Flight searches to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, have increased by 501% for 2027, making it the top trending destination according to Skyscanner's analysis. Return flights from London are currently available from £157.
Why Bishkek is trending
The surge in interest is likely thanks to the BBC's Race Across The World, which featured Bishkek in its latest season. The city, located in the Chu River valley at an elevation of around 750 metres, offers leafy boulevards, Soviet-era squares, and views of snow-capped peaks.
Kyrgyzstan is a Central Asian state bordering China, which became independent in 1991. Most of its more than six million residents are Turkic-speaking Muslims. Bishkek is known as the gateway to the Tien Shan, or 'celestial mountains', which span the country.
What to do in Bishkek
After flying into Manas International Airport, about 16 miles north of Bishkek, it's a 40-minute drive to the capital. Visitors can start at Ala-Too Square, the central public square opposite the State Historical Museum. The square, formerly known as Lenin Square, features a statue of the epic hero Manas and an Independence column.
Nearby, Oak Park on Erkindik (Freedom) Avenue is where artists sell their paintings, and there's an open-air sculpture garden behind the Statue of Kurmanjan Datka. For history, Kuznechnaya Fortress was built on a much older Silk Road settlement known as Jul.
Local street vendors offer dairy products, including the national drink, a mildly alcoholic fermented mare's milk. Food options range from hand-pulled noodles to kebabs and pastries, with local food tours available to sample the country's culinary offerings.
Going further afield
A 45-minute drive from Bishkek is Ala-Archa National Park, in the Ala Too range of the Kyrgyz Tien Shan mountains, with glaciers and river gorges. Eight trails cross mountains and valleys, home to wildlife such as ibex, argali sheep, snow leopard, lynx and marten. Golden eagles and vultures may also be spotted in juniper trees.
A four-hour train takes visitors to Balykchy, where local falconers (berkutchi) train golden eagles, and archery is available. Yurt camps along Issyk Kul Lake offer accommodation. Karakol, six hours from Bishkek, is known for hot springs and canyons.
The most popular tourist activity is a horse trek through the mountains, with trips lasting several days to places like Kel Suu Lake or through the Pamir–Alay Mountains. Three-star hotels in Bishkek cost around £46 per night, horse tours start from £378 for three days, and the most affordable transport is by marshrutka and shared taxis.
