Talas

Talas is a modern town of the Talas Province in the Bishkek and the Northwest region of Kyrgyzstan with a population of about 30,000.

Understand
Talas was founded in 1877 by East Slavs.

After the fall of the Soviet union, Talas has suffered from being cut of from the main transport route into Kyrgyzstan. Nevertheless, still much transport is carried out by going into Kazakhstan and then back into Kyrgyzstan coming from Bishkek. Some marshrutkas take this route.

By bus


From Bishkek it takes about 5½ hr and costs 350 som. A few marshrutkas per day from the Western Bus Station in Bishkek.

If you get into Talas from the east, and you want to remain in the center, get off the bus early. Otherwise you end up in the far west of the town.

Get around
The town stretches very far out and might not be easily be explored on foot, depending on where your hotel is located. The walking distance between the western bus station and the central bazaar is 4-5 km.

Go next

 * Kyzyl-Oy – A village popular with foreign tourists, has beautiful orange mountains around it and a mountain valley for hiking and yurt stay. Also gateway to the eastern regions of Kyrgyzstan.
 * Toktogul – A nice and picturesque water reservoir and convenient hub/stop between Bishkek and Osh. A 4WD can bring you down southwest from Kyzyl-Oy.
 * Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve – One of the highlights of Kyrgyzstan with a beautiful lake, excellent hiking, diverse flora and fauna, picturesque mountains and much more. On the way between Toktogul and Jalal-Abad.