Things to Do in Kyrgyzstan in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Kyrgyzstan
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Stunning winter landscapes transform the mountains into pristine white expanses - Ala-Archa Gorge and Karakol Valley become otherworldly, with frozen waterfalls and snow-draped peaks that photographers dream about. The crisp air means visibility stretches for miles.
- Rock-bottom prices across the board - guesthouses in Bishkek drop to 800-1,200 som per night (typically 2,500-3,500 som in summer), and you'll have museums, bazaars, and even popular hiking trails essentially to yourself. Marshrutka drivers actually negotiate down in December.
- Authentic cultural immersion without the tourist filter - December means you're experiencing Kyrgyzstan as locals do, with felt-making workshops running for actual production (not performances), families preparing for New Year celebrations, and genuine invitations to share tea and borsok because hospitality matters more when it's cold outside.
- Winter sports season hits its stride - Karakol's ski base at 2,300m (7,546 ft) gets proper snow coverage by mid-December, with lift tickets around 1,500-2,000 som compared to European resort prices. Backcountry skiing and ice climbing opportunities open up for experienced adventurers.
Considerations
- Brutal cold that most travelers underestimate - when locals tell you it's cold, they mean the kind of cold where your phone battery dies in 20 minutes outside and your water bottle freezes solid. That −7°C (20°F) average low doesn't account for wind chill in mountain passes, which can make it feel like −20°C (−4°F).
- Limited transportation options as mountain passes close - Torugart Pass to China shuts down completely, and the road to Song-Kol becomes impassable. Even the main Bishkek-Osh highway through Suusamyr Valley can close for days after heavy snowfall. Your itinerary needs serious flexibility built in.
- Most yurt camps and homestays in rural areas close entirely - the romantic idea of staying in a yurt at Song-Kol isn't happening in December. Even in Karakol and Kochkor, maybe 30% of summer guesthouses stay open, and those that do often have spotty heating.
Best Activities in December
Ala-Archa National Park Winter Hiking
December transforms this gorge 40km (25 miles) south of Bishkek into a winter wonderland that's actually accessible - the road stays plowed to the park entrance at 2,100m (6,890 ft). The trail to Ak-Sai waterfall becomes a 5km (3.1 mile) snowshoe route through pine forests, with the frozen falls creating massive ice sculptures. Start early (8-9am) because daylight's done by 5pm, and the temperature drops fast. You'll likely see mountain goats and possibly ibex against the snow. The air is so clear in December that you can see individual trees on peaks 15km (9.3 miles) away.
Karakol Ski Base and Backcountry Skiing
Karakol's ski area sits at 2,300-3,040m (7,546-9,974 ft) on the north face of the Terskey Ala-Too range, and December is when it actually becomes skiable with 40-60cm (16-24 inches) base by mid-month. It's delightfully Soviet - creaky lifts, no fancy lodges - but the powder is legitimate and you'll pay 1,500-2,000 som for a full day versus European prices. For experienced skiers, local guides run backcountry tours into untracked bowls, though avalanche risk is real and proper equipment isn't optional.
Bishkek's Winter Food Scene and Bazaar Exploration
December is when Kyrgyz food gets serious - Osh Bazaar and Dordoy Bazaar become theaters of winter survival cuisine. You'll find massive piles of smoked horse meat (chuchuk), dried fruits from the Fergana Valley, and women selling homemade kurut (dried yogurt balls) that locals swear by for winter immunity. The cafes around Erkindik Boulevard serve proper lagman and plov that actually warm you from inside, and you'll pay 250-400 som for a massive bowl. The Soviet-era stolovayas (canteen-style restaurants) are where locals eat in winter - try Arzu on Ibraimov Street for authentic experience.
Issyk-Kul Lake's North Shore Winter Wellness
Issyk-Kul doesn't freeze (hence the name meaning 'warm lake'), and December brings an odd phenomenon - locals flock to the north shore for winter swimming, claiming the mineral-rich water has healing properties. The contrast between −5°C (23°F) air and 4°C (39°F) water creates dramatic steam clouds at sunrise. Even if you skip the polar plunge, the sanatoriums in Cholpon-Ata offer heated mineral pools, Russian banya experiences, and surprisingly good massages for 1,500-2,500 som. The lake's winter emptiness is haunting in the best way.
Felt-Making Workshops in Kochkor
December is when felt-making shifts from tourist demonstration to actual production - families are creating shyrdaks (felt carpets) and ala-kiiz (felt rugs) for their own winter use and spring sales. The workshops in Kochkor, 200km (124 miles) from Bishkek, become genuine craft sessions where you're working alongside women who've done this for decades. You'll learn why they use December's cold water for felting (something about fiber compression) and might actually produce a small piece worth taking home. The town is freezing but the workshops are heated, and the tea never stops flowing.
Burana Tower and Chuy Valley Historical Sites
The 11th-century Burana Tower near Tokmok looks particularly dramatic against December's snow-covered Kyrgyz Ala-Too mountains. The site is 80km (50 miles) east of Bishkek and sees maybe five tourists a week in winter, meaning you can actually climb the tower (entry 60 som) without queuing and explore the balbals (Turkic grave markers) in peaceful solitude. The nearby Ak-Beshim ruins of the ancient Silk Road city are even more atmospheric under snow. Bundle up - there's zero shelter from the wind on the open steppe.
December Events & Festivals
New Year's Eve Celebrations
New Year's (Novy God) is the biggest celebration in Kyrgyzstan, far surpassing Western Christmas. Bishkek's Ala-Too Square gets a massive decorated tree, outdoor concerts, and fireworks at midnight on December 31st. Locals dress up, families gather for elaborate feasts (expect to be invited if you've made any friends), and the celebrations run until 3-4am. It's more community party than tourist spectacle, which makes it genuinely special.