Kyrgyzstan Winter: between frozen lakes and nomadic culture

This journey begins at Bishkek. On the first day, we meet at 12:00.

Your Coordinator will add you to the WhatsApp group for your trip about 15 days before departure.
 It’s a great way to start getting to know your travel mates, receive more details about the first day’s meeting point, and ask any pre-departure questions you might have.

This journey ends at Bishkek. On the last day, you are free to leave at any time, so whether you need to book a flight, a train, or wish to continue the journey on your own, you can organize your return as you prefer.

For this itinerary, you can choose the type of luggage you prefer – we always recommend a backpack, but you can also travel with a duffel bag, a holdall, or (it breaks our heart to say it) a cabin trolley case or a checked suitcase, as long as it’s moderate in size. Our Travel Coordinator will suggest the ideal luggage before departure in the WhatsApp group!

If you are a UK citizen, to find out the entry requirements for Kyrgyzstan, you can check this informational page from our partner Sherpa. If you need a visa, you can apply for it through Sherpa. If you are not a UK citizen, you can still use Sherpa by changing the nationality in the 'Passport' section.

Before traveling, always remember to check the government website of your country of origin for updates on the entry requirements for Kyrgyzstan – you wouldn’t want to stay home due to a bureaucratic detail!

• UK residents: review the FCDO Travel Advice.
• US residents: consult the US Department of State Travel Advice.
• Other residents: refer to your government or local consulate's travel advice.

Kyrgyzstan is in the Kyrgyzstan Time Zone, which is 6 hours ahead of the UK. So, if it is 12pm in the UK, it will be 6pm in Kyrgyzstan. If you are in the USA, the time difference will depend on your specific location. If it is 12pm Eastern Time, it will be 10pm in Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan does not observe daylight saving time, so the time difference remains consistent throughout the year.

The currency used in Kyrgyzstan is the Kyrgyzstani Som (KGS). The exchange rate can vary, but as a rough guide:

• 1 GBP is approximately 115 KGS
• 1 USD is around 87 KGS
• 1 EUR is about 100 KGS

You can exchange currency at banks, exchange offices, or at the airport for convenience.

Cash and card payments are both widely accepted in Kyrgyzstan. Credit and debit cards, especially Visa and Mastercard, are commonly used in larger cities like Bishkek. However, in smaller towns and rural areas, you might find that cash is still preferred. ATMs are available in urban areas for you to withdraw local currency if needed. Always have some cash on hand for markets or small vendors.

Tipping in Kyrgyzstan is not a common practice, but it's appreciated if you receive excellent service. In restaurants, you might want to leave a small tip around 5 to 10 percent of the bill if you feel satisfied with the service. In taxis, rounding up the fare is a nice gesture, but not necessary. For tour guides and hotel staff, a small tip is appreciated but not expected. Always tip in the local currency, Kyrgyzstani Som, and hand it directly to the person you're tipping.

In Kyrgyzstan, buying a local SIM card is a good idea if you want to stay connected. You can purchase a SIM card from major providers like Beeline, O!, or Megacom at the airport or in the city. They offer affordable data plans.

Wi-Fi is available in most urban areas, especially in cafes, restaurants, and hotels, but it might be less reliable in rural regions. For consistent internet access, a local SIM card is recommended.

In Kyrgyzstan, the primary languages spoken are Kyrgyz and Russian. Kyrgyz is the official state language, while Russian is widely used in government and business. You might find these colloquial expressions useful:

• Hello: "Салам" (Salam)
• Thank you: "Рахмат" (Rakhmat)
• Please: "Суранам" (Suranam)
• Yes: "Ооба" (Ooba)
• No: "Жок" (Zhok)

In Kyrgyzstan, the electrical plugs are of type C and F. The standard voltage is 220 V, and the frequency is 50 Hz. These plugs are similar to the ones used in many European countries, but they are different from those in the UK and USA. We recommend you bring a universal adapter if your devices use a different plug type to ensure all your electronics can be charged without any issues.

In Kyrgyzstan, the main religion is Islam, with the majority of the population being Sunni Muslims. When visiting, especially in rural areas or during religious holidays, we recommend you dress modestly, particularly women.

Important religious holidays include:

• Ramadan, which is a month of fasting
• Eid al-Fitr, a festival marking the end of Ramadan

Keep in mind that during Ramadan, some restaurants may have reduced hours.

Kyrgyzstan offers stunning landscapes and diverse weather, so packing smart is key. Here's a handy list to help you get your backpack ready:

• Clothing:
  • Lightweight layers for varying temperatures
  • Warm jacket for chilly nights
  • Comfortable hiking pants
  • T-shirts and long-sleeve shirts
  • A hat for sun protection
• Shoes:
  • Sturdy hiking boots for mountain trails
  • Comfortable sneakers for city exploration
  • Sandals for relaxing days
• Accessories and Technology:
  • Sunglasses for bright days
  • Portable charger for devices
  • Camera to capture beautiful scenery
  • Power bank
• Toiletries and Medication:
  • Basic toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo)
  • Sunscreen for sun protection
  • Insect repellent for outdoor activities
  • Common travel medication like motion sickness pills, pain relievers, and anti-diarrheal tablets

Prepare for a mix of outdoor adventures and cultural experiences with this packing list!

Kyrgyzstan's weather can vary significantly depending on the region:

• Bishkek and the Chuy Valley: Mild winters with temperatures around freezing, and hot, dry summers reaching up to 35°C. Spring and autumn are mild and pleasant.
• Issyk-Kul Lake: The lake moderates the climate, with milder winters and cooler summers, making it a popular year-round destination.
• Naryn and At-Bashi: These areas are colder, with long, harsh winters and cool, short summers.
• High Mountain Regions: Expect cold conditions year-round, with snow in the winter and cool temperatures in the summer.

The best time to visit Kyrgyzstan is from June to September when the weather is warm and ideal for outdoor activities.

Return international flights are not included on our trips because we want to give you full autonomy and flexibility. You can choose your preferred airline, fly from the airport that works best for you, and decide how many stopovers you want to make along the way.

As flights are not included, you also have more flexibility with your travel dates: you could arrive at your destination a few days early or return home a bit later – or even continue independently to a nearby destination!

An "Available" departure means that the trip isn’t confirmed yet and we’re waiting for a few more travellers to sign up… which could be you!

If you book the trip please wait for it to be confirmed before booking your international flights.

The question of all questions! Here’s some more information: 

• The Money Pot is a common fund collected in local currency from all travellers on the trip and managed by your Travel Coordinator. 
• It is used to streamline payments for extra activities, goods and services that the whole group decides to do. This guarantees flexibility in choosing activities and excursions at the destination in line with the mood of the group. 
• It is typically collected on the first day of the trip in local currency, although at times, the Travel Coordinator may ask for it to be paid before departure.
• You’ll find the Money Pot amount on the website under the section ‘What’s included in the Money Pot’. To find this look for ‘What’s included’, scroll down to ‘Money Pot? Click here’ and you’ll find the details.
• The amount varies depending on the destination chosen.
• It is usually used for group expenses that all travellers decide to take part in, but sometimes if you opt out of an activity it might make more sense for it to come out of the Money Pot. In these cases the Coordinator will return the amount for this activity back to you at the end of the trip. 
• It is estimated based on the experience of other groups but can vary depending on what activities your group is keen for. As such, the Travel Coordinator may need to increase the amount during the trip.
• If not all of the Money Pot is spent, the difference will be returned to all travellers at the end of the trip. 
• The Money Pot also covers the Travel Coordinator’s share of the activities included in the Money Pot, except for those activities that are free for the Travel Coordinator.
• If you pay in advance for part of the Money Pot before the trip for certain non-refundable optional activities, unfortunately, the amount cannot be refunded if the trip is cancelled. 

We offer several payment methods to fit every need:

1. Credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express);
2. Instalment payment with Klarna (you’ll pay for the trip in three equal amounts);
3. PayPal (for selected destinations);
4. Revolut Pay to pay even faster straight from your Revolut account.

Anyone who books a WeRoad trip has the option to cancel or modify the trip – including both the dates and the destination – free of charge up to 31 days before departure. In case of cancellation up to 31 days before departure, you will receive a 100% refund of the WeRoad trip price. If you make a change, a price adjustment will be applied to the new trip chosen – meaning, if the new trip is cheaper, we will refund the difference; if it’s more expensive, you will need to pay the difference.

If you’ve purchased the Flexible Cancellation Option (which you can add in the first step of the booking process), you can request a cancellation or trip change until 8 days before departure. In case of cancellation, you’ll receive a 100% refund of the WeRoad trip price, minus the cost of the Flexible Cancellation option. 

How to request a cancellation or change to your trip? Send us an email at [email protected] or a WhatsApp on +447716573700. Please share the booking reference for the trip you want to cancel or change, and, in case of a change, the new trip you would like to join.

For our trips we usually use locally owned accommodation instead of big hotel chains. It’s our favourite way to really experience the local culture and, whenever we can, support the local economy. Typically, you’ll stay in hotels, apartments, guesthouses and hostels with the same standard maintained across all trips in the same destination.

The list of accommodation for your trip will be shared with you by your Travel Coordinator 2-5 days before departure, along with other useful details for your adventure!

Yes! We might not know the flights for everyone else in the group, but there are ways to find out which flights your fellow WeRoaders will be taking. 

1. All travellers can share their flight details after booking on their My WeRoad account so that other travellers on the same trip can see these details anonymously. 

2. Alternatively you can join our Facebook group: Solo Travellers | WeRoad Community – (here is the extended link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/963298767843213 ) Look for a post about the trip you’re interested in or ask the group admin for help in getting in touch with your future travel companions!

3. If the Coordinator has already been assigned to the trip you’re keen for, you can easily find their Facebook post on the website. Click 'Ask the Coordinator' and follow the link here. 

Our groups usually consist of 8–12 travellers, with a minimum of 3–4 and a maximum of 15. 
Everyone on our trips speaks English, and travellers join us from across the UK, Europe and beyond. Our trips are open to people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, with an average age of 34 across all trips.

Each group will be joined and led by one of our experienced Travel Coordinators, who’s there to ensure everything runs smoothly and the group feels well-supported. 

If you’d like to know more about our typical WeRoad groups do reach out to us on WhatsApp on +44 7716573700. 

Yes! If you're curious, you can take a sneak peek at the group before booking. 
You’ll find the info in the ‘Group’ section for each trip on the departures page, showing how many WeRoaders have already booked. 

Click the little arrow and you’ll even see their gender and ages – but hey, that’s exclusive info, so we’ll ask you to log in or sign up to see that!

For some trips, in the itinerary section, you’ll find the number of nights and the location (not the hotel) where you’ll be spending the night(s). The location shown is the one we usually go for on most trips, but in some cases, you might stay in a nearby town. This will depend on logistics or availability of accommodation. 

The list of accommodation for your trip (and therefore also the exact locations) will be shared by your Travel Coordinator 2-5 days before departure, along with other useful information for your adventure!

The WeRoad Travel Coordinator is an experienced and skilled traveller who will be the perfect companion for your trip. They will manage all the logistical aspects of the itinerary like transport, timings, accommodation, restaurant bookings and meeting points, so that you can enjoy the trip without this hassle. They’re there to support the group, ensure everything runs smoothly and will no doubt make the trip a lot of fun along the way too! 

The Coordinator will set up a WhatsApp group approximately 2 weeks before departure. This will be the moment to ask any pre-departure questions and get to know the rest of the group! If the trip you are interested in already has a Travel Coordinator assigned, you can contact them before booking. Their details will be on the trip page, or you can search for their name here. After booking, you will find their contact details in your My WeRoad account, under ‘Bookings and Trips’ > ‘Your Upcoming Trips’ > ‘Trip Details’.

Yes, on all our trips you will share a room with other WeRoaders in your group. By default this will be people of the same gender, unless you tick ‘I'm OK with a mixed gender room’ when you book. The bathroom will either be private or shared only with other travellers on the trip. The rooms might be twins, triples, quadruples or multi-share (up to 8 people in exceptional cases), depending on the destination and availability.

You will never share with people from outside of the WeRoad group, except in certain cases for local experiences, which are specifically mentioned in the itinerary or communicated before booking. These typically involve specific nights in unique accommodation like tents, homestays, or camping, offering a more adventurous travel experience in exchange for some comfort.

On some of our trips we can offer a private room for an additional cost. Just tick the ‘Private Room’ option at checkout to get this added. For some of our trips if you book as two travellers together you can add this private room free of charge. Look out for this option at checkout. 

Please note that if you do book a private room with a friend/partner this could be either a double or a twin room so please email [email protected] if you have a preference on this. 

When you set off on a WeRoad trip, you’re officially a WeRoader – and as we often say, 'once a WeRoader, always a WeRoader'. This means that once you’re part of the community, a little piece of WeRoad will always stay with you.

But you’re not just a WeRoader during your trips, far from it! The community is alive and active all year round: you can stay in touch by following and interacting on our social media channels, like the Facebook group or the Instagram profile. You can also come along to one of our many events that we run in different cities worldwide. Check out and sign up to our events by downloading the WeMeet app here.