Practical information for Kyrgyzstan 

Country Description

Kyrgyzstan, or Kirghizia as it is also known and officially called the Kyrgyz Republic, is a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia surrounded by China, Kasakhstan, Tadsjikistan andUsbekistan. Its capital city is Bishkek. The country was a Soviet Republic until the break up of the Soviet Union in 1991. The country’s emerging democracy was stable under the former president Askar Akajev in the 1990’s, but has recently moved towards dictatorship and authoritarian rule. After the 2005 ‘Tulip Revolution’  in Kyrgyzstan, President Akajev was forced to resign, and the political situation in the country is presently unstable.

Location:

The Kyrgyz Republic lies in the north-easten part of Central Asia and is largely made up of the Tian-Shan together with the northern part of the Pamiro-Alay mountains. The country’s borders mostly consist of natural features, such as high mountain ridges and rivers. Only in places such as Chuy, Talas and the Fergana valley, are the borders delineated artificially. On three sides, the  north, west and south, the country is bordered by other former republics of the Soviet Union, namely the Republic of Kasakhstan (a border of 1,113 km). The Republic of Usbekistan (a border of 1,374 km) and the Republic of Tadsjikistan (a border of 972 km). To the east and south east it shares a border with China (a border of 1,049km). The total length of its borders is 4,503 km, and the country covers an area of 199,951 km2.

The Kyrgyz Republic’s territory stretches some 900 km from east to west, and  410 km from north to south, lying between the 39º og 43º northern lines of latitude. The country lies at an average altitude of 2750 m above sea level, its high peak is 7.439 m. (Pik Pobedy), and its lowest point is 394 m. (in the south west of the republic). Kyrgyzstan consists mainly of mountains. The republic has rich deposits of non-nonferrous metals, coal and other minerals.

Climate:

Kyrgyzstan’s climate is determined by its geographical location. Most of the country lies within a temperate climate zone, with only the south of the country lying in the subtropical zone. The country’s placement in the the centre of the world’s largest continent Euroasien, a long distance from the sea, and close to the desert – are the main factors in determining that the climate is classified as dry continental. There is a large contrast between seasons. Because of the significant differences in altitude and the existence of the large lake Issyk-Kul, near the lake the climate changes from continental to maritime. On average there are 247 days on sunshine annually. The temperature varies in the lowlands from -4ºC to -6ºC in January to +16ºC to +24ºC in July. In the highlands it varies from -14ºC to -27ºC in January to +8ºC to +12ºC in July. In winter heavy falls of snow are quite normal. Average temperatures in the valleys: in January -1ºC to -8ºC, July +15ºC to +27ºC. The coldest month is January. Annual precipitation is around. 180 mm in the east to 1000 mm in the south west.

The air temperatures on the coast of lake Issyk-Kuls are temperate throughout the year. The stable summer season starts in May. Spring and summer are the best periods to visit the countryside. During a short period in springs, the steppes and mountainsides are colourful. During the harvest in the autumn the markets are well stocked with fruit and vegetables. The best time to visit the mountains is during July and August. Cold rains arrive in September, and the passes are soon after blocked by snow. The skiing season is effectively from November to April.

Temperature and Precipitation

Bishkek	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Temperature max	-5	0	3	13	19	25	27	26	23	14	5	- 2
Temperature min	-15	-10	-5	3	13	14	15	14	8	4	-5	-10
Rain i mm	30	40	60	90	100	55	40	20	20	50	50	40

 

Flora and fauna:

The flora of  Kyrgyzstan is unique with many species that are found nowhere else. In the extensive mountain forests you can find trees such as Shrenk’s fir, walnut, juniper and Semyenov’s white fir. There are also many rich alpine meadows in the mountains. The  Kyrgyz Republic is home to the world’s largest  areas of nut and fruit orchards.

Walnuts, almonds, pistachios, cherry, plums, dog rose and sea buckthorn are all widely distributed. More than 200 different species of medicinal herbs can also be found in the republic.

More than 80 species of mammal, over 330 bird species and around 30 species of reptiles and amphibians are found in the republic. Generally speaking each altitude zone and ecotype has its own typical fauna and flora, but there are species that are more widespread throughout the country. Mountain goats, wild boar, roe deer and hares are commercially important, and can be found throughout the mountain districts.

Kyrgyzstans aquatic fauna includes more than 50 species of fish, including 12 edible species such as trout, whitefish, pike, perch and sazan.

Many of the species native to Kyrgyzstan are included in the IUCN’s red list including red wolf, snow leopard, Menzbier’s marmot and the Grey Monitor lizard. 28 animals and 15 plant species were included in the USSR’s red book while a total of  42 species of animal and 65 species plant that occur in the republic are included in the Red book of Kyrgyzstan.

In the mountains it is possible to find bear, lynx, wolf, badger, roe deer, Marco Polo sheep, ibex, marten and a number of speeches of rodent. Bird watchers can see many species of buzzards, eagles including golden eagle, harriers and the rare Himalayan snowcock (ular in the local language). You can see migratory birds such as wild geese, ducks and whooper swans on the shores of lake  Issyk-Kul and the nearby plains.

The Mountains:

Kyrgyzstan is a very mountainous country, over 94,2% of its territory is over 1.000 m above sea level and 40,8% is higher than 3.000 m.. The average altitude in the republic is 2.750 m. The highest point is 7.439 m. And the lowest  394 m. The great differences in altitude, the complex and difficult topology, long geological history, plus other factors have helped to create a wide variety of habitats and natural resources.  It is possible to find all climate types and vegetation zones typical for the northern hemisphere within the Republic with the exception of the tropical climate zone. The highest terrain in Kyrgyzstan is found near its eastern border. It is on this mountainous border with China and Kasakhstanthat you find the highest peaks of the Tien-Shan mountains - Pik Pobedy (7439 m) and Khan Tengry (6.995 m). From here the mountains stretch out to the west and south west, creating parallel mountain ranges that run for some 300-400 km. In this same direction the heights of the mountains fall from 7.000 m to 2.000-1.000 m. The highest mountains and the most impressive view with peaks of 4.500-7.000 m are found on the border areas of the Tien-Shan. Kokshaal-Too in the south east, Alay and Turkestan in the south west, the Talas an Kyrgyz ranges in the north west and north and Kungey Ala-Too in the north east. The highest part of the  Chon-Alay-range (Zaalayskiy) lies in the southernmost part of the republic’s borders with Tadjikistan, where you can find the second highest peak in Kyrgyzstan, Pik Lenin, 7.134 m in height.

Lakes:

There are 1.923 lakes in Kyrgyzstan, covering a total area of 6.836 square kilometers. The vast majority of these lakes are small, only 16 of them having an area greater than 1 square kilometer. 84% of Kyrgyzstan’s lakes are found in the mountain zone, at altitudes of 3.000-4.000 m above sea level. It is possible to classify the lakes into 4 groups based upon their origins and morphological features: tectonic (lakes formed because of earthquake activity), glacial (lakes created by glacial activity), blockaged (lakes formed by river rallies being blocked by landslides and landslips) and hydrological (lakes formed due to underground water). The most common type of lake in Kyrgyzstan are glacial lakes in the mountain zone.

Lake of Mertsbakher

This lake is located at the junction of the north and south Inilcheck glaciers. This cold lake Mertsbakher was named in honour of the well known German explorers who discovered the lake for science in 1903. It is appr. 4 km long and 1 km wide with a depth of between 40 and 80 meters.

Lake Chatyr-Kul

Lake Chatyr-Kul is the highest large lake in the Tien-Shan, lying at an altitude of 3.530 m above sea level. The water of the lake have a beautiful pale-yellow and green colour. The lake has no outflow, and the largest river flowing into the lake is the Kek-Aygyr which is 45 km in length and is fed by glacial meltwater and thawing snow.

Lake Son-kul

Lake Son-Kul is the biggest natural reservoir of fresh water in Kyrgyzstan. The lake is fed by streams and small rivers flowing down from the mountains. The vegetation around the lake consists of meadows and steppe, with alpine meadows higher up.

Lake Sary-Chelek

Lake Sary-Chelek is one of the most beautiful of the highland lakes. The steep slopes surrounding the lakes carry ont down into the lake, which has a maximum depth of 234 m. It is fed by a number of streams running through some very impressive gorges.

Lake Issyk-Kul

The name Issyk-Kul means "warm lake" and this lake lives up to its name as it never freezes during the winter, despite frost and sub-zero temperatures. The clarity of the water here is only exceeded by those of Lake Baikal. Lake Issyk-Kul is by no means just another lake, it is one of the most important natural inland bodies of water on the planet. It has a length of 177 km and a maximum width of 60 km. Its maximum depth is 702 m and it has a total surface area of 6.236 square kilometers. About 118 rivers and streams feed water into the lake, but it has no outflow. Because of this, the waters of Issyk-Kul are salt. Because of the unique combination of a mountain and maritime climate the summer temperatures here are always pleasant and the night times cool.  During the summer the surface waters reaches a temperature of between  25 and 28 degrees, and in the deep water of up to 20 degrees.

Visa/embassy

The Kyrgyzstan Authorities have informed us that the following regulations apply to visitors entering the country:

You are responsible for complying with the regulations. We recommend that you contact your nearest Kyrgyzstan Embassy to confirm the details given here are applicable:

It is possible to enter the country for tourism for up to 60 days without a visa from most countries. 

For stays of over 60 days, contact your nearest Kyrgyzstan Embassy.

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from your date of entry.

Passports with extended validity are recognised.

Provisional Passport and  EU-emergency passports are not recognised.

Leaving Kyrgyzstan on a provisional passport requires permission from Kyrgyzstan’s foreign ministry, wit an accompanying note and a police report.

Danish Embassy in Kyrgyzstan

Denmark has no diplomatic mission in Kyrgyzstan, but has an  Honorary Consulate.

HONORARY CONSUL IN  KYRGYZSYAN

Consul               Adilet Abdybekov

Address            Kurmanjan Datka str. 148, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Tel                       +996 770 999000

Mobile                   +996 555 996999

E-mail                 aabdybekov@grundfos.com  

Opening Hours   9:00 - 18:00

 

Special Regulation, eg. Upon entry

It is important that you are in possession of an EU-weaponpassport if you are EU Citizen. Contact the customs authorities and present your EU-weaponpassport or your weaponpermit. This applies when both entering and leaving the country. Remember: Always take your weapon, ammunition, hunting license and weapons permit to the customs authorities immediately. This will save you lots of time and troubles.

Currency and methods of payment

The currency here is the Kyrgyz Som (KGS) Please note that in Kyrgyzstan you may not use US$ bills issued before 1990.

Time Zone

Kyrgyzstan is 4 hours ahead of western Europe. (UTC+6) 

Electricity

Kyrgyzstan uses the same plugs and sockets as in Europe, so it will be necessary to bring an adaptor if you are travelling from the UK or USA.. 

Necessary Documentation

Passport, EU-Weapon Passport, weapons permit and hunting license

Hunting Seasons

Argali
August to February.
Ibex
August to February .  

Import/export of Weapons

Rules for items you may not carry in hand luggage

In recent years security measure at all airports around the world have been increased. This means many more items are being taken away from passagers when passing through security control than ever before. REMEMBER, sharp items such as knives and scissors etc may not be carried in hand luggage, but packed in your checked-in luggage and that there are special regulations applying to the carriage of fluids. We recommend you check local authorities in country of departure for more informations.

Useful advice when travelling with weapons.

Weapons must be packed securely, eg. In a metal-, fiber- or plastic hardcase that has been approved for air transport. Remember that ammunition and the rifle bolt must NOT be packed together with the rifle, but must be packed in separate checked-in baggage. Please note: it is no longer legal to transport ammunition in its original packaging. All ammunition must be stored (and transported) in a lockable ammunition case, approved for travel with ammunition and checked in separate from the rifle case. Each item should have its own baggage tag.

Rucksacks, sports bags and the like are not equivalent to a hard suitcase and may not be used for transport of ammunition or a rifle bolt.  The suitcase used must be lockable. Please be aware that the rifle case, and possibly your other suitcases, will be opened in Security and Customs if you are travelling outside the EU. If you wish to put an extra lock, plastic strips or other extra security on your case, you should wait until after you have passed through security. According to the international air travel association, IATA, you may travel with max 5 kilo ammunition and that it must be packed into a metal/fiber hardcase approved for air transport (shock proof and with separate compartment). 

Special regulations for weapons, eg. Silencers and choice of caliber

Depending on which species you wish to hunt, we recommend a caliber of 30-06 or above. Silencers are allowed. 

Equipment list/clothing/optics

We recommend that you bring:

Sleeping  bag (rated to at least -20 degrees)

Good sleeping mat

Insect repellent spray

1-2 rolls of toilet paper

1 pair of travel shoes or trainers (to wear in the base camp)

1 pair of warm boots (eg. 1 pair of strong leather boots with Goretex, well broken in)

1 set of good waterproof clothing (eg Gore-Tex, trousers and jacket)

1 set of white camouflage outer clothing (for hunting between Oct. – Feb.)

1 warm hunting jacket

2 pair of warm hunting trousers (poss.with Gore-tex)

2 warm tops (pref. fleece or wool (polartec))

2 sets of thermal underwear

4 sets of underwear

2 pairs of warm gloves

1 scarf

1 hat (warm and windproof, with ear flaps for the mountains)

Packet handkerchief

1 small steel thermos-flask

Toiletry articles and towel

1 large hunting knife

Matches(waterproof)

Binoculars pref. with distance meter

Camera and extra memory and batteries

Torch with extra batteries and 2-3 candles

1 good, small rucksack with waist belt (20 liter)

Sun cream (min factor 8)

Sunglasses (if you wear glasses bringing an extra pair is a good idea).

Medicines and bandages (against diarrhoea, altitude sickness, fevers plus a protective lip balm)

Often the food served does not agree with western tastes, therefore many hunters often bring packets of dried soup.. These do not take up much space and can be prepared quickly using boiling water (our partners also recommend doing this). Bringing some chocolate, biscuits and energy bars can also be a good idea.

Hunting Partners

Our partners in Kyrgyzstan are some of the biggest and most experienced operators in the country. Their head office is in Bishkek and they have five different hunting concessions offering a total of around 250.000 acres. We have enjoyed an excellent working relationship with them since 2011 and our visiting hunters have been very impressed with all aspects of the hunting and accommodation they provide.  On arrival you will be met by an English speaking guide/interpreter, who will assist you with customs- and weapons declarations and other formalties. After leaving the airport you will embark on the long transfer to the hunting district. The first few hours will be spent in a comfortable 4WD vehicle on good roads, before taking smaller and smaller roads, which often involves transferring to a more capable ATV to finally reach the hunting district. After the hunt our partners will naturally take care of taking you back to the capital Bishkek, where you will normally spend the night before your flight home the next day.

Accommodation

During the hunt you will, depending on the hunting district you are in, either stay in a camp consisting of mobile caravans, timber cabins or traditional yurts (Kyrgyz round tents, often used in many central Asian countries, such as Mongolia)  The tents are heated by wood burning stoves and are very comfortable. During the hunt itself you should be prepared for sleeping in a very simple tent, or even in a cave. It is therefore very important you bring a good sleeping bag and thermal sleeping mat.

Before and after the hunt, (depending on the flight connections) you will stay in a good hotel in Bishkek.

During the hunt and when staying in the hunting district full board is included, the hunting guides will do their best to serve good nourishing meals. However, one should be aware that it can be difficult to obtain fresh supplies , so we recommend that you also bring some items from home such as powdered soups and other dried foods, rye bread, chocolate, energy bars etc.

Tipping/poss. Special requirement for specific hunts/districts

It is naturally up to the individual hunter to decide how much they wish to give as tips but we can state that it is customary that the hunting guides and their assistants, the interpreter and the cooks in the camp are given a tip. We recommend a tip of €200-250 per guide. US$ 300 to the ”assistent guide” on an argali hunt. The tip could be smaller on an ibex hunt and a little higher for a really good argali. Additionally €100 to each cook and the interpretr.The taxidermist should also be given around €100.

These are not precise figures, merely a guideline, and the question of how much to give as a tip is always finally up to your own decision.

Transport to/during the hunt

From the airport you will be driven in a 4x4 vehicle to the camp. All transport during the hunt will be on horseback, so we recommend you do some training before departure.

Information on making payments in the hunting district

See under tipping

Special regulation for the export/import of trophies to the EU

We recommend that hunters deliver their trophies and skins to our partner in Bishkek. They will then arrange shipment home with Labrador Cargo, whom our partners in Kyrgyzstan have worked with for a number of years. We strongly recommend doing this as regulations governing the shipment of trophies have been recently tightened.

Specific information for the district/country

It is important to remember that we are in Kyrgyzstan, and that we are hunting in districts that have not got decades of experience of working with visiting foreign hunters. Therefore you should not expect the same level of efficiency that you generally experience in other hunting destinations with much more experience. However you can expect the local hunters to make a great effort to make the hunt a success. The hunting guides will always attempt, in what they believe is the most effective way, to make the hunt as productive as possible. As you know traditions and customs are (fortunately) different all over the world, and what the local hunters believes to be the most effective method, may not be quite the same form of hunt that we usually practice at home. But one must not forget that no matter how the hunt is carried out, it is done with the best intentions and with a specific purpose - to give us the best possible result from our hunt.

During your tour daytime temperatures will be between  +5 and +15 degrees, and nighttime temperatures between  –5 to -15 grader. This means that at this time of year when snow and rain is often encountered, it is a good idea to bring clothes with a membrane such as s Gore-Tex, which is both water and wind-proof plus it allows the body to breath.

On arrival in the hunting district you will stay in the main camp at between 2.500-2.800 m above sea level, that will consists of timber cabins, caravans or traditional yurts. On the day following you will be taken out into the mountains, either on horseback or by 4x4. During the day you will follow the mountain ridges and attempt to stop where the animals are feeding. You can expect to see both sheep and ibex every day. For lunch in the field you will be given hot drinks, sandwiches, salami and dried fruit and nuts. When you have located a good ram/buck the hunt will continue on foot. The hunt normally takes place at an altitude of between around 3.200-4.000 m above sea level, so it is important you are in good shape.  Be sure to do some training with your rifle before departure. Hunting in the mountains often requires taking a shot from long range (up to 450 m is not unusual). During the hunt you will sleep in a tent or other simple shelter, without any form of heating.

All hunters must bring a high quality sleeping bag that is rated for the temperatures expected, it is also a good idea to bring a good thermal sleeping mat. Bringing along a distance measurer is a good idea on a mountain hunt, as it can be difficult to estimate distances in the mountain.

 Raw fish, salads and other foods that have not been thoroughly coked should not be eaten.

Photographs:

We are very keen to receive photographs from our customers, and they may be used in our marketing materials or our website. We would like to receive your photographs as soon as possible after your return home. 

In case of misunderstandings:

If, against all expectations, any misunderstandings arise: problems of one sort or another which you don’t feel you can solve yourself, you can contact us during our office hours (Monday-Thursday 9.00-17.00, Friday 9.00-15.00) on tel. (+45) 6220 2540 or fax (+45) 6220 2542. It is too late to rectify any  misunderstandings or mistakes after you have returned home. Therefore please be aware that it is vitally important that you notify us immediately if any insurmountable problems arise. It is only in cases where we have been correctly informed,  that  we will be able to proceed in dealing with the complaints and any complaint MUST in all cases be include on the hunting protocol!!

For the first time traveller with us:

During a hunting tour abroad you are representing all hunters of your own nationality. The people you come in contact with will naturally judge all the hunters from a country from the behaviour of the hunters they have met from that country. DIANA-hunters have a good reputation abroad and we attach great importance in maintaining this, so we encourage individuals to act with calm and dignity if any disagreements arise.

Arrival Home:

We are always happy to hear from you after your return home. It is very important for us that we can keep abreast with what is happening “out there”. In this way we can develop and possibly improve our hunting destinations. So if you have any comments or suggestions, good or bad, let’s hear from you!

We hope the above information has answered all your questions that naturally arise before departure. If you have any questions that are still unanswered, please do not hesitate to contact us  - we are here to help .

With best wishes - and best of hunting luck
DIANA Hunting Tours