Kyrgyzstan

Batken is the southernmost province of Kyrgyzstan. It borders Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The frontiers are not always clearly drawn, and there are many enclaves in this region. Batken stretches over 16,995 km² and is little known to travelers. Yet it offers excursions in the middle of nature and in an interesting mix of cultures.

Back in history

Batken is a new region, founded on 12 October 1999, in the western part of Osh province, after the unstable period of the Islamic Movement for Uzbekistan (IMU). Several kidnappings in the region involved Japanese geologists and American alpinists. Travelling to Batken was not recommended until 2006. However, the region is now safe and stable and it is a great place to go during your stay in Kyrgyzstan.

Batken today

Although the province is less known, it deserves however to be visited for its charming scenery. The Aigul-Tash Mountain is one of the prominent places in the region. Famous for its natural beauty, it also attracts thanks to the Ajgul flower that blooms only once in a year in the month of April. This very rare flower only grows in this specific region and cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

The Rocky Mountain is adorned with beautiful red flowers. Moreover, Batken is a great place for hikes. The hiking possibilities are numerous and can easily be combined with climbing sessions. Besides its mountains, the plane is also beautiful with its vast green meadows.

How to get there?

From Osh, you can reach Batken by bus or collective taxi. They leave from the square behind the Alay Hotel next to the equestrian statue. Taxis tend to leave early in the morning, usually around 07:00 or 08:00 a.m.

There is also a small airport in Batken. In summer, there are flights from and to Bishkek three times a week. The flight lasts 1 hour and 10 minutes and costs just over $50.