Kyrgyzstan Travel Forum

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

i am not sure about all central asia, but in kyrgyzstan ask anything i know

Most of tourist make a combine tour visiting not only one state but all of CIS.
If you still interested we can coordinate all tour or give advices
info@transland.com.kg
http://www.transland.com.kg

I would budget 25 USD per day although you could do it for less.

Save on accommodation by using couchsurfing.com and staying for free at peoples houses - although I assume this is very difficult in UZ and possibly and Turkmenistan as you need to register at official hotels each night.

Check out www.thespektator.co.uk for a full guide to Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, as well as for articles about travelling in the region.

Community Based tourism (google it) in Kyrgyzstan allows you to stay with families for a fee - a great way of immersing yourself in the local culture. There is a similar scheme in Tajikistan too although I cant remember the neame of the organisation (Issue 3 of the spektator has the details i think.)

Good Luck

I think you so much for your real helpful replies. However, I have now decided to go on a 3 weeks excursion only through Northern Kirigistan, which is organised by the university of Bischkek and will be guided by some profs, there also will be several lectures every day and we sleep in tents. I think it will also be interesting. Regards Silvia

Hello all,

Road kyrgystan:

On the kyrgystan side unpaved until 5km before the border. Mostly quite ok but can be muddy just before Ikestam Pass after heavy rain. Chinese side very good road.

Accomodation:
Homestays in Sary Tash, then camping. The kyrgystan border post is just one big junkyard. Better camp before. The border opens at 9:00 (kyrgystan time).

In China there are constantly houses from Km 260 onward. Better camp before.

Eating:
In Sary Tash there are little shops. On the chinese side there are many small places. Money changing possible at the border but bat rates.

Tajikistan...

Season
Best is june-september. Warm during daytime and not too cold at night.

Map
There is a very good map (1:500'000) of Markus Hauser (www.geckomaps.com). You ca buy it in Murghab and Dushanbe.

Supplies
Shopping facilities in Khorog (good), Murghab (limited) and Sary Tash (limited). Otherwise very little!

Accomodation
There are homestays in many little places (in private houses or yurts) organised by ACTED like Bulunkul, Alichur, Murghab, Karakul (about 5$ for accomodation, 5$ for 3 meals). Deserves to be supported! Camping always possible.

Road
The Pamir Highway itself is mostly paved. Only just over the passes there are some unpaved parts. All sidetrips are very rough roads (sand, washboard). The climbs are usually long and steep only for the very last part. The most difficult part of the Pamir Highway is getting there at all... (see below)

Approach:
Comming from Dushanbe there are two possible roads that lead to Kalaikhum:

1.) Khaburabot pass (3252m):

The first 20km after Dushanbe are a very good road. The next 140km to the foot of the pass there is only little pavement and it is a demanding up and down. The climb to the pass is at first rough but get better. The downhill on the other side to Kalaikhum is good (paved from 2000m).

2.) via Kulyab: (not cycled myself)

The road from Dushanbe to Kulyab is supposed to be quite good. From there you follow the Paynj river to Kalaikhum. This part is currently under construction.

Kalaikhum to Khorog

Here you will follow the Paynj river. Mostly paved and quite ok road. Note: the are still landmines along this route..

What about visas, looking through different tips and topics, we found out that different people said different things. One said that it was diffucult, others that it was easy.We decided to get our visas in advance, cos we did not want to risk and had any problems during our cycling tour on the customs. We ordered LOIs for Kyrgystan,Kazakhstan,Tajikistan, Mongolia and Azerbaijan (countries we planed to visit) by 12 euros per person through http://www.travelazerbaijan.land.ru/ and got our visas in advance in our home country.

Thanks a lot for your advices! Best wishes silvia