Bishkek and Ala Archa
Overview
The capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, is not more than the typical Soviet city lacking importants sights, just wide avenues and a couple of big, soulless squares. But the most interesting Bishkek has to offer is the nearby Ala Archa National Park, only a fw kilometers away and where you can experience Kyrgyzstan's mountaniuos landscape at its best. Really worth a visit!
Sightseeing
In Bishkek, unless you like Soviet cities, theres' not much to see. The main square, Ala Too Square, is just a big concrete open area with a few sculptures and that's it.
On the other hand, Ala Archa National Park has a lot to see for the trekking lovers. It is a quite big National Park in the middle of Kyrgyz mountains and you have mainly three marked routes to follow: a 7 kilometers walk ending in a waterfall, a 3 kilometers route through a valley and finally the longest one leading to a glacier.
We took the walk leading to the waterfall, which at this time of the year it was frozen. The waterfall in itself it's not a sight, but the enjoyable thing is the trekking. You can go and come back in about 4 hours at a normal pace and stopping on the way for pictures and small breaks. The path starts in the Park Hotel and goes up through the forest from the beginning. After you leave the forest you have the first big and impressive view of the whole valley. Further up the path gets narrow until you reach a big open area with superb views of the park. Continue the marked trail until you reach the river and stop before going down for some views of the waterfall. We didn't continue further but it is possible to get to the waterfall and then further on to a camping site where you can stay overnight.
The way back is totally downhill, and if you go there during Winter, watch out as the trail can be realy slippery.
On the other hand, Ala Archa National Park has a lot to see for the trekking lovers. It is a quite big National Park in the middle of Kyrgyz mountains and you have mainly three marked routes to follow: a 7 kilometers walk ending in a waterfall, a 3 kilometers route through a valley and finally the longest one leading to a glacier.
We took the walk leading to the waterfall, which at this time of the year it was frozen. The waterfall in itself it's not a sight, but the enjoyable thing is the trekking. You can go and come back in about 4 hours at a normal pace and stopping on the way for pictures and small breaks. The path starts in the Park Hotel and goes up through the forest from the beginning. After you leave the forest you have the first big and impressive view of the whole valley. Further up the path gets narrow until you reach a big open area with superb views of the park. Continue the marked trail until you reach the river and stop before going down for some views of the waterfall. We didn't continue further but it is possible to get to the waterfall and then further on to a camping site where you can stay overnight.
The way back is totally downhill, and if you go there during Winter, watch out as the trail can be realy slippery.
Accomodation
In Bishkek we opted for Airbnb and stayed at Kuba's place. Really nice and clean apartment in the middle of Bishkek but with a big downside: the Internet is only working at night, so avoid it if you need the Net. Kuba was quite a nice guy but he loves money too much. Look for a better option, which could be, also through Airbnb, Yan's place, also centrally located, and although a bit smaller than Kuba's, with perfect Internet connection.
If you plan to stay overnight at Ala Archa National Park, there is one hotel at the beginning of the Park and it is also possible to camp, but it is a quite long uphill walk and at this time of the year it can be freezing cold.
If you plan to stay overnight at Ala Archa National Park, there is one hotel at the beginning of the Park and it is also possible to camp, but it is a quite long uphill walk and at this time of the year it can be freezing cold.
Food & Drink
Kyrgyz food is good. Besides the fast food options, you have quite good pizzerias and plenty of places where to have tasty Laghman (noodles). Plenty of places in the center.
As to drinks, you can find millions of different brands of vodka, as well as Arpa, the national and good beer.
In Ala Archa, the hotel offers some food and drinks, although we brought our own and didn't try it.
As to drinks, you can find millions of different brands of vodka, as well as Arpa, the national and good beer.
In Ala Archa, the hotel offers some food and drinks, although we brought our own and didn't try it.
Transportation
To get to Bishkek from Osh we took a Marshrutka for 1000 soms per person from the Main Bazar (if you go there the previous day you can book your trip and the driver will pick you up at your hotel). The trip lasts 13 hours and it is quite scenic, going over two mountain passes. In Bishkek, a normal taxi ride should cost around 100 soms, but the best option is to take marshrutkas around the city, for 10 soms per person.
To get out from Bishkek, if you're heading to Karakol, in the Issyk-Kul region, go to the main bus station and take a marshrutka for 300 soms per person. The trip takes 6 hours. No need to book, just show up there.
If you're going to Almaty, in Kazakhstan, take a marshrutka for 400 soms from the main bus station. In 5 hours you'll be in the Kazakh city including border formalities, which are almost unexistant.
As to Ala Archa National Park, located 30 kilometers from Bishkek, do as follows: Take marshrutka number 265 for 30 soms per person and go until the end of the line. Ask the driver you're going to Alplager and he will drop you at the gate of the National Park. there you have to pay an entrance fee of 80 soms ans as there's no public transportation from the gate to where the trails start (12 km) just wait for someone to come and give you a ride, it took us only 2 minutes. On the way back, same procedure.
To get out from Bishkek, if you're heading to Karakol, in the Issyk-Kul region, go to the main bus station and take a marshrutka for 300 soms per person. The trip takes 6 hours. No need to book, just show up there.
If you're going to Almaty, in Kazakhstan, take a marshrutka for 400 soms from the main bus station. In 5 hours you'll be in the Kazakh city including border formalities, which are almost unexistant.
As to Ala Archa National Park, located 30 kilometers from Bishkek, do as follows: Take marshrutka number 265 for 30 soms per person and go until the end of the line. Ask the driver you're going to Alplager and he will drop you at the gate of the National Park. there you have to pay an entrance fee of 80 soms ans as there's no public transportation from the gate to where the trails start (12 km) just wait for someone to come and give you a ride, it took us only 2 minutes. On the way back, same procedure.
Safety
No problems in terms of crime, but if you're visiting Bishkek during Winter, watch out when walking on the street, as they don't put salt or anything and most of the sidewalks are like ice rinks, just be careful.
The same applies to Ala Archa, going down it is really slippery.
The same applies to Ala Archa, going down it is really slippery.
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