Since the end of September, Russia has resumed air travel with Kyrgyzstan, and this is a good reason to get acquainted with the country. We tell you where to go in the city and beyond, how not to spend a lot of money, and what to pay special attention to. Let's go!

From the airport to the city

We recommend flying directly to the capital – Bishkek, because during this period – you-know-which – there are definitely flights from Russia. So, your destination is Manas Airport, which is about 30 km from the city. You can get to the city by taxi or bus, and no one forbids using a hotel transfer. 

Bus No. 380 – is the only bus connecting the city center and the airport. The journey will take about 40 minutes if there are no traffic jams. It runs from 7.30 to 20.00. The trip costs 40 KGS (approximately 39 rubles depending on the exchange rate), runs every half hour, and payment is cash to the driver. Therefore, we recommend exchanging money in advance or at the airport. 

Kyrgyzstan has its own currency – the Kyrgyz som, and it's almost 1:1 with the ruble, with a difference of a few kopecks. As of October 12, 1 som = 97 kopecks. 

A taxi costs 10 times more, meaning you'll spend at least 500 soms for a trip to the city, but the travel time will be the same. Therefore, the best option is to use a hotel transfer, as their price is fixed, they will meet you and take you where you need to go without any extra questions. 

In case you didn't know

We found some interesting facts about Kyrgyzstan to make it more engaging for you to learn about the country. 

• Kyrgyzstan's national currency is printed in France and Malta, as that is where the cotton used in the paper for money grows. 
• Bishkek has its own «Big Ben» – a gift from the Armenian SSR in 1984.
• Our planet has at least one eye – Lake Issyk-Kul. The thing is, from space, it resembles an eye.

Transport card «Tulpar»

If you plan to travel around the city, we recommend purchasing a «Tulpar» travel card. It costs 496 soms, and you can even buy it from the driver. Details here. 

What to see in Bishkek

The city, like the country, is very colorful, after all, it's Central Asia. The atmosphere here is completely unpredictable. Here's a row of trendy hostels on Molodaya Gvardiya Boulevard, and here's a string of goats just walking down the street – and that's normal. All sorts of things happen here, and beautiful carpets are no exception. To see what local craftswomen are capable of, head to the Gaipar Aitiev Museum – textile and carpet exhibitions are held there. 

As for shopping, set aside a day to visit Osh Bazaar. This is a huge market that spans several blocks. Here you can find everything: whether it's trendy branded sneakers, antique trinkets, or some special rare spice. But don't forget to keep an eye on your personal belongings, it's a bazaar after all. And bargaining and chatting with vendors are essential rituals when visiting such a place. Also, don't overlook the Central Mosque, Ala-Too Square, and Oak Park. But we don't recommend spending more than three days in the city, as all the most interesting things are outside its limits.

Car rental

People come to Kyrgyzstan (that's in Russian, locals call the country Kyrgyz Republic) specifically for its nature. Yurts and the daily life of locals, ravines, gorges, canyons, mountains – all this can be seen if you rent a car. An SUV or crossover is suitable for mountainous terrain; on average, a car will cost from 3,000 rubles per day. Rental is available to drivers over 25 years old with 3 or more years of driving experience, and with international driving permits. 

If you want to travel around the country in a large company, become a participant in a road trip. This is when you rent a car and drive in a convoy of 4-7 cars, with the route planned by the tour operator. 

Lake Issyk-Kul and surroundings

If you have about a week for your vacation, don't linger in Bishkek and go straight to Lake Issyk-Kul and explore its surroundings – Konorchek Gorge, Jeti-Oguz, Barskoon. You can get to the lake by marshrutka, but the journey will involve transfers, and you won't be able to see the desired surroundings. So, take a driver with you on your trip; it will be much easier. 

Lake Issyk-Kul is a must-stop, as it's a magical, beautiful, and significant place, and only a three-hour drive from the capital. It's the main local resort, situated at an altitude of one and a half thousand meters above sea level, surrounded by five-thousander peaks on all sides. You can stay there overnight; there are hotels and even cozy local yurts on the lake, which can be booked even on Booking. In the morning, you can conquer one or more peaks, run along the lake, or go horseback riding to the nearest shop.

On the way to the lake, you'll find Burana Tower, also a significant place. And even though only ruins remain of it, it once held back the army of Genghis Khan himself. To experience the full flavor of the country, be sure to stop at a roadside yurt for some mountain tea and observe the local way of life. Just don't drive too fast, as a herd of horses or sheep might appear on the road at any moment. And against the backdrop of the unearthly landscape, all this looks a bit surreal, so keep your camera ready. 

Konorchek Canyon, not far from the lake, can completely make you lose track of time, as at some point it will seem as if you've found yourself at the Grand Canyon in Arizona. It's that cool! And not far away is Grigorievskoye Gorge (or Chon Ak-Suu,), which is almost right on the border with Kazakhstan. The atmosphere there perfectly matches the landscapes: women selling local honey, men and children on horses, sheep in pastures, people with trained eagles. Be friendly and allow yourself to be led into one of the yurts, where you'll be treated to tea and chak-chak. 

If you have more than a week at your disposal, also visit the Arabel Plateau, as there are thermal springs there. It would also be worthwhile to visit the Tian Shan ridges, for example, the Inylchek glacier. This is a typical resort base with many routes along eco-trails. 

We also recommend visiting the Ala-Archa National Park. For the brave, there are even mountaineering programs of varying difficulty levels. 

What to try 

Local cuisine is not so exotic as to cause any inconvenience to picky eaters. Everyone will love it here! For example, lagman – a soup with noodles, lamb, and spices, and sharpo – simply a lamb broth. Also try manti with pumpkin and meat, and for a company, kazan plov will be the optimal dish. It is usually prepared in large portions, so it's better not to even try to eat it alone. Since the people of Kyrgyzstan are former nomads, their cuisine is similar. Beshbarmak is also a fairly simple dish – a noodle soup in lamb or horse meat broth. Dymdama – stewed cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, onions, eggplants, potatoes with meat and fat. There is also churuk – a specific horse meat sausage; we'll tell you right away that not everyone will like it. These are by no means all the dishes, but don't be afraid of the names, because behind them lies ordinary food. Ask for the ingredients if you have doubts – people speak Russian in the country.

Visa 

For residents of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Armenia, no visa is required. Even a foreign passport is not needed; you can enter the country with an internal passport. Russians only need to fill out a migration card upon entry, where an arrival stamp is placed. 

If you plan to travel from Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan, take your foreign passport with you; without it, you can only enter Kazakhstan from Kyrgyzstan.