The Heritage of Nomads Among the Sky Mountains

With its soaring mountains, alpine forests and meadows filled with wildflowers, it is no wonder that Kyrgyzstan is fast growing in popularity amongst travellers focused on hiking and adventure. The country’s most popular tourist destination is Lake Issyk-Kul, a vast expanse of cobalt water that is one of the world’s largest alpine lakes. A network of trekking trails webs along its shores, taking in stunning high-altitude scenery, beautiful beaches and pastoral farmers living in traditional yurts. The icy winter months offer superb skiing and snowboarding opportunities. Southern Kyrgyzstan was once part of the Silk Road trading route and the ancient city of Osh still has a working marketplace dating to this era.

Currency

Currency in Kyrgyzstan is the Kyrgyz Som (KGS; symbol лв) = 100 tyin. Notes are in denominations of лв1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1, and 50, 10 and 1 tyin. Coins exist in denominations of 1,3, 5 and 10 som, and 10 and 50 tyin. There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding US$10,000 or equivalent must be declared. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at commercial banks and at authorised bureaux de change. The US Dollar is the easiest currency to exchange.

Banking 

Banking hours: usually Monday - Friday 09h30 - 17h30.

ATMs are easy enough to find in Bishkek, although smaller cities like Jalal-Abad and Osh have far fewer. Some ATMs issue US dollars as well as Kyrgyz Som.

There is limited acceptance of travellers’ cheques, but some banks in Bishkek accept traveller's cheques, with US Dollars probably the best option; commission charges are high. Cash is recommended, with US dollars in the form of US$50 and US$100 bills being the most readily accepted.

Credit cards are accepted in some of the larger hotels and restaurants in Bishkek and can also be used at banks to withdraw cash from the counter. They are of little value outside the main cities. ATMs exist but are hardly commonplace in Bishkek or Osh and even less so elsewhere.

There are internal connections from Bishkek to Batken, Kerben, Jalal-Abad and Osh. Air Bishkek and Avia Traffic operate domestic flights. Flying between Bishkek and Osh, Jalal-Abad or Batken is much faster than travelling by road and not much more expensive (but see warning below). Access to the Central Tien-Shan region is via helicopter, which takes climbers up the Inylchek Valley. It should be noted that the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against using any domestic Kyrgyz airline as they are banned within the EU because they do not meet international safety standards.

Visitors should note that roads are poorly maintained and badly signposted in Cyrillic script. Many are badly potholed.

Drive on the right hand side of the road. 

Taxi and coach are other good options.

Kyrgyz food reflects its location and history, with its main influences drawn from the necessities of a nomadic life in a relatively harsh climate. Mutton features prominently, as do wheat products like bread and noodles. Slavic colonisation has also meant that typical Russian dishes feature prominently too, especially in the north of the country. Other important influences come from China, Korea and Uzbekistan. The choice of food in the capital, Bishkek, is much wider, with restaurants serving cuisine from all over the world from countries such as Italy, India, Turkey and Georgia.

The water has been tested by the US-based Center for Diseases Control and found to be generally bacteria-free; however, it does have a high metal content and bottled or boiled water is preferable. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Owing to the difficulty of obtaining a balanced diet in some parts of Kyrgyzstan, visitors are advised to take vitamin supplements.

Tipping is becoming more customary, especially in international hotels and smart Bishkek restaurants. 10% is sufficient. Elsewhere, just round up the bill slightly.

The best time to visit Kyrgyzstan is between May and October as getting around outside this period can be difficult. Trekking is best between June and September, although July and August are the busiest times for foreign visitors. The south of the country, and even Bishkek, can be uncomfortably warm at this time of year, so if these are the prime destinations to be visited, spring or autumn may be a better choice.

Electrical sockets in Kyrgyzstan are one of two electrical socket types: Type C (CEE 7/16 Europlug) and Type F (CEE 7/4 Schuko). If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it's crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for all types.

Electrical sockets in Kyrgyzstan usually supply electricity at 110-120 volts AC or 220-240 volts AC. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. If your appliance isn’t compatible with 220-240 volts, a voltage converter will be necessary.