Kyrgyzstan

The nomad clans of Kyrgyzstan were famous for their hospitality, kindness, and openness, the same traits that continue to this day. They are a warm, inviting sort of people: it’s likely that you’ll be welcomed into homes with as little as an introduction to acquaint you. That said, most travellers’ first reason for coming to Kyrgyzstan is not to sit and chat with the locals. Guests have always been welcomed and honored among the Kyrgyz people. There were three types of guests: First, mildetuu konok were ‘obligatory guests,’ arriving for attendance at a wedding or funeral, and accommodations for these guest would be distributed among related families or entire villages. Second, taanysh konok, or ‘familiar guests,’ would include distant relatives or friends, who could be treated more casually, depending on the relationship between the host and guest. And lastly, were the kydaly konok, or ‘god’s guests,’ which would refer to travelers who would ask for shelter. Kyrgyz families were obliged to provide food and a night’s shelter to anyone who stopped near their home at sunset and asked if they could stay. If the family were too poor, then relatives would be required to come to their assistance. It was important to preserve the good name of the clan and avoid “evil gossip” about their lack of hospitality. Visitors have many opportunities for home stays with Kyrgyz families or accommodation in yurt camps that offer a glimpse into the nomadic life of yesteryear. Yurts themselves symbolize the connection between the Kyrgyz and their land. Decorated with traditional felt carpets called shyrdaks and other embroidered handiwork, yurts offer warm and comfortable shelter during cool nights in mountain meadows at high altitudes. Kyrgyzstan is a place of stunning natural beauty, chiefly due to the mountainous terrain which occupies it. The snow-covered peaks of Tian Shan march along the southeastern border, delivering breathtaking views and great opportunities for adventure. Though few people are aware of it, Kyrgyzstan has skiing and mountaineering possibilities to match the best of ’em – the only difference is that there are fewer tourists (and, understandably, less tourist facilities). But the country’s on the rise: with desperately little to sell the outside world, Kyrgyzstan is actively promoting itself as one of Central Asia’s best destinations.

The fastest and the most comfortable way to get to Kyrgyzstan is to fly to the Manas Airport in Bishkek that receives daily flights from the largest cities of Europe and Asia. It is also possible to fly to the southern city of Osh, where you can take flights only from Central Asia and central parts of Russia. Driving to Kyrgyzstan is possible from China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. You can also travel to Bishkek by train from Moscow and other cities of Russia, but it would be a long and uncomfortable path.

By Plane There are several daily flights between Bishkek and Osh. There are also a few flights a week between Bishkek and Jalal-abad and Batken. The flights are operated on local airlines using 30-40 year old soviet planes. On the other hand, the mechanics and pilots are well trained how to operate these old beasts. By Train The only domestic rail link is the summer-only train between Balykchy (Western edge of Issyk Kul) to Tokmok through to Bishkek. It’s a scenic route but the train takes at least twice as long as a taxi and it’s half the price. You may meet a lot of interesting folks, mostly pensioners, that need the 40-80 soms they would save by taking a mini-bus or taxi. Otherwise, there is ca one train per day to the Kazakh border (and onward to Russia).. By (rental) car Tourists renting a private car and driving in Kyrgyzstan is virtually unheard of and not recommended. The roads are in poor shape, police is highly corrupt, auto insurance doesn’t exist, and hiring a taxi is too easy and cheap to make this an option. Long-term foreign residents frequently drive, but many opt to use a driver. By Bus Buses and minibuses go to most major cities and towns, but services are slow, crowded, uncomfortable and can be dangerous as well. Shared taxis are a much better way to get around. Prices are higher but it is much more reliable and faster as well. On foot and navigation Kyrgyzstan is an excellent place for hiking and trekking, providing many interesting and picturesque trails in the mountains or around its lakes. For reliable maps and comprehensive trails and map information, consult OpenStreetMap, which is also used by this travel guide, and by many mobile Apps like OsmAnd (complex with many add-ons) and MAPS.ME (simple but limited).

Most nationalities do not require a visa to travel to Kyrgyzstan for up to 60 days, including Australia, Belgium, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, USA and Switzerland. Other nationalities should check with their nearest embassy and obtain a visa in advance if required. Please contact us should you need any supporting documents for your visa application. If you do require a visa you will need to obtain one through your closest consulate.

Kyrgyzstan has a secular constitution. Most Kyrgyz people are Muslims. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas. Lack of cultural sensitivity has caused trouble for some unaware foreign nationals. Though nominally a Muslim country the Kyrgyz people are highly westernized. No special dress codes are in effect. Although standards of dress in Bishkek are Western and often revealing, in the south of the country women should dress more conservatively or risk attracting unwanted male attention. Kyrgyzstan show respect by shaking their hands towards older people and offering them your seat. Old men, called aksakals (“white beards”) are treated with great respect. Respect is given to elders and authority figures. Verbal respect is given by using the polite pronoun and endings, and by using the titles eje (older sister) and baikay or aga (older brother). People always use these polite forms, even with close friends and relatives. Respect also is shown physically. Men and women alike will give up their seats to elders on public transportation. A person’s position at a table also shows his or her status. Men and women usually sit on opposite sides of a table, with the eldest and most respected at the head of the table, farthest from the door. The Kyrgyz are very hospitable and ceremonial. Any visitor, whether a friend or stranger, is invariably entertained with the best — mutton, sweet rice with cream and noodles with sliced mutton. Offering mutton from the sheep’s head shows the highest respect for the guest. At the table, the guest is first offered the sheep tail fat, shoulder blade mutton and then the mutton from the head. The guest should in the meantime give some of what is offered back to the women and children at the dinner table as a sign of respect on the part of the visitor. Anyone who moves his tent is entertained by his old and new neighbors as tokens of farewell and welcome. Most of the time, when people come into somebody’s house, they are supposed to take their shoes off in the corridor before going inside the rooms. Sometimes slippers are offered, sometimes not, and so you would stay in your socks. In the more conservative south, men and women often occupy separate rooms at large celebrations. Boys and girls do not commonly befriend each other.

January Annual Ski Challenge Arslanbob Strolling in Arslanbob’s walnut forest (optional); Kyrgyz-Uzbek folklore show Horseball Game in Toktogul February Day of the Defenders of the Motherland The holiday is celebrated with parades and processions in honor of veterans, and women also give small gifts to men in their lives, especially husbands (or boyfriends, fiancés), fathers, sons and brothers. March Perfect weather in the deserts of Turkmenistan, southern Tajikistan and Uzbekistan (towards the end of the month). The Karakum desert blooms like a Jackson Pollock canvas. Nauroz Central Asia’s biggest festival around the equinox (21 March in most republics; 22 March in Kazakhstan) marks the beginning of spring and the Persian new year with games of kokpar (traditional polo-like game played with a headless goat), family feasts and funfairs. April Spring is kicking in, as blooms start to appear in mountain foothills. An excellent month to visit lowland areas. Horse Day Turkmenistan’s Horse Day (the last Sunday in April) offers a chance for horse-lovers to see the country’s famous Akhal-Teke horses in action at hippodromes across the country. Bishkek Jazz Festival Three evenings of jazz jams at venues across Bishkek, with a dozen international acts attending. One of Central Asia’s better music festivals. May It’s starting to get hot in the lowlands, but can still be chilly in the highlands. High season in Uzbekistan means you should make advance hotel bookings. Watching Wildlife April and May are the best months to spot Kazakhstan’s 36 species of tulip, while May and June are the time to spot hundreds of migratory bird species, especially at Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve. Silk & Spices Festival Four-day cultural festival in Bukhara, featuring music and dance, folk art, fashion, handicrafts, exhibitions and maybe even the odd tightrope walker. It can be held in June too. July High summer is the time to visit the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and southeast Kazakhstan. Rich pastures bring herders to their summer camps. National Horse Games Festival Kyzyl-Oi village in Kyrgyzstan’s Suusamyr Valley celebrates the summer pastures with games of ulak-tartysh (buzkashi; polo with a dead goat), horseback races, wrestling, traditional music and food. It’s generally the third or fourth Saturday of July. There are similar events at Son-Köl. Yak & Horse Games Festival Tulpar Köl yurt camp at the base of Peak Lenin in Kyrgyzstan’s Alay Valley (www.visitalay.kg) is the spectacular setting for these traditional horse games, with tug of war, live music and yak races. It’s on the third weekend in July. Bring a tent. Roof of the World Regatta Bring your windsurfer or kayak to this five-day festival on the shores of Karakul Lake in the remote Pamirs and take part in the world’s highest regatta. It’s held in the last week of July. August Summer continues to sizzle in the lowlands as the mercury hits 40°C (104°F). The good life is up in the mountains, with August a great month for trekking at higher altitudes. Independence Day, Kyrgyzstan There are parades, music concerts and traditional horseback games at Bishkek’s hippodrome on 31 August to celebrate the anniversary of Kyrgyzstan’s independence from the USSR in 1991. Birds of Prey Festival Visit Bokonbaevo, on the southern shores of Lake Issyk-Köl, to see hunting displays with golden eagles, folklore music and traditional ceremonies. Great for photos. Third Saturday of August. At Chabysh Horse Festival This lively horse-games festival (www.atchabysh.org) on the second weekend in August takes place in Murgab in Tajikistan’s eastern Pamirs and Peak Lenin in Kyrgyzstan. Count on horse races, equestrian games, handicrafts and Manas (Kyrgyz epic) recitals. September A great month to visit almost anywhere. Temperatures are still pleasant in the highlands, but the worst of the summer heat is over in the oases. Markets burst with fruit. “Nukura” festival in Nary city, Naryn region National traditions of Kyrgyzstan, products, demonstration of national dishes. In the program of the ethnic festival: National products, masters from schools showed masters cooking classes and national games will be held. A photo exhibit was presented at the Ala-Too Stadium of the “Too Koyndundy Sha’ar”. As well as national products, a fair was held. World Nomadic Games The first week of September brings an epic week of spectacularly photogenic nomadic sports, such as horseback wrestling, eagle hunting, archery and horse racing, to the north shores of Issyk-Köl near Cholpon-Ata. It’s held every two years, with the next events in 2018 and 2020 (www.worldnomadgames.com). October Autumn marathon In the walnut forest 8 km in Arslanbob village, Jalal-Abad 500soms to see folklore-show and have a lunch 1000 soms Participation in all activities with CBT Photo exhibition and local sale handicrafts, folklore show, wrestling with kids, donkey racing. Alma Festival in Naryn region, Jumgal district Stimulating and improving the quality of apple varieties grown in the Jumgal region December Opening of the winter season in Bishkek and its surroundings Event is held with the aim of attracting large sections of the population to physical culture and sports, educating camaraderie and unity. Exciting contests, fun relay races, practical jokes and many nice gifts await each participant.

Bottle of soft drink = 25 KGS Beer in a bar or restaurant = 40 KGS Cup of coffee = 45 KGS Three-course meal = 1000 KGS Short taxi ride = 80 KGS

Credit cards are accepted in major shops and hotels in Bishkek and Osh, but rarely elsewhere. What is ATM access like in Kyrgyzstan? ATMs are available in Bishkek and Osh but harder to find outside of these cities.

Drinking tap water in Kyrgyzstan isn’t recommended. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water. It’s also advisable to avoid ice in drinks and peel fruit and vegetables before eating.

Below is our cancellation and refund policy: 🔸 60 days prior to arrival date: No cancellation charge for the land cost. We guarantee 100% of the land cost back. The airline cancellation fees are applied according to the airline's policy. 🔸 59 - 30 days prior to arrival date: 5% cancellation charge + airfare cancellation fees 🔸 29 - 15 days prior to arrival date: 10% + airfare cancellation fees. 🔸 14 - 8 days prior to arrival date: 40 + airfare cancellation fees. 🔸 7 days prior to arrival date: 100% 🔸 No show: 100% Please note that the domestic flight tickets in the package are non-refundable