain days
• Talas2 °C (36 °F) / -12 °C (10 °F), 5 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 10 °F (-12 °C), 5 rain days
• Tamchy-2 °C (28 °F) / -12 °C (10 °F), 5 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 10 °F (-12 °C), 5 rain days
• Tamga2 °C (36 °F) / -9 °C (16 °F), 5 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 16 °F (-9 °C), 5 rain days
• Toktogul-2 °C (28 °F) / -12 °C (10 °F), 5 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 10 °F (-12 °C), 5 rain days
• Uzgen2 °C (36 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 6 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 18 °F (-8 °C), 6 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• New Year

  1 Jan

  Holiday and family gatherings.

• Orthodox Christmas

  7 Jan

  Public holiday.

Crowds · Kyrgyzstan

Low

Prices · Kyrgyzstan

Low

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Kyrgyzstan, side by side.

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

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