Kyrgyzstan Tours

• Kyrgyzstan is home to three Unesco World Heritage sites
• People in Kyrgyzstan love tea. Locals drink tea with pretty much every meal.
• It is not common to tip in Kyrgyzstan. However, a lot of restaurants add an automatic 10% service charge to the bill.
• Kyrgyzstan is one of the world’s least crowded countries.
• The mountainous Tian Shan region covers 80 per cent of Kyrgyzstan, which explains how the country has acquired the nickname ‘Switzerland of Central Asia’.
• Kyrgyzstan is home to the worlds longest poem. ‘Epic of Manas’ consists of a whopping 500,000 lines.  It tells the story of the life of the warrior Manas and is believed to have originated as an oral tale that was eventually recorded in writing in the 18th century.

Australian passport holders travelling to Kyrgyzstan do not need a visa at this time.

We require that your passport is valid for travel for at least six months from the date you are planning to return to Australia. Your passport must be valid to travel internationally and must be machine-readable. You also need to carry a valid return ticket on you.

Whether travelling on an Australian passport or the passport of another country, all travellers require visas for a number of countries, and it is your responsibility to secure what may be required before departing Australia. You can consult with your travel agent, but it is also recommended that you check the foreign embassy website for your respective destination as it can also provide you with useful information.

The Australian Embassy in Russia is responsible for Kyrgyzstan:
Podkolokolny Pereulok 10a/2
Moscow 109028 Russia
Ph. +7 495 956 6070
Fax. +7 495 956 6170

The Som is the official currency of Kyrgystan, or KGS, and the symbol is  . Notes are in denominations of 1, 10, and 50 tiyin, and 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 som. 

The recommended currency to take to Kyrgyzstan is the US Dollar or Euro, as Som is not available outside of the region. Ensure you request smaller clean notes as many places will not exchange large denominations or notes that are torn and dirty. Once there, you can exchange your US Dollars or Euros into local currency. Ensure you change a small amount into small denominations.

Advise your bank of your travel plans so that they can make a note of it, otherwise they may cancel your credit card as a safety measure due to the overseas transactions. Also make a note of the 24-hour emergency contact number of the bank or building society which issued your credit card in the unlikely event that your card is lost or stolen.

Whenever possible use ATMs when the banks are open (Mon – Fri) so that if a machine ‘eats’ your card you can then deal with it straight away. It is always advisable to carry a supply of cash in addition to your credit card.

If you don’t have US Dollars or Euro with you on arrival, we advise you to exchange some money into the local currency at the airport even if the exchange rate is not the best, this way you’ll have money to get a drink, snack or give a tip during those first few hours of arrival. Your guide will be able to advise you on the best places to exchange money.

Small change is also useful for paying for toilets while on tour which is customary in many places outside of Australia.

• The price of a cappuccino in Kyrgyzstan is approximately SOM120
• The price of an inexpensive lunch is approximately SOM400
• The price of dinner in a moderate restaurant is approximately SOM700
• The price of a beer in a local pub is approximately SOM100

The origins of Kyrgyz cuisine is closely connected with the lifestyle of nomads. Not having an opportunity to store products, nomads used exclusively fresh products for dishes. The main ingredient for dishes was meat, namely beef, lamb, yak and horse meat. Fresh dairy products were also used.

Traditional dished include Beshbarmak, The simple dish consists of noodles, which are mixed with boiled meat cut into tiny pieces and served with a medium-spicy sauce. This dish is meant to be eaten with the hands, not with a knife and fork - besh means five, and barmak means finger. If that doesn’t sounds like a meal for you, try Chuchvara;  Meat dumplings served in soup, with a sour cream dressing. Or give Dimlama a try; A hearty dish of stewed potatoes, meat, sweet peppers, cabbage, carrots, and spices.

Important: When dining at buffets (i.e. breakfast) please refrain from taking food away with you to ‘save’ for later! If you feel that you’ll need snacks between meals, pack some dried fruit, nuts, muesli bars etc.

If you have specific food allergies and/or preferences, we highly recommend you take every precaution before your tour, including carrying a small card with your food allergy listed in each language of every country you are travelling to show to table staff when ordering. Whilst we take all dietary requirements seriously, due to the serious nature of potential allergic reactions, it is your responsibility to be as prepared as possible.

The climate of Kyrgyzstan is continental as it located so far from any ocean. As the majority of country is mountainous it remains cooler and protected. Winter in Kyrgyzstan (Nov-Mar) is mostly sunny, with occasional heavy fog and snowstorms. The average daily high in winter reaches 3° C. During the summer (May – Sep), the temperature averages 31° C (87.8° F), though temperatures can soar even higher, as high as 45° C. At higher altitudes, the temperature never reaches very high, and snow is possible year-round.

Want to get out and explore on your own?

The best way to get around Kyrgyzstan is by marshrutka (mini bus) or private taxi. Internal flights are most reliable between Bishkek and Osh and there is a limited train service, but it can be unreliable.

When catching taxis, have small change on you and choose one with a meter, if it doesn’t have one then negotiate the price before getting in. Also, ask your guide or hotel staff the names of reputable taxi companies.

So, you’d love to bring home a special souvenir from Kyrgyzstan…

Popular locations to shop for food and souvenirs in Kyrgyzstan are the local bazaars. As the country prides itself on its handicraft passed down for many generations, traditional and popular souvenirs to purchase are handmade objects.

Using felt is popular in traditional craft, and it is deeply rooted in the Kyrgyz nomadic culture. Kyrgyz have always made their houses, the yurts, from felt, as well as many of their clothes and daily household items. You really shouldn’t leave Kyrgyzstan without a piece of felt in your baggage. You will be sure to find a souvenir to your taste, since Kyrgyz make just about anything with felt: dolls, animals, Christmas decorations, wallets, bags, pillow cases and paintings.

If you’re looking for something wearable, why not bring home traditional Kyrgyz clothes. Most of these are also made from felt. felt slippers, national scarves or the famous Kyrgyz hat, the kalpak, are popular buys.

• If a Kyrgyz family invites you for a meal, then you should take a small gift — for example fruit or flowers
• At a first meeting a handshake or simple nod of acknowledgment will usually suffice
• It is common to ask about one’s marital status, salary, age, etc.
• Locals tend to speak in a very round manner and don’t usually just state their point directly.
• Most people have a good sense of humour that tends to be on the warm side. Sarcasm is not very welcomed.
• In social situations, the view of time is generally quite relaxed.
• It is expected you take your shoes off when entering a home.

Kyrgyzstan holidays are mostly influenced by the country’s traditional nomadic lifestyle. Festivals feature sporting competitions, races and demonstrations, as well as handmade products, food, and performances.

National Horse Festival
The National Horse Festival in July is one of the country's most popular events, featuring races, team games such as Ulak Tartysh (a form of polo), Kyz Kuumai (the chase between horsemen and horsewomen), Tyiyn Enmei (riders picking up a coin on the ground at full gallop), and the spectacular Kurosh (wrestling on horseback). The rules date back centuries, making it a popular event for tourists to view.

Kyrgyz Kochu Festival
This unique Kyrgyzstan event is celebrated in August and marks the annual migration of nomadic herders and their flock from the high summer pastures to winter in the lowlands. National games, horse races, eating and drinking, folk music, dancing, and hordes of animals dressed up for the occasion are the centrepiece.

Other national public holidays to be aware of include:

• 1 Jan        New Year's Day
• 7 Jan       Orthodox Christmas Day
• 23 Feb     Homeland Defender's Day
• 8 Mar        International Women's Day
• 21 Mar      People's Holiday of Nooruz
• 7 Apr        People's April Revolution Day
• 1 May        Labour Day
• 2 May      Labour Day Holiday
• 2 May      Orozo Ait
• 5 May      Constitution Day
• 9 May      Victory Day
• 9 Jul        Kurman Ait
• 31 Aug    Independence Day
• 7 Nov      Days of History and Commemoration of Ancestors