Travel Answers

Greeting everyone,

I am a US citizen planning a trip to Kyrgyztan for the month of May.

Anyone want to join me?

Please , anyone could explain me how does it function? I am brazilian. Thanks in advance. GIPA

Hello I'm planning to go by land from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Beijing, China. Does anyone here has done this or part of it? Does anybody know if I can cross the border to China there? Thank you!

Hey, Can I buy a scooter in Kyrgyzstan and cross the border with Tajikistan? What would I need? Can I registered it on my name? I hoping to get to Uzbekistan with it as well. Thank you for reading... Any help will be welcome. Thank you for reading, Or1020@gmail.com

Hi All, I am thinking about booking a trek with ITMC Adventure and Culture Travel Has anyone used them before and can offer me their opinion? Would be appreciated, Jim.

Hello, I am going to work in Bishkek the whole month of June. What is the weather like? Is it blistering hot or do I need a jacket? With draconian restrictions on baggage, what do I absolutely need to take and what can I buy there? Any info is appreciated. THANKS!

I have two days to get from Bishkek airport to Suusamir (down on the M41, close to the junction left to Kochor) and I am looking for an overnight stay in the mountains on the way down there. I need to cross the Too Ashuu pass in possibly wintery conditions so I would be interested in suggestions for a pretty village to try to stay in for the night. All tips welcome.

Myself and my wife are considering combining Kyrgystan and Uzbekistan in a two week plus trip in the summer of 2012. We are well experianced travellers but I find when you have a short window it is best to take an organised tour...? Can someone please help me with the following questions: - recommended tour companies that cover Kyrgystan and Uzbekistan - the reliability of public transport in Kyrgystan and Uzbekistan - the safety of internal flights - the daily cost of travelling in both Kyrgystan and Uzbekistan, e.g. food, hotel 3-4 star, travel and a few cold beers after a days travelling. Thank you in advance Hennessy

Hello, I'm going to alai valley on the 10th ov November from Bishkek, back to Bishkek around 4th of December, is it too dangerous to take the Bishkek- Osh road for this? I have heard there are slippery roads and avalanches. And, how cold is it? Anyone knows hos cold it gets in Alai Valley? Guro from Norway

Can someone pls tell me what price to expect for a apartment for 2 weeks? In the city .

Hi! I am moving to Bishkek in a week, I will be working there for about 6 months. I was wondering if you can tell me sth about the living costs in Bishkek: how much does it cost to rent a flat, food prices, is going out expensive etc. Any advice much appreciated. Thanks, Rebeca

Dear friends my destination is Almaty and I'm thinking to go Bishkek with train ,can I do it or not?and what about the time and cost?thanks

Saimaluu Tash in July and 2 nights stay I have a couple of passions and one of them is ancient spiritual and shamanistic sites, especially those with rock art and thanks to CentralAsia_Traveler (CAT) on Lonely Planet ThornTree, I've found a great one called Saimaluu - Tash . I have a few questions for my intended journey to this ancient place in early-mid July on my way through Naryn-Kazarman-Jalal-Abad-Osh trail. First, here is what I know: -It is a difficult and off-the-path place (intriguing). -It is likely only accessible in July/August. -It probably reuires a guide, although I've found those that seem to have done it on their own, including this pair who did it in the 'off season'. -CBT is one option for guides (I've written them but no reply). Now, questions... 1. I'd like to rent horses to haul gear and perhaps spend TWO nights up top, just meditating, photographing, and sketching the petroglyphs. Would this be possible? Where can I rent tents/bags or will I have to bring along my own? 2. After my journey to Osh, are there flights from Osh back to Almaty (where I fly out of) or at least back to Bishkek? Or should I fly out of Jalal-Abad? 3. When up at the site, I've heard that 'many are fake'. Is this true? If so, will my guide be able to tell which are real? Would I be able to do so? 4. Would this journey, under any circumstance, be possible to do by myself on foot if dropped at the base of the trail i.e. is it well marked? 5. Can anyone reccommend some specific guides that are still running this route out of CBT (most posts were 4+ years old that mentioned specific guides). 6. Are there any other 'similar' sites utilized by shamans in southern KZ or south/central KG? (I understand that there is one on a cliff side near Osh). Thank you!!! Jeff.

The 7 Ones... This is Jeff from Texas. I'm coming to Kyrgyzstan the first and second weeks of July and one thing I always try to do is get educated on the local scene, the people and the places before arriving: what I call 'the seven ones'. If any of you could give me just one little answer for any or all of the below - your favorites – Kyrgyzstan. 1. ONE Book... something that has soul or historical pieces. 2. ONE Song... any Kyrgyzstan artists that I could find on YouTube, iTunes or even buy a CD of off of Amazon otherwise. Also, if there is a particular genre or ethnic type of music that is interesting that would be great. 3. ONE Drink... what the locals and indigenous Kyrgyzstan peoples drink. I always like to try the local ‘moonshine’ if it is an area where the locals drink alcohol. Something made from grain 4. A Dish... a local, traditional meal or food. 5. A Word/Phrase... a greeting, or something unique to Kyrgyzstan in general. 6. A bit of news... what is going on in Kyrgyzstan lately. Local/national items that have been in the news. 7. A little-known place or thing to do... a place off the path where one can get a real feel for the culture (small town, small club in Salvador, good music place, etc) I am compiling the sheet here if anyone is interested in the same thread: docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0A... Cheers, Jeff

Ill be heading through Tajikistan and need to dip into Kyrgyzstan to cross into China. Is it possible to get something like a 7 day transit visa for Kyrgyzstan? Or anything cheaper than the standard? Any advice on picking up a Kyrgyz visa in Tajikistan? I have the LP guide but the authors seem to have forgotten to include it in my copy! Many thanks.

Hello, I may have a job placement in Bishkek and am struggling to come up with funds to fly over, so I was wandering if anyone had any advice on getting there? I can find flights for under £500 but I need much cheaper if it is at all possible. Either by bus, train or coach... or even a cheaper airline that anyone can suggest? I was just shocked at the price and maybe didn't fully realize the distance. I am getting to the point of planning a long bike ride... haha I will need to get there before the beginning of October this year. Thanks :)

Hi, i'm planning in this weeks a trip by motorcycle through Kyrgyzstan. I have a question about the road in Osh. I will pass through Osh. I'm asking because i want to be sure about the actiual situation in osh, is this road safe or not ? Thanks for your answer

Hi there! Does anyone know the most recent cost of VOA (single-entry) at Manas Airport for US passport holder? Having a hard time tracking this information down... I've read US$35, US$50, even US$70. Thanks in advance for the help!

Has anyone flown NYC to Bishkek round-trip before? Are the cheapest flights really what I'm finding by using Kayak, Expedia, etc. (~$1,700)? Or is there a cheaper way to fly there by getting, say, a ticket to London and then another flight from there (or something similar)? Thanks!

I'm looking at travelling between the following: Almaty airport to Bishkek Bishkek to Cholpon-Ata Cholpon-Ata to Karakol Karakol to Almaty Can anyone help with journey times by car and what the taxi/bus fare would be Cheers Jim

Hi, we are planning to visit Kazakhstan in January. Does anybody know how long does it take to go from Almaty to Zhambyl (Taraz) overland and return. Other queries are: a) Is this a safe route in winter? b) Does the route go through Bishtek, and if so would we need Kyrgyz Visas?

Hi friends, I am planning to make a big trip through Central Asia next summer and would like to cover all 5 ex SU countries. Did anyone make a trip like this? I plan to travel by myself on budget. Maybe a stupid question but how much money should I plan for spending in 6 weeks? I have to make it a cheap trip. What are the best means of travelling? bus? Where should I start and where should I end? I am very grateful for all kinds of advices! Thanks a lot, Silvia

Hi Everyone, I am not sure if anyone here will know the answers to my questions or some suggestions of places to find the answers. I have inquiries into the embassies and to a few tour companies but have not heard anything back and am trying to expand my quest for answers. We have also looked at the embassy websites to no avail. 1. What are the Kyrgyzstan's restrictions and regulations on the import and export of horses? For example what paperwork is needed as far as vaccinations, proof of ownership? 2. Are there any tests the horses will have to take once in your country if they come from another? 3. Will the horses need to be registered anywhere on entry to your country, or upon their purchase? 4. Are there any border crossings where horses are restricted from crossing into and out of the country? 5. Are there any border crossings where it would be easier to import/export a horse, in your opinion? Any help on any of these questions would be absolutely amazing. We are trying to decide our route, but that all depends on which borders we may cross with horses and which we cannot. The plan is to travel through Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to start. Thank again for your time and knowledge! -Noelle

Can you please ask the worker in ZUM, I guess it's on 3rd floor, it's in MP3 and camera selling section. I bought an MP3/MP4(video)player on August 10 and they didn't give me any receive check and it broke down and I wanted to replace it , but Apple company wants to receive any information that I relly bought it. So I really need your help. I bought it from a girl(I do remember it) and her boot(place)is near the pircing center. So when you step from stairs walk straight, turn left and the first left after piercing center is that place. I really appreciate your help. Thank you very much.

Hi everyone, I'd really appreciate any help anyone can provide in the following area. I am looking to find a charity in Kyrgyzstan that I could possibly volunteer with for a bit or help raise money for. I really want to find a good one that actually helps people, or animals if at all possible, and that isn't too corrupt, i.e. most funds actually go towards charity. I would really like to be able to volunteer there for a bit as I pass through the country. I know most places don't like random foreigners interrupting their daily routine, but I'd be willing to donate money as well. Thanks for any ideas or suggestions!

Hello, I have an unusual problem. My 20+ year old nephew has been trekking around the world. We know he made it to Kyrgyzstan and is/was in a hostel. He had very limited e-mail access but got word to us that he was very ill. It sounds as if he is severely dehydrated and likely needs hospitalization for IV fluids. The family is scrambling to figure out some arrangements to get him to proper medical care and then fly him out as soon as we locate him. I would appreciate any input about medical facilities, perhaps in the Bishkek region. (I am only guessing this may be where he is.) As well as any suggestions for professionals to contact should we need to send someone looking for him and to assist. We are hopeful that he will get e-mail access again tonight and let us know exactly where he is. Any suggestions are welcome. Thank you

I am looking for a tour that goes to Jiayuguan in China, as well as Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. I am having trouble finding a tour that goes to all 3 places. Within China, I would also like it to go to Kashgar and maybe Turpan, but they all seem to go to these places, so I dont think that will be a problem. Im looking for a tour thats 2-3 weeks. Does anyone know of such a tour?

Please tell me if this pass is open for foreigners, arriving from Kashgar or arriving from osh? local direct minibus are driving mostly during night time. In order to enjoy the mountain scenery, which way is the best... from osh to kashgar or kashgar to osh? thanks

Is there a local bus that goes from the airport to the long distance bus station? Should I take a bus to the center and then take a taxi to the long distance bus station? Would that be a much more economical option? Are the taxis safe? How much would a taxi from the airport to the bus station cost?

Hello :) I am off to Kyrgyzstan for a couple of weeks next month. Can I easily change Euros in Kyrgyzstan? Where in Bishkek can I catch a shared taxi or mini bus to Kochkor? How much would be a reasonable price to pay for it? Mel