Kyrgyzstan Travel Forum

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

Overland vs. flying (Iran to Kyrgyzstan)

I am visiting Iran in March-late May and I'm deciding whether to enter Central Asia by

1) overland via Turkmenistan or
2) by airplane to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

On one hand, I can see NO benefit in going overland since I need to arrange a difficult/expensive Turkmen transit visa in Iran, and a tourist visa to Uzbekistan, as "proof of onward travel" .

Honestly, I am more interested in Kyrgystan, and Tajikstan because of the high mountain ranges. It's going to be hot in the late spring/early summer, and Uzbekistan and Turkemistan are pretty flat compared to their mountainous neighbours. Therefore, I prefer Kyrgyz and Tajik

Anyways, that's why I am considering just flying (Iran-Kyrgyzstan) and since I am Canadian, a free visa on arrival (30 days) awaits me at Bishkek airport. Another added bonus compared to going overland.

Does anyone see the benefit of going overland? Of course, I already found an airline flying Mahshad, Iran directly to Bishkek, only a 4 hour flight, and the price is bound to be cheap. In August 2008, and Iran Aseman flight crashed killing everyone on board just 2km outside Bishkek airport.

So I guess now I'm only looking for an excuse NOT to go overland? And no the crash isn't enough, though maybe it should be? Nah, not by me.

Arriving in Bishkek by air is again beneficial because of the free visa on arrival, and the relative ease in getting a Tajik visa in Bishkek, as well as the new Chinese/Tajik border crossing recently opened (2004).

The only concern remaining is where to get a Chinese tourist visa to enter Xinjiang?

Bishkek, or Dushanbe?

Also, I am interested in entering Pakistan, and India after China, via the Karakourom highway (from Kashgar to near Islamabad). Where do I get those visas? Which embassies hand them out easier?

My possibilities are

Bishkek, Dushanbe, Tehran, or Dubai, but I have no idea when I am going to enter China, India, or Pakistan, so I need open entry dates on the visas, thus giving me freedom to travel at my own speed.

Thanks for any insight.

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

I am planing to travel between Bishkek to Osh in early October. How would the condition of the Roads are usually in that time of year? Is it hazardous? does it have frequent blizzards?

Thanks

Dear fellowtravellers,

Are there ATM machines which take Master Card in Kyrgyzstan?

Thanks for telling me

Tobi

Hello! I plan to visit Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan this summer.
I'd like to know if i need LOI to apply for visas to these countries in advance in my homecountry or there is no need to apply for visas in advance and there is an oppotunity to get visas just at the airport without LOI arriving to any of these countries?Thanks.

For school i need to know the best time of year to travel to kyrgyzstain. And why so i was woundering if any of you people that live there could tell me. thanks!

HI!
I am planning a trip through Asia and Kyrgyz is on my list. I will have only around 4 or 5 days here. ( tight schedule)
Looking for some fun novice walking partners for a lazy walk around Karakol area, stay in a fun yurt or one of those fun lodges, a visit to the sanatorium and soak in the thermal waters, Holy Trinity Cathedral, campfire, etc.

Is it possible to get a KYRGYZ tourist visa at the airport on arrival? How much is this visa? I accept any good advice from you!

I just started to work in Bishkek for a year and would like to meet some people outside my own organisation who'd like to go out for a beer occasionally (locals or expats). For me a chance to learn more about the city and the country, for you it could be an opportunity to practise your English.

I have been looking for a cheap way to get from Bangkok to Bishkek, by any means of transportation, through any series of countries, and am at a loss. I believe that their is a cheaper way than flying using the Turkish airlines, which requires me to fly to turkey first, but I cannot find it. I was told that I could possibly fly to a nearby country and ride a train or taxi into bishkek, If anyone knows of a way, or has done this themselves, please let me know.

I am going to Bishkek in 2 weeks time and had not sought any medical precautions yet. This has been an oversight on my part. I do not expect to be doing an rural travelling although was considering visiting Osh. I am spending 3 weeks in Bishkek in order to improve my Russian. Can anyone give me advice on what i should do? Cheers

I am planning to spend 2 months in karakol this summer...but i after some scary reviews over there...i feel like i am visiting hell..and not a tourist destination..i prefer night life..but i can go to discos now fearing that i ll get beaten up.

Interesting. This should be the exact passage Lady Catherine Macartney first made her trip from London to Kashgar vividly detailed in her "An English Lady in Chinese Turkestan"!

In addition to 4WD, there should be lot of trucks over A172 and A371 between Kashagr and Osh. Have you seen any pack animal and/or caravan en-route, as well as nomad crossing the border? Were they being checked by either custom or border guards?!

Regards,

JH

hi! i'm coming over to bishkek in jan-feb 2008. would be very grateful if someone could advise me on the the following:

1. where to rent a reasonable and safe apartment for a 1-2 months of stay, preferably good for working women, and complete with laundry and internet cable services?

2. costs of living: apartment rent, car/taxi rental, translator services, russian language courses

thank you very much.

Who know the email of Kyrgyzstan consulate in mashhad ( Iran ) or any employee in it ?
I find the number of their telephone but I need their Email
Thank you

Hi
I am from Syria, I want to travel to kyrgyzstan ( bishkek) in the end of this month (november 2007) ,I shall study in kyrgyz state technical university
I wish to give me some of Emails or address of cheap homestay or accommodation
or host family in bishkek or in near village
, Can I enter a car to kyrgyzstan what are the cars prices in kyrgyzstan
Thank you

Hi fellow travellers,

I've read that you don't need a letter of invitation anymore and that you can get a visa at Bishkek airport.
But also at the border, coming from Tajikistan?

Thanks for answering me!
Have fun,

Tobi

i plan to arrive to the area in 2-3 october.
i want to stay few days in nomadic camp.
is it too late or it is still good time for that ?
where is the best place in the area to be with the nomadic ?
near Yssyk-kol, near Song-kol ? any other place ?

Dear VT members.
I am 40+ from Iran planning a visit to Kyrgyzstan in September for 2 weeks. Need your help to explore this country at its best on budget price. Please let me have an itenarary from Bishkek to country-side and back to Bishkek. Also pls advise if there are PG accommodations available there. Thanks and regards

Hi guys
i 'll be in kirgiztan after the 15th september ,i realy want to go at the Issyk kul for first destination .
what do you think about the season? to late? to could?
i realy want to sleep in nomads camp ,they wil be still there?
It gonna be still possible to sleep there at 20/25 september?
Thanks in advance for every replays!
Thank's lot