As you embark on your journey through Kyrgyzstan, it's essential to pack the right attire to ensure comfort and respect for local customs. Kyrgyzstan's diverse climate, ranging from scorching summers to cold winters, requires careful consideration when it comes to what to wear. In this blog post, I'll guide you through the wardrobe essentials for your Kyrgyz adventure. From breathable and lightweight clothing for the summer months to warm layers for chilly mountain treks, we'll help you strike the perfect balance between comfort, functionality, and cultural sensitivity. So, get ready to embrace the beauty of Kyrgyzstan while looking and feeling your best.
What Weather to Expect
I lived my entire life in Toronto, Canada so I'm used to experiencing all four seasons; winter, fall, spring, and summer. Kyrgyzstan also has four seasons but there are two differences I noticed from Canada. First, the winters are shorter and there's surprisingly less snowfall. Second, the springtime is also shorter and has less rainfall.
In Toronto winters, I'm used to seeing over 20 centimeters of snowfall starting in December. Who else remembers having to shovel the snow on their driveway and dreading it? It also wasn't a surprise if the weather dropped to minus 10 to 20 degrees Celsius. I would wrap myself up in my long Canada Goose parka and tall Sorel boots before leaving the house. Before coming to Kyrgyzstan, my boyfriend cautioned me about how cold it is in Kyrgyzstan, and me coming from Canada, I was born ready. We live in Bishkek, and I noticed the weather only started to get cold in late December. It personally wasn't that cold for me, I rarely wore my parka and more often wore my peacoat. We'd receive 5 to 10 centimeters of snowfall a few times but it all melted by the next day. Once you go to cities like Naryn or up in the mountains, you can expect to see more snow and even enjoy skiing.
One of my least favorite things about Kyrgyzstan is the summer. In Toronto, the weather would go up to 28 to 30 degrees Celsius. With the sun, it feels like it's 33 to 35 degrees Celsius. I came to Kyrgyzstan in late July and for the first time in my life, I suffered from a heat stroke. The weather was 40 degrees Celsius and I'm sure with the sun, the weather felt even hotter. On average, I noticed that t is usually 35 degrees Celsius. The summers are very dry and very hot, and personally, for me, it feels as if the sun is burning my skin. If you love hot weather, Kyrgyzstan will be great for you!
The Culture
I mentioned in my previous post that a majority of the Kyrgyz population is Muslim. While the country is relatively open-minded and tolerant, I do notice that women tend to dress more modestly. I have yet to see a woman wear revealing clothing, especially low tops where the breasts might be exposed or short shorts, where you can see up to a woman's thigh.
With that being said, the packing list will be more obvious now:
What to Pack for Summer (June - September)
T-shirts
Shorts that go up to the knees
Sandals - My favorite are Birkenstocks, which you cannot find in Kyrgyzstan.
Running shoes or Trainers - Y
Swimsuit (one piece or bikini). I have seen women wear bikinis at Issyk-Kul.
Thin tracksuits. When I went to Issyk-Kul at the beginning of September, the evenings cool down a lot so wearing a thin tracksuit is recommended.
Sunglasses
Hats
What to Pack for Spring and Fall (October - November) and (February - April)
T-shirts
Cardigans
Sweaters
Light jackets that are waterproof
What to Pack for Winter (December - January)
Puffy jacket or parka (one that you can wear on a daily basis and even go skiing with)
Long sleeves shirts
Thermal layers
Warm hats and gloves
Thick socks
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