Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬

Flag of Kyrgyzstan

Population » 6 million
Languages » Kyrgyz, Russian
- Most of its six million people are Turkic-speaking Muslims.
Religions » Islam, Christianity
Life expectancy » 67 years (men), 75 years (women)
Currency » som

Area » 199,900 sq km (77,182 sq miles)
A landlocked country in central Asian.
Border by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west and southwest, Tajikistan to the southwest and China to the east.

Map of Kyrgyzstan (Source » France)

Tourist visa is not required for Canadians staying up to 60 days.
- For stays longer than 60 days, obtain a Kyrgyzstan’s e-visa – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan
- If you plan to stay in Kyrgyzstan for longer than 60 days, you must register at a State Registration Service Passport Desk (in Russian) within 5 work days following your arrival.
Permits are required to enter regions near the Chinese border.
- Kyrgyzstan Border Permit allows access to »
  - 1. Chuy region » Chong-Kemin Valley
  - 2. Issyk-Kul region » Karkyra, Sary-Jaz, Engilchek, Khan-Tengri national park, Ak-Shyrak, and Karasay checkpoint
  - 3. Naryn region » Ak-Say Valley, Lake Kol-Suu, Kok-Kiya canyon, Lake Chatyr-Kul and Torugart checkpoint
  - 4. Osh region » Trans-Alay chain (Lenin Peak)
- Permits are available from Ountravela.com and others for a fee.

The millennia-old city of Osh has an excellent market
In Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan generally, offers the good value with its excellent and affordable homestay network.
- CBT Kyrgyzstan (Community Based Tourism Association) in each local can make arrangements

On the Silk Road
You may have horses for company as you overland in Kyrgyzstan
To or from the Fergana Valley, Uzbekistan, use the border between Andijan and Osh
The Tian Shan mountains, which surround the old caravan route and dominate the country, are home to snow leopards, lynx and sheep.
In the south, the millennia-old city of Osh has a huge, busy bazaar that was once a stop on the Silk Road.
Kyzyl-Art pass (Elevation: 4,336 meters – 14,226 feet) border crossing with Tajikistan.
- Used by the Wescotts in 2014.