Flights for Bishkek : Turkish Airways British Airways Aéroflot Pulkovo Itek Air   It's better booking up a long time before starting date for the flights are often full up. Time difference with Europe : 4 hours.

-Vaccinations :

Diphtéria/tétanus/polio recommended.

-Communication:

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 10 teen. There are only banknotes. 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".

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