Travel is cheap in Kyrgyzstan
Ever dream of wandering through Kyrgyzstan, eating laghman noodles for dinner and drinking kumiz with the nomadic locals while sleeping in a yurt?
Most people haven’t. Actually, the predominant response I get when I mention to anyone that I have spent time in the country is the fact that they have never even heard of it (if they don’t ask, “Isn’t that where Borat is from?” first).
For me, however, after spending a summer there in 2008, returning for a month in 2011, and planning another return in 2012, I can tell you that Kyrgyzstan — a small country composed of 94% mountains and tucked away in the middle of Central Asia — is a travel destination that the world will soon start to recognize.
Why? I’m so glad you asked:
1. Please the Money Belt
In other words: Kyrgyzstan is a budget-friendly destination, so you won’t find yourself taking out extravagant amounts of money for your travels.
I will say that the price of travel in this country has increased over the past three years, but I still found my 4 weeks this past November to be a complete bargain — once you get there of course.
Flights can be the real downer when it comes to price. Your best bet is to add the trip onto a larger journey, or stay put in Kyrgyzstan for as long as possible to get the most bang for your buck.
The Kyrgyz countryside
2. Step into Kyrgyzstan’s Unknown
The fun about visiting Kyrgyzstan would be the feeling of stepping into the unknown.
Unlike places like Australia and Thailand that have been heavily traveled and heavily documented in travel magazines and travel blogs, there is still the feeling of visiting a place that has been fairly untouched by the Western world.
One of Bishkek's large shopping centers, Tash Rabat
3. See History in the Making
While in the shadow of the Soviet Union, Kyrgyzstan was pretty much a mystery to the rest of the world, and since the Soviet Union’s fall, it has continued to remain that way until more recent years.
Just in the time since my first visit to the country in 2008, I have seen changes in the capital city of Bishkek. The city has been modernizing at a rapid rate while the cost of living and standard of living has increased.
In addition, the politics is especially interesting as they have had some riots in the past, ousting a long-term leader and are now adjusting to a newly elected leader.
Delcious laghman
4. Enjoy a Mouth-Watering Mix of Food
As someone who would classify herself as a picky eater, I find the food in Kyrgyzstan to be a delightful mix.
With influences from Russia, Turkey and Asia, you can choose just about any style of food to please the taste buds.
Choose from Korean BBQ, Kyrgyz laghman, Turkish pide or Russian borscht when heading out to dinner in Bishkek.
After entering, get around with ease using a marshrutka
5. Enter with Ease
The citizens of several countries of the Western world can get a month-long visa to Kyrgyzstan on arrival at the Manas International Airport — without any letter of invitation.
Considering the hoops many have to jump through to go to Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and even Kazakhstan, this ease of entry makes visiting Kyrgyzstan much more appealing.
In fact, many people choose to enter Kyrgyzstan and hang around for a bit as they get their other Central Asian visas in order.
Sleep in a yurt on Lake Issyk-Kul
6. Spend the Night in a Yurt
Like Mongolia, the Kyrgyz people are originally a nomadic bunch, wandering from place to place, herding sheep and living in a yurt (like a ger).
For an authentic experience, you can spend a night (or nights) sleeping in a yurt in the Kyrgyz countryside. CBT (Community Based Tourism) is a company that can help set up your stays and get your meals sorted when doing so.
I highly recommend a yurt stay, especially since you’ll have access to some of the best night sky views while in the country.
A sign in Cyrillic
7. Learn Russian for Cheap in Bishkek
I have partaken in Russian language lessons twice in Kyrgyzstan for two main reasons: 1) I want to learn Russian, and 2) it is dirt cheap.
Kyrgyzstan is a bilingual country, officially speaking both Russian and Kyrgyz (although many of the village-residing Kyrgyz will solely speak Kyrgyz).
At my go-to language school in Bishkek, you can get one-on-one Russian language lessons at around $4 per hour. 
Now I don’t know about you, but I am definitely wishing I were back in Kyrgyzstan right about now!
Ever been?
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About the Author:
Brooke Schoenman is the author of 40 posts on Go Backpacking.
Brooke lives a thrifty lifestyle so that she can travel the world at every possible opportunity. She shares her travel tales, including everything from sleeping in a yurt in Kyrgyzstan to becoming an expat in Australia, on her personal travel blog, Brooke vs. the World. Female travelers might enjoy the stories and tips of her monthly Female Travel Underground newsletter. Join her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter and Google+.
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Categories: Features, Kyrgyzstan
Post tags: bishkek, blogsherpa, Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan
12 Comments
Very nice picture with description. really the beautiful landscape made me very amazing. I love to see more and hope in future I will travel some places.
Sleep in a yurt on Lake Issyk-Kul is very beautiful … thanks alot for posting
Hari Bhatta
Life Dream Adventure, Nepal
Sleeping in a yurt was one of my favorite experiences in Kyrgyzstan. Thanks for reading!
Thank you for this post! We have been seriously considering a stop over in Kyrgyzstan as part of our RTW, and this is definitely moving rhat decision forward…. after heading to SE Asia for a couple months it’ll be nice to head somewhere relatively untouched.
It would be the exact opposite of SEA! Feel free to ask me any questions you might have :)
Very neat article! As we’re planning our RTW more and more I’m starting to see some destinations seem waaaaaay too full of tourists. I’ve never considered a stop in Central Asia but it sounds like such a discovery to be made! Thanks!
Glad I could spark an interest in this interesting part of the world :) Good luck with your RTW planning!
mountains, lakes, food and people.
the nature is awesome there: the lake issyk kyl in the mountains one of the jewels.
it is also a challenge for serious hiking
bazars are delicious delight, fruits and vegetables taste delicious like anywhere,
and what i like best is that the country is not overcrowded by tourists.
it’s a gem in central asia
Aw man! I have always wanted to explore central Asia… this just makes me want to go more!
Due to other commitments we are selling the domain Kyrgyzstan.com.au feel free to do a search of the owner and email us.
We really want it to go to a person who will write all about this great country. It will be a great adventure holiday destination in the thousands very soon.
I was there for seven days dated from 6th – 12th September 2012 and i wish i could come back to wish Kyrgyzstan soon. I could considered Kyrgyzstan as my second home. I love Kyrgyzstan and every single penny that i’ve spent there was given back to me as golden memories.
I just saw this post and it’s awesome! We’re (right this very minute) are planning our 6 month trip through Mongolia and Central Asia. We’re sooo looking forward to Kyrgyzstan and this post only made us that much more excited!
Cheers & safe travels.
Brooke would be proud to hear that!