Hello everyone! I’d really appreciate your help with a question. In March, my group of four is planning to drive around Issyk-Kul Lake in a rental car.
For trips to gorges and other challenging routes, we’re thinking of hiring local drivers with their own vehicles.
What kind of car would be suitable for making the loop around the lake? Would a sedan be comfortable enough, or is it better to consider an SUV?
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Do you have any recommendations on where to rent a car? Any specific companies you’d suggest?
There are plenty of car rental companies in Bishkek nowadays, but not all of them are reliable.
Only a handful of companies have been operating for over 10 years: Troika, Travel Land, and Iron Horse. There may be others.
Troika offers older cars but has cheaper prices. Iron Horse is good but the most expensive. Personally, I rent from Travel Land — it’s reliable, but their rates are above average.
Last year, I rented a 2010 Kia K5 (gray, runs on gas) from Troika for a week (7 days). It cost me 21,000 som, with a $300 deposit.
I rented a car from "Russian Troika" for six days in early October 2023. Overall, it was a good experience. We booked a Honda Fit for 1,000 som per day. A 5% discount was available for prepayment, which we took advantage of.
Taxi from the airport got us there in 30 minutes early in the morning. A thing to notice: the address Chernyshevsky 65 in Alamudun (locals call it Alamudun village) is not the same as Chernyshevsky 65 in Bishkek. Keep this in mind if you plan accommodations nearby!
The car lot is located in front of a private house. The Honda wasn’t available, but they offered a Mitsubishi Charisma (normally 1,500 som/day) without additional cost. It was a left-hand drive manual. We accepted it happily since we’d owned a similar model before. The car had new tires, although it was visibly worn.
We drove 1,300 km with fuel consumption at 6 liters per 100 km. A $300 deposit was fully returned upon return. I only had to pay one fine of 300 som because I forgot to turn on the headlights after leaving a village.
Driving in Bishkek itself is nerve-wracking, but once you’re out in the countryside, it’s quite peaceful. Honestly, without a car, Kyrgyzstan can be challenging to explore. While hiring local driver-guides in the gorges is an option, I’m glad we didn’t. Often, they sit in the car and explain routes rather than guiding you directly, which isn’t worth $120 a day!
Also rented from Russian Troika. The staff is nice, but the cars are quite old.
We rented a Land Rover, which unfortunately overheated on the first mountain pass. I had to descend at night on a right-hand drive Lexus they provided as a replacement. Lost a day but appreciated their free hostel accommodation and substitute vehicle.
We covered 2,500 km on mountain roads, including some off-road sections. Along the way, the left side mirror broke, and we lost a protective apron on a bumpy road. In Kyrgyzstan, they don’t seem to use metal protections underneath cars.
For regular paved roads and no mountain detours, a regular car will suffice. Road quality varies—some stretches are perfect, others less so. Gas stations are plentiful but often only accept cash.
Can a sedan handle the road to the Altyn-Arashan base, or should I go for something taller like a Honda CR-V? Most SUVs like Pajero are already booked for April.
Can a sedan handle the road to the Altyn-Arashan base
No, it’s impossible for a sedan. The road is extremely rough—only a skilled driver with a proper 4WD can manage it. It’s better to hire a UAZ in Karakol for about 5,000 som per vehicle.
As for the Karakol Gorge, if you’re planning to go further up, a local UAZ is also your best option.
Based on forum recommendations, we rented from Russian Troika. We used a right-hand drive Lexus and had no issues.
If the car you want is listed as "reserved" on their website, try reaching out via WhatsApp. They’re responsive and might find you a vehicle.
Customer service was great, and the prices are some of the most reasonable in Bishkek.
If the car you want is listed as "reserved" on their website, try reaching out via WhatsApp. They’re responsive and might find you a vehicle.
Hi! Great idea — a trip around Issyk-Kul in March sounds beautiful. As for the car choice: generally, the main road around the lake is in good condition, so a sedan should be fine if you’re sticking to the main route. However, if you plan to visit gorges or explore more remote areas (like Jeti-Ögüz, Barskoon, or Sary-Jaz), then an SUV would definitely be a better and safer choice — especially in spring when there might still be snow or muddy roads.
We offer rental cars without a driver — sedans, minivans, and SUVs. You can book in advance and pick up the car on the day you arrive.
Check out the options here: 👉 autoprokat.kg
Or contact us at +996 504 575 577 — we’ll help you find the best car for your route!
Do you have contact details how to reach Troika?
