Cheap, colorful, with a soul, or Travel to Kyrgyzstan

Getting to know Kyrgyzstan should start with the fact that the locals will be more pleasant if you say Kyrgyzstan or the Kyrgyz Republic. Choose the time for the trip depending on the purpose: to travel to ski resorts, choose the time from November to April, for beach holidays and excursions go to Kyrgyzstan from May to September. The ideal period to visit the country: the beginning and end of summer, it is not so hot and there is no abundance of tourists.

 

To get to Kyrgyzstan will have to go through Kazakhstan. You can take a plane to northern Bishkek or southern Osh, or you can take a bus or taxi to Bishkek.

 

 

 

 

There will be no problems with a visa in Kyrgyzstan, you can stay in the country for up to 60 days on an internal passport of the Russian Federation, having previously filled out a migration card before entering the state. There should also be no language barrier. The official language is Kyrgyz, but the official language is Russian, so most people speak it.

 

The currency in the republic is the Kyrgyz som. You can exchange rubles or dollars for local money at banks or exchange bureaus. The latter often work around the clock. The exchange rate is almost 1:1, which is very convenient. But on a non-cash payment is especially not to hope, in large cities it is not everywhere, and in more remote from the center of settlements "besnala" almost no or it is completely absent.

 

 

 

 

With accommodation here will not be difficult: hotels, hostels and apartments for every taste and color you can book on Booking or Airbnb. Even if something goes wrong with the reservation, locals right on the spot will be able to help you find where to stay. Kyrgyzstan has its own peculiarity: in summer they install yurts in tourist places. Anyone can choose a yurt as a place for temporary residence. Convenient and very colorful.

 

In large cities between tourist attractions it is convenient and cheap to move by bus or minibus, also for a little money you can use taxi services or bargain with private cabs. It is expensive at times, but many times more comfortable to rent a private car, also this type of transport is popular with those who want to explore the highlands and see nearby attractions, spending less time on the road. Remember that when renting a car in Kyrgyzstan, you should check whether it is covered by insurance.

 

In the Republic, insurance is not mandatory. And here is another life hack: to move between Bishkek and Osh, you will face a choice between land and air transport. Make a choice for the second. For a seat in the minibus you will give 1000-1500 rubles, and for a seat in the plane 1700-3000. Time spent in a minibus will be in the region of 12 hours, by plane you will reach in less than an hour.

 

 

 

 

Why go to Kyrgyzstan? Nomadic culture, which you can watch in the highland pastures, see the national game of nomads kok boru (the game takes place on horses dead goat).

 

There is a cult of food in Kyrgyzstan. Lamb, beef, horse meat and yak meat are the basis of most dishes. Hot tortillas from tandyr, samsa, lagman, beshbarmak, plov, manty, kuurdak - this and much more should definitely try in Kyrgyzstan. Dairy and fermented milk drinks here are a large number: maksym, bozo, ayran, chalap, kumys.

 

But be careful, do not drink more than 100 grams on the first day, otherwise you can get stomach problems. For the Kyrgyz, tea is of special importance, it is drunk from bowls with incredible patterns. Tea is usually poured up to half a bowl, and then poured. It is believed that if you pour to the brim, then you hint to the guest that he needs to finish his drink and leave.

 

 

 

 

Lake Issyk-Kul is the second largest in the world, the water in it is incredible color, almost ultramarine. In its vicinity beat hot springs, and there are therapeutic mud. Most tourists go to Kyrgyzstan purposefully to Lake Issyk-Kul.

 

If you are staying in Bishkek, be sure to visit the Osh Bazaar. An ancient and colorful place from which it is worth taking away souvenirs, spices, nuts, sweets, fabrics, national clothes, felt hats, traditional vessels made of leather and much, much more.

 

 

 

 

Kyrgyzstan is a great place to relax. There are incredible landscapes, natural monuments, a completely different way of life, ancient and colorful. Come here to see the mountains, relax on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, spend the night in a yurt, drink kumys, feel the spirit of Central Asia, and be sure to take away not only beautiful photos, national souvenirs, but also a piece of Asian soul.