Trip 1- Great Trek| Trip 2- Secret Kyrgyzstan |  | All trips information | Optional Trips | Kyrgystan Today

-Riding equipment is provided, meeting european standard. You can bring your own saddle.

-Personal things stay in saddle bags (provided).

-Accomodation is wether in guesthouses, tents,  or in yurtas when passing through summer pastures. As hospitality is a rule for Kyrgyz people we have an agreement with a local organization which tell us which family can welcome us. This extra income allows them facing constant increase in prices and affording school expanses for their children.

-Every trip is accompanied by :

• a professional local guide, knowing flora and fauna.
• an interpreter with English, Spanish or French language,
• a local cook.

All our trips are accompanied by a 4 wheel drive vehicle which meets the team everydays at camp, so that you can take only what you need for the day in your saddle bag.

WARNING : All trips stay several days at high altitude. Temperature may sometimes, but not often, be under zero degrees C for a while, snowy and windy, even in summer. Warm clothing is necessary.

Entering yurtas, you should take off your shoes ; but, in spite of thick felter carpets, one get cold feet chatting with a cup of tea in front of you, so bring good socks or slippers !

Riding level and fitness

Good physical condition is recommended. We go through passes over 4000 m but will not stay there a long time. Good riding skills is compulsory as well as basic horse care except for the trip "Son Kul".

Don’t forget :

• suitable rain cloak
• sleeping bag
• warm clothing (nights are cold at high altitude and big differences of temperature can occur in one day
• nice good hat
• Solar cream and sun glasses (for snow), moisturing cream for lips
• shoes for riding
• torch

If you like it :

• binoculars for watching wild animals (eagles, marmots,mouflons, Marco-polo sheep, etc…
• swimsuit
• some postcards of your country to give to local people.

INFORMATIONS ABOUT KIRGYZSTAN AND TRAVELING

VISA

It is now possible and without any difficulties, to get your one month touristic visa at your arrival in Bishkek airport. It costs about 60€. Only condition: valid passport for at least six month from your entry date.

This procedure is in place since 2002.

You can also get your visa in advance at the Kyrgyz embassz in Brussels:

Ambassade du Kirghizstan à Bruxelles
47 rue de l'Abbaye / Abdjistraat
1050 BRUXELLES
Tél:(32-2).640.18.68 / 38.83
Fax :(32-2).640.01.31
E-mail : kyrgyz.embassy@skynet.be

Flights for Bishkek (FRU)

It's better booking up a long time before starting date for the flights are often full up.

Time difference with Europe : 4 hours (GMT+6).

-Vaccinations

Diphtéria/tétanus/polio recommended.

-Communications

At the beginning and at the end of the trip, you can contact the rest of the world by fax, Email, telephone or private express mail. During the trip, mobile phone can be used from some places.

-Temperature and climate

The capital, Bishkek, is 800m above sea level. The climate is continental dry, very hot in summer in Bishkek and around (+ 30 to 40° C), by far cooler in the mountains. Many peaks are between 3500 and 7000 m and many passes are permanently covered with snow.

-Currency

Is called "som" and divided in 100 teen. There are banknotes and coins. In Bishkek, almost all Banks can do every transaction you may need (transfert, credit card, etc...)
Have US dollars in 100 USD notes, in good condition, and posterior to 1996 for a better change. Euros are also welcome, the changing rate is beter than the US Dollar.

You can now take money with any credit card in some banks and special places, but it il preferable having some Dollars or Euros with you just in case it's not working !

-Language

Two official languages : Kyrgyz (turco-altaïc) and Russian. Almost everybody speaks Russian, except in remote villages where teaching is only in Kyrgyz.

-Clothes

Kyrgyzstan is a moslem country, though religion doesn't appear to be the main preoccupation of people, but don't wear mini-skirts or go without shirt, specially in the countryside.

-Facts about Kyrgyzstan

As in other moslem countries, one eat with right hand, the left one is "unclean".

Tea, the national drink, is served in small cups never filled up. It has to be filled very often. Offering a full cup of tea is considered as an invitation to go away.

Delicious local bread, called "nan" is broken by the chief of the family so as everybody can take a piece.

When invited for a meal, it is not rare getting up from the table and going away as soon as the meal is finished.

-Silk Road

Kyrgyzstan lies on the north branch of the great silk road, linking China to Europe, from the beginning of our millennium. Some of our trips are passing through these routes, where remains can be seen.

*For general information about Kyrgyzstan, click "Kyrgyzstan".