Border permits: Kel-Suu, Enilchek and Lenin Peak
Kel-Suu, Enilchek and Lenin Peak sit behind military checkpoints. Kyrgyzstan's five border zones: who needs a permit (everyone), costs, timelines and tactics.
Guides
Practical Kyrgyzstan guides: visas and entry, transport, seasons, money and connectivity, safety.
before the trip
Visas and getting in
Who enters Kyrgyzstan visa-free in 2026, how the e-visa works, and the real status of every border — from Manas airport to the Tajik and Chinese crossings.
seasons
When to go
Kyrgyzstan month by month and by altitude: when yurt camps and passes open, when Issyk-Kul is swimmable, and when Karakol turns into a ski hub.
transport
Your own vehicle and camper in Kyrgyzstan
Bringing your own car or camper into Kyrgyzstan: EAEU paperwork, insurance instead of the Green Card, fuel, LPG and the passes — July 2026.
Getting Around Kyrgyzstan
Marshrutkas, shared taxis, rental 4x4s and domestic flights: how to get around Kyrgyzstan and what it actually costs in 2026.
money & connectivity
Money, SIM Cards and Internet in Kyrgyzstan
Som exchange rates, cards vs cash, SIM prices and mountain coverage — the practical money and connectivity guide for a Kyrgyzstan trip.
safety
Safety in Kyrgyzstan
Altitude, mountain roads, border permits and helicopter evacuation insurance: an honest look at the real risks in Kyrgyzstan.
gear & camping
Wild camping and vanlife nights
Wild camping in Kyrgyzstan is legal and free. The rules of the game: jailoo etiquette, water, grey water, LPG, nights above 3,000 m and Starlink — July 2026.