Bishkek's best day trips run south into the mountains and east along the Chüy Valley. Ala-Archa Gorge is the easiest and most popular — an alpine national park 40 km south of the city, suitable for casual walking and for serious mountaineering alike. The Burana Tower, 80 km east towards Tokmok, is the most accessible major historical site near the city. Issyk-Ata hot springs is a longer 80 km drive east, but combined with a stop at a Buddhist rock carving in the same gorge it makes a satisfying day.
For longer trips, Bishkek is the start of routes to Karakol and Issyk-Kul (4-5 hours east) and to Osh (one hour by air or 10-12 punishing hours by road).