Travel information

       Visa requirements

Visa Free Regime: Citizens  of following countries do not need visas: Azerbaijan, Albania, Armenia, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cuba, Georgia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Macedonia, Malaysia (for" service" and tourist purposes up to 3 months), North Korea, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkey (for up to 1 month), Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yugoslavia.

Simplified Visa Regime: citizens of European Union countries, USA, Canada, and Australia can obtain a visa, valid for up to one month, from a Kyrgyz Consular Office, without an invitation - on the basis of a personal application.

The Ordinary Visa Regime: citizens of all other countries are required to have an invitation - and this involves applying for visa support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bishkek, (basically having the invitation registered and approved).

A visa can be obtained in advance at the Kyrgyz consulate in Brussels and Berlin or can be bought when you arrive on the airport in Bishkek. In 2010 the price of a visa is 60 Euro. On the airport you can buy a visa for a maximum of 1 month. If you want to stay longer, you either have to get a visa in Brussels or get your visa prolonged in Bishkek.

Airlines: British Airways, Turkish Airlines, Aeroflot, Uzbek Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Lufthansa.

Time: GMT + 6 hours.

Currency exchange: Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks and at authorized exchange offices which abound in Bishkek, Osh and the Issyk - Kul area. The US Dollar and Euro are the easiest currencies to exchange. Other currencies can be changed in banks in Bishkek only.

Credit & debit cards: Acceptable only in Bishkek and Osh. Credit cards are accepted in some of the major hotels, restaurants and cafes, some shops and major travel and tickets agencies. Facilities exist for credit - card cash withdrawals in Bishkek, Cholpon-Ata, Balykchy and Osh.

Travelers' cheques: There is limited acceptance of these, but some banks in Bishkek accept travelers' cheques; commission charges might be high. Cash is recommended.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz; round two-pin continental plugs are standard. 

Valuable items: passport, flight ticket, copies of all your documents and extra money.

What to take:

• Warm sweater or polar fleece jacket.
• Light sweater
• Windproof jacket
• Warm trousers
• (High) walking shoes
• Rain gear
• Cap or hat against the sun
• Towels
• Sun lotion
• Flashlight
• Warm socks
• First aid kit with at least aspirin, Imodium, plaster and personal medicine prescribed by your doctor.
• Cash money
• Thermo underwear
• Swimsuit
• Cup and pocket knife
• Ecological washing powder
• Down sleeping bag
• Sleeping bag liner

Additional information you will get on booking.