Reviews
★★★★★
Babur was very nice and communication was great. We got to meet him when we returned the car.
He adapted to our needs, since we had to change direction mid-trip and return the car somewhere else.
Regarding the car, it's what you should expect, a beat-up car from 25+ years ago...but a beast. Roads are rough in this part of the world, and this car could manage all of them. Price is expensive, I am not going to lie, but it's average for the Kyrgys market.
★★★★
My friend and I rented a Toyota Land cruiser Prado from Babur via Indy Guide for a total period of 26 days, starting from 24 August until 16 September. We planned to make a roundtrip starting and ending in Bishkek while traveling through Kyrgyzstan, Tadzjikistan and Uzbekistan.
Although we are satisfied with the overall renting period, we would like to make some important remarks on the car, the included gear and the communication with Babur. Most importantly, we had to abandon the car in Tadzjikistan because the car broke down. More on this below. We were aware IndyGuide allows private vehicle owners to rent out their car and that we couldn’t expect a new vehicle, but we didn’t expect this many issues.
Throughout our trip we experienced several issues with the car. We were informed that the engine oil level needed to be checked daily. This is quite normal in Kyrgyzstan - especially with older cars - and so this wasn’t a problem for us. We refilled the oil whenever needed. However, while driving from Karakol to Osh the oil level dropped rapidly, forcing us to refill the oil four times. This problem was fixed immediately by Babur when we met him in Osh.
We then drove into Tajikistan. Halfway between Murghab and Langar the engine light turned on and, soon after, the engine stopped working. We managed to bring the car to Langar and got it checked by local mechanics but to no avail. Upon reaching Ishkashim the car lost all engine power and we had to abandon the car.
It is important to say that Babur responded very well to all issues faced during our trip. He is not to blame for the car breaking down. He arranged for someone else to pick up the car while we continued by public transport. However, we believe to be very lucky that the car didn’t break down in the middle of the Pamir mountains. In general we do not believe that this Toyota Prado is suitable for traveling in the Pamir. It’s totally suitable for other purposes like driving in Kyrgyzstan.
Furthermore the condition of the car and the provided gear could have been better. Upon receiving the car the front bumper was hanging loose. This was fixed together with the engine oil leak in Osh. No tools were provided to fix the car (starter cables, jack, etc.).
Regarding the provided camping equipment: we received a tent which was moldy, one sleeping bag, a gas burner stove which malfunctioned, two comfortable chairs and a table. Besides the chairs and table, the provided gear was insufficient for camping. We were glad that we brought our own gear.
In short, although we are satisfied with how Babur handled the situation, we do not recommend relying on this specific car in the Pamir mountains.
★★★★★
We rented a Toyota Land Cruiser from Babur for a trip through Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, including the Pamir Highway and the Wakhan Valley. Overall, we were very satisfied with both the vehicle and the service.
The Land Cruiser was very well suited to this trip. We drove through some extremely remote and demanding terrain, including the Wakhan Valley, Bulunkul, Alichur, Murghab and the area around Karakul and Rangkul. The roads were often very rough, but the car handled the terrain very well and gave us the confidence needed in such remote areas. The snorkel, bull bar and raised suspension were also useful for this kind of trip.
We did have some technical issues during the trip. The radiator failed early in the Pamir section, and a problem with the brakes also required attention. The radiator replacement took some time to arrange, and we lost about two full rental days waiting for the repair. However, Babur handled the situation well: he arranged the repairs and paid the garage directly, so we did not have to deal with the repair costs ourselves.
The administrative support was also very good. Babur arranged the Power of Attorney needed for the vehicle, and despite crossing several international borders, the border procedures went very smoothly. This made a complicated cross-border road trip considerably easier.
Despite the technical problems, we would definitely recommend Babur and the Land Cruiser for anyone planning a serious trip through the Pamirs. The vehicle proved itself on some very challenging roads, and the support from the rental company when problems occurred was good.
Overall: 5/5 — a very capable vehicle, excellent for the Pamir region, with good support and cross-border assistance from the rental company.
★★
BEWARE!!! The renter is communicative yet the car we received was in terrible condition. Dirty inside and outside with malfunctioning windows that could not be closed as well as malfunctioning trunk and no AC. It was extremely difficult to close the trunk and had to be done manually from the inside several times. The non working AC in over 30C in summer is diabolical and extremely uncomfortable. The car is extremely old and worn out and for over 120$ a day, we expected clean and not super old car with working AC, windows etc. We were promised a refund but didn’t receive any!!!
Dear Anton,
Thank you for your review.
I did intend to refund part of the rental cost because the air conditioner was not working. However, you left without informing me, left the keys at the hotel, and only afterward sent me a message telling me to collect them there. I was very surprised, as rental cars are normally returned in person with a proper inspection report.
We handed the car over to you in clean condition, so I kindly ask you to be truthful. You returned it in terrible condition. After washing the vehicle, it became clear that you had caused several large scratches to the body and had driven the car very roughly. I still do not refuse to compensate you for the lack of air conditioning, provided that you cover the cost of repairing the damage to the car's body.
Looking back at our interaction, I understand a few things. You made your reservation at the very last minute, during the peak tourist season. As you know, prices are higher during this period. At the same time, the cost of spare parts and vehicle maintenance is now three times higher than it was last year. If you want to rent a car at a lower price, you should book it two or three months in advance.
You chose our car because you could not find a cheaper option. It also seems that you had already planned to seek compensation. The fact that you abandoned the car at the hotel instead of returning it properly also shows that you did not follow the rental procedures.
The presence of air conditioning was never a condition of our rental agreement. Many vehicles used in the mountains do not have air conditioning because the temperatures there are generally cool enough. After discovering that the air conditioner was not working, you began looking for reasons to demand compensation for the money you had spent.
I do not need anyone else's money.
Thank you again for your review.
I wish you peace and all the best.
★★★★★
We rented 2 Toyota Land Cruisers from Babur, for a 16 day tour of the Tajik Pamir. Babur was very responsive and helpful, offering a lot of advice and generally being very reachable and pleasant. The cars were in a reasonable state, minor defects here and there, as well as some bigger issues that plague all cars driving the extremely rough roads of the Pamir. Just be ready to fix minor things on the go, and don't exclude days lost for bigger breakdowns. This is Central Asia, don't expect everything to be perfect.
All in all, we highly recommend Babur, just be sure to push for a written contract and be clear about what's included in the price and not.
★★★★★
Before we booked with him, Babur told us that next to the car, assistance and support received during the trip is very important as well. He was very helpful in instances like border crossings, issues with local authorities and technical issues. Always quick to reply or assist over the phone. The car is an absolute beast in tackling the local roads. No rough mountain road is too difficult for the Land Cruiser. For that, you sacrifice a bit of comfort, but that's all part of the experience. Would recommend.
★★★★★
Had the absolute pleasure of renting the toyota Prado land cruiser from Babur, managed to clock up more then 6000km and no issues whatsoever. Would also like to say how much of a Gent Babur is, he always responded, went out of his way to check in and see how everything was going and sorted us out with local hotspots and reccommendations, will definitely be renting again from this legend when I return!! What an exeprience!
★★★
We rented a car from Babur for two weeks this September. The communication upfront was pleasant, he replied quickly and was always friendly. However, it felt a bit questionable when he asked for extra money for camping gear, even though the ad stated it was included.
The car was delivered to our hotel in Almaty. From the start, it had several issues: the engine required checking the oil every ~125 km based on Babur advice, the handbrake wasn’t working and while some camping gear was provided, there was no tent, making camping impossible for us.
After just 10 minutes of driving in Almaty, we heard a loud bang. Following Babur’s advice, we continued to Karakol, where he referred us to a mechanic. The mechanic confirmed the engine was essentially finished and couldn’t repair it. This cost us a full day, though we managed to use the time for a hiking trip. Eventually, Babur agreed to cover our taxi costs, but only after some back-and-forth. At that point, the conversation turned unpleasant, as he suggested we should expect such problems for the price, something never communicated upfront.
We would never have knowingly rented a car with a failing engine just to “save money,” as this put our trip and safety at risk. Thankfully, the car survived the journey and Babur did take responsibility in the end, but the experience came with unnecessary stress.
Hello Marco,
I appreciate you sharing your experience. I'm sorry to hear about the issues you faced with the car. My goal is always to provide a safe and reliable vehicle. I apologize for the engine oil checking and the miscommunication regarding the camping gear.
While my car never stopped, I understand your concern about the oil levels, though even new cars require checks. My intention was to ensure your journey was safe, and I'm glad we could resolve the taxi costs. I take your feedback seriously and will use it to improve my services. I hope in the future you'll be more positive, wise, and grateful. Be less cranky, smile more, and then luck will smile on you! Thank you again for your review.
★★★★★
The cars, two Subaru Outbacks, were really nice, and they exceeded our expectations. Nevertheless, because of a problem with somebody else booking, we got different cars than originally agreed (obviously with a discount).
One of the two cars had very old and almost finished tires, thus we had a puncture (but we managed it).
We travelled all the way to Kok Kyia valley (more than 100km in off-road conditions) and the cars behaved perfectly.
Hi Federico! Thanks for feedback. Yes, sometimes I rotate cars, because some tourists bring cars after the trip in a very horrible state, so it requires more time to get serviced. But my priority is always to find good solutions, and make good discounts to make happy my customers.
★★★★★
Thank you for facilitating my dream trip to Central Asia. Babur was generous facilitating insurances, power of attorney , and other paperwork ensuring the vehicle could be driven through several countries.
He generously welcomed us into his family’s home for lunch in Osh when the car required a water pump replacement. Babur was always responsive to inquiry.
The Land Cruiser had excellent AC and required some brake maintenance towards the end of the trip.
It is important to remember that resources are limited compared to other locations in the world so ensure flexibility in your travel itinerary. Be sure you are competent to change a flat as the roads are often abysmal.
Overall, I would highly recommend this service
★★★★★
We had a wonderful trip in the Toyota Land Cruiser that Babur provided for us. He was always available for questions during the trip. Would definately rent a car with Babur again!
★★★★★
We rented a car from Babur and everything went really well. The car (Toyota prado) Was in an excellent condition and Babur is a really nice guy.
★★★★
Babur was very responsive, helpful, kind and went out of his way to help in evrey way possible. We would definitely get in touch with Babur again of we had to travel there.
However, the Landcruiser 100 that we rented was in bad condition. We had three breakdowns in places where there was no help at hand. One was a near death experience. We also had to spend a lot of extra money that was not considered while making our payment. I feel if Babur wants to continue this business, he muct ensure that the cars he hires out are in top condition.
Dear Nandini and Dinesh,
Thanks for your review. I'm glad you found me responsive and helpful. I worked hard to secure your visa and organize your trip, despite several date changes.
I'm truly sorry about the Landcruiser's breakdowns and the unexpected costs. This isn't the experience I want for my clients. Due to your date changes, I arranged a car from my partner, Ilyas. I'll address your concerns with him directly.
Ilyas noted issues with the car's handling, suggesting your driving skills impacted its performance. He also mentioned the jack and wheel wrench were missing. Honestly, I expected a higher rate given the extensive work involved.
Despite the vehicle issues, I appreciate you as guests. I hope to welcome you back for a smoother journey.
Sincerely,
Babur
★★★★★
Babur's experience with Car Rental Service in Kyrgyzstan was exceptional. From the moment of booking he was professional and responsive, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free process. The vehicle provided was reliable and well-maintained, perfect for navigating the diverse terrains of the region. His local knowledge and helpful recommendations were invaluable for our trip. The pricing was transparent, and the service exceeded expectations. Highly recommend Babur for anyone seeking trustworthy and efficient car rental in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia.
★★★★★
The communication was easy and the car was in good condition.
Nice guys! It was a pleasure to meet you! Come again! Good luck!
★★★★
Babur knows English well and he is a good businessman. However, we had a few problems with the booking. In the start, we agreed on a ´´gentleman agreement´´, so the contract and car insurance weren't really on the table. One day before our trip, he told us that the car we agreed on (Toyota Land Cruiser) had an accident (I still really don't know if the accident happened a few days before or much sooner and he was just waging a worse car for us). In the end, we end up with a Honda CRV from his partner. The car was without the camping gear that we agreed on, so we had to buy a new tent for 150€ on the spot. Overall the car was in ok condition except for completely worn-out tires and not proper 4x4, which was quite worrying, but the car surprisingly took us through Pamir highway and Kyrgyzstan mountain. We only needed to repair the tires twice, put on the reserve, and repair the wheel stabilization for 50€.
Service: Babur helped us quickly when we needed service with the repair, he managed the GBAO permits for the Pamir highway and border crossing to Kyrgyzstan --) he failed to do this on time so we needed to sleep between the borders for one night, but I guess this is common in there.
All in all, the agreed price for the Toyota would be good, but for the Honda even with a small discount was maybe a little bit overpriced. If you want to be sure about the things that you agreed, you should maybe also check other options.
★★★★★
I recently rented a Toyota Sequoia from Babur, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the experience. The vehicle was offered at a great price, was in good condition, and handled even the most challenging roads with ease. It was the perfect choice for exploring Kyrgyzstan’s rugged terrain.
Babur was an exceptional host—responsive, attentive, and always available to answer any questions I had. His prompt communication made the rental process smooth and stress-free. I highly recommend renting from Babur if you’re looking for a reliable vehicle and good service.
★★★
Babur speaks a very good English and offers really good prices. However, we had quite a hard time with him.
Firstly, it took days and days for him to send the contract. Then two days before our trip, he told us that the car we agreed on needed repair and that he would give us a completely different car, with no high clearance and said that he already sent it our way. Only after an extensive stand-off, we finally got a car from a partner of his that was fitting to our needs. Lastly, when we had problems with this replacement car, he just replied "turn it on and off" and never replied to our message that we already tried so.
All in all, if you want a good price and are smart enough to let everything extra be written into the contract, that's the way to go. If you want some fair customer service, you should maybe also check other options.
Everyone faces technical issues. I found a good car that was more expensive than mine. Initially, Haluka haggled with me, and when he informed me that my car had been unexpectedly serviced, he started threatening to remove me from the platform. This seemed overly aggressive to me, as Haluka behaved arrogantly and inappropriately during our conversation. Our contract stated that the last point was Bishkek, but Haluka demanded that I take him to the airport, which is 30 km from the city, making it a 60 km round trip. When I mentioned there was an additional fee for this, he got angry and stopped responding to my messages. Finally, when I came to pick up my car, it was in terrible condition. When I asked why it wasn't washed, as I had given it to him clean, he said it wasn't in the contract. Haluka wants everything for free! If you have to provide services to him, avoid it! However, his friend Tommy is very nice. Hi Tommy!
The attached photos are after heavy raining!!!
★★★★★
Toyota Sequoia (2005): The car was in good conditions and was perfect for a long road trip all around the Kyrgyzstan.
Everything was fine with Babur, and I can highly recommend him. Thanks!
Tip for European people: better to bring with you cash, while handle digital payments there may be very difficult ;)
A
★★★★★
"Exceptional service from Babur, the owner of this rent-a-car company! From start to finish, the experience was smooth and efficient. Babur was incredibly accommodating, providing valuable insights and tips for our trip. The car was in pristine condition, and the entire rental process was seamless. I highly recommend this company to anyone in need of reliable transportation and excellent customer service. Will definitely be returning for future rentals!"
★★★★★
We had a fantastic road trip through Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. We rented our 4WD from Babur, and he could not have been more professional and kind.
There was no trouble with the car, everything was clean and in good order.
Babur helped us with the border crossing, and with excellent recommendations for places to visit. Thanks Babur!
★★★
We rented the car for around 35 days in July and August. The air conditionet was broken, and it was around 40 degrees outside, it was horrible driving many kilometers without air conditioner.
The raidio was broken too.
The tyres were old and we have 3 punctures during the trip. The tools to change the weels were not the right ones for that car and it was so dificuit to change them. We were finding stones to put under the tool because the tool was too small.
Tha car was throwing black smoke every time we go up in a slope and we were worried about it during the hole trip.
Babur was nice and he was triying to help us during the trip, but the car was not in good conditions in that moment.
Iara and Irati
Irati and her team members are wonderful women ever I saw. They drove a car very good, and handed over in a good condition. I wish them all the best, and looking forward next time. ???
★★★★★
Had a great time with Babur for four days. Very dependable, and good communication.
I spend an excellent time with Michael! Thanks for visiting Kyrgyzstan! Looking forward your next trip!
★★★★★
I can very enthusiastically recommend hiring a car from Babursher if you have the opportunity. My boyfriend and I rented a car from him while travelling in Kyrgyzstan, and we were beyond impressed with the service he provided.
The Honda CRV we rented was very clean, ran smoothly, and had obviously been looked after very well. It also came equipped with extra useful items like a picnic table and kitchen utensils, and camping equipment.
Babursher went out of his way to make sure we were delivered the car at short notice. He greeted us warmly, and gave us many useful tips on places to travel, and advice for planning our route.
It was clear Babursher wanted us to experience the best possible time we could have in his country, and he was a very helpful person to contact when we had questions or issues. He speaks very good English, knows lots about the best places to travel, and became like a friend to us in the time we knew him.
He is incredibly generous and friendly with his time and advice, and it was truly a pleasure getting to meet him.
Highly recommend!!
H
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