Bishkek Travel Forum

June 21, 2006 or there abouts, till about July 5:

I fly into Manas and would like to see a friendly face when I arrive.

I know I can get Visa for Kyrgyzstan, but can I get it for Kazakhstan there also? Or maybe at the Embassy in Bishkek?

I heard I could get an instant Visa, for the right price, to enter China, at the border. How true is that?

I would like a companion, on and off for about two weeks.

I need to go to the Embassy for certified documents.

Are there ATM's to get money? Is VISA accepted? I assume U.S. dollars are.

Need to get passport stamp at Kazakhstan border and/or China border.

I don't mind paying for the help to accomplish this, i.e. a tour guide.

How is the rail system to China?

Business first, then would like to go hiking or to the lake and just have fun.

Any assistance for the tour guide part or just information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Yo!

Things in Kyrgyzstan are heating up a little.. Political unrest with the natives and random assassinations are frequent.

I assume that you will be flying in from Moscow. If that is true, your flight will arrive into Manas around 5am. Since you will be wanting to get a visa (I assume you are american citizen)you will want to follow the crowd to customs clearance. Once there you should NOT stand in line (you will waste your time). Once you arrive in the large room you will notice lines forming. YOU should go to the far left side of the room.. you will see a small office there - go to the window and wait (the visa man normally shows up late).. you will fill out a form and request a tourist visa.. normal cost is around $60 (ask for a receipt in advance). Once you obtain the visa..go to the line (normally far right).

You will not be able to get a Kazakh visa at Manas. Visa for Kazakhstan will have to be obtained from the Kazakh consulate. Don't know about China. The road trip to Almaty is about 4 hours. You could probably hire a taxi for around $50-60..

If you are going to the American Embassy.. make sure you have an appointment.

There are ATM machines all over town. You can make withdrawals in US-$$$ or Kyrgyz Com (pronounced Som - like in troublesome) I suggest getting Com. Exchange rate is around 40com to $1,00. Try not to use your creditcards.

"The Lake" is going to be packed at that time of year.. people from all over come to relax there.. try to make your accomodations in advance, well in advance.

email me if you have additional questions aventureto at hotmai.com

most of the stuff that was said is true if u are an american citizen, yeah, when u come into the arrival area of the airport, there is a cousil who can open ur visa right there at ur arrival, and the price is about right, about China visa, i think u can go to a travel agency or call them up, they usually do those services. Also, there is an embassy of China in Bishkek, u should call them up, But, I do not think it will be a problem if u get a visa on arrival.
The lake, though, u should go for it, it will be packed, but still not to the point where u cannot find anything, and it is fun there, u should take some cool ppl with u.
Guys, wanna go to the LAKE!!!!!!!!!!!
My gosh i miss that stuff, simple and fun.

most of the stuff that was said is true if u are an american citizen, yeah, when u come into the arrival area of the airport, there is a cousil who can open ur visa right there at ur arrival, and the price is about right, about China visa, i think u can go to a travel agency or call them up, they usually do those services. Also, there is an embassy of China in Bishkek, u should call them up, But, I do not think it will be a problem if u get a visa on arrival.
The lake, though, u should go for it, it will be packed, but still not to the point where u cannot find anything, and it is fun there, u should take some cool ppl with u.
Guys, wanna go to the LAKE!!!!!!!!!!!
My gosh i miss that stuff, simple and fun.

btw, u will find a lot of friendly faces there
here is one, lol ;)

OOOOPSS!!!!!! Forgot to add one thing... When bringing Dollars make sure that you have $20/$50/$100 bills.. they should be as new a possible and without any marks or tears. Changing money or buying things with USD ($) will be difficult if you don't follow this.. TRUST ME...

it is not AS BAD now, used to be worse, there are places where they do not care for that any more

I have been going to Bishkek for almost 3 years now... I take money with me (American $$) and it continues to be as it always has been. The only people who will accept almost any $-bill are the banks... and even there I have had problems.

Exchanging dollars even in the kiosks across from TSUM will not be done UNLESS the money is in VERY good condition. I know.. I have tried it as recently as a few weeks ago.

I have found that the best solution is to use an ATM to get COM (pronounced 'som')- but if you have just arrived and don't know where the ATMs are and you need to exchange $$$'s - it's important to have currency which is in very good condition.

lol, i have lived there for 25 years, mate, so, I suppose I know that issue and that there ARE places that do not make a big deal out of old or small bills, there is one place near my place where I would usually go and get money exchanged, having no SOM (pronounced AND written SOM)in my pocket.
Anyway, not going to argue.
just have fun, it is a nice place, weather is best right now. But in summer lake will be a fun place to go to.
take care.

Thanks for all of your information. It has been very helpful.

I usually just "wing-it" when I travel.

Glad to know there are so many people willing to lend a hand/opinion.

It is all Greatly Appreciated.