Do I need to speak Russian or Kyrgyz to travel there?

While Kyrgyz is the state language and Russian is widely spoken, you can get by with English in tourist areas, hotels, and with younger people in Bishkek. However, learning a few basic phrases in Russian (like 'Spasibo' for thank you) or Kyrgyz ('Rahmat') will be greatly appreciated in rural areas and can enhance your interactions with locals.