kyrgyzstan to kazakhstan boarder crossing help?

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hi

we are planning to go from kyrgyzstan to kazakhstan and need some or any help with info on which boarder to cross from for our visa application forms.

Any help or info on this would be great.

Mnay thanx Adam

[monster]

Hi Adam,
We drove thru Kyrgyzstan last summer and had a nightmare with visa's and paperwork: here's our top tips on how to dodge the hassle.
Kyrgyzstan; make sure you get TWO custom sheets when you enter- one is for you and must be handed over to customs when you leave.
The Kazak embassy in Bishkek is very akward- it will take 7- 11 days and several visits to get a Kazak visa (unless you're Japanese). Try to get all your Central Asia visa's before you go, if possible.
Kazakstan; INSIST on a customs import sheet when you cross the border- some customs staff will ask to glance at your carnet but this IS NOT enough. When you exit the country the customs men are actively seeking that customs sheet.
We crossed at the border nearest Bishkek that takes you to Almaty- can't remember the name but it's the most widely used one. The only other official border is to the west and takes you onto the Turkistan road into Kazakstan.
At the time, the Russian embassy in Almaty was the ONLY place to get a visa- transit only. Things change very quickly over there- contact David of Stan Tours and keep your ear to the ground thru the HUBB.
Happy travel, Dave and Rose

[Sambor]

Hi Adam,

We crossed last year from Kazakh to Kyrgyz and back. It took about 1 hour to get there and the same time opposite way. No problems no papers to fill etc. We speak Russian so perhaps was much easier for us, but really no problem at all.

There are some border crossing open for forigners, one is east of Almaty near Charyn canyon and leads directly to Issyk Kul.

[MotoEdde]

Although I crossed in May 2007...i had no problem crossing from Kazakhstan into Kyrgyzstan and rolling into Bishkek...less than an hour. Same deal exiting...no hassles.

Also, the Kazakh embassy in Bishkek was painless...I got another Kazakh visa within 4 days...it may have helped that I previously had a Kazakh visa...unsure.

My suggestion is that you apply for your visa first thing when entering Bishkek...and then go travelling around Kyrgyz...make sure the embassy which takes your passport for processing purposes...gives you a stamped Photo Copy acknowleding that they're holding your passport for processing. This will help at police stops...

[motonomad]

I know of four crossings between Kyrgyzstan And Kaz. The nearest to Biskek it's called Corday. Do ask for the right paperwork regarding customs. I crossed several times in the space of a year and only the first time they requested I filled a customs decalration (and that was at teh Kaz border with Russia, near Ashtrakan). I got into a fair ammount of trouble because I didn't have the customs decalaration and they told me they considered the bike in the country since the first entry.
There is another border not far from Corday that you will find on a turn right mid way on the road from Yssyk Kul to Bishkek. I don't know the name or have deatails about how to find it. From Kazakstan its easier to find, Just as you arrive at Corday, the Village --not the border--, before the bit with all the currency exchange offices you'll find it on a left turn. The road follows a river to the border and it's a much nicer ride but it will put you on the way to Yssyk Kul. The last bits had to tarmac two years ago and it may only be opened during the summer. I followed Kazak tourist buses there.

The other crossing its NE of Yssyk Kul on a road that goes round the Ala Tai. Again, a lot more interesting a ride.Also, about 200-250km from almaty there is a small turquoise lake called Bartagoy. From there you can climb up the mountains and ride about 200k over them, off road, and join the road about 50km from almaty. Spectacular.
Good luck there.
DD

[petefromberkeley]

Originally Posted by Sambor

There are some border crossing open for forigners, one is east of Almaty near Charyn canyon and leads directly to Issyk Kul.

That's the one I used and there was no paperwork or hassles at all. Maybe the only country I have ever entered (Kyrgyz) that didn't even have a stamp to stamp my passport.

[Sambor]

Originally Posted by petefromberkeley

That's the one I used and there was no paperwork or hassles at all. Maybe the only country I have ever entered (Kyrgyz) that didn't even have a stamp to stamp my passport.

Something has changed last year. Kazakh have computers, doesn't like name "Borat" and Kyrgyz had stamp... Be carefull!