Asel.

We absolutely loved our trip and couldn’t recommend Kai and Asel enough! They made our experience so special by organising fantastic activities with local people, including horse riding and an incredible eagle show. It was such a wonderful way to experience the local culture and see the beauty of this amazing country. Kai also recommended some fantastic places to eat, which really added to our experience of the local food. The hospitality was outstanding, and being invited to lunch was such a lovely personal touch that made us feel so welcome. Everything was wonderful, and we’re so grateful for all the effort they put into making our trip memorable. The country is absolutely beautiful, and the warmth and kindness of the people made it even more special. We have so many amazing memories to take home with us and would highly recommend Kai and Asel to anyone visiting! ❤️

Emily

October 2026

My sister and I spent 2 weeks with Asel and her husband Kai traveling around Kyrgyzstan and it was an amazing trip! They are wonderful people and we really enjoyed getting to know them and their family. They're also very flexible with the planning and made sure we got to do everything we asked to do + even more. Just tell them what you want/like to do and what kind of places you want to stay in and they'll make it happen! Asel speaks fluent English and Kai is a very good guide/driver that took us into a several areas where we were the only tourists. Extra Notes: Kyrgyzstan is an amazing country filled with very hospitable people and huuuuuge mountains and is a great place to visit! We made very few reservations for places to stay during peak season to maintain flexibility and did not have issues finding places. Most of the travelers we talked to who were trying to do public transport had given up on it and were hitchhiking because it was faster, so we were glad to have our own driver.

John

September 2026

I do not have the adequate words to describe our experience with asel and kairat. going into this trip we were excited but nervous, having never spent time in KG before, and never having had a driver or guide accompany us on a trip before. however, from the first time we met them, our hesitations were settled and we only continued to feel more comfortable and at home. our pre trip communications were very reassuring - i had several questions for Asel regularly, and she answered all of my concerns patiently and was very informative and a calming presence in a very vast world of planning such a trip. they met us at the KG border and were so helpful and knowledgeable about the beautiful country that is kyrgyzstan. asel and kairat worked as a well oiled machine - they both offered so much information about the history and customs and culture and nature of kyrgyzstan and sprinkled these facts perfectly throughout the trip, things that you can only learn from locals who are passionate about their land. kairat is an EXCELLENT driver - i usually get very motion sick as a passenger, especially on roads like the unpaved ones in most of KG. however with his skillful driving and extremely comfortable car, i never once felt queasy or discomfort from the hours spent driving. he knows the roads so well, i never once saw him use navigation, and always managed to reach destinations earlier than expected, all while driving safely. he knew all the best hiking trails, and is a true adventurous spirit, and we couldn’t think of anyone else better suited for this job. asel is an incredibly hospitable and warm soul- her intelligence and generosity is unmatched. the best food we had during our trip was at her guesthouse, which was incredibly comfortable and clean as well. she showed us their garden and introduced us to her family , who all embody the hospitality KG is so well known for. they all made us feel so incredibly comfortable and at home, making it very difficult for us to leave. when they dropped us off at the border , asel went out of her way to take our luggage as far as she could, a perfect last embodiment of them as hosts. without them, our trip wouldn’t have been what it was. i had tears in my eyes saying goodbye to them, as their character was just as beautiful as the landscapes of KG. there is no one better i could recommend to expertly and generously guide through KG :)

zaynah

August 2026

Constant friction and broken promises — avoid this driver and guide We booked a 12-day private family tour with Asel and her husband through Indy Guide, covering Ala Archa National Park, Issyk-Kul (north and south shores, with the surrounding canyons), Karkyra Valley, Karakol, Altyn-Arashan, and Song-Kul Lake, at an agreed all-inclusive price of 1,900 USD covering the vehicle, fuel, and driver-guide services for the full route. We had done our own detailed research on the itinerary beforehand and confirmed every element with Asel in writing before booking. Pre-trip communication was professional and cordial. Once the trip started, the experience was very different. On day one, the very first day we met them, despite having a price and conditions fully agreed and confirmed in writing beforehand, Asel and her husband began telling us fuel costs had increased and that this would be a problem. This repeated almost every single day of the trip, regardless of how modest the actual driving was, including on one occasion for a detour of roughly 16 kilometers on a route of well over a thousand kilometers total. Out of curiosity, we later calculated the actual difference in fuel prices between when we booked in March and when we traveled in July: for our full route, that fuel increase came to under 25 USD in total. That is the entire basis for what became daily complaints and friction throughout the trip. Asel also treated the confirmed itinerary in an unreasonably narrow way, as if a 12-day, thousand-kilometer tour needed to be followed to the exact kilometer. Any request that fell even slightly outside the strict written route, however small, was met with resistance rather than the flexibility one would expect from a private guided tour. A tour of this length and nature cannot function, or be enjoyable, under that kind of rigidity. Asel raised her voice at us on more than one occasion and made accusations we felt were unfair, particularly given that every element of the itinerary and vehicle had been confirmed with her in writing before we ever booked. On several occasions they also tried to substitute the agreed vehicle for a much less comfortable one, again citing fuel, despite having confirmed the original vehicle in writing before booking. This would have been a serious problem beyond comfort: part of our itinerary included Song-Kul Lake, reached via high mountain terrain where a proper 4x4 is genuinely necessary for safety, not just comfort. The alternative vehicle they proposed was not suited to that leg of the trip at all. We pushed back and insisted they honor the original agreement. The roof box for our luggage, also explicitly promised and confirmed in writing before booking as sufficient for all our bags, turned out to be far too small. We were forced to leave two suitcases behind in Bishkek for the duration of the trip. We should also note that Asel provided essentially no added value as a guide. Beyond the itinerary we had already researched and finalized ourselves, she offered no real suggestions, cultural insight, or local knowledge during the trip (even if done remotely). The one area where she was proactive was recommending we stay at her own guesthouse or those of her relatives, which felt more like an additional source of income for her than genuine guidance. Beyond the cost disputes, we found Asel and her husband not to be customer oriented and largely inflexible whenever we asked for anything outside the strict letter of the itinerary. Rather than helping make the trip enjoyable, the daily interaction felt like a series of limits and objections. Asel raised her voice at us on more than one occasion and made accusations we felt were unfair and inaccurate given everything we had confirmed with her in writing beforehand. Her husband does not speak English, but his tone and manner toward us, and toward her when he spoke to her in front of us, made it fairly clear he was unhappy and complaining about having to drive tourists at all. The driver frequently dropped us at a location and left rather than remaining available, told us at one point to take a taxi if we wanted to see anything further that day, and on one occasion refused to drive even one additional kilometer to a nearby tourist site, dropping us at our guesthouse instead. We also found his driving reckless at times, and he smoked constantly during the trip. When our son needed to go to the hospital in the city where we were staying, Asel’s husband brought us there without issue, but then refused to take us back to our accommodation and collect another family member, at the exact moment reliable transport mattered most. We raised all of this with Indy Guide customer support, and in the final third of the trip a different driver was assigned, using the same vehicle. That driver was professional, easy to work with, and created none of the problems described above. This confirms for us that the issue was never the vehicle or the tour concept, which are genuinely good, but specifically Asel and her husband as guides and driver. Kyrgyzstan is a beautiful country and well worth visiting, and the itinerary itself, once we were with a different driver, delivered exactly what we had hoped for. Indy Guide as a platform worked well for us in the end, and their support was responsive when we raised these issues. But the first two thirds of this trip were made unnecessarily stressful by daily fuel complaints over an agreed all-inclusive price, a narrow and inflexible reading of the itinerary, an undersized roof box, an attempted downgrade to a vehicle unsuited to the Song-Kul leg, and a driver who was often reckless, frequently unavailable, and unpleasant to be around. We are giving this one star out of five specifically for Asel and her husband as guides, not for the platform or the country. Our advice to future travelers: get everything in writing before you go, as we did, and if you are offered this particular pairing, choose a different driver and guide on the platform instead.

Jeremie

July 2026

Definitely recommend, Asel and her husband are very kind, reliable and welcoming people with lot of knowledge about the area

Rianne

July 2026

This has been the best and the most authentic trip of my life...Asel and her husband took us not just to all the real and hidden places in Kyrgyzstan but also made us experience the real culture and hospitality of the kyrgz people. We had the best guide in Asel picking for us the best and the most authentic food to eat and she cooked the best meal I have had on this trip.. They have left us feeling overjoyed and with the feeling that we got to have a real and authentic experience one I could never imagine to manage by myself... I have no words to explain how grateful I am.for this experience

rahul

November 2025

We had a very positive experience with Asel and her husband during our trip to Kyrgyzstan. We chose Asel given her English level of speaking, and we didn’t regret our decision! They drove us across the country for four days, and we also enjoyed staying at their guesthouse. We highly recommend this experience if you want a local guide and driver to show you the real Kyrgyzstan.

Matteo

October 2025

thank you to Asel for renting us the Lada Niva, it is the perfect way to see Kyrgyzstan. It is a rugged but reliable car and a very fair price, the best value for the region. We were surprised at first it had no passenger front seat or seatbelt in the back. But in the end it was good to store more bags. Although we couldn’t meet at the airport as planned, in the end it all worked out as Asel communicates very openly, just be sure to share what you need with you. She is kind and knows a lot about the country. We had a great time and Asel’s rental made it possible!

Carlen

October 2025

We rented a car from Asel for 8 days and we definitely didn’t regret it. We rented a Lada Niva, a car that is truly made for driving in the region and can handle anything. Everything we needed to travel safely was included in the car. Asel and her husband were also very pleasant people – they even brought the car to Bishkek for us when we landed. They were very friendly, helpful, and answered all our questions. At the end of our trip, we also stopped by their guesthouse in Balykchy. It was a very cozy place and everyone was extremely welcoming. Definitely worth a visit if you’re looking for accommodation in Balykchy.

Julien

September 2025

We had the absolute pleasure of spending 7 days in Kyrgyzstan with Asel as our guide and her husband Kai as our driver, and they were absolutely awesome. They are an incredible team with a wealth of local knowledge, taking us to places we would never have found on our own—or even on a standard package tour. At one point we decided to change our itinerary and they handled this adjustment effortlessly, coming up with excellent alternatives within hours. Their flexibility, organisation, and warm hospitality made the entire experience stress-free and unforgettable. Best holiday ever!

Adrian

August 2025

Response from Asel July 2025

Adrian and his son Fin were absolutely wonderful guests! From the very first moment, it felt like we had known them for a long time — the connection was natural and full of warmth. They came with a genuine curiosity about Kyrgyzstan, asking thoughtful questions and showing real interest and respect for our culture, history, and daily life. It was truly a pleasure to share our home and stories with them. Fin is such a bright and talented young man — his singing brought so much joy and magiclllHis voice is beautiful and full of emotion.Adrian is a kind, thoughtful, and caring father . We shared so great conversations, and beautiful moments surrounded by nature. Hosting guests like Adrian and Finn is what makes this work so meaningful. Thank you both for your trust, openness, and friendship. We truly hope our paths cross again one day. Our home will always be open to you — not just as guests, but as dear friends. ❤️

Absolutely extraordinary service. She invited us to her house and we met with their beautiful family. They also cooked us the most amazing food we did not ask for. The hospitality was unmatched and I can never recommend their service enough. Thank you so much Asel and we wish you and your wonderful family the best!

Mertkan

August 2025

Asel and her Husband are amazing hosts. Kind, warm, welcoming. We rented the Lada Niva from them and there were no misunderstandings or hidden clauses. Asel was always upfront and honest and did her best to accommodate our every need. I would recommend Asel 11/10.

Noah

July 2025

Response from Asel July 2025

We had the pleasure of hosting Noah and his brother Leo who rented a Niva for their adventure through Kyrgyzstan. These young travelers were genuinely interested in the local culture and nature, and they explored the country with great curiosity and respect. Always cheerful and full of positive energy, it was a joy to meet them. They returned the car in good condition, and we truly appreciated their care and responsibility. We'd be happy to welcome them back anytime — safe travels and all the best on your next adventures!

We had a wonderful experience with Asel and her husband as our hosts. From the very beginning, they were incredibly friendly and welcoming, helping us plan our trip and supporting us along the way. Staying at their guesthouse was a true cultural immersion, we learned so much about Kyrgyzstan and really felt at home thanks to their warm hospitality. The car we rented had a lot of charm and was well-suited for the rugged Kyrgyz roads, getting us everywhere we needed to go. However, the missing front passenger seat made the road trip less cozy. Still, considering the local standards, the car offered good value for money. A nice bonus was that a tent was included in the rental, which added a fun element to the experience. Overall, we’re very satisfied with our experience with Asel. Kyrgyzstan is a stunning country, and thanks to the affordable, student-friendly setup, we were able to explore it in a unique and memorable way.

Thibo

July 2025

Response from Asel June 2025

Thibo and his girlfriend were truly exceptional guests! They stayed at our guesthouse and also rented our car for their adventure around Kyrgyzstan. From the moment they arrived, they were kind, respectful, and full of curiosity about our culture and country. It was a real pleasure to host them — they asked thoughtful questions about Kyrgyz traditions, nature, and history, and were genuinely excited to learn and explore. They treated our vehicle with care and responsibility, and returned everything in good condition. Their positive attitude, warm communication, and respectful behavior made them stand out. We truly enjoyed their company and the interesting conversations we shared. We highly recommend Thibo and his girlfriend to any host — both as guests and as renters. We would be more than happy to welcome them again anytime in the future

Excellent. Asel and her husband are very friendly and knowledgeable. They were very accomodative to all our requests. They also treated us with wonderful home cooked traditional Kyrgyz food in their guest house. Overall a wonderful experience in a beautiful country.

Sriram

February 2025

Response from Asel February 2025

We had a great time showing Sriram the beauty of Issyk-Kul! A curious and enthusiastic traveler, he eagerly explored the landscapes and listened to local stories. We're happy that the journey left him with wonderful memories!

Asel was such a great host, fetched us from the location we provided and even gave us fruits upon arrival. Asel brought us to all the locations we wanted to go and was very flexible with the timing. She explained the history of some monuments and basically provided great service :)

Istiqomah

October 2024

Response from Asel September 2024

It was an absolute pleasure to host such a wonderful traveler! Polite, attentive to details, and genuinely interested in the local culture and nature. Our conversations were delightful, and I'm glad they chose us for their journey.