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Kirguistán.
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Travelling to Kirguistán: what to know before you go

Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous Central Asian country of alpine lakes, high pastures and nomadic traditions, where you can sleep in a yurt beside a shepherd's flock and hike for days without seeing a road. It suits trekkers, horse riders and travellers looking for raw landscapes and hospitality, who are comfortable with basic facilities.

Where to go

• Issyk-Kul. One of the largest mountain lakes in the world, ringed by the snow-capped Tian Shan.
• Song-Kol. A high-altitude lake surrounded by summer pastures where herders set up yurt camps from roughly June to September.
• Karakol. A town near the east end of Issyk-Kul, with a wooden Russian Orthodox cathedral, a Chinese-style Dungan mosque built without nails and a Sunday animal market.
• Altyn-Arashan and Jeti-Oguz. Near Karakol, Altyn-Arashan is a valley with hot springs reached by hiking or 4x4, and Jeti-Oguz has red sandstone formations, including the 'Broken Heart' rock.

Best time to visit

June to September is the best time to visit, when mountain passes are open, yurt camps operate at Song-Kol and other high pastures, and trekking routes are accessible. July and August are warmest and busiest at Issyk-Kul.

Staying online in Kirguistán

Mobile coverage is good in Bishkek, Osh, Karakol and other towns and along main roads, with 4G in cities. Around Issyk-Kul, coverage is decent near the villages. In the mountains, high pastures, on trekking routes and at places such as Song-Kol, coverage is patchy or absent, so expect to be offline. Wi-Fi is available in most guesthouses and cafés in towns. Download offline maps before you head out. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.