Road trip from Andijan (Uzbekistan) to Almaty (Kazakhstan) via Kyrgyzstan

Hello,

This summer, we’re heading to Central Asia. Family of 5—3 adults and 2 teens. Our plan is: - Arrive in Tashkent (1 day) - Train to Samarkand (2 days) - Return to Tashkent (1–2 days) - Train to Andijan. Then, things get a bit trickier...

Crossing Kyrgyzstan: Toktogul Reservoir - Suusamyr - Song Kol Lake - southern Issyk-Kul Lake - Karakol (over 10 days).

Then Kazakhstan: Charyn Canyon - Almaty (6–7 days, including renting a vehicle for the surrounding areas).

We’d like to cross Kyrgyzstan by bus or shared taxis (I think there are no trains there?). Our goal: travel simply, meet locals, share moments of conviviality, visit nice spots, and see beautiful landscapes. With three young ones (19, 16, 13), we need to mix up the visits—ancient sites, grand landscapes, countryside, cities. It’s okay if we don’t see every wonder... we’ll come back!

Has anyone here done this kind of road trip?

We’re still in the early planning stages, so thanks in advance for any feedback on the itinerary, accommodation tips, transport advice, etc.!

Maripi

In Kyrgyzstan, it's mostly shared taxis (called marshrutkas), with very few buses. For the first part from Andijan, it should be doable, but it’d probably be easier to enter Kyrgyzstan via the border near Osh and continue from there, since transport is more frequent. Around Song Köl Lake, I really doubt you’ll find any transport going along the south side of the lake. They’re already very rare for the direct route from Bashkaingdy to Kochkor. From Kochkor to Karakol, no problem. After that, toward Kazakhstan, I don’t know—I haven’t been that way at all.

Thanks so much for the info! We still need to fine-tune everything—nothing’s set in stone yet, so I’m open to all ideas! ;)

Hi Manothea! We’re planning the same route as you this summer, also with 5 people, and the taxi seems a bit impossible... How did you all travel in the end?

From Andijan, there are taxis that’ll take you to the KG border, and from there, Kyrgyz taxis continue the relay. It’s really hard to find any between Suusamyr and Aral. In Chaek, you can find a taxi to take you to Song Kul, then Kochkor. From Kochkor or Naryn, there’s a marshrutka that goes along the south shore but doesn’t stop until Karakol. Don’t get off before Bokonbaeva, where you’ll find shared taxis heading to Karakol. In Karakol, you’ll need to arrange a taxi to Almaty.

Hmm, and we need to find a taxi or marshrutka with 5 free seats... I'll look for a driver for this leg! Thanks! !

The 7-seater minivans like the Honda Stepwagon are pretty common—you’ll just have your 5 seats plus one folded down for luggage.