books treks to Tien Shan mountains in hostels
Replies: 1 - Last Post: Jul 30, 2012 5:16 PM Last Post By: Justin23
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books treks to Tien Shan mountains in hostels
I am thinking of going to Kyrgyzstan in October, and I would love to go to the Tien Shan mountains. I do not have the budget, nor preference.., to go with an organised tour. My preference thus would be to book my ticket to Bishkek, check into a hostel and book a 3/4-day tour once there (or hook up with other backpackers at the scene). This is what I've done most of the time when traveling SE-Asia and Oceania. Can anyone tell me whether this is also possible in Kyrgyzstan? I would hate to be in Bishkek and find out everything needs to be planned in advance!Also: October and Tien Shan mountains: a good combo? Probably a bit late in the season but I cannot get time off from work earlier...
Thanks for your help!
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You can definately book tours in Kygyzstan, but they are all through the same travel agencies you would book from outside the country.There are other travellers and backpackers in Kyrgyzstan, but nothing like SE-Asia or Oceania. I saw less than a 6 independant western travellers in 5 weeks, through Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
I met a few more doing tours, either independantly organised, eg hire a guide/driver and vehicle, or on small tours.
I know that Hotel Asia mountains in Bishkek organise tours and they have a yurt for $25 per night + $10 per person extra.
Kyrgyzstan was awesome and if you can say book a 4WD up into the mountains and valleys south of Karakol or up to Song-kul its well worth it. I didn't like Chong KIemin valley as much, but at the time thought it was beautiful.
Lots of Yurt camps in Jet-Oghuz valley. Altyn Arashan was worth the 4WD trip to, but camping only up there.
Deep into the Tien Shan mountains may be difficult. I just think late in the season you'll find very few other backpackers to hook up with. Everywhere I went, westerners were still a novelty, they wanted photos taken, never asked for money, often offered me food and kumis.
You know how every country, the people are friendly. In Kyrgyzstan they truly are friendly, the friendliest I've ever found.

