kyrzgystan
A Comprehensive Travel Guide
central asia
Kyrgyzstan - today known as Central Asia’s “Island of Democracy” - is one of the most underrated destinations for travelers. Thanks to its stunning landscapes and convenient location, Kyrgyzstan was home to numerous stops on history’s most rich exchange of culture and trade - the Silk Road. Ancient traders traveled through Kyrgyzstan’s vast steppes and mountainous valleys for centuries, leaving behind striking monuments and well-preserved trade posts that travelers can still explore today. Travelers will also experience the stark juxtaposition of Kyrgyzstan’s nomadic past with the Soviet Union’s cold, Stalinist architecture. So whether you’re looking to backpack through the Tian Shen mountains horseback riding by day and sleeping in yurts by night, or you’re a history lover longing to get a tangible sense of ancient history, Kyrgyzstan is a fantastic travel destination. Check out my comprehensive travel guide below for more!
VI. cuisine
v. climate & weather
iV. average costs
iII. know before you go
iI. places to visit
i. what to expect
a. budget travel
b. mid-range travel
c. luxury travel
Table of contents
Places to Visit
Expect
What can i
from Kyrgyzstan?
Official Language(s) – Kyrgyz, Russian
Currency – Som (KGS)
Capital City – Bishkek
Credit Cards & ATMs – Credit cards are widely accepted in large cities, but less common in rural areas. Visa is more widely accepted than Mastercard. If you venture into the countryside, be sure to withdraw or exchange currency beforehand.
Outlets – C & F
Popular SIM Card Providers – Beeline, MegaCom, O!
details
osh
Know
you go
before
Average Costs
Whether you enjoy backpacking through the mountains or lounging at health resorts, Kyrgyzstan is a treasure trove for cheap travel. See the following aggregated data for a general sense of how much it costs to travel daily in Kyrgyzstan based upon your preferred travel style.
**All data courtesy of Budget Your Trip. Visit their website for more information on how this data was collected here.
Сколько стоит?
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climate & weather
Kyrgyzstan’s climate can be described as dry and continental with four clearly-defined seasons. The northern valley of Chuy region, which includes the capital city Bishkek, experiences soaring temperatures in the summers and snowy winters. Towns located on the banks of Lake Issyk-Kul such as Karakol and Cholpon-Ata have a similar climate, however due to their proximity to the water, are slightly more temperate. The climate of Central Kyrgyzstan is significantly different from the rest of the country, as it is characterized by the Tian Shan mountains - one of the longest mountain ranges in the world. Winters at such high elevations are much more harsh and form beautiful glaciers with snowcaps year-round. In the summers, these glaciers feed into the rivers of deep valleys that flow throughout the region. In the south, temperatures are similar to the north, but tend to experience hotter, more arid summers, and are less susceptible to cold spells.
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WEATHER APP
Yandex.Weather
Average Maximum: 3 °C // 37 °F
Average Minimum: -6 °C // 21 °F
Average Sunshine: 6 hours
Rainy days: 10 days
Average Maximum: 14 °C // 57 °F
Average Minimum: 2 °C // 36 °F
Average Sunshine: 7 hours
Rainy days: 11 days
Average Maximum: 18 °C // 64 °F
Average Minimum: 6 °C // 43 °F
Average Sunshine: 8 hours
Rainy days: 12 days
march
april
may
Average Maximum: 11 °C // 52 °F
Average Minimum: 0 °C // 32 °F
Average Sunshine: 5 hours
Rainy days: 9 days
Average Maximum: 18 °C // 64 °F
Average Minimum: 6 °C // 43 °F
Average Sunshine: 6 hours
Rainy days: 9 days
Average Maximum: 24 °C // 75°F
Average Minimum: 11 °C // 52 °F
Average Sunshine: 8 hours
Rainy days: 8 days
march
april
may
spring
bishkek
Naryn
spring
summer
autumn
winter
Average Maximum: 22 °C // 72 °F
Average Minimum: 8 °C // 46 °F
Average Sunshine: 9 hours
Rainy days: 10 days
Average Maximum: 24 °C // 75 °F
Average Minimum: 11 °C // 52 °F
Average Sunshine: 10 hours
Rainy days: 9 days
Average Maximum: 25 °C // 77 °F
Average Minimum: 10 °C // 50 °F
Average Sunshine: 10 hours
Rainy days: 7 days
june
july
august
Average Maximum: 29 °C // 84 °F
Average Minimum: 16 °C // 61 °F
Average Sunshine: 10 hours
Rainy days: 4 days
Average Maximum: 32 °C // 90 °F
Average Minimum: 18 °C // 64 °F
Average Sunshine: 11 hours
Rainy days: 3 days
Average Maximum: 31 °C // 88 °F
Average Minimum: 16 °C // 61 °F
Average Sunshine: 10 hours
Rainy days: 2 days
june
july
august
summer
bishkek
naryn
spring
summer
autumn
winter
Average Maximum: 20 °C // 68 °F
Average Minimum: 6°C // 43 °F
Average Sunshine: 9 hours
Rainy days: 5 days
Average Maximum: 13 °C // 55 °F
Average Minimum: 1 °C // 34 °F
Average Sunshine: 7 hours
Rainy days: 8 days
Average Maximum: 2 °C // 36 °F
Average Minimum: -8 °C // 18 °F
Average Sunshine: 5 hours
Rainy days: 7 days
september
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
Average Maximum: 26 °C // 79 °F
Average Minimum: 11 °C // 52 °F
Average Sunshine: 9 hours
Rainy days: 3 days
Average Maximum: 18 °C // 64 °F
Average Minimum: 5 °C // 41 °F
Average Sunshine: 6 hours
Rainy days: 6 days
Average Maximum: 11 °C // 52 °F
Average Minimum: 0 °C // 32 °F
Average Sunshine: 5 hours
Rainy days: 7 days
september
october
November
autumn
bishkek
naryn
spring
summer
autumn
winter
Average Maximum: -6 °C // 21 °F
Average Minimum: -16 °C // 3 °F
Average Sunshine: 4 hours
Rainy days: 9 days
Average Maximum: -10 °C // 14 °F
Average Minimum: -20 °C // -4 °F
Average Sunshine: 4 hours
Rainy days: 9 days
Average Maximum: -7 °C // 19 °F
Average Minimum: -17 °C // 1 °F
Average Sunshine: 5 hours
Rainy days: 9 days
DECEMBER
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
Average Maximum: 5 °C // 41 °F
Average Minimum: -5 °C // 23 °F
Average Sunshine: 4 hours
Rainy days: 6 days
Average Maximum: 3 °C // 37 °F
Average Minimum: -7 °C // 19 °F
Average Sunshine: 4 hours
Rainy days: 6 days
Average Maximum: 5 °C // 41 °F
Average Minimum: -5 °C // 23 °F
Average Sunshine: 5 hours
Rainy days: 6 days
december
January
February
winter
bishkek
naryn
spring
summer
autumn
winter
what to
wear in
bishkek
naryn
Ashliamfu (Ашлямфу)
Ashliamfu is a popular dish unique to the Dungan culture, and has spread throughout Central Asia. Dungans are a Muslim, minority group exiled from China and have taken refuge in several Kyrgyz towns near the Tian Shan mountains. Ashliamfu, consequently, became very popular in these regions. This delicious soup is usually served cold and consists of noodles, vegetables, chili and vinegar. Ashliamfu can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and is a great option for budget travelers (it's usually less than $1!). Authentic Ashliamfu is such a delicacy that some restaurants in Kyrgyzstan only have Ashliamfu on the menu!
Plov (Плов)
Plov is one of my favorite Central Asian dishes - seriously I could have it for every meal for the rest of my life and be completely satisfied! Plov is a rice dish garnished with meat, vegetables, and spices. Traditional plov is cooked in a giant cauldron-like pot called a “kazan” where everything is added, tossed, and cooked. One night my host mother let me invite my friends over to the house and she made plov for 10 people in her kazan! My favorite pairings with plov are onions and tomatoes.
Borsok (баурсаки)
Borsok is a traditional Central Asian dish that consists of flour, water, butter, salt, and oil. They are essentially fried dough balls that can be eaten plain or paired with jam, honey, or butter. Borsok are a staple Kyrgyz dish that are served in plenty at the majority of special occasions. Bowls of these delicious dough balls line the tables for all to enjoy.
Samsa (Самса)
Samsa’s are incredibly tasty savory pastries, filled typically with meat such as chicken or beef, vegetables, or potatoes. Samsa’s are a popular Kyrgyz dish, but also have several variations throughout Central Asia. Samsa’s from Osh, Kyrgyzstan are among the most highly rated in the country, as many restaurants there bake the pastries in traditional clay ovens called “tandoors.” Samsa’s are great snacks to have while traveling as they are filling, tasty as hell, and cheap!
Kuurdak (Куырдак)
Kuurdak is a very popular Kyrgyz dish that consists of mutton, animal fat, and onions. The meat and fat are fried with the onions, and enriched with various spices and seasonings. The dish is often served with potatoes, squash, and vegetables. This dish is quite diverse across Central Asia with several varied meat and organ options - with the exception of pork in observance of Muslim practice not eating pork.
Chalap (Чалап)
Chalap is an ancient, traditional Kyrgyz beverage similar to kumis and maksym. Chalap is the product of mixing salt, carbonated water, and kurut - cheese balls made of fermented sheep’s milk - into a drinkable beverage. It has a unique salty taste, and is definitely an acquired taste for foreigners. You can find bottled chalap in stores, but the most authentic and popular chalap is sold out of jugs by street vendors in the cities or by shepherds in the mountains. Locals love drinking chalap in the summer, citing it as a “refreshing” drink that restores electrolytes lost from the summer heat.
Melissa
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