The Treasures of Kyrgyzstan

Experienced English speaking guides

In-country transportation including flight to Osh City

Accommodation as per itinerary

Meals as per itinerary

Entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary 

Airport transfers

International/domestic airfares & tax

Visa fees (if applicable)

Rooms/Yurts/Tents and always as per booking but in certain circumstances, sharing may be required 

Any personal expenditure (telephone, laundry, shopping and so on…)

Beverage and alcoholic drinks

Photo/video fees at museums

Any other services not mentioned on itinerary and trip inclusive portion

Travel Insurance (this is mandatory as you maybe asked to provide details)

Extra excursions/activities/fees not mentioned in itinerary

Single supplements unless included in tour price

Tips for driver / guide

Porter Fees

The single supplement does not include individual accommodation in yurts and in local family house.

Extra payment per person for TWIN accommodation in yurt per night - 15 USD (if yurts are available).

Extra payment per person for SGL accommodation in yurt per night - 25 USD (if yurts are available).

Early check in in Bishkek hotel 3* for extra night SGL – 65 USD per room; DBL/TWN – 90 USD per room.

Additional information

Kyrgyzstan is a small mountainous country in the heart of Central Asia, bordering on China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and is landlocked. Its average elevation is 2,750 m and more than three-quarters of the territory is occupied by the Tien Shan and Pamir mountains. 

Climate

Kyrgyzstan has a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. The weather conditions can vary depending on the location and altitude. In cities like Bishkek, situated at an altitude of around 800, meters temperatures can exceed 35°C in the summer. In the high mountain elevations, for example in the province of Nayrn, temperatures are lower, with the average in the low 20s centigrade at this time of the year. Night temperatures can drop dramatically and hover around freezing.

Detailed weather information is available online.

Is this trip for me?

This trip involves moderate hiking activities, so if you are in a reasonable state of health and enjoy outdoor walking, you should cope well with this tour. However, please keep in mind that it is adventure travel and you will be camping and staying in yurts. 

Some of the roads used are "challenging" as we visit very remote areas, unseen but most. We choose the summer months to visit as they are they driest and minimise any disruption to travel.

Should you have any questions with regards to your ability to participate in this tour, please contact our office for more information.

Accommodation

In an endeavour to enhance the overall travel experience and to give you a feel of what life is like in this part of the world, we provide authentic accommodation with character. You will stay in a variety of accommodation ranging from hotels to home-stays and yurt/tent camps. Although the comfort level may vary, it will give you a truly authentic experience. All yurt camps and tent camps have basic toilet facilities.

Tash Rabat Yurt Camp:

The yurt camp offers 10 yurts (up to 4 guests in a yurt).

The Yurt camp offers a separate dining yurt, decorated in the national style, with the capacity of 40 people. The dining yurt is equipped with wooden tables and benches.

Each yurt is decorated in a traditional style, and has electricity, and 2 wooden beds. 2 extra cots can be provided if required. Each yurt has a wooden floor so that you can walk without shoes or in felt slippers (also supplied in each yurt).

Yurts are heated with a stove (twice a day).

Each sleeping place has a mattress, linen, a pillow, a blanket and a sleeping bag.There are 3 toilets, 2 water taps and 1 sauna at guests’ disposal.

In case of an emergency, the yurt camp is equipped with a satellite phone.

Song Kul Yurt Camp:

The yurt camp offers 30 yurts (up to 4 guests in a yurt).

The yurt camp will have 3 separate dining yurts, decorated in the national style. It has a capacity of 90 people. The dining yurts will be equipped with wooden tables and benches.

Each living yurt is decorated in a traditional style, and has electricity, and 2 wooden beds. 2 extra cots can be provided if required. Each yurt has a wooden floor so that you can walk without shoes or in felt slippers (also supplied in each yurt).

Yurts are heated by an oven (twice a day).

Each sleeping place has a mattress, linen, a pillow, a blanket and a sleeping bag.

There are 5 European style toilets, 6 shower cabins with hot water, and 5 water taps at guest’s disposal.

In case of an emergency, the yurt camp is equipped with a satellite phone.

Kel Suu Tent Camp:

The tent camp offers 15 tents (up to 2 guests in a tent).

1 dining tent.

The tent camp and each sleeping tent have electricity and are equipped with power sockets for re-charging.

Each sleeping place has a camp-cot, a mattress, linen, a pillow, a blanket and a sleeping bag.

4 toilets, 3 water taps and one “banya” available.

In case of an emergency, the tent camp is equipped with a satellite phone.

Food

During our trip, you will have a chance to experience the vast array of delicious Kyrgyz food.

Local cuisine is firmly rooted within the centuries-old traditions of nomadic people and influenced by countries like Russia, Turkey and Middle Eastern and other Central Asian countries. The staples of the Kyrgyz diet, and the diets of most of the traditionally nomadic people in Central Asia, are mutton, flatbreads, rice and tea with sheep or horse milk flavoured with salt or sugar. Horse meat is often served and considered a delicacy by Kyrgyz people. Kazy or chuchuk are popular horse meat sausages. Dairy products such as thick cream (kaymak), yoghurt, cheeses and butter are commonly served.

Beshbarmak is considered the national dish; it consists of finely chopped horse meat (mutton or beef might be used instead) boiled in broth for several hours and served with homemade noodles and a spicy sauce called chyk.

*If you have any specific dietary requirements and restrictions, please indicate this during your reservation.

Drinks and alcohol

Tea and coffee: Kyrgyz are fond of tea. They like to drink it with milk, salt, sugar and butter. Coffee is less popular and most likely to be instant.

Chalap: a traditional drink made from dissolved kurut (kurut is a snack made from sour milk or yoghurt).

Balsaam(or arashan): this drink is made from different herbs and spices. Slightly alcoholic, it is mixed with coffee, tea, or vodka, and is believed to have a therapeutic effect on treating colds and coughs.

Bozo: a drink made from boiled and fermented millet grains.

Kymyz: a slightly fermented mare’s milk is a popular drink in jailoo and a signature drink in Kyrgyzstan.

Kvass: a drink made from fermented rye bread.

Shubat: fermented camel's milk.

Jarma or Shoro: fermented barley drink.

Vodka (Arak in Kyrgyz) is the most common alcoholic beverage, followed by beer and wine, which are widely sold across the country.

Wine: Kyrgyzstan does grow grapes and produce its own sweet wine.

Kyrgyz people also produce their own, highly sweet cognac.

Local Kyrgyz beers include Nashe Pivo, Jivoe, Arpa and Karabalta.

Clothes

Most likely you will experience varied weather conditions due to the huge variety in elevation and terrain. It is not uncommon to experience four seasons in one day, especially in the mountains, where nights can be very cold even during the summer months. In the lower plains, temperatures can rise above 30-40 degrees. So pack clothes suitable for various temperatures that can be layered and aim for functionality and fast-drying features. We would recommend packing a mix of short and long-sleeved tops and trousers. Also, take with you a set of modest clothing that covers knees, chest and shoulders and scarf (for mosque visits).

Altitude Sickness

During this trip, you will be staying at altitudes over 800m (maximum altitude at Kel Suu Lake- 3514 m). The pace of the trip will allow acclimatization time; however, it is important to be aware of the effects of altitude on one's body.

If you feel any of the following symptoms, you should inform your guide immediately to descend to a lower altitude:

· Headache

• Fatigue or weakness

• Dizziness 

• Nausea or vomiting

• Excessive shortness of breath

• Peripheral oedema (swelling of feet, hands or face)

• Insomnia

Safety and security

Kyrgyzstan is considered to be a safe place to travel, however, you should take sensible precautions as you would everywhere else. Always watch your belongings and be vigilant in large crowds. Don’t carry a large amount of cash with you. We strongly recommend carrying a money belt or alternative. Keep valuables in a safe place and don’t expose them to others. Be cautious at currency exchange offices and when visiting local bazaars.

Tipping

Most restaurants add a 10-15% service charge to the Bill. If there is no service charge included, tipping is not compulsory but always welcomed. In larger hotels, it is common to give a small tip to bell boys or cleaners.

Toilets

In larger cities and tourist destinations across the country, sit-down toilets are the norm; however, squatters are more common in rural regions. Toilet paper is often not provided.

Money Exchange

The Kyrgyz currency is the som and tyin (1 som = 100 tyin). Credit cards are rarely accepted so you should always keep some cash with you. ATMs are accessible in Bishkek and other bigger locations but limited and we don’t recommend relying on them. Money exchange offices can be found in larger cities. Usually, they will trade EUR, USD and Roubles; some locations will also trade GBP and Chinese yuan.

We recommend taking US dollars with you (bills printed after 1996). Notes have to be in good condition without stamps and marks on them.

Internet

Internet is available in the cities but not so much in the countryside. Internet speed can also vary. If you need to use your laptop during the trip you may need to carry a dongle with you.
 

Prepaid SIM cards are generally cheap and you will find them in many mobile provider shops in bigger cities. Mobile telephone companies offer different internet packages. Major telecom companies are Beeline, O!, and MegaCom.  

Electricity

In Kyrgyzstan, the standard voltage is 220 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. The power plugs and power outlets are of type C (standard Euro plug) and F (Schuko plug). 

Visa and passport information

Please be aware that visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. The visa requirements for this trip differ depending on where you are from so it is vital that you check these requirements with the Embassy of Kyrgyzstan. Please, keep in mind that your passport does need to be valid for at least 6 months from the moment of departure from the country.

If you are a citizen of one of the following countries, you can stay in Kyrgyzstan for up to 60 days without obtaining a visa: 

Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, UK, USA, Vatican. 

Other nationalities may require a single entry visa and should contact the relevant consulate or embassy for more information.

Flight information

Flights are not included in the price of this trip and Google Flights has every flight listed, along with times and costs.

Manas International Airport in the capital Bishkek, is the main international airport in Kyrgyzstan.

Many major airlines operate flights to Kyrgyzstan and we recommend: 

Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul)

Emirates (via Dubai) 

Insurance

Your safety is our number one priority and therefore it is compulsory that you acquire insurance that adequately covers your trip. Please take note that due to some of the geographical locations visited and activities included on this trip, standard insurance policies may not always provide sufficient cover. The insurance should cover hiking, trekking, camping (make sure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit coverage for your trip) and any optional activities you would like to participate in. It must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your country. Please ensure that the policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury. 

Important Information

On all guided trips

Although the guides are well trained to deal with different capabilities, however if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely participate in an activity, or their impact on other guests safety, Time Exposure Travel has authorised them to prevent the partaking of said activity.

This is clearly stated in the Time Exposure Travel Booking Conditions and alternative options will be offered where possible. No refunds will be provided and guests will be liable for any additional costs, should they be incurred.

Guests should feel confident about participation in activities prior to booking and Time Exposure Travel will be happy to clarify and doubts about suitability.

Tour information

All information provided is accurate at time of publication, however all holidays can be subject to unexpected events, which may result in changes to itinerary’s, dates of availability, accommodation locations and personnel. This could be for a variety of reasons - climatic, political, physical, pandemic, weather, terrorism or insurrections or any other. In these circumstances we will make the best possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary. These events may also affect the price.

Travel Aware 

The UK Government have information online about how to stay safe and health when overseas - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/checklist-for-travellers

Book with confidence

Time Exposure Travel is a fully bonded as a tour operator. We hold ABTOT (Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust) Licence number 5419. ABTOT APPI provides protection for customers’ prepayments, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. In the unlikely event of financial failure please contact ABTOT’s 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397. A copy of the policy is available on request from your travel organiser. The APPI policy is provided by Travel & General Insurance Services Limited (T&G), registered number 02527363 and underwritten by Hiscox Insurance Company Limited (Hiscox), registered number 00070234. T&G and Hiscox are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (number 113849).

Long-sleeved shirts 

Fleece top/sweater 

Long pants/jeans 

Shirts/t-shirts 

Sleepwear 

Waterproof hiking shoes

Waterproof backpack cover 

Light walking shoes

Windproof rain jacket 

Hiking pants 

Scarf 

Sandals/flip-flops                                                                        

Shorts (Longer shorts are recommended) 

Sun hat/bandanna

Conservative dress 

Travel towel 

Warm hat 

Disinfection gel

Gloves

Sunglasses 

Sunscreen

Toiletries 

Sanitary Wipes

Sanitising Hand Gel

Reusable water bottle

Documents such as passport with photocopies insurance documents, required visas or vaccination certificates 

Cash, credit and debit cards 

Money belt/ neck wallet

Locks for bags 

Day pack  

Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)

Emergency charging devices

Outlet adapter (2 pins round plugs)

First-aid kit

Insect repellent

Torch and head Torch

Binoculars