18-Day Individual TourKyrgyzstan Fly & Drive

Kyrgyzstan

General

Traveling through Kyrgyzstan means traveling through the country's unique nature. Our tours take you past mountain landscapes, colorful valleys, large lakes, and nomadic villages, while you can admire Central Asian architecture. You will frequently stay in guesthouses, where you get to know the local population well and discover that they are very friendly people. Kyrgyzstan has very varied nature, a rugged landscape consisting of mountains, lakes, and many streams. A trip usually starts in Bishkek, where the international airport is located, and typically takes you past Lake Issyk-Kul, which is the second-largest mountain lake in the world. It is not yet a popular holiday destination, making it the ideal destination for peace and vastness.

Location

Kyrgyzstan is located in Central Asia and borders China to the southeast, Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, and Tajikistan to the southwest. Kyrgyzstan has a surface area of ​​198,500 km² (almost 5 times the Netherlands; 6.5 times Belgium), on which approximately three times as much livestock (mainly sheep) as people live. The country has over 5.4 million inhabitants. Two-thirds of the total population lives in rural areas. The Kyrgyz economy relies mainly on arable farming and livestock breeding. The country is skilled in building hydroelectric power plants, and raw materials such as mercury, lead, and copper, and more recently gold, are mined there. The Kyrgyz people are descended from Turkic nomadic tribes who left Siberia around the tenth century to eventually settle in the Tian Shan mountains.

Kyrgyzstan consists of approximately ninety percent mountains. Almost half of these lie above 3,000 meters, three-quarters of which are covered with eternal snow and ice. Most mountains belong to the Tian Shan 'Heavenly Mountains' in the southeast or are foothills thereof. Peak Pobeda, at 7,439 meters, is the highest mountain. Only a few valleys lie below 1,000 meters, such as the Chuy and Talas valleys and the rim of the Fergana Basin. Kyrgyzstan is dotted with mountain lakes, of which Issyk-Kul is the largest. About eighty larger and smaller rivers flow into this lake. Bears, wild boars, foxes, wolves, badgers, and lynxes live in the forested mountain regions, while trout and carp swim in the lakes and rivers. The country is said to have the second-largest population of snow leopards, a number that is declining drastically due to hunting.

Climate

Kyrgyzstan has a mountain and continental climate with significant differences between the low-lying and high-altitude areas. In the valleys, the average temperature in July is 28 degrees and in January minus 18 degrees. During the summer, the mountain regions enjoy a very pleasant temperature of around 25 degrees. In winter, it is very cold throughout Kyrgyzstan. Most precipitation falls in spring and autumn, but showers can also occur in summer. The best time to travel to Kyrgyzstan is therefore June, July, and August.

Religion

In Kyrgyzstan, 75% of the population is Muslim and 20% is Russian Orthodox. The population converted to Islam relatively late (16th century). This is why Kyrgyz people often adhere to their pre-Islamic, shamanistic rituals. In Kyrgyzstan, you often see strips of cloth tied to branches, with which they try to send their wish to the heavens via the twigs. The Kyrgyz are also a very nomadic people, which is reflected in their structures such as mausoleums and yurts.

Food and drink

The standard meal in Kyrgyzstan is spicy laghman, a noodle dish. Beshbarmak, literally ‘five fingers’, is eaten by hand and is a feast. It consists of large flat noodles topped with lamb or horse meat, cooked in a vegetable soup. Kesme is a thick noodle soup with pieces of potato, vegetables, and meat. Jarkop is braised meat with vegetables and noodles. Hoshan are fried or steamed noodles, comparable to manti. Horse meat sausages – kazy, karta, or chuchuk – are preferably eaten in combination with vodka. In the Dungan region, in Bishkek and the surrounding area, and in Karakol, you will find ashlyanfu, a dish made of cold noodles, jelly, vinegar, and eggs. Also ask there for steamed buns with jusai, a type of mountain grass related to the onion, and fyntyozi, spicy cold rice noodles. Gyanfan is rice with meat and vegetable sauce. The national drink is koumis, a lightly alcoholic mare's milk available in the spring and early summer. It is usually sold by nomads along the roadside and tastes a bit like watery buttermilk. Bozo is a thick sparkling drink made from boiled, fermented millet or other grains. Jarma and maksym are fermented barley drinks, made from yogurt and yeast. In Bishkek, you can buy it under the name Shoro. Boorsok, fried dough pastries, are eaten with these drinks. A favorite is kurut, small balls of dried yogurt. Issyk-köl honey is the best honey in Central Asia. Locally made blackcurrant jam tastes fantastic.

Electricity

The mains voltage in Kyrgyzstan is 220 volts, but you often need an adapter to connect. Power outages do not occur often. Spare batteries and a flashlight are handy to bring along.

Time difference

In the summer, it is 4 hours later in Kyrgyzstan than in our country.

Language

The country has two official state languages: Russian and Kyrgyz. The Kyrgyz language is a Turkic language with a Cyrillic alphabet. Kyrgyzstan is in the process of switching to the Latin script.

Luggage and clothing

We recommend bringing practical clothing for your trip through Kyrgyzstan that is easy to combine (layering). We ask you to show respect for the local culture in your choice of clothing. For example, shorts, short skirts, and tank tops are taboo in Islamic countries. However, wearing these is not a problem in the major cities of Central Asia.

It is advisable to bring sturdy walking shoes for any hikes you may wish to take in Kyrgyzstan.

For all our trips, you are allowed to bring one suitcase per person on the coach with a maximum weight of 20 kilos. This regulation may therefore differ from the rules of the airline operating your flight. Nowadays, the rules and dimensions for checked baggage and hand luggage vary by airline and destination. You can find the current rules per airline on the website of the operating airline(s). If you are taking a domestic flight, different baggage conditions apply. Please check the current rules of the relevant airline.

Passport, visa and customs regulations

You need a valid passport to travel to Kyrgyzstan. It must be valid for at least 6 months after arrival in the country. A visa is not required.

Import Regulations

Antiques dating from before 1945 may not be exported from Kyrgyzstan. If you wish to export something that looks somewhat old, ensure you have proof of purchase and a statement confirming that it is not from before 1945.

Photography and Filming

In general, Kyrgyz people have few objections to being photographed or filmed, but always ask for permission to be sure. Pointing at your device and looking questioningly is enough to make clear what you want. Military objects and airports may not be photographed. It is also best not to photograph guards.

Financial Matters

The Kyrgyz currency is the sum (KGS), which is subdivided into tiyin. There are banknotes of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 sum in circulation. For one euro, you receive approximately 98 sum (01-05-25).

Exchange can be made at banks and official exchange offices (obmen balyot). It is easiest to exchange US dollars. Credit cards are accepted in some of the larger hotels in Bishkek. There are ATMs on a limited scale in Bishkek, Osh, and Jalal-Abad. Please note that an ATM may be out of order! Please ensure that your bank card has worldwide coverage when you wish to withdraw cash.

Tips

For most group tours, your tour leader will suggest setting up a joint tip fund so that you do not have to worry about anything during the trip. In countries where we use local tour guides and drivers, it is customary to show your appreciation for the services provided by giving a tip. Guides, drivers, and service staff appreciate a tip. On average, you give a tip of about 10%. Although they often won't ask for it, guides, drivers, and hotel staff count on a tip. For the guide and driver, we recommend giving about €2 per person per day.

Health

Vaccinations are recommended for Kyrgyzstan but are not mandatory. For the current status, we refer you to your doctor.

Take a small travel first-aid kit with you containing, among other things, iodine, plasters, antiseptic wipes, and remedies for fever, diarrhea, constipation, insect bites, sunburn, and possibly a remedy for motion sickness. Also consider a tick remover, a thermometer (unbreakable), ORS (Oral Rehydration Salts, for dehydration), and vitamin tablets. For hygiene while traveling, include a bottle of disinfectant gel (allowing you to wash your hands without soap and water) and antiseptic wipes.

Make sure you have your vaccination booklet and blood type information with you during the trip. It is also useful to bring along the European Medical Passport, a document that can help you prevent many problems in urgent situations. The passport is written in eleven languages, allowing the healthcare provider (abroad) to easily look up the patient's details, illnesses, conditions, and medication use. It also states who the treating physician is and who can be notified in urgent cases. The medical passport is available from general practitioners and pharmacies, among others.

Travelers' fitness level

To participate in our group tours, it is necessary that you are in good mental and physical condition and that you are fully self-reliant. Regular walks are taken over mostly uneven terrain.

Opening hours

Bank opening hours: Mon. - Fri. 9:30 - 17:30. Bishkek Main Post Office open Mon. to Sat. 7:00 - 18:00, Sunday 8:00 - 17:00. The Bishkek Central Telecom Office is open from 7:00 - 20:30.

Mail, internet and telephone

Sending a letter or postcard to the Benelux takes two to eight weeks. You can buy envelopes with a stamp at the post office. The main post office in Bishkek is open on weekdays from 07:00 to 18:00, and on Sundays from 08:00 to 17:00. There is a separate counter for EMS, Express Mail Service.

In Kyrgyzstan, international calling is possible from telephone offices in the larger cities. Usually, the telephone office is connected to the post office. Additionally, it is possible to make calls from some hotels. All international calls go through an operator. If you want to make an international call, first dial 00 followed by the international code. For the Netherlands, this is 31, and for Belgium, 32. The international country code for Kyrgyzstan is +996. Mobile calling from Kyrgyzstan is difficult because coverage is limited. You can optionally purchase a local SIM card. However, keep in mind that there is no GSM coverage in the mountainous areas. The easiest way to stay in touch with home is via email. There are internet cafes in both Bishkek and Osh.

Customs and Traditions

Kyrgyz people are very hospitable. Tea is the first thing you are offered when you are a guest somewhere. It is a sign of hospitality, and you drink it from tea cups (pyalas). Tea is brewed in large teapots and poured back into the cup three times before it may be drunk. The tea cups are never filled completely, because that signifies that someone is unwelcome and must leave. If the tea is too hot, do not blow on it, but gently swirl the tea in the cup.

For men, shaking hands is a frequent activity in Kyrgyzstan and a sign of warmth and friendship. Many men also place their right hand on their heart and bow forward. Good friends shake hands by placing their palms together with the thumb pointing upwards. There is no pressing or squeezing. Women generally do not shake hands. They touch each other's shoulders with their right hand and gently stroke them. Young women often kiss older women on the cheek as a sign of respect.

In Kyrgyzstan, men wear an alkalpak, a white felt hat, on their heads. In the countryside and mountains, women often wear colorful, loose dresses and a headscarf. You no longer see this in the cities. Time is a relative concept in Kyrgyzstan, and they are not very strict about keeping appointments.

Shyrdak are felt carpets with characteristic motifs such as ibexes.

Public transport

There is limited public transport between the country's major cities. However, it is possible to travel by minibus from Bihskek to Karakol, which takes approximately 5.5 hours. These depart mainly in the morning. The large bus with fixed schedules takes much longer and stops everywhere. Furthermore, you can travel through the country by taxi.

Safety/Crime

Every country has its own laws, rules, and customs. In some countries, you can get into serious trouble if you do not follow local laws, rules, and customs. As a visitor to Kyrgyzstan, you are subject to these, just like the locals themselves, and you must abide by them. Kyrgyzstan is a safe country to travel through. Crime occurs more frequently after sunset, so we advise you to stay around your accommodation. Current information regarding safety in Kyrgyzstan can be found on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Cultural Heritage and UNESCO

- Silk Road: the Chang’an – Tian Shan network

- Sulaiman Too Holy Mountain

- Western Tian Shan Mountains

National Holidays

Kyrgyzstan has the following national holidays and commemorative days: New Year's Day (January 1); Russian Orthodox Christmas (January 7); International Women's Day (March 8); Nowruz/Persian New Year (March 19, 20, or 21); Labor Day (May 1); Constitution Day (May 5); Victory Day (May 9), celebrating the end of World War II; Kyrgyz Army Day (May 29); Independence Day (August 31).

In addition, there are Islamic festivals such as Eid al-Fitr following Ramadan and Eid al-Adha. During the fasting month, public life continues to function, and large parts of the population do not participate.

Belgian Honorary Consulate in Bishkek

209-A Tynystanovstreet, 720040 Bishkek, tel: +996-312622161

n.aldashev@lorenz-law.com

Kyrgyz Embassy in Brussels

Abdijstraat 47, 1050 Brussels, tel: 02-6401868

www.kgembassy.org

Dutch Honorary Consulate in Bishkek

175 ”A”, Abdrahmanov Str. Office 402, 407, 720040 Bishkek, tel: +996-312 660 665

n.aldashev@lorenz-law.com