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General
Kyrgyzstan, once part of the Soviet Union, is in Central Asia. It’s a country surrounded by land, known for its stunning landscapes, including tall mountains and beautiful alpine lakes. Most of Kyrgyzstan is covered by mountains, especially the Tian Shan range, which is in the central area. This makes it an amazing place for activities like hiking, climbing, and enjoying nature. Although Kyrgyzstan doesn’t have access to the sea, Lake Issyk-Kul’s beaches are great for a beach holiday. The country has a dry climate, with hot summers in the cities where temperatures average about 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). This weather makes it perfect to cool off by swimming or heading to the mountains. In winter, the temperature drops to around freezing, ideal for skiing and other winter activities.
Official name: Kyrgyz Republic
Government: Republic
Population: Approximately 7 million
Climate: Continental
Geography: Mountains
Highest point: Peak Pobedy 7,439m
Time zone: KGT (UTC+6)
Dialing code: +996
Electricity: 220V, 50Hz, European plug
Religion: Islam and Christianity
t really depends on what activities you like and what you’re looking for. There are two great times to visit Kyrgyzstan: summer and winter.
During summer, you can enjoy hiking, trekking, climbing, driving off-road, riding horses, swimming, and going on cultural tours, among other things. In winter, you can go skiing, freeriding, paragliding, take off-road tours, and visit hot springs.
All year round, you can also relax at health resorts and stay in guesthouses.
The main language is Kyrgyz, and Russian is also an official language. In both cities and villages, people speak and understand these languages. You can use Google Translate for both languages to talk with locals. In the south, some people also speak Uzbek and Tajik. Younger people tend to speak English better than the older generation, but English isn’t widely spoken. Generally, you’ll find English speakers mainly in the cities.
The currency is the Som (KGS).
Visa & Documents
Kyrgyzstan is very welcoming to tourists and allows citizens from 60 countries to enter without a visa. The time you can stay without a visa varies from 30 to 90 days, depending on your country. The visa requirements differ by country, so it depends on where you’re from. People from many European countries, the United States, Australia, Japan, and others can visit Kyrgyzstan visa-free for a certain period.
To find out if you need a visa and how to apply for one, check the official e-visa website: www.evisa.e-gov.kg. For more information, visit the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic at www.mfa.gov.kg.
If you need a visa for Kyrgyzstan, you can apply online for an electronic visa at www.evisa.e-gov.kg. You can pay the visa fee with a Visa or MasterCard. It usually takes 3 working days to process, and the cost ranges from 40 to 65 US dollars, depending on whether you want a 30 or 90-day visa and if you plan to enter the country more than once. Remember, the electronic visa is only good if you’re coming or going through three places: Manas Airport in Bishkek, the airport in Osh, or the Ak-Zhol border checkpoint with Kazakhstan.
For more details, visit www.evisa.e-gov.kg.
Yes, to visit some special places in Kyrgyzstan close to China, like Khan-Tengri and Pobeda peaks, Sary-Jaz valley, Kel-Suu lake, Ak-Sai valley, and Inylchek glacier, you need a special border permit. We know a lot about how to get these permits and can help you get the papers you need for your trip to these border areas in Issyk-Kul and Naryn.
Practical Questions
In Kyrgyzstan, bathrooms vary a lot. In most hotels, guesthouses, and hostels, they’re clean and come with both showers and toilets. Sometimes they’re shared. In the countryside, especially in yurt camps high in the mountains, they’re more basic – just small cabins with a hole in the ground. Always bring toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and a flashlight.
You’ll find WiFi in the big cities. It’s in cafes, coffee shops, and sometimes free in public places. But in smaller areas and villages, WiFi isn’t always easy to find and sometimes you have to pay for it. It’s a good idea to buy a local SIM card for internet access. Companies like MegaCom, O!, and Beeline offer these services.
It’s best to pack warm clothes because the weather can change a lot, especially in the mountains. There’s no strict dress code, but it’s better to avoid short and revealing clothes. In the north, you can dress more freely. In the south, especially in the Jalal-Abad, Osh, and Batken regions, it’s important to dress more conservatively, covering your body to respect the local culture. When you visit religious places, women should cover their heads and shoulders with a veil, and both men and women should wear long pants.
Transportation
Yes, you can. In towns or villages, you can ride minibuses called “marshrutkas,” buses, trolleys, or take taxis. To travel between cities, you need to find a bus station. Sometimes there are a few different stations, depending on where you want to go. Again, you can choose from marshrutkas, buses, or taxis. There’s just one regular airplane route in the country, from Bishkek to Osh, but in summer, you can also fly from Osh to Tamchi in Issyk-Kul state.
In the summer, there’s a train that many tourists use. It goes from Bishkek to Balykchy in Issyk-Kul state.
If you don’t want to figure out public transport, our company can help you. We can make your travel plans smoother and more comfortable. For more information, check out https://silkwaytrips.com/transfers/
Yes, it is possible. Here you can find few recommendations: http://hitchwiki.org/en/ Kyrgyzstan
Yes, you can rent car at rental companies in Bishkek city.
Food
Kyrgyz food is a mix of Russian, Turkish, and a little bit of Chinese cooking. You’ll find meat in almost every meal, along with many dairy products. Tourists can usually find something they like to eat.
Vegetarian dishes aren’t very common, but you can find vegetarian options in bigger cities like Bishkek, Karakol, and Osh. While most traditional dishes include meat, you can ask for meals without meat. If you’re traveling with our company, we’ll make sure to consider your food preferences.
The rivers, coming from glaciers, are clean and taste good. However, if you’re not used to drinking natural water, it’s best to stick to bottled water, or boil river water, or use water purification tablets. When trekking, it’s crucial to stay healthy, so we recommend you bring water purification tablets from home, as it might be hard to find them in Kyrgyzstan.
Good coffee is available in the larger cities like Bishkek, Osh, and Karakol. If you’re a big coffee lover, consider bringing your own coffee and equipment from home.
You can find alcohol like beer, vodka, wine, and cognac in most cafes, shops, or markets. For a wider selection of quality wines and spirits like whiskey or tequila, look for special liquor stores or large supermarkets. We advise you not to drink too much alcohol in public or be too loud, especially if you’re traveling on your own.
Emergency and Safety
Yes, traveling in Kyrgyzstan is generally safe, but you should take care of your belongings in public areas and not leave them unattended. Mountain activities like trekking and climbing can be dangerous. We suggest you hire a guide who knows the area well and can keep you safe. Unfortunately, there have been cases where tourists got lost with serious consequences.
If you’re traveling with our company, you’re in safe hands. However, please note that travel insurance is not included in our prices. We advise you to get your own insurance in case of sickness, injury, or loss of personal items. If there’s an emergency, our team will do their best to get you to a hospital or another safe place. If you have insurance, it should cover the costs. If not, you’ll have to pay for any expenses yourself. Here are some emergency numbers (note that they might not speak English):
- Fire station: 101
- Police: 102
- Ambulance: 103
- Rescue Service: 112
You can find a list of embassies in Kyrgyzstan here: www.embassypages.com/kyrgyzstan
