Travelwings

Explore the untouched Kyrgyzstan attractions as you spend time admiring rugged mountains and strolling endless canyons. Kyrgyzstan tourism also offers a virgin paradise for trekkers, hikers, and climbers that is worth exploring. Here you will find that nature remains untouched and you are among the most hospitable locals who live a nomadic cultural life. The nomadic yurt culture is fascinating where you will get to sample fresh butter and dairy products every day that is symbolic of a simpleton way of life. Kyrgyzstan tourism welcomes you to an interesting place that cannot be found easily anywhere else in the world.

USEFUL INFO ABOUT KYRGYZSTAN

Official Name: Kyrgyzstan Republic

Form of Government: Unitary Parliamentary Constitutional Republic

Capital & Largest City: Bishkek

Population: 6,033,769

Official Language: Kyrgyz

Languages Spoken: Kyrgyz, Russian, Uzbek

Ethnicity: Turkic 70.9%, Russians 9.0%, Uzbeks 14.5%

Currency: Kyrgyzstani Som

Map Referred: Asia

Area: 199,951 sq. km

Land: 96.4%

Water: 3.6%

Lowest Point: Kara- Daryya (132 m)

Highest Point: Pik Pobedy (7439 m)

Coastline: 0 km

Neighboring places

China 533 miles of border

Uzbekistan 816.48 miles of border

Tajikistan 611.42 miles of border

Kazakhstan 753.1 miles of border

Famous For: Lake Sary Chelek I Osh I Arslanbob Walnut Forest I Ala Archa National Park I Karakol I Lake Issyk Kul I Kyrgyzstan Silk Road I Khan Tengri Peak I Terskey Ala-Too I Jailoo Gorge I Lenin Peak I Ala Archa Gorge I Chuy Valley

Time Zone: GMT +6

Ethnicity: Kyrgyz 70.9%, Russians 9.0%, Uzbeks 14.5%

Driving Side: Right
Major Airports in Kyrgyzstan: Batken Airport I Cholpon-Ata Airport I Isfana Airport I Issyk-Kul International Airport I Jalal-Abad Airport I Kanysh-Kiya Airport I Karakol International Airport I Kazarman Airport I Kerben Airport I Kyzyl-Kiya Airport I Manas International Airport I Naryn Airport I Osh Airport I Talas Airport I Tamga Airport I Tokmok Airport I Toktogul Airport

Network Connectivity
WI-FI is available in hotels and cafes with 3G and 4G connectivity for mobile phones. But it is a smarter option to use a dongle with a laptop so you can always access mobile WI-FI and you are connected to a network across the country. You can always buy a dongle for 1000 Som with a SIM card to access the network. Choose from the operators such as Megacom and Beeline that provide you good reach and speed. You could use the Opensignal app for a map of the reach of the network and prepaid data SIM card wiki will give you information on procedures to buy a SIM card. Do provide your personal ID status to purchase a SIM. Prepaid SIM cards are available for 80 to 200 Som. Pick one up from the many stores and outlets in town.

The Kyrgyzstan currency is the Kyrgyzstan Som and the most popular exchange rate is the USD to Kyrgyz Som currency. The currency code for Som is KGS and the symbol is ЛÐ².

Symbol: ЛÐ²
Code: KGS
1 Som = 100 Tyiyn
1 Som = 1.02 INR (Kyrgyzstan currency to INR)
1 Som = 0.014 USD (Kyrgyzstan currency to USD)
1 Som = 5.25 Naira (Kyrgyzstan currency to Naira)
1 Som = 2.22 PKR (Kyrgyzstan currency to PKR)

Som banknote denomination: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100
Som bank coin denomination: 1, 3, 10, 50
**Please note that Travelers Cheques are NOT accepted in most places

The country was a part of the U.S.S.R and was known as Kirgyziya. The Kyrgyz are Muslim Turkic in origin and constitute more than half the population. The history of the country dates to the 17th century when it was ruled by the Russians. Kyrgyz found their home in the upper Yenisey River valley and the culture was an amalgamation of Asiatic and European people.

The Kyrgyz were forest dwellers who practiced the spiritual path of shamanism. They remained secluded from the mainstream and surrendered to the Mongol attack of Genghis Khan's son Jochi. In the 16th to 17th century the Kyrgyz tribes lived like nomads in the Tien Shan mountain range. Islam was gradually adopted while the two tribes of Tien Shan were constantly at war. The country was conquered by tsarist Russians in the 19th century. Russians and Kokandians harassed the tribes and in 1961, there was a serious revolt. After many years of foreign intervention, Kyrgyzstan got its independence on August 31, 1991.

Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked country in Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan geography is a mountainous terrain with the Victory Peak at 24,406 feet to the extreme east next to China. Tian Shan Range is on the boundary of the country in the south with China and extends farther into China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Mount Khan-Tengri at 22,949 feet is on the border with Kazakhstan and the whole range makes up the Tien Shan System. Towards the south lies the Kok Shaal-Tau, Alay, Trans-Alay, and Atbashi Ranges. To the south-west are the Fergana Valley and Lake Ysyk with beautiful pristine deep waters.

The Fergana Range extends from southeast to northwest and merges into the Chatkal Range. The Kyrgyz Range is connected to the Ysyk-Kol region while the Chu and Talas River Valleys are important lowlands, home to many people. The famous rivers of the country are the Naryn River and Chu River that are beautiful places to visit in Kyrgyzstan. 65% of the nation is dominated by the Tian Shan and the Pamir Mountain systems while almost 90% of the country lies above sea level.

Kyrgyzstan culture is a mix of cultures of Turkmen and Kazakh folk forms. The music is nomadic with influences of high pitch sounds and Russian elements. Many folk instruments such as Kyl kayak, sybyzgy, chopo-choor and the temir ooz komuz play a vital role in the music and culture of the country. Russia, Persia, and Turkey influence the country's culture and nature plays an important part in the music and art forms of Kyrgyzstan. The country takes pride in the best-known longest poem in the world which is 'The Epic of Manas'. The poem is about the life of an epic warrior Manas, his grandson and his son.

Kyrgyz culture includes elements of shamanism that believe in spiritual wisdom, energies, and divine love. Instruments such as dobulba, the asa-tayak and the kyl kiak have symbolic meaning in the shamanic practice. Several postage stamps project the traditional musical instruments including the komuz. Kyrgyz music is an element of the practice and plays a creative part in the shamanistic ritual. The practice also considers musical instruments as sacred.

Notable performers play a wide variety of music that tells a narrative in the form of a musical skit. The folk-style compositions are notable and well known. Tengir-Too, Zere Asylbek, the Djunushov Brothers, and Jusuo Aisaev are a few popular musicians. Rock and metal music are also famous and Darkestrah is a well-known Bishkek band that combines traditional Kyrgyz folk music with metal.

Yurts are another important part of Kyrgyzstan culture and are also a part of every family. It represents the earth and the universe. Even the textiles are made from materials from nature with motifs of rivers, plants, and animals.

Food and Drink
Kyrgyz food has influences from China, Russia, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. You get chunks of meat in a variety of potatoes, noodles, or rice. Beshbarmak is made from horse meat served with noodles and onion broth. It is also considered as the Kyrgyz national food and is relished by hand. Kuurdak which is grilled mutton served with potatoes and onions is another delicious Kyrgyzstan cuisine. Dimlama, a vegetable stew made of potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers with a little meat is also a popular Kyrgyzstan cuisine.

Must-Try Kyrgyzstan National Dishes
Borsook (Kyrgyz bread), Samsa (dumplings), Lagman (noodles), Pilaf (Kyrgyz rice), Gulchitai and Kazy Karta (horse meat dishes), Borsok (dough), Oromo (dough filled with meat), Besh Barmak (lamb with noodles), Monty (mutton with onions), Plov (rice with carrots and onions), Samsy (chunks of meat, onions), Shashlyk (bread with onions)

Must-Try Kyrgyzstan National Drinks
Tea, Koumys (fermented mares milk), Coffee, Chalap (fizzy drink), Qurut (sheep's milk), Bozo (mild alcoholic drink from wheat), Camel's Milk, Kvass (mild alcoholic drink from rye bread), Jarma (fermented barley drink)

Hospitality
The local nomads treat travelers like kings and will make your stay enjoyable. A stay in the yurt is a Kyrgyzstan attraction where you can enjoy the night in a warm sleeping mat with comforts of blankets all laid out for you. Guests are honored with the best meat and are also invited to take part in the Kyrgyzstan traditions. Kyrgyz custom also insists to take off your shoes before entering a nomadic family yurt. The head of the household, the oldest person is given a seat and is highly respected. Guests are also respected, and bowls of food are never kept empty. As soon as you are halfway, the bowl is served another copious serving so that the guest is well fed. You will feel comfortable and your stay will be a memorable experience.

Live the nomadic way of life and spend a night in a cozy yurt.

Delight in the splendor of landscapes on the Old Silk Road with gorgeous mountains and pristine alpine lakes.

Trek in the trekkers' paradise with trails featuring backdrops and stunning views in the Alay Valley.

Visit Lake Issyk Kul to admire the crystal blue water, the largest and deepest lake in the world.

Witness the World Nomad Games held every two years which is a spectacular Kyrgyzstan attraction. Participants compete in ancient board games and Salbuurun, a game using hunting birds and dogs.

Relish kymyz, the traditional beverage, along with bread as the nomads welcome you with kindness and generosity, a feeling you will always cherish.

Go on multi-yurt horse treks and multi-yurt hikes, a popular Kyrgyzstan tourism activity.

Relish the Kyrgyz food as Oromo or Beshbarmak prepared with a lot of finely cut chunks of meat, onion, and pumpkin.

Indulge in the Kyrgyzstan culture and wander the beautiful green lush alpine valley dotted with yurts.

Kyrgyzstan Weather | KG Climate
The country is landlocked due to the huge amount of elevation and mountainous terrain. Hence, Kyrgyzstan weather has a diverse range of temperatures. The overall climate is continental with very hot summers and cold winters. The range in Kyrgyzstan weather is as high as 40℃ and winters can be lower than -30℃. However, do remember that even in the hot summer months from May to September, travel to higher elevations can be planned. Bishkek weather also shows drastic variations with the warmest time of the year being mid-July with a high of about 33℃ in the day and a pleasant 19.3℃ at night, a good time to travel.

In the same way, winter travel at lower elevations can be possible. The best time to travel would be from June to September to visit northern Kyrgyzstan and March to October is perfect for southern Kyrgyzstan. April and June are spring months when the flowers are blossoming, and the mountains are gorgeous. Winter season offers lovely skiing opportunities. But, do remember that due to heavy snow some roads may be closed for travel.

Visit Kyrgyzstan With Family

Go on horseback to explore the gorgeous terrain with meadows, valleys, and rugged mountain passes just like the nomads do to explore the numerous places to visit in Kyrgyzstan.

Attend the World Nomad Games on the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul and experience Kyrgyzstan culture. Be a part of everything from traditional clothes, yurts, music, dance, local food, and sports.

Visit a natural hot spring, rejuvenate in the experience at the Issyk Ata hot springs and feel the magical powers of healing.

Take a day to tour Bishkek and visit the many Bishkek attractions such as Ala Archa National Park, Ala-Too Square, Burana Towers, and the Osh Bazaar to name a few.

Visit Kyrgyzstan as a Couple

Visit the magical Sazka Canyon also called the 'Fairytale Canyon' with remarkable shapes of rocks that resemble castles, animals in fantastic colors of red, pink, orange, and more.

Take a one-day hike from Bishkek and trek through fabulous trails called Eolian Castles to climb the plateau for some gorgeous views.

Visit the walnut forest in the province of Jala-Abad, especially in early October when it is harvest time. The whole village meets in the evenings and shares a meal in a very festive atmosphere.

Take an exciting rafting tour in the Chu River when the Bishkek weather in June to mid-September is ideal with the water temperature between 15℃ to 18℃.

Visit Kyrgyzstan with Friends

Head up the mountains and take a three-day trek to Ala-Kul Lake with miles of trails up the hills lined with pine trees, a yurt camp, breathtaking vistas, and incredible views to reach the hot springs of Altyn Arashan.

Osh Kyrgyzstan tourism beckons you to visit the many Kyrgyzstan tourist spots such as Suleiman-Too Mountain, Jayma Bazaar, Lenin Statue, Ak Buura River, Navoi Park, the three-story yurt, and more.

Enjoy a samsa experience at Bismilloh Samsakana and build up an appetite for a Giant Osh Samsa or Chon Samsa. Relish the delectable meat filling that is roasted in an oven which is cut in the shape of a samsa soup bowl.

One of the best places to visit in Bishkek is the Victory Square dedicated to the victory of the Allies over Nazi Germany. It is a statue of a woman waiting for her husband to return from war.

A fun thing to do in Bishkek at night is to visit Tuman Nightclub and dance on a smoke-filled floor to fabulous musical beats. So, get ready for some swaying fun times with your friends in Tuman.

What to Buy?

Embroidered Shyrdak Rug

Kyrgyz Felt Hat

Chess Sets

Leather Items

Jewelry

Yurt Shaped Jewelry Boxes

Chuchuk

Kurut Snack

Bozo National Drink

Kyrgyz Chocolate

Kyrgyz Cognac

Backgammon Board Game

The Burana Tower
The old minaret stands at 25m tall since the days of the silk route. An interesting Kyrgyzstan tourist spot, the gorgeous minaret is located 70 km from Bishkek. You should go to the top of the tower to get astonishing views. Interestingly around the tower are scattered ancient Balbals made by Turkish tribes.
Best Time to Visit: Summer months
Entry Price: $2 for access to the top of the tower

Suleiman-Too
This sacred mountain is the only UNESCO heritage site in the country worshipped by Muslims as a pilgrimage site. The mountain is made up of numerous caves, mosques, trekking tracks, museums, and pagans religious relics. On top of the mountain, you can get fabulous views of the city of Osh.
Best Time to Visit: Summer months
Entry Price: $60 (part of Osh city tour)

Lake Issyk-Kul
The gorgeous Kyrgyzstan thing to see is the largest lake in the country where you can enjoy yourself with many water-based activities. This ancient lake is at an altitude of 1600 in the mountain range of Tien-Shan also called Heaven's Mountain. The lake is estimated to be about 25 million years old located in eastern Kyrgyzstan.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and Summer months (April, May, June)
Entry Price: Free

Zhirgal Banya Bathhouse
Visiting this popular Russian bathhouse is an interesting thing to do in Kyrgyzstan where you can unwind in the artistic interior spa. Manicures and massages are comforting with venik (birch twig) as you lay in comfort and experience a total Russian style bathhouse. The steam bath is said to be good for the skin and has a healing property to make you feel rejuvenated and energized.
Best Time to Visit: September, November, December
Entry Price: Massage at $6.81

Panfilov Park
In the spring months when the Bishkek weather is pleasant you could plan to travel to the outdoor attractions in the capital such as the beautiful Panfilov Park. Located near the Old Square and Manas Square, the park is in the shape of a star with exciting amusement rides. There is also a monument in the park to commemorate Ivan Panfilov who was the chairman of the Military Committee of the Kirghiz SSR.
Best Time to Visit: Summer months
Entry Price: Free

Osh Bazaar
The bazaar is the oldest in Kyrgyzstan and one of the top attractions and a popular Osh Kyrgyzstan tourism recommendation. Feel captivated by the fragrance of baked bread and red-hot spices as you wander the winding alleys of the bazaar. There are rows of stalls selling locally produced food, textiles, freshly baked naan, tasty plov, heaps of dried fruits and samsas. Enjoy the cacophony of color and sounds and try a cup of kymyz, which is fermented mare's milk and other Kyrgyzstan street food warmly offered by the vendors.
Best Time to Visit: Spring Season
Entry Price: Budget spending

Manas Ordu Complex
This is the resting place of the epic hero Manas along with his wife as they together had a great influence over Kyrgyzstan many 1000 years ago. The attraction represents historical architecture, Kyrgyz lifestyle, and tradition. Do see the famous monuments of deer horns here and the well-designed yurt houses that represent the nomadic way of life.
Best Time to Visit: April, May
Entry Price: As per the tour

If you can make time to visit a few other places in Kyrgyzstan are,

Osh Animal Market

Ala-Archa Gorge

Ala Kul Lake

Konorchek Canyons

Kashka-Suu Ski Resort

Ethno Park

Skazka Canyon

Ala-Too Square

State History Museum

Konorchek Canyon

Song- Kul Lake

Ala Archa National Park

Most Popular Regions and Cities to Visit in Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek
The astonishing capital also called 'Green City' reveals the influences of a mix of culture between the Soviet era and modern developments. The city tour is worth your while that will take you to many alleys shaded by trees, bazaars, statues, and wonderful eating places to relish Kyrgyz traditional food.
Visit For: Ala-Too Square, Manas Monument, Tian Shan Range, Ala Archa National Park, Bishkek State Museum, Ala-Too Mountains, Osh Bazaar, Victory Square, Burana Tower

Osh
The cultural capital of the country, Osh is a fabulous blend of Uzbek, Tajik and Kyrgyz cultures. Pick your handicrafts and knick-knacks from the many markets and bazaars. Stop by at a traditional restaurant and enjoy delectable Kyrgyzstan street food. Enjoy walking tours and feel oneness with the country's culture and tradition.
Visit For: Sulayman Mountain, Muzey Sulayman Too, Ak-Buura River, Lenin Monument, Park Alisher Navoi, Ak Buura Tsentr Otdykha

Karakol
One of the popular places to visit in Kyrgyzstan, the city Karakol is seen as the administrative center of the Issyk- Kul region. You could take day trips to enjoy the pristine lake and mountainous areas. Other Kyrgyzstan attractions here include the Dungan Mosque and Orthodox Church that showcase the city's historical events.
Visit For: Holy Trinity Cathedral, Dungan Mosque, Issyk Kul, Karakol River Park, Karakol Cattle Market, Ala Kul Lake, Altyn Arashan

Tokmok
This city is a famous place to visit at an altitude of 816 meters above sea level. You can visit the Chu River that passes close to Tokmok, Burana Tower, Tokmok Mosque, Song- Kol Lake among other Kyrgyzstan things to see. The city also served as the Chui Province's administrative center for two years.
Visit For: Burana Tower, Tokmok Mosque, Song- Kol Lake, Kegety Gorge, Konorchek Canyons

Jyrgalan
This city has idyllic settings and gives you a wonderful experience of the Kyrgyz village lifestyle. The sightseeing vistas of the mountains are breathtaking as the city is just at the foothills of the mountains. Enjoy a few days blending with the village folk and imbibe the ways of laid-back life in the midst of attractive sights. Indulge in horse trekking, winter sports freeride skiing and more.
Visit For: Kok-Bel Waterfall, Turnaluu Kol Lake, Jyrgalan Valley, Eki Chat Gorge, Ailampa Lake, Tulpar Kol, Terskey Ala-Too Mountain

If you have time some of the other famous cities are;

Naryn

Cholpon-Ata

Kara-Balta

Jalal-Abad

Burana

CBT Summer Festival
During the summer months, the local CBT offices organize a host of events and games such as Horse Game Festival in Kyzyl-Oi, the Eagle Hunting Festival in Bokonbayevo and Shepherd Festival in Karkara Valley to name a few. The atmosphere is filled with a joyous mood with a song, dance, and traditional craft activity to keep you entertained.
Location: Kyzyl-Oi, Bokonbayevo, Karkara Valley
Date: July and August (end of the month)

Bishkek Jazz Festival
Musicians from Central Asia, the US, and Europe meet to perform to an audience for three days. The event takes place in the Asanbay Centre that hosts the international jazz festival. The event is in April where you can witness some superb high-performance jazz music that fills the air.
Location: Bishkek
Date: April

World Nomad Games
A high budget event with international participants is organized with great success annually. It is a fascinating event that blends the games and cultural spirit of Central Asia. 74 countries participate to pay tribute to the nomad culture and the games are held in great zest.
Location: Cholpon-Ata
Date: April

Birds of Prey Festival
The festival organized by CBT Tamchy demonstrates the skill of hunting with a Golden Eagle. The festival features folklore, cuisine, horse games, crafts, yurts, Kyrgyzstan dishes, and art. The event is held on the South Shore of Lake Issyk-Kul near Bokonbaevo village.
Location: South Shore of Lake Issyk-Kul
Date: 6 August

Ski Challenge
This annual challenge is held in the winter in Arslanbob in southern Kyrgyzstan. You can enjoy the folklore show in the beautiful Jalalabad Region and visit the walnut forest. Blend in the festivity with lots of music, tasty Kyrgyzstan traditional food, and local racers.
Location: Arslanbob
Date: 25 January

Other festivals celebrated in Kyrgyzstan are

Autumn Marathon

National Horse Games Festival

Agro Fest

Kurak, Terma, Saima Festival

Bike Challenge

Felt Festival

Passports
All travelers must have a valid passport to apply for a Kyrgyz visa. The passport needs to be valid for six months after the visa expires.

Visa-on-arrival/iVisa
iVisa is delivered via email in pdf format and is a convenient way to apply for the Kyrgyzstan visa. Citizens of the following countries are eligible for travel up to 60 days without a visa.

USA

Canada

Australia

New Zealand

Japan

South Korea

Singapore

Finland

Austria

Belgium

Germany

France

Switzerland

Netherland

Sweden

Denmark

Iceland

Italy

Luxembourg

Liechtenstein

Ireland

Norway

Slovenia

If the stay extends beyond 60 days, please apply for a 3-month visa at the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in your country.

Citizens from the following countries are eligible to obtain a visa-on-arrival at the Manas Airport or have the option of applying for a visa earlier at any Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Albania

Bulgaria

Macedonia

Serbia

Romania

Argentina

Brazil

Chile

Venezuela

Mexico

Cyprus

Israel

Montenegro

Turkey

San Marino

Indonesia

Philippines

Sultanate of Oman

Thailand

Republic of South Africa

If you are a citizen of a country not listed above, kindly apply for a one-month visa at the Embassy providing an invitation letter from the Consular Department.

Citizens from the USA can apply for a 5-year tourist visa at the Embassy of Kyrgyz Republic to the USA and Canada. Processing time to receive a visa is 7 working days.

Citizens of the UAE can obtain a one-month tourist visa on arrival at Bishkek airport and can stay visa-free for 60 days.

Validity
A single-entry visa is valid for 60 days to stay from the date of issue. The processing fee is $51.50.
A multiple entry visa is valid for 30 to 90 days from the date of issue. The processing fee is $70
Transit visas are valid for 15 days from the date of issue. Transit eVisa cost is about $86.50

Marshrutka
These are minibusses with regular routes also called Marshrutka. A very popular way of transport, it also gives you the convenience of stops on passenger requests. The price is also reasonable at $0.14 to $0.17 for a single passenger.

Bus:
This is a common form of public transport with official stops for pick up and drops. The buses are a very cheap form of transport at $0.11 for a single passenger. You also have Trolleybus that transport you the same way. Be wary of pickpockets on a crowded bus.

Taxi:
An official taxi is safer than a private taxi and is also cheap. You could choose from various taxi companies such as Pilot, Record Taxi, Lovi Taxi, Taxi 37, 1200 Taxi, Jorgo to name a few. An average cost of $.20 per km is levied and is very reasonable.

Railway:
Railway network operates more in the north of the country. There are three long-distance trains to Moscow from Bishkek and suburban trains to Kazakhstan and to Tokmok station. Local trains are also available for Balykchy to tour Issyk-Kul Lake.

Air
The local airline Air Kyrgyzstan is the national carrier and operates to many destinations. It is also known as Kyrgyzstan Air Company and is based in Bishkek with the international hub at Manas International Airport. Ural Airlines and Bishkek Air frequently fly local routes to Osh, Jalalabad, and Bishkek.

Via Air Route
You could get amazing offers flying the Air Kyrgyzstan Airlines with the country offering full-service international airports. Many other international airlines also operate the route such as Malaysia Airlines, Air Astana, Lufthansa etc. Most international flights land at Manas International Airport. Other airlines that fly into the country are Flydubai, Uzbekistan Airways, S7 to name a few. Kyrgyz-Travel.com provides all the details of scheduled flights to Kyrgyzstan that you could refer to as well.

Via Road
A road trip can be a very exciting journey traversing the once-famous Silk Road now maintained as asphalt roads. The journey through the winding road takes you through green mountain pastures, walnut forests, picturesque alpine lakes, colorful valleys, and dramatic lush orchards. Multi-country rentals are available where you can explore Central Asia in a 4*4. Maps.Me is a good app to download to navigate roads in the country through open borders.

Via Rail
Traveling the Silk Road by train is a delight. You could choose from high-speed trains and travel comfortably which is a preferred option to the road. The rail network of Central Asia and the Caucasus built by the Soviets operates on a well-kept schedule. You could choose from a lyux, kupe, platzkart and obshye mode of compartment travel with lyux being the most expensive.

Via Sea
As Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked country, there are no passenger cruises available.

Travel with adequate planning in advance as the trip will require a good amount of flexibility.

Utilize local guides and blend in with a local family to get the best out of the holiday.

CBT provides travel services that will guide you to see the best of Kyrgyzstan's tourism.

Hire a driver to help you travel across the country safe and sure.

Coincide your travel around the events especially the World Nomad Games.

It is a good idea to pack for both warm and cold weather as temperatures vary greatly.

Learn to read a few Cyrillic alphabets as communication here is a challenge.

Navigate transportation and choose your mode wisely depending on your distance to travel.

Avoid toilets at gas stations and step carefully on toilets provided by rural homestays.

Hang a scarf or hat outside the toilet to let others know it is occupied.

Carry enough cash as you may be traveling rural areas with sparse ATM facilities.

Always carry a photocopy of important travel documents.

Safety Tips

Downtown Bishkek is infamous for midnight crime, so stay safe and take a taxi back to the hotel.

Follow travel guidelines or advisories and take the help of CBT offices.

Carry along travel insurance that covers adventure sports activities as accidents happen in the mountains.

Research your destinations for local laws, customs, and traditions.

Follow safe driving instructions as conditions of roads on the highway is filled with potholes.

Do not swim in the rivers as the water can be very icy.

Mugging is common at night, so stay away from wandering in dark alleys at night.

Stay alert in bazaars and do not let your guard down.

Negotiate with taxi drivers outside Manas Airport and be aware that they tend to rip-off foreigners.

Drink spiking in pubs or nightclubs occurs, so keep an eye on your drink.

Always select safe transportation based on the distance needed to be traveled.

Health

Vaccinations are recommended prior to travel by WHO and National Travel Health Network such as Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Yellow Fever, Rabies, and Tetanus.

Eat and drink safely and do not drink water from the tap.

Always watch for hygienic precautions before eating local food.

Carry insect repellents to prevent bug bites.

Keep away from animals to stay safe from germs.

Always carry a medical kit and know your medical history.

What to Pack?

Digital Camera

Adventure Backpack

Toiletries

Sunglasses

Sleeping Bag

Travel Gym Set

Travel Pillow

Summer light clothing

Rain Jacket

Torch

Toilet Paper

Sanitizer Wipes

Medicare Kit

Travel Insurance

Insect Repellent

Adapter

Sunscreen

Trekking Shoes

Hiking Pants

Long Pants, Shirts

Vitamins

Cell Phones, Pads

Sleep Wear

Dress Code & Etiquette

Kyrgyzstan is a Muslim country and people dress modestly.

Attire is more traditional and conservative, especially in southern towns and villages.

Do not step over someone else's coat or jacket as it is considered rude.

Remove footwear before entering a yurt.

Respect is given to elders and verbal communication is always polite.

Men and women get up to offer their seats to elders.

Men and women sit on the opposite side of the table.

The eldest always sits at the head of the table.

Men and women greet each other by handshaking with the left hand over the heart.

Pushing to the front of a group in a religious service is common.

Bread is considered sacred and never placed on the ground.

Prayer is always said at the end of a meal.

Leftovers are never thrown away but fed to animals.

China (533 miles of border)
China is known for its Great Wall and Forbidden City in Beijing, Bund in Shanghai, Terracotta Warriors in Xian, Yangtze River Cruise just to name a few attractions. China is a fascinating destination with spectacular landscapes and treasures of ancient history.

Uzbekistan (816.48 miles of border)
Travel to neighboring Uzbekistan and visit many ancient cities such as Samarkand, Bukhara, Termez and Tashkent. The destination is alluring with lakes, rivers, and the oasis of Tashkent. The capital city showcases for you museums, centuries-old Buddha artifacts and Soviet-era architecture.

Tajikistan (611.42 miles of border)
Lenin Peak, Iskanderkul, Ismoil Somoni Peak and other tourist attractions will make your travel worth-while. There are plenty of outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, and camping that you could indulge in. The country is marvelous and unique.

Kazakhstan (753.1 miles of border)
The country is known for its 'black gold' and produces about 81 million tons of oil per year. Visit the many popular cities like Aktau, Taraz, Baikonur among others that offer interesting places to see. April to October is the best time to visit Kazakhstan.

Osh, the second-largest city in Kyrgyzstan is 3000 years old.

The country boasts of three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The country is landlocked but has the world's second-largest high-altitude lake Issyk- Kul.

The country is sparsely populated and is one of the least crowded countries in the world.

Kyrgyz is derived from the Turkic word meaning `forty'.

The poem Epic of Mamas is 500000 lines long.

The Tian Shan region covers 80% of Kyrgyzstan.

The sixth-largest glacier in the world is in Kyrgyzstan called the South Inylchek Glacier.

The country has a 3 Som coin.

Burana Tower is reduced to 25 meters from 45 meters by earthquakes.

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HOLIDAY IN THE RUGGED AND UNSOILED LANDSCAPES OF KYRGYZSTAN, THE SWITZERLAND OF CENTRAL ASIA

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