We were in Kyrgyzstan for the first 2 weeks of September 2010 and loved it. We had the brand new LP digital guide but would just like to make a few suggestions:
Bishkek:
We stayed at Sakura GH and it was good and clean. 800 som for 2 pax for a double room. The owners don't go out of their way to make you feel at home but it's good location and cleanliness make up for this. Free wifi. She was spot on with her directions for the Indian embassy though.
Indian Embassy: 2400 som (1900 visa fee 500 fax fee) for a 3 month double entry visa including a ridiculous fax fee. He wasn't clear when the visa would be ready so we just went back 10 days later after visiting Issy Kol. We got a bus (number 11 ) from close to Sakura GH almost the whole way there to the embassy. Put visa applications in at 10 and pick up between 4.30pm - 5pm. The embassy guy can be a right knob and his pathetic excuse for a secretary will not help you at all. Make sure you get your change, his favourite line is that he has no change, thus keeping your extra money.
Uzbekistan Embassy: Make sure you complete the forms online first and take them in with a copy of your passport and one photo. Not all internet places allow you to print PDF so check first if you can print directly from the computer. It cost $75 ($60 visa fee and $15 miscellaneous fee) for a British passport and because of a holiday we were told to come back in 10 days! With Uk passports you do not need letter of invitation. Opening hours 10am - 1pm and 3pm - 5pm.
The good thing with both Embassies/ Consulates is that they don't take your passport, you keep it on you.
Don't eat at Fatboys - well breakfast anyway, we were really looking forward to the breakfast there, french bread stuffed with sausage and egg, and it was shite......and expensive! French bread - square crappy white bread and cold, even had to pay extra fifty cents for ketchup! The coffee was also crap, avoid this place, instead go one street up and parallel and eat in Keht (opposite the State university) cappuncions 80 som and try the 'snippets' 60 som - toasted smoked chicken, tomato and cheese on rye bread! chain 'Coffee' more expensive coffee but free wifi. - much better, and not far from the Uzbek embassy.
Mexican cantina is a good place to eat. From 5-7pm Mon- Thurs they have happy hour. 60 som lemon and strawberry margarittas, sangrai and beer. Free home made corn chips and salsa . We also ate the fajitas there, big enough for two to share and tasted really good.
Flights - Krygyz Concept, all over town and at least one person in each office will be able to speak English. You can book a flight and hold the seat without paying up to 24 hours before flying which is handy. flights from Bishkek to Osh were 2500 - 2800 som and us$167 from Bishkek to Tashkent. There is a cheaper flight for this leg but only goes on Saturday, us$127.
Hope some of this helps. Enjoy
