Norway or Kyrgyzstan: which is better for mountain plateaus, glaciers and deep lakes?

Norway's inland scenery, plateaus above the tree line, glaciers and long valleys, is where Kyrgyzstan competes. Suusamyr and Son-Kul are open grasslands at 2,200-3,000 m, Sary-Chelek is a lake up to 244 m deep between steep forested slopes, and Kel-Suu floods a canyon with sheer rock walls.

The coast is where Norway wins outright: fjords such as Geirangerfjord, islands and Arctic light have no equivalent in a landlocked country. Norway also pays a 25% incentive, but with a minimum spend of NOK 4 million in Norway and at least 30% international financing; smaller shoots pay full rates, and a crew of 13 costs $8,700 a day there against $1,500 in Kyrgyzstan.

There are no direct flights between the EU and Bishkek yet (Kyrgyz airlines were removed from the EU air safety list in June 2026, first routes are planned for 2027), so European crews connect through Istanbul (about 5 h 10 min to Bishkek with Turkish Airlines or Pegasus) or Dubai (about 4 h 45 min with flydubai). Citizens of the EU, the UK, the USA, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland enter Kyrgyzstan visa-free for 30 days in every 60-day period.

Plateau and lake locations are 3-11 hours by road from Bishkek, so long-distance units plan overnight bases in Kochkor, Naryn or Toktogul. Kyrgyzstan is not part of the ATA Carnet system, so bringing a full camera package means a separate temporary import procedure. Most crews rent the camera, lenses, lighting and grip in Bishkek and bring only personal kit.