A dark-blue mountain lake lies in a rocky basin between dry slopes and jagged peaks. — Talas

Talas

Updated October 27, 2026Facts are checked against independent sources; where they disagree, we say soHow we check facts

A town in the Talas Valley, the base for Manas Ordo, Besh-Tash, the reservoir and the Kara-Buura Pass.

≈5 h from Bishkek290 km via Too-Ashuu and Otmok
Centre on footBus station to bazaar: 0.5 km
7 places nearbyfrom 14 to 121 km
7 places to stay5 within 1.5 km of the centre

Kyrgyz SeasonsPlanning a trip?Ask about a triphello@kyrgyzseasons.com

7 places from the centre outwards

Start with places you can walk to, then roads out of town. The map shows the route from the centre to the place you are viewing.

≈1.1 km on foot1 / 7

Aitmatov Monument

On foot from the bus station, about 1.1 kmDuring the day

A monument to the writer in the town centre. He was born in Sheker, in the same region.
≈0.5 km on foot2 / 7

Central Bazaar

On foot from the bus station, about 0.5 kmDuring the day

The town market next to the bus station: fruit, fresh herbs and dried fruit. Marshrutkas to the villages leave from here.
September 20, 2024

≈15 km along the road3 / 7

Manas Ordo

By car, then ≈0.9 km on footDuring the day

A cultural complex with a gumbez (a domed mausoleum) and a museum of the Manas epic.

Place page →
July 3, 2024

≈14 km along the road4 / 7

Besh-Tash Nature Park

14.4 km by car to the valleyMay–September

A mountain valley for walks. Arrange the hike to the lake and a place to stay overnight separately.

Place page →
August 29, 2022

≈72 km along the road5 / 7

Kirov Reservoir

By car, about 72 km up the valleyMay–September

A large reservoir on the Talas River in the Chon-Kapka Gorge. Built in 1965–1975, it supplies water to fields in the valley and in neighbouring Kazakhstan.
≈99 km along the road6 / 7

Sheker, Aitmatov Aalamy

By car, about 99 km to the westDuring the day

The home village of the writer Chingiz Aitmatov. On 12 September 2026 the “Aitmatov Aalamy” complex opened here, with a museum, an amphitheatre, yurt sites and a monument.

Place page →
September 12, 2019

≈121 km along the road7 / 7

Kara-Buura Pass

By car, about 121 km towards ChatkalJune–September

A pass at 3,305 m in the Talas Ala-Too range. The road offers views of the Talas Valley and the hairpin bends below.

Talas: four seasons

Things to do in and around town throughout the year. Monthly temperatures are averages for 2016–2025, not a forecast.

Spring
March–May

Spring is warm in the valley: around +15° by day and +1° at night. In April there is still snow on the high passes.
- MarchTalas +8° / −4°
- AprilTalas +15° / +1°
- MayTalas +20° / +7°
Summer
June–August

The Kirov Reservoir dam with the Talas River valley beyond, surrounded by dry mountains in summer.
- JuneTalas +24° / +10°
- JulyTalas +26° / +13°
- AugustTalas +25° / +12°
Autumn
September–November

The road’s hairpin bends on the Kara-Buura Pass and the Talas Valley below, with the first snow on the slopes.
- SeptemberTalas +21° / +8°
- OctoberTalas +13° / 0°
- NovemberTalas +6° / −6°
Winter
December–February

In winter the town sees around 0° by day and −12° at night. After snowfall, the passes on the road from Bishkek are sometimes closed for a day.
- DecemberTalas 0° / −11°
- JanuaryTalas −1° / −12°
- FebruaryTalas +2° / −9°

Where it is

Location: Talas Region
Coordinates: 42.52° N, 72.25° E

Open in Maps

Getting here and getting around town

How to get there

From Bishkek
≈5 h
About 290 km via Too-Ashuu and Otmok. The direct bus takes 8 hours via Kazakhstan; a ticket costs 500 som.
Back to Bishkek
≈5 h
The bus leaves Talas at 22:30 from the drama theatre. By car, the route is the same.

Getting around town

On foot. The centre is compact: the bazaar is 0.5 km from the bus station and the Aitmatov Monument 1.1 km.

Money and mobile

Visitor centre. Tourist office: 76 Kasymova Street.

Contact and help

112 single emergency number

101 fire and rescue
102 police
103 ambulance

You can call 112 with a local SIM or without one.

Check in advance

Timetables and fares for local transport
Accommodation prices and card acceptance
Mobile network coverage in the mountains

Check on site

Departure point, times and fares for buses or marshrutkas from Bishkek Operator or dispatcher
Winter access over the Too-Ashuu and Otmok passes Kyrgyz Ministry of Transport
Opening hours and entry fees for Manas Ordo and “Aitmatov Aalamy” Site administration