Around the World with Wes and Masami - Around the World Travelogue by Wes and Masami Heiser with Journal Photographs Expenses Lodging Guide Schedule Preparation Route

KEY

Ks = Kyrgyz som; US$ 1 = Ks 45.3

Ratings

= Excellent

"with WC" = toilet and shower/tub in room.

= Very Good

"WC" not stated = shower, toilet shared by guests.

= Good

Prices include hotel taxes.

= Fair

English spoken unless otherwise stated.

= Poor

= Terrible

Bishkek

Salima Hotel	Tel: 0312-22-25-85
	Int'l: +996-312-22-25-85

237 Panfilov. Behind Panfilov park coming from Ala-Too Square.

Ks 500 per double with WC.

Friendliness

Cleanliness

Value for Money

Comments: Room with 2 single beds, 2 nightstands, desk, 2 chairs, closet, balcony, and WC with hot shower, sit-down toilet and sink. Bath towels are provided but toilet paper is not. Limited English is spoken at reception. The hotel is on floors 2 and 3 of the Bishkek International School of Management building. It's one of the best budget options in the city.

Karakol

Yak Tours Hostel	Tel: 03922-569-01
	Int'l: +996-3922-569-01
email: YakTours@infotel.kg

10 Gagarina. 30 meters from the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

US$5 per bed with dinner or breakfast,
US$10 per bed with dinner & breakfast.

Friendliness

Cleanliness

Value for Money

Comments: Rooms have single beds or double bed and floor sleeping. Some rooms are tiny while others are spacious. Shared WC has a hot shower, one sit-down toilet without seat, and sink. Bath towels are not provided but toilet paper is. Camping is possible in the rear garden. Dinner is a delicious home-cooked meal served family-style. English is spoken.

The proprietor Valentin offers trekking tours in the surrounding hills for a considerable fee. All trekkers we spoke to were dissatisfied with the $US25/day trekking service to Altyn Arashan because of unfriendly hut staff and aloof trekking guide. Also, Valentin charges each trekking tour member a US$8 "permit" fee for Altyn Arashan although one isn't required according to the Bishkek Tourist Information Office. We recommend coming to Yak Tours Hostel to meet other individual trekkers for tips on public transport, accommodation options, and walking routes. Then trek on your own without Valentin's services.

There are 4 houses in the Altyn Arashan Valley. Trekkers can overnight at any for about 100 som. Facilities are basic and food is unavailable.

Kochkor

Shepherd's Life

Tel: None

Find the "Shepherd's Life coordinator" sign 10 minutes walk perpendicular from the Bazaar in Kochkor.

Ks 180 per person B&B.

Friendliness

Cleanliness

Value for Money

Comments: Shepherd's Life is a large organization in the Song-Kul area. Prices are fixed, and a coordinator is found in most towns within 100km of the lake. The coordinator charges Ks 100 per group to explain the program and prices, schedule transportation throughout the area, and place visitors in family homes in the town and yurts at Song-Kul. Families participating in the Shepherd's Life program are accustomed to hosting foreigners and handle food in a sanitary way. Travelers staying at independent yurts often get severe diarrhea because the host prepares food while adding dung to the stove, thereby adding dung and dung bacteria to the food.