Kyrgyzstan

June-September

Kyrgyzstan is subject to hot, dry summers and frigid winters. The spring months are a great time to visit the lower, more arid regions, but alpine areas will still be snowed in. Early July is when the trekking season starts and around late September is when the higher altitudes begin to be effected by the incoming winter. 

Winter in Kyrgyzstan is a great time to visit if you are into snow sports and you can handle absolutely frigid winter temperatures. 

We like to run August trips in Kyrgyzstan because there are fewer other tourists than in July pretty much everywhere in the country. 

The hiking season is quite short by European or American standards, but pretty typical when it comes to greater Central Asia region. 

The weather in Kyrgyzstan can be EXTREMELY variable. While it may be bright and sunny in the capital, it could be snowing in the mountains. Lower elevations are generally hotter and drier; snow is common at any time of the year in the mountains, even summer. A storm can happen at any time.

• Bishkek – Hot and dry in the summer. Afternoon thunderstorms are common. Average temperatures: High: 35°C / 95° F Low: 24°C / 76° F. Elevation: 
• Song Kul – Brisk in the morning, warm during the day, potentially stormy at night, cold at night. A true alpine climate. High: 23°C / 73.4° F Low: 10°C / 50° F. Elevation: 

• Issyk Kul/Karakol – Probably the hottest place we will visit in Kyrgyzstan besides Bishkek. Lake itself can be quite chilly. Less prone to afternoon storms as nearby mountains generally attract clouds. High: 23°C / 73.4° F Low: 10°C / 50° F. Elevation: 
• Ala-Kul – Probably the coldest place that we will visit on the trip. Snowfields may still be present on trail even in August. Snow is also a possibility. High: 23°C / 73.4° F Low: 10°C / 50° F. Elevation: 
• Chong-Kemin – Very pleasant. Cooler than Bishkek but not as cold as Song Kul or as warm as Issyk Kul. High: 23°C / 73.4° F Low: 10°C / 50° F. Elevation:

We offer a variety of unique and comfortable accommodation options on this trip. From hotels and guesthouses to traditional yurts and good ol’ fashioned camping tents; we do our best to make sure where we sleep is part of the overall tour experience.

It is important to discuss the significance of yurts in Kyrgyz culture and what it will be like staying in them. Yurts are large temporary structures built from felt and wood or metal support beams. They are always circular in shape and sort of resemble large tents or a small pavilion. 

Yurts are extremely important to Kyrgyz society. They are believed to have been used by Central Asian nomads for over 3000 years and were crucial to their lifestyle and prosperity. To this day, yurts are still a cornerstone of nomadic lifestyle and are used regularly, especially in the summer when many Kyrgyz families escape to the high pasturelands (jailoos).

Yurts range in size but generally accommodate 3-6 people. Most of them are equipped with a coal-burning stove that is lit at night to keep guests very toast at night; smoke is vented outside the tent. (Please let us know beforehand if you are opposed to coal being used in your yurt.)

Here is a brief rundown of what kind of accommodation to expect in each location: 

• Song Kul: Traditional yurts located on the south shore of the lake. Surprisingly spacious but still quite cozy. Shower and bathroom located on site. Shower sometimes has hot water.
• Issyk Kul: More comfortable yurts located right on the shores of Issyk Kul. Beach access. Showers are reliable.
• Karakol Valley and Ala-Kul: Traditional camping. Tents provided by local tour operator. Guests will need to bring their own sleeping gear. Mess tent will be present for dinners and socializing. No showers present but very cold alpine lakes and rivers will be plentiful.
• Altyn Arashan: Yurts or log cabins. Dinner indoors at a local guesthouse. Guests will be able to bathe in local saunas or hot springs, which we highly recommend doing.
• Karakol: A local guesthouse in Karakol. Charming and quaint.
• Sary Jaz: Traditional camping again. There will be more hot springs near Enylcheck.
• Chong-Kemin: Very nice log cabins with full amenities.
• Bishkek: We will be staying in the Grand Hotel on our last night in Kyrgyzstan. It will be quite the treat !

Horse culture in Kyrgyzstan is one of the aspects of the country that makes it so fascinating. Nomadic herders have been pasturing their animals on the Kygryz step for millennia — a practice that is still very much alive and well today.

On the first day of our trek in the Celestial Mountains, we’ll ride horses deeper into the valley to see Karakol Peak (5281 meters). No prior experience riding horses is required. In general, the horses are docile and used to being ridden by people often. Don’t worry, we won’t turn you out on some wild stallion! 

There are several major networks in Kyrgyzstan: Beeline, MegaCom, and O! Foreigners can easily obtain SIM cards in Kyrgyzstan. You will need your passport in order to get a SIM. 

Coverage in Kyrgyzstan is not so convenient. Cell Phone receptions will regularly drop when we are outside the major cities i.e Song Kul, Sary Jaz. Reception at Ala-Kul will be next to none.

In our opinion, it’s not worth the hassle of getting a SIM card as our hotels in Bishkek and Karakol have Wifi.  Keep in mind that this trip is a chance for our guests to unplug and fully embrace a proper digital detox. 

The internet situation in Kyrgyzstan is spotty at best, so please have realistic expectations regarding wifi and internet speeds/access. 

Kyrgyzstan is a safe country by many standards. Violent and petty crimes are rare, although corruption is not unheard of. Water is generally potable in Kyrgyzstan and food sanitation is good. The chances of getting sick are comparable to those in a Western nation.

You may have guessed, this adventure tour carries a certain amount of risk since we are traveling and trekking DEEP into the mountains in a developing country. This is not your average holiday per se. There will be no cocktails on the beach (maybe on the lake though!) Sorry about that 🙂

Guest Safety is EBT’s #1 priority and our experienced ground team does everything within their power to set our group up for a safe adventure. 

The name of the game is security and safety first and injury prevention. 

In case of emergency, your EBT trip leader is equipped with a satellite communication device, which can contact outside emergency first responders from any place in Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyz cuisine is mostly a mix of Russian and traditional nomadic cooking. Meat and bread are very integral to the local diet. Fresh fruits and salads are still common though, which bodes well for vegetarians. Food can vary greatly depending on where we are. In Bishkek, there will be a respectable diversity — international restaurants are plentiful and are of a high quality.

In the more remote parts of the country, cooking is more traditional. Classic Kyrgyz cuisine is very filling — there will be a lot of bread, dairy, soups, and red meat. Spicing is simple. Vegetables are generally hearty and include potatoes, dark greens, and roots. 

Kyrygz people love to offer sweets and jams at the end of every meal. Kumis (fermented mare’s milk) may also be offered. It is a very strange drink and we encourage going outside comfort zones to try it. Hosts will not be offended if you say no.

Food whilst camping will be the best possible quality, but please have realistic expectations of what our camp cooks can deliver. On some occasions, especially when trekking to Ala-Kul, we may have special opportunities: some entrepurnial locals pack wine and vodka up to the high camps and sell them (for reasonable prices).

Below is a list of what you can expect from our Kyrgyz hosts:

• Breakfast: fried eggs, porridge, jam, sweets, bread, cheese, milk, tea, coffee
• Hotel/Yurt Stay Lunch: Soup course, rice, veggies, meat, some sort of salad, pasta, tea. 
• Trekking Lunch: usually an array of finger foods e.g. cheeses, charcuteries, canned fish, bread, sandwiches, salads, more sweets.
• Dinner: larger meals, rice, stews, grilled meats, bread, salads, sweets 

Read more about the food in Kyrgyzstan here.

All guests coming on the Discovering the Celestial Mountains trip MUST confirm their country’s visa agreement with Kyrgyzstan well in advance of the start of the tour.

Visa fees are NOT included in the tour price and it is your responsibility to obtain the correct visa in a timely manner from Kyrgyz Immigration if needed. 

MOST nationalities are able to visit Kyrgyzstan without a visa or can obtain a visa upon arrival (VOA). Be sure to check the official immigration website to if your nationality qualifies. Not every country can receive a visa upon arrival. As such, it is a good idea to double check.

If you do not qualify for a visa upon arrival, then you will need to visit the nearest Kyrgyz embassy to apply for one in person. Follow this link to find the one nearest you. Private third-party visa services may be able to help you apply for a visa if you do not qualify for a VOA. Research these ahead of time

The official currency of Kyrgyzstan is the Kyrgyz som. 

ATMs are common in the larger urban areas, like Bishkek, Kochkor, and Karakol but less common in-between. We also recommend that instead of relying on your ATM card, bring foreign cash and change it at the airport or in the city (if the money changer is open at the airport). USD, Euro, British Pounds are all fine. Outside of Bishkek, credit cards are not commonly accepted at local businesses.

As to how much money you should bring, here are some costs for you to take into account… 

• Souvenirs vary in price from a couple of dollars up to $100, depending on what you are buying and how good you are at haggling. 
• Soft drinks and water are about fifty cents to $1. 
• A meal will set you back between $3 – $8.

Money Recommendation for Epic trips: If you take out the equivalent of 300 USD in Kyrgyz soms, you should have more than enough to get souvenirs, buy beer, pick up snacks, and extra drinks and meals along the way.  

When we return to Bishkek at the end of the tour, you will have a chance to get out more cash should you need (for shopping, tipping staff, last minute purchases, etc).

If they’d like to do so and have ample time, guests can choose to stay in Kyrgyzstan either before or after the tour begins. Since the tour is 12 days long and Kyrgyz tourist visas can last anywhere from 60-90 in length, doing so is reasonable. 

Guests often ask us where they should visit in Kyrgyzstan if they have extra time. There are many options; here are a few suggestions based upon different travels:

• Ala-Archa: Those who have a few extra days in Bishkek should definitely look into spending some time in the nearby national park of Ala-Archa. It is very close to the capital and offers some of the most accessible alpine scenery in the country. For those who need extra time to acclimate/get their feet under them, this is a great place to do so.
• Almaty: Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan and is generally considered the most cosmopolitan/bustling metropolis in Central Asia. It is only 3-4 hours away from Bishkek by private transfer, which makes it an easy add-on to our itinerary. For those with the time, there are several interesting locations nearby Almaty as well, like Kaindy Lake or Altyn Emel National Park. Some people choose to fly into Almaty instead of Bishkek as well – there are more international flights going to Almaty and are sometimes cheaper as well.
• Osh/Southern Kyrgyzstan: We only suggest this part of Kyrgyzstan to those with lots of extra time. Osh, which is the largest city in Southern Kyrgyzstan, is an interesting city to visit; far more traditional and raw than Bishkek with a long history and a love for street food. This part of the country is somewhat isolated as roads are very rough. There are cheap flights on Air Manaus from Bishkek to Osh that leave several times per day.