Saturday 18 / May / 2024
Kyrgyzstan is defined by its natural beauty: Unspoilt mountainscapes, stark ridges and rolling summer pastures are brought to life by semi-nomadic, yurt-dwelling shepherds.
All this beauty is supported by a well-developed network of homestays and visa-free travel, and it's easy to see why Kyrgyzstan is the gateway of choice for many travellers in Central Asia.
The vast majority of attractions are rural and high altitude, the timing of your visit is crucial. Summer is ideal with hikes and roads accessible. Midsummer also sees Kazakh and Russian tourists converge on the beaches of never-freezing Lake Issyk-Köl.
Bishkek, the capital city doesn't get anywhere the appreciation it deserves as a cultural hub. It’s a modern and cosmopolitan city but still preserves the essence of the Kyrgyz culture and Soviet architecture. Dig into the culinary diversions, arts scene or the nightlife of Kyrgyzstan's capital city and you may well be surprised by the vibrancy of this gateway to the Heavenly mountain range Tien Shan. The Kyrgyz capital has museums, good restaurants, speciality coffee.
Kyrgyz culture is based on nomadic traditions that harken back to the days of the Mongol hordes. Although modern Kyrgyz people live mainly in houses or apartment buildings, in the summertime it is still possible to observe the native people living in a yurt with their herds of sheep, goats, horses, and occasionally even yaks. Several yurt camps cater to tourists.
Other than exploring the Vibrant Osh bazaar and Nightlife of Bishkek, there is ample to see and do for nature enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies at short drives from the city.
Few attractions near Bishkek:
Ala Archa National Park - It is located 40 kilometres from Bishkek. One of the most famous natural areas in the country.
Issyk Ata Gorge: The Issyk Ata Gorge cuts through the Kyrgyz Range with views of alpine meadows and fruit trees. Only 77km or approximately 1.5 hours from Bishkek, the Issyk Ata Gorge is perfect for hiking between April and October. This water is used for medical and recreational purposes, as well as for household consumption and heating. Hot water has a positive impact on the musculoskeletal system, internal organs, and neurological diseases.
Konorchek Canyon: a quick day trip from Bishkek, the canyon is made from red rocks and is similar to the Fairytale Canyon (Skazka Canyon) on Issyk-Kul’s southside.
1 Kyrgyzstani Som equals 0.0046 Omani Rial
Easy Travels have charter flights starting July 31, running through August. There will be direct flights between Muscat & Manas International Airport (Bishkek) twice a week, on an airbus a320 aircraft.
Visa is on arrival for 60 days and free of cost for Omani nationals. Other nationals with GCC residency can also get a visa on arrival in Kyrgyzstan. Contact the Team at Easy Travels for more information.
The approximate cost of a package per person on a twin sharing basis, inclusive of a return flight with accommodation in a 4-star Hotel for 6 nights will cost OMR480 and OMR512 in a 5-star Hotel.
