Flag of Kyrgyzstan

Flag of Kyrgyzstan

Facts

  • 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

Geography

Map of Kyrgyzstan

Map of Kyrgyzstan (Source » France)

Maps

Notes

  • Can withdraw cash in both the Kyrgyzstani Som and U.S. dollars

Tourism

  • 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.

Experiences

  • 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

Overland

  • 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.

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This page was updated December 3, 2022