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Navigation
- Travel Notes
- Packing List
- Pre - departure Checklist
- Notes & Suggestions
- Requirements & Notes
Travel Notes
Gifts for Local Families
During your journey, you’ll have the chance to stay with welcoming local families and experience real Kyrgyz hospitality.
We recommend bringing small presents for them — especially for the children. Simple gifts like sweets, school supplies, or small toys are always appreciated.
If you wish, we can provide details about each family — how many children they have and their ages — so you can prepare something personal and meaningful.
You may also share some of your clothes or useful items you no longer need. These small gestures of kindness often create heartfelt connections and unforgettable memories for both you and the locals.
We recommend bringing small presents for them — especially for the children. Simple gifts like sweets, school supplies, or small toys are always appreciated.
If you wish, we can provide details about each family — how many children they have and their ages — so you can prepare something personal and meaningful.
You may also share some of your clothes or useful items you no longer need. These small gestures of kindness often create heartfelt connections and unforgettable memories for both you and the locals.
Travel Notes
Packing List
- Base layers
- 2–3 × light t-shirts or quick-dry shirts
- 1–2 × long-sleeve shirts for sun/bug protection
- 1 × thermal top (for mountain nights)
- Outerwear
- 1 × fleece or warm sweater
- 1 × light down jacket or warm hoodie
- 1 × windproof/rain jacket (important for Son-Kul or Altyn Arashan)
- Bottoms
- 1 × comfortable travel pants
- 1 × hiking pants (light and flexible)
- 1 × shorts for warm days
- 1 × thermal leggings (for cold nights)
- Footwear
- Hiking or trekking shoes (water-resistant preferred)
- Sandals / flip-flops for showers or hot springs
- Warm socks + light socks (wool for mountain nights)
- Accessories
- Cap / hat (sun protection)
- Beanie or warm hat (mountain cold)
- Sunglasses (UV protection)
- Gloves (lightweight for mornings/evenings)
- Scarf or buff (wind/dust protection)
- Personal Care
- Sunscreen (SPF 30–50)
- Lip balm with SPF
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo
- Wet wipes / tissues
- Hand sanitizer
- Small towel or travel towel
- Personal medications + prescription copies.
- Money&Communication
- Phone + charger
- Power bank
- Adapter (European 220 V type C/F)
- Camera + memory card + batteries
- Headlamp or small flashlight (especially for yurts)
- Optional
- Swimsuit (for Issyk-Kul or hot springs)
- Trekking poles
- Small daypack (15–20 L) for daily use
- Reusable water bottle (1 L or more)
- Snacks (nuts, energy bars, chocolate)
- Notebook or travel journal
Notes & Suggestions
- Confirm your fitness level and any health issues in advance, where high altitude (above 3,000 m) segments are involved.
- Check your travel insurance covers high-altitude trekking / mountain rescue (if you’ll do freeride or ski segments).
- For clothing, bring layers and evening warm gear, especially for yurt stays and mountain nights.
- For dietary restrictions, contact the tour operator early to check feasibility in remote areas.
- Expect some flexibility: weather and road conditions might force changes; bring a good attitude for "adventure style" travel.
- Good idea to bring cash, especially for remote guesthouses, and ensure you have access to local currency (Kyrgyz som) or local cards.
- Make sure your passport is valid and you’ve checked visa requirements for your nationality.
🧾 Pre-Departure Checklist
- Travel Documents
- ✅ Passport valid for at least 6 months after return date
- ✅ Copy of passport and visa (if required) — both printed and digital
- ✅ Travel insurance (must include medical & high-altitude coverage)
- ✅ Flight tickets & confirmation
- ✅ Hotel / tour booking confirmation from Mars Travel
- ✅ Driver’s license (if renting car or driving in Kyrgyzstan)
- Health & Safety
- 💊 Basic first aid kit (pain reliever, stomach medicine, plasters, etc.)
- 💉 Check if you need vaccinations (usually none required for Kyrgyzstan)
- 🏥 Inform your guide of any medical conditions or allergies
- 🩵 Get travel insurance covering adventure activities (horse riding, hiking, etc.)
- Money&Communication
- 💵 Bring cash in USD or EUR (easy to exchange to Kyrgyz Som)
- 💳 Inform your bank about foreign card usage (ATMs not everywhere)
- 📱 SIM card or eSIM for internet (O! and Beeline are best options)
- 🔋 Power bank and adapter (European 220V plug type C or F)
- Before You Go
- 📸 Backup your phone and camera photos
- ☀️ Check weather forecast for each region (mountains can be cold even in summer)
- 🕒 Confirm pickup time and meeting point with Mars Travel
- 🎒 Pack and weigh luggage (domestic flights sometimes have 15–20 kg limit)
- 🌏 Download offline Google Maps and Google Translate for Kyrgyz/Russian phrases
- 🧾 Share your itinerary and emergency contacts with family
✅ Requirements / Notes
- Travel Documents
- Valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity.
- Visa if required (many nationalities enjoy visa-free entry for Kyrgyzstan).
- Digital and printed copies of important documents (passport, insurance, etc.).
- Physical Condition & Suitability
- A moderate fitness level is required for light hiking and high-altitude travel.
- Children aged 5+ can join, but families with very young kids should discuss with the guide in advance.
- Not recommended for travellers with serious heart or respiratory issues due to high altitude segments (up to ~3,200 m).
- Flexibility & Adventure
- This is an adventure-style cultural tour with varied terrain and basic facilities in some areas.
- Weather, roadblocks, or local conditions may occasionally require itinerary changes.
- Your local guide will ensure the safest and most rewarding route possible.
- Weather Expectations
- For the summer variant (June–September): Mostly dry, with warm days and cool nights.
- Mountain areas (e.g., the higher altitude passes) can drop to 0-5 °C at night.
- Sudden weather changes are possible in high altitudes — pack accordingly.
- Cultural Etiquette
- Respect local customs, especially in villages and when visiting nomadic families.
- Dress modestly in conservative areas (villages, religious sites).
- Always ask before photographing locals.
- Accommodation Standards
- The tour mixes various types: hotels (in cities), guesthouses/homestays in rural areas, and yurt-camps in remote mountains, or tents camps in places where only people can reach.
- Yurts: traditional, cosy but basic facilities (shared toilets/showers) especially in mountain areas.
- Tent camps are usual tents mostly accommmodated by more 2 or more people depending on tje size of the tents
- Food & Meals
- Local meals provided daily (typically home-cooked or in local cafés).
- Vegetarian options are available but must be requested in advance.
- Special dietary needs (vegan, gluten-free) may be difficult to fully accommodate in remote areas.
- Road & Vehicle Conditions
- Includes a mix of paved roads, gravel tracks, and mountain passes.
- Some days involve long drives (5-7 hours) with photo and rest stops.
- 4×4 vehicles or high-clearance minibuses are used for off-road/mountain routes.
- Road conditions may vary due to weather or maintenance.