Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Kyrgyzstan Кыргызстан
Why Go?
Kyrgyzstan is a nation defined by its topography: joyously
unspoilt mountainscapes, stark craggy ridges, and rolling
summer pastures ( jailoos ) are brought to life by semi-
nomadic, yurt-dwelling shepherd cultures. Add to this nat-
ural beauty a well-developed network of homestays and the
recent introduction of visa-free travel, and it's easy to see
why Kyrgyzstan is rapidly becoming the gateway of choice
for Western travellers in Central Asia. As can be expected
in a country where the vast majority of attractions are
rural and high altitude, the timing of your visit is crucial.
Summer is ideal with hikes and roads generally accessible.
Midsummer also sees Kazakh and Russian tourists con-
verge on the beaches of never-freezing Lake Issyk-Köl. From
October to May, much rural accommodation closes down
and the yurts that add such character to the alpine vistas
are stashed away. So think twice about a winter visit unless
you've come to ski.
Bishkek .....................232
Around Bishkek ..........251
Burana Tower ............252
Chong-Kemin Valley .253
Lake Issyk-Köl ..........253
Karakol ......................258
Bokonbayevo,
Kadji-Sai & Around .... 272
Kochkor .................... 276
Naryn ........................280
Naryn to Jalal-Abad...282
Naryn to Torugart ......284
Osh ............................289
Alay Valley .................296
Best Community
Tourism Outfits
¨ CBT Karakol (p263)
¨ CBT Naryn (p281)
¨ Jailoo Kochkor (p277)
¨ CBT Arslanbob (p288)
When to Go
Bishkek
Rainfall inches/mm
°C/°F Temp
40/104
5/125
4/100
30/86
20/68
3/75
10/50
0/32
-10/14
2/50
1/25
Best Yurtstays
¨ Song-Köl (p273)
¨ Kilemche (p275)
¨ Tash Rabat (p285)
¨ Ecotour (p246)
0
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
May-Jun Flowers
bloom and tourist
numbers are low;
higher mountains
may be snow-
bound.
mid-Jul-early
Sep Ideal for
treks; accom-
modation heavily
booked; cities
stifling hot.
Mar Rural accom-
modation closed;
trekking areas
inaccessible;
good for skiing.
 
Search WWH ::




Custom Search