Useful information
Formal name: The Kyrgyz Republic
Location: Kyrgyzstan is located in Central Asia, bordering Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the southwest, and China to the southeast. Most of the country is mountainous, with the Tian Shan range taking up most of the central part of the country.This makes Kyrgyzstan a spectacularly beautiful place for hiking and relaxing in nature. Even though Kyrgyzstan is far from the ocean, the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul make for an ideal beach vacation. The landlocked climate means that summers can be quite hot, averaging around 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) in the cities, making swimming and mountain escapes necessary, while winter brings snow and cooler temperatures (averaging around freezing), perfect for skiing and other winter sports. Visitors can also experience the famous hospitality of Central Asia, and immerse themselves in Kyrgyz culture. The world’s longest epic poem, the Epic of Manas, plays a prominent role in Kyrgyz culture, and is featured on many landmarks and monuments.
The Kyrgyz Republic stretches about 900 km from east to west and 410 km from north to south, and is situated between 39°N and 43°N degrees latitude. The total area is almost 200 thousand sq. kilometers.
Land Boundaries: 4,573 km
China 1063 km, Kazakhstan 1,212 km, Tajikistan 984 km, Uzbekistan 1,314 km
Population: Approximately 6 million
Bishkek: 900,000
Osh: 210,000
Jalal-Abad: 70,000
Karakol: 65,000
Tokmok: 60,000
Capital: Bishkek is the political, economic, and administrative center of Kyrgyzstan, as well as being a place of historical and cultural significance. The city is home to many government offices, diplomatic missions, and representatives of international organizations. Bishkek was founded in 1878, and has been the capital since 1926. Alongside government ministries and embassies are many parks and cafes, as well as museums and shopping centers. As of 2015, around a million people called Bishkek home.
Languages: The main official language is Kyrgyz, though Russian has also been recognized as an official language. Many business and political affairs are carried out in Russian, though Kyrgyz is very widely spoken across the country and is now the language of parliament. Uzbek, though not an official language, is prevalent in the southern part of the country. Kyrgyz is written with a modified Cyrillic alphabet. Students have the option of going to Russian, Kyrgyz, or Uzbek schools.
Kyrgyz is a Turkic language, and is mostly closely related to Kazakh and Karakalpak, and more distantly related to other Turkic languages, like Turkish, Uzbek, Turkmen, and Uighur. Many people in Kyrgyzstan are bilingual or multilingual.
Religion: Roughly 80% of the population is non-denominational Muslim, with another 15% following Russian Orthodoxy, and the rest following other religions. However, religious beliefs are not particularly prevalent in daily life, and instead are part of the culture and are tied to ethnicity and tradition. Religion, particularly Islam, is starting to play a larger role in public and political life, especially as interest grows in religion and spirituality after independence from the atheist Soviet Union. The government of Kyrgyzstan is secular, though it does monitor and impose some restrictions on religious organizations.
Form of Government: Kyrgyzstan is a unitary parliamentary republic.
Governmental Bodies: Kyrgyzstan’s parliament is called Jogorku Kenesh, and the chief of state is the president, while the prime minister is the head of the government.
Provinces and Districts: Kyrgyzstan consists of seven provinces and two independent cities with the same status as provinces. The provinces are Batken, Osh, Jalal-Abad, Naryn, Issyk Kul, Chuy, and Talas, and the two cities are Bishkek and Osh.
Currency: The Kyrgyz som (KGS) is the official currency, and it divides into 100 tyiyn. Banknotes in circulation are in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, and 5000 som, while coins are in denominations of 1, 3, 5, and 10 som. Tyiyn are rarely seen and used. State Symbols: Kyrgyz Flag, Kyrgyz Emblem
Kyrgyz Flag: The flag features a yellow tunduk with 40 rays of sun spiraling around it on a red background. The tunduk is traditionally the circular top portion of a yurt, and symbolizes the home and the universe.
The rays of sun represent the 40 tribes of Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyz Emblem: The emblem features a hawk beating its wings in front of a panorama of the Tian Shan and a rising sun. The most prominent color is light blue, which traditionally signifies courage and generosity.
Languages: The main official language is Kyrgyz, though Russian has also been recognized as an official language. Many business and political affairs are carried out in Russian, though Kyrgyz is very widely spoken across the country and is now the language of parliament. Uzbek, though not an official language, is prevalent in the southern part of the country. Kyrgyz is written with a modified Cyrillic alphabet. Students have the option of going to Russian, Kyrgyz, or Uzbek schools.
Kyrgyz is a Turkic language, and is mostly closely related to Kazakh and Karakalpak, and more distantly related to other Turkic languages, like Turkish, Uzbek, Turkmen, and Uighur. Many people in Kyrgyzstan are bilingual or multilingual.
Religion: Roughly 80% of the population is non-denominational Muslim, with another 15% following Russian Orthodoxy, and the rest following other religions. However, religious beliefs are not particularly prevalent in daily life, and instead are part of the culture and are tied to ethnicity and tradition. Religion, particularly Islam, is starting to play a larger role in public and political life, especially as interest grows in religion and spirituality after independence from the atheist Soviet Union. The government of Kyrgyzstan is secular, though it does monitor and impose some restrictions on religious organizations.
Form of Government: Kyrgyzstan is a unitary parliamentary republic.
Governmental Bodies: Kyrgyzstan’s parliament is called Jogorku Kenesh, and the chief of state is the president, while the prime minister is the head of the government.
Provinces and Districts: Kyrgyzstan consists of seven provinces and two independent cities with the same status as provinces. The provinces are Batken, Osh, Jalal-Abad, Naryn, Issyk Kul, Chuy, and Talas, and the two cities are Bishkek and Osh.
Currency: The Kyrgyz som (KGS) is the official currency, and it divides into 100 tyiyn. Banknotes in circulation are in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, and 5000 som, while coins are in denominations of 1, 3, 5, and 10 som. Tyiyn are rarely seen and used. State Symbols: Kyrgyz Flag, Kyrgyz Emblem
Kyrgyz Flag: The flag features a yellow tunduk with 40 rays of sun spiraling around it on a red background. The tunduk is traditionally the circular top portion of a yurt, and symbolizes the home and the universe.
The rays of sun represent the 40 tribes of Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyz Emblem: The emblem features a hawk beating its wings in front of a panorama of the Tian Shan and a rising sun. The most prominent color is light blue, which traditionally signifies courage and generosity.
Currency, exchange offices, and ATMs
Som, the national currency of Kyrgyzstan, is used since 1993. Existing rates: 1, 3, 5, and 10 coins. 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 5000 banknotes.Exchange offices are readily available in Kyrgyzstan, in big cities as Bishkek, Osh, Karakol, Jalabat, Cholpon Ata, Naryn, and Talas.
In general, they are located near banks, bazaars, and on the main streets. Recommended exchanging currency at the banks.
The US dollar is well distributed and exchanged almost in all cities. Euros can be exchanged only in big cities, and only bills above 50. Visa Card, Master Card, and Maestro accepted in the ATM of big cities. We recommend you the VISA Card for the travel in Kyrgyzstan.
Telephone and phone coverage zones
Actually, telephone communication as necessary as water.Mobile connection covers almost the whole of Kyrgyzstan.
Mobile operators: Beeline, Megacom, and O!
The web-page of the kyrgyz mobile operators : www.beeline.kg, www.megacom.kg, www.o.kg.
Roaming through these mobile operators is available. Now, people in Kyrgyzstan began to use the Whatsapp application to chat. The International Code of Kyrgyzstan is (+996).
Tipping It’s a familiar dilemma: Should I tip guide and driver? And if so, how much? I’m Nomad don’t like this kind of tipping because money is water, flew in a short time. As our staff is already paid by the agency for their professionalism and works. Our recommendation is to donate them new or used outdoor equipment; raincoats, boots, sunglasses, watches, frontal light, backpacks, sleeping bags, mattresses even ski, GPS, and tents. Because in Kyrgyzstan it’s expensive the imported outdoor equipment. This kind of tipping will help for the ecotourism of Kyrgyzstan.
The guide and drivers work hard and with quality because for them it’s comfortable with your quality equipment.
Visa & special Permits how to get a visa to Kyrgyzstan
The visa-free regime of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan within 60 days, is valid for citizens of the following countries:Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Mongolia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States Of America, Vatican. Visa for entry to the territory of Kyrgyzstan within 1 month is not required for holders of diplomatic and service passports of the following states: The people’s Republic of China (also for the holders of the ordinary passports for service assignment), Republic of Hungary, Turkmenistan. Visa-free regime is also valid for citizens of the following CIS countries:
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine. Foreign citizens of the other states can enter to Kyrgyzstan and transit through its territory only if there is an entry visa to Kyrgyzstan.
For visa support the following information is required:
I’m Nomad provides visa support to Kyrgyzstan. For this, please, you can send it to our email. • Passport data (copy).
• Exact dates of travel in the Kyrgyz Republic.
• Flight number (in case of getting a visa at the airport of Bishkek upon arrival).
The information necessary for visa support should be sent nor later than 20 days prior to arrival. For a 1 visa support cost 70 USD and in case of a visa refusal, the money is not returned.
Support or additional permission for the border zone v Visa is valid for visiting almost all the territory of Kyrgyzstan. However, for passing through or/and visiting some of the zones of the territory of Kyrgyzstan additional permission is required.
These zones are in the following areas of Kyrgyzstan: the border with China, Engelchek, Northern part of Terskey Ala-Tau, from Ak-Say at the East till Djuuku in the West, Chatkal valley and Ak-Say glacier in Ala-Archa gorge. Permits documents for visiting/passing through those zones we will arrange in the short term.
I’m Nomad provides permission support to this territory Kyrgyzstan. Please, you can send it to our email.
• Passport data (copy).
• Exact dates of travel in the Kyrgyz Republic.
• Flight number.
The information necessary for permission support should be sent nor later than 20 days before the arrival in Kyrgyzstan. Permission support costs 25 USD and in case of a permission refusal, the money is not returned.
Electricity and internet
Electricity – this is life, and the Internet a symbol of modernity and prosperity in Kyrgyzstan. Electrical energy is produced in Kyrgyzstan, with the help of hydroelectric power stations on the rivers which we have many.
In every Kyrgyz town with electricity all day and all year round. The Internet is in big cities where to catch mobile communications. We try as much as possible to lodge you with free wi-fi access.
Security & Police
Kyrgyzstan is a modern and sovereign state where there are stability and prosperity. Terrorism and kidnapping of tourists have not yet occurred. But still, you have to be careful everywhere and always. Standard tips for travelers:
• Do not walk or travel alone, especially at night.
• Use only officially marked taxis, pre-negotiate the fare, and do not share a ride with strangers.
• Follow the guide instruction.
• Be careful when visiting markets. Can steal a camera, wallet, and other valuables.
• Do not drink water from irrigation ditches in the mountains.
• Do not approach from behind to horses, cows, and yaks.
At the moment, we have only these tips, but we will complete our security content!
Water and beverage
Drinks – an integral part of any contemporary travel.
In Kyrgyzstan, it is not a problem, all kinds of drinks are readily available in the big cities of our country. We always buy stock in the canteen of water tours by car.
In tours in the mountains where there are no cars, we provide boiled cooled water. mineral, table, sweet and alcoholic beverages are sold in all stores and on the country’s market
