Kyrgizstan in augost

hey there,

im gonna be in kyrgizstan from augost to september (flexible).

im looking for partners to travel with...

gonna do mostly 4-7 days treks.

im 24, and would love to travel with nice people, no matter their gender or age.

contact me on my email - nimigor@gmail.com

thanks

C.A.T. Travel (or C.A.T. Tourism) Company in Bishkek

Carlson Wagonlit in Kyrgyzstan mentioned about the above company when we asked them for a quote for our tailor-made trip (a group of 5-6 people) to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan planned in July 2013.

CW said they did not provide trips for this two countries.

Did anyone has any experience using the above company?

Appreciate if you could share it here, in a little bit detail, whether good or bad.

Thanks !

Alan

american in Kyrgyzstan - trying to get a double entry visa to Kazakhstan

Hi all!

Has anybody IN KYRGZYSTAN tried to get a DOUBLE ENTRY KAZAKH VISA from the consulate in Bishkek these days? I didn't quite understand the last time I tried talking to the gentleman there, but I think he said it was not possible without an LOI (letter of invitiation).

Also, anyone know a good travel company to get an LOI from?

Cheers.

edo

Last nomads

the Kyrgyz living in the South of Kyrgyz rep,north of Tajikistan,north of Afganistan,and some Afgan nations are the last nomades of Central Asia.Most of them are old people and the young ones do not want to be nomads and this is one of the reasons why the touristes will probably never meet the nomads in let say in one generation.Has this thought ever crossed your mind?I live Osh city,South of Kyrgyz rep.and I invite those who are interested to have a cup of tea,and talk of it!with best regards.Kyrgyz.

Mangistau - Shakpak-Ata Tour/Visit

Hello!

I am visiting Aktau for a very short duration of 1.5 days.

I wanted to visit Sulta Epe, Shakpak-Ata, nearby canyons, Torysh valley and Sherkala in a long day trip.

Would anyone know if all these places can be done in a day?

I am in touch with a very helpful travel agency, but they are quoting ~450 to 500 USD for this day trip. It does seem very expensive. More over, the trip is being priced in A La Carte manner (so if I add Sherkala, then the price will go up).

Will be really helpful if I can get some information about a local Aktau based travel agency that can organize such trips.

I will be in Aktau on 25 & 26 May.

Cheers!
Sharad

Tajikistan with a 5yo?

We (the adults) are pretty experienced travelers, but we'd like to take our 5 year old to Tajikistan. We're lucky enough to be able to spend some money to hire 4x4 drivers and stay in good places, but we're keen to go on bespoke trips to various remote valleys, the Wakkan corridor and the GBAO in general (all with a driver).

Any views about whether to do this or not with a child?

Safety's obviously paramount, but also illness, food, altitude etc. etc.

What are people's experiences and thoughts?

Tips for Single Female

Looking for some specific advice on traveling in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan as a single female. I already get the impression I should not go out alone at night and should avoid the cheapest hotels. Are there forms of transport I should avoid? How common is it to see local women in shared taxis / minibuses? Do they make any effort to seat women together on buses (as they do, say, in parts of Turkey)? Any tips for ensuring that I get a reasonably safe taxi? What about hiking -- obviously, the easiest thing would be to team up with other travelers, but if this doesn't work, would hiring a guide from CBT be reasonably safe? What about hiring a driver for the Pamirs? Several Western governments warn about harassment (esp. in Tajikistan), so I am wondering what I am up against.

And is there a good phrase in Russian (or Kyrgyz/Tajik) to say to someone who is getting too friendly? ... more »

Kazakhstan visa from London multiple tourist entry

Help! I am leaving for Almaty on 26 May and I am struggling with a visa application.

The Kazakh embassy site does not appear to be working and when I google visas for Kazakhstan I get innundated with sites pretending to be the Embassy but all being visa agencies. None of them tell me the absolute about what I need to get a tourist visa for Kazakhstan, each is slightly different. I am flying in on the 26th May in the morning and out again on the same day at night to Bishkek, I am coming back to Almaty on the 29th and staying for four days.

As far as I can see I need a multiple entry tourist visa but how do I get one? Do I need to supply a letter of employment? Will an email confirmation from a travel agent suffice for hotel accommodation?
I cannot get a phone number that works at the Kazakh Embassy and I am now in short time...
Is it really this difficult to get in?
Any... more »