Karakol Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Karakol is at the far end of the Issyk Kul, nestled in the Tian Shan mountains, and is the capital of the Issyk Kul Oblast (region). One of the most visited destinations in Kyrgyztan, it functions as a base for year-round trekking, mountaineering, skiing, and spa opportunities.

This town was called Przhevalsk (Пржевалск) during the Tsarist and Soviet eras. It was constructed by Tsarist troops as a military outpost, and it is the resting place of Nikolai Przewalski, the famed Russian explorer and naturalist after whom this town was named. It is a city of traditional Russian houses, and contains one of the few Slavic populations remaining in Central Asia.

There are a number of tour companies, hostels and cafes, but most of the action is outside of town.

• 42.50471878.3930581 Long Distance Bus Station (Northern Bus Station / Остановка Автобусов). Serving destination along the northern shore of Issyk Kul, including Cholpon-Ata and Balykchy, but also a few marshrutkas to Bishkek. Note, if you come from the north, do not get off at this remote bus station if the other people remain in the marshrutka. Instead it will often continue into the center. The bus driver is just trying to get off the tourist, which will then be flagged down by overpricing taxi drivers at this station. (updated Mar 2019)

• 42.48728578.3873692 South Bus Station. Serves all destinations along the southern shore of Issyk Kul, including Bokonbayev, Balykchy, Kochkor, but also Bishkek. For the current schedules see the timetable in to picture to the right. (updated Mar 2019)

• 42.4914578.384033 Urban Bus Station. All around the Big Bazaar you will find buses serving close by destinations (see bus numbers below), including Jeti-Ögüz village (Жети-Өгүз (Курорт)) (on the southern end of the bazaar), and Ak-Suu village (Ак-Суу (Курорт)) for Altyn Arashan (southeast of the bazaar). (updated Mar 2019)

Specific destinations:

• Balykchy – Regular buses, 200 som.
• Cholpon-Ata – All transport between Bishkek and Karakol along the northern shore, goes by it. But there is also the one or other direct marshrutka or shared taxi. Head to the Main/Northern Bus Station.
• Bishkek – Regular bus, marshrutka and (shared) taxi services leave Bishkek in the morning for the 5–6 hr drive. The bus/marshrutka fare is about 350 som (June 2018). A seat in a shared taxi is 500–600 som (July 2016), but it is fast, 3-4 hr. It seems most routes go along the northern side of the lake. You can also transfer in Balykchy, from where routes go north or south along the lake. Many marshrutkas will make a stopover here.
• Kazakhstan – Regular buses and (shared) taxis leave for the Kazakh border to Kegen. The Kegen border crossing is open during summer (May–September/October). Kazakh customs seems to be open 07:30-17:00 (May 2024).

• 42.58833376.7133334 Tamchy Airport (IKU ^IATA, Issyk Kul Airport), Tamchy (approximately 2½–3 hr away). Tamchy has limited air service during the summer travel season from/to the nearby cities of Kyrgyzstan (Bishkek), Kazakhstan (Almaty), Uzbekistan (Tashkent), and even Russia (Novosibirsk). The aforementioned buses and shared taxis would be the way into Karakol. (updated Nov 2018)

In addition, Manas International Airport (FRU ^IATA) serving the capital Bishkek is further away but has many more flights including ones from Moscow, Dubai, Delhi and Istanbul with further connections from all over the world.

A taxi from nearby Bokonbayevo with sightseeing stops along the way can be arranged for 3,000 som. But this is far beyond any reasonable price you should pay in this country. You are better off hitchhiking (autostop) or using a marshrutka, for a more authentic way of travel.

42°29′0″N 78°24′0″E

Map of Karakol

Local marshrutkas on defined routes cost 10 som within the city. Many leave for or come from nearby villages.

Important lines:

• 101: Zhamansariev Str. - Toktogula - Lenin street - Kapacaeba - Masaliev Str. down to the entrance of the Karakol Gorge (10 som)
• 102: Zhamansariev Str. - Toktogula - Gebze - Salieva
• 350: Zhamansariev Str. - Toktogula and east to the city of Teploklyuchenka, where the bus passes the entrance to the Altyn Arashan valley (signposted, 20 som, as of summer 2024 is 35 som, first bus 7:15 from Karakol, last bus 17:00 from Exit of Altyn Arashan river)
• 355: Jeti Ögüz (30-35 som). Line 371/372 to Jeti Oguz village (40 som), then by Taxi to the Seven Bulls Rocks for 10 km, you can walk to the river farther south. It seems first bus 371 at 8 am and last bus from Jeti Oguz at 18:00. At 17:00 there is a line from the Seven Bulls Rocks but taxis and others said no mashrutka but there is south of the mosque cost (100 som)

Taxis costs between 70 and 80 som, but you shouldn't need one unless you have baggage.

• 42.497378.39081 Dungan Mosque, Abdrakhmanova/Bektenova, ☏ +996 3922 3927. 06:00-21:00. Issyk-kul Central Mosque of Karakol city named after Ibrahim Aji was built by initiative of Ibrahim Aji. He invited the famous Beijing architect Chou Seu and 20 carvers with the skills of traditional Chinese architecture and composition techniques for building the mosque. Construction of the mosque began in 1904 and completed in 1907. An ingenious system allowed builders to build the mosque with no metal reinforcement tools. The mosque holds 42 based pillars. Encircling the building is multi-tiered wooden cornice, decorated with images of plants like grapes, pomegranates, pears and peaches. Besides it the mosque is registered as a historical monument and protected by the law. It’s the only Chinese architecture in Kyrgyzstan. 20 som. (updated Apr 2016)

• 42.489278.39492 Holy Trinity Church (Orthodox Church), Gagarina/Lenina. 08:00-17:00. In July 1869, when Karakol was a garrison town on the edges of the Tsarist Russian Empire, the first church was built here. The Karakol church, however, was destroyed in an earthquake in 1889, which caused havoc in the town and took several lives. It took six years to complete, and was consecrated in 1895. It has seen considerable service, not just as a church. Over the years, particularly following the Revolution in 1917, it has been used as an educational centre housing a school, ladies’ gymnasium, an institution of higher education, a sports hall, a theater, a dance hall, and as a coal store. Then, in 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the independence of Kyrgyzstan, the local authority gave the building back to the church. The paintings and symbols inside the church are different from churches in Europe and interesting. Free. 
• 42.4894178.39163 Karakol Regional Museum (Karakol Historical Museum), Gagarin/Jamansariev, ☏ +996 552 669623. Daily 09:00-17:00. The museum is housed in a pretty chocolate-box cottage in central Karakol. It was the pre-revolutionary summer home of the Iliana merchant family. From 1918-1920 the building earned its socialist stripes as headquarters of the Regional Revolutionary Committee, and in 1948 was transformed into a museum by order of the Soviet Council of Ministers. The museum has several interesting displays (labeled in English, Russian and Kyrgyz). Scythian artifacts include bronze pots retrieved from Lake Issyk-Kul, displayed alongside exhibits of petroglyphs. Besides a comprehensive display of traditional Kyrgyz punched leatherwork, felt wall hangings and woven yurt decorations, the museum has a colorful collection of national costumes, and examples of finely worked silver jewelry. One hall covers the region's flora and fauna - much of which is endangered. The museum is also worth visiting to gain a Soviet perspective of history in the region. A couple of walls relating to Kyrgyz union with Russia and the subsequent revolution are now historical artifacts in themselves. There are many stuffed animals inside, and great pictures by Ella Millart, a famous Swiss traveler. 70 som. (updated Apr 2016)
• 42.5729278.320954 Przevalski Museum and Memorial (Przhewalski Museum), Pristan Prjevalski Village. Daily 09:00-17:00. Nikolay Mikhailovich Przhewalsky was one of the first Russian geographers who started studying in detail the geography, flora and fauna of the Central Asia. Beginning in 1870, he arranged 4 large expeditions to Mongolia, China and Tibet. During his expeditions he revealed the exact directions of the mountain ranges and borders of the Tibetan Mountains. Przhewalsky collected an enormous zoological collection, which comprised several thousand of species of plant, animals, birds, fishes and insects. In the year of 1888, he died from typhoid fever on the eve of his fifth expedition to Central Asia; he was buried on the Issyk-Kul lakeside, not far from the city of Karakol. The museum has more than 8 works of Przhewalsky published between 1883 and 1947, and 30 photocopies and photos. Today there are personal things, documents photos and articles of Przhewalsky kept there. Not far from the museum there is the traveler’s tomb and monument. In 1998 Hussein Karasaw, a famous Kyrgyz linguist, was buried there too. Przhewalsky is one of the first Europeans to discover Karakol and the mountains. To the rear of his resting place lies the remnants of a Soviet torpedo testing facility. 120 som. (updated Apr 2016)
• 42.482478.38885 Karakol Zoo (Bugu-Ene Zoo), Near stadium (Koenkozov/Parkovaya), ☏ +996 559 934239. Daily 09:00-17:00. Karakol Zoological Park was founded in 1987. This is the only zoo in Kyrgyzstan. After the collapse of the Soviet Union the economics of the country quickly fell into disrepair in 2001, there was a question about closing the zoo. However, sponsors were found to preserve the wildlife area and keep it in a relatively prosperous state. There are many local bears, wolf, deer, camels, Prjevalski's horses, peacock and many others animals. 70 som. (updated Apr 2016)

• 42.509378.37786 Karakol Animal Market, Udilov Str. at Lenin Str.. Su 01:00-10:00. Early on Sunday mornings one of Kyrgyzstan’s biggest animal markets takes place around 2 km north of central Karakol. Typical of such markets, you’ll observe scenes at once sad and comical, with locals improbably bundling voluptuous fat-tailed sheep into the back seats of Lada cars. The setting amid semi-derelict flourmills might seem unprepossessing, but on clear days the backdrop of white-topped mountains is more striking from here than from the town center. A series of earthen unloading platforms lead north. Jostle through the chaos to reach a bigger main compound one block north, where you’ll find horse sales and vendors of beautiful embossed leather saddles. On foot, the bazaar is about 25 minutes’ walk from the city center. free. (updated Apr 2016)

• 42.329978.2397 Jeti Ögüz. A beautiful rock formation besides an ageing sanatorium, 35 km west of Karakol and south of the Jeti Ögüz village. This and many other sights can be found on the way to or from Karakol around Issyk Kul—see the region article. (updated Sep 2019)

• Rent a bike. Local tour companies rent mountain bikes which are good for exploring the area. 500-600 som/day. (updated Nov 2018)
• 42.408278.46591 Karakol Ski Base (approximately 30 min from Karakol). At 3,040 m, this is the highest ski resort in Central Asia. It has 2 chalets and a hotel with a sauna. There are no chair lifts but several T-bars and rope lifts take you to some of the best runs. There is ski equipment for rent. Lift tickets are 1,200 som. 
• Altyn Arashan Hot Springs. Hot springs within hiking distance from Karakol and conveniently located along the Ala-Kul hiking trail. Hostels, yurts, food (250-300 SOM for lunch/dinner) available. (updated Mar 2019)

• 42.372678.61182 commercial. 200 som. (updated Nov 2018)
• 42.3789978.597633 free (down towards the river about 1 km from the village towards Karakol). (updated Nov 2018)

• Air rifle shooting. In a shipping container in the main bazaar you can shoot air rifles for 3 som a pellet. Great if you are with kids. You can also challenge a local kid if you're a dead eye! (updated Nov 2018)
• Issyk-Kul lake sunset cruise. Can be booked at the Destination Karakol office (near the church, signposted). (updated Aug 2018)

42°21′18″N 78°22′32″E

Hiking overview

• Karakol Gorge – Ala-Kul – Altyn Arashan – Ak-Suu village (green). This is the most popular trail near Karakol, with the beautiful Karakol Canyon, the impressive Ala-Kul lake and glacier, and refreshing hot springs near Altyn Arashan. There are yurts along the way, but it is best to reserve them before. There are also 3-4 official camp sites, which can be used for free. Doable in 2-4 days. Be aware that the Ala-Kul pass is very steep with many loose rocks and can be dangerous. Also, the weather changes fast. The best direction is Karakol Gorge to Ak-Suu village, because this way allows you to "slide down" the Ala-Kul pass on its steep northern side. Information/maps/tours is available at local tour offices.
  Highest point: 3,860 m, lowest point: 1,750 m, total elevation gain: 2,200 m, total elevation loss: 2,200 m. Level of difficulty: medium. Total hiking time: ~17 hr. Approximate trekking distance: ~50 km.
  Download coordinates: GPX, KML.  

• Karakol Gorge Circuit (red). This trail follows down the Karakol Gorge and then heads west to circle 42.276778.42121 Gastello Peak at 4,000 m, to return to the gorge.
  Highest point: ~4,000 m, lowest point: 1,750 m, total elevation gain: 2,793 m. Level of difficulty: medium. Total hours hiking: ~20 hr. Avg number of trekking days: 2-4. Trekking distance: ~56 km.
  Download the coordinates of the circuit part: GPX, KML. Otherwise, just follow Karakol Gorge south from the last bus stop, as with the previous trail.  

• Jeti-Ögüz – Karakol Gorge – Ala-Kul – Altyn Arashan – Ak-Suu village (blue). Highest point: 3,820 m. Lowest point: 2,286 m. Total elevation gain: 1,534 m. Total elevation loss: 2,160 m. Level of difficulty: medium/difficult. Total hours hiking: ~22 hr. Avg number of trekking days: 3-5. Trekking distance: ~62 km. Be aware that the Ala-Kul pass is very steep with many loose rocks and can be dangerous.
  Download the coordinates of the Jeti-Ögüz–Ala-Kul part: GPX, KML. Otherwise, from Ala-Kul follow the same path down to Altyn Arashan and Ak-Suu village as with the first trail (green).  

• Chon-Kyzyl-Suu – Karakol Gorge – Ala-Kul – Altyn Arashan – Ak-Suu village (orange). Highest point: 3,820 m. Lowest point: 2,176 m. Total elevation gain: 1,644 m. Total elevation loss: 1,830 m. Level of difficulty: difficult. Total hours hiking: ~26 hr. Average amount of trekking days: 4-7. Approximate trekking distance: ~80 km.
  Download the coordinates of the Chon-Kyzyl-Suu–Jeti-Ögüz part: GPX, KML. And, instead of heading into Jeti-Ögüz, just continue the path to Karakol Gorge, Ala-Kul, Altyn Arashan and Ak-Suu village as with the previous trails.
  Note, an alternative to the first part of this trail, is taking the (more official) Archa Tor Pass Trail (gray): GPX, KML.  

For more treks around Issyk Kul and in the Tian Shan mountains, see the region article. Also, Jyrgalan offers great hiking opportunities.

In the town centre, there is a supermarket and corner stores open later, souvenir shop, limited outdoors supplies. The main bazaar has everything but don't expect quality goods. On the main street next to Caravan you will find the One Village, One Product store run by JICA. They have a variety of locally made products and handicrafts. Interesting soaps, jams, and felt products.

There is an antique shop down the main street (south) towards the bazaar.

Local honey can be purchased at the bazaar.

Sea Buckthorn products can be purchased seasonally.

Karakol is known throughout Kyrgyzstan for its Dungan specialty Ashliam-fu. This is a dish of cold noodles in a spicy vinegar sauce for a very cheap price (30-40 som). Restaurant serving it can be found in the center and near the bazaar.

Also, Karakol is probably the only place in country where you can have goulash.

• 42.48252478.4011261 Ashlyan Fu Restaurant, Yлица Карасаева / Karasaeva street 180. They do not have Ashliam-fu in the menu, but serve it, besides other delicious things. Ask for it, it is just 35 som. (updated Nov 2018)
• 42.4985578.383742 Ethno Cafe Dastokon, Przewalski 107 st, ☏ +996 555400270, +996 554640351, +996 707400270, +996 705640351, [email protected]. 11:00-00:00. Dastorkon's highlight is a traditional cuisine of eastern people, which are prepared according to the national recipes with fresh vegetables, herbs and juicy meat. (updated Apr 2017)

• 42.4893178.400113 Kalinka, Jusup Abdrakhmanov 99, ☏ +996 3922 27777. is a Russian restaurant that offers affordable, decent eats with horrible service. (updated Sep 2019)

• 42.486878.407834 Kench, Karaseva. On the outskirts of town, offers probably the best dinner option for the biggest price. It should still be very cheap by western standards. (updated Sep 2019)

• 42.4921778.400475 Lovely Pizza, Moskovskaya 125, ☏ +996 553 597 555. A vegetarian or cheap western-style food place. In the corner of Prvomajsa (1 May) and Moskovska (near the university, behind the park). They serve delicious pizza and cold beer in their outside terrace or in the cosy interior. (updated Sep 2019)

• 42.4899378.391386 Karakol Coffee, 112a Toktogula. 08:00-22:00. Coffee, desserts, snacks, beer, pizza, Wi-Fi. 

• 42.4894578.398287 Cafe Kochevnik, Dzantosheva St. Asian fusion cuisine. (updated Sep 2019)

• 42.4901178.391618 Cafe Zarina, 112 Toktogula St. (updated Sep 2019)

There are several karaoke bars of little interest, and several hostels have their own bars (Sun Hostel, Duet Hostel). The supermarket has a good liquor supply and vodka can be as cheap as 160 som a liter in smaller shops.

• 42.50154978.3704571 Elvira's Homestay, Kuzbasskaia 123 (take marshrutka 113), ☏ +996 708545530 (WhatsApp). Elvira is an active Couchsurfing host who is turning her home into a guesthouse. She's a superb host—be assured. This place is not a tightly-run hostel, but you will be thrown into the chaos of a true Kyrgyz family, complete with energetic children, impeccable hospitality, three square home-cooked meals, and all the tea you could want. Elvira is always full of ideas for her home and great to talk to. As of May 2019, there is no hot shower, but a bucket is more than enough. Beds are traditional style and very comfortable. 350 som/person. (updated May 2019)

• 42.48595878.4081382 Hostel Nice, 76 Gebze st. (next to "Pobeda" Park), ☏ +996 709380615, [email protected]. Check-in: 13:00-22:00, check-out: 11:00. Clean and cheap, Prices include free use of Wi-Fi, big kitchen, Netflix movies, luggage storage, hot showers, summer terrace and any fruit you can find in the garden. Washing machine 100 som. Camping available. 200 som place for tent, 350 som dorm, 420 som yurt (shared bathroom); breakfast not included. (updated Jun 2017)

• 42.495578.3993 Yurt Camp, Toktogula 273 (go south-east from the bus station, at traffic lights turn right and then 300 meters). Accommodation in real yurts, although they have non-authentic plastic covers. There are shared toilets and showers. The staff can sell you a detailed map of neighboring mountains. 250 som per person, don't be afraid to bargain if they will you charge more. (updated Aug 2010)

• 42.483578.40344 Duet Hostel, 150 Telman Street (Russian: Ул. Тельмана 150), ☏ +996 707703828, [email protected]. New hostel with comfortable beds (each with dual power socket and light), lockers, hot showers, good wifi, free coffee & tea, cooking facilities, extremely friendly and helpful owner with loads of information on what to do in and around Karakol. 500 som. (updated Mar 2019)

• 42.48520578.4020515 Ask Guesthouse. Clean and friendly guesthouse with Wi-Fi. Double/triple 700 som. (updated Mar 2019)
• 42.4799278.405926 Guest house Hutorok (1790), Alybakova 63 (near Park Pobeda), ☏ +996 312564733. Comfortable homestay in old-style Karakol house. 2 bathrooms, 10 beds, nice garden, good food, quiet, about 1½ km uphill walk from town near Park Pobeda. No English spoken. The houses are from 1938 and 1960. On the way to the ski resort of Karakol. Booking through Nomad's Land Ecotourism agency. 650 som per person. 

• 42.4729278.411137 SunHouse Hostel Karakol, 3, Novostroika str (1.5 km from Pobedy Park), ☏ +996 772254004, [email protected]. Offers a shared lounge, a shared kitchen and a tour desk. Free Wi-Fi access is available. The property features bright dormitory rooms. 700-1050 som. 

• 42.4887578.393098 Yak Tours Guesthouse, Gagarin St 10. A nice guesthouse in an old wooden house. The place only has one bathroom/toilet so there might be some queueing in the morning. Single 600 som. (updated Sep 2019)

• 42.4849878.402449 Marzey Guesthouse, 86 Korolkova Street, ☏ +996 772 545620. Lovely garden in the center of the town, in a quiet part of town. All rooms are with attached bathroom. 700 som. 

• 42.604679.006710 Ala-Kol Guesthouse (in Zhyrgylan, about 40 km east), ☏ +996 555 900859, [email protected]. The guest house is in a quiet area, and is close to the skiing resort Karakol. It is owned by a couple who runs the guesthouse. It offers single, double, and triple occupancy neat rooms with a fantastic view of snow covered mountain peaks opening up from the windows. Some rooms have rollaway couches. There is karaoke, sauna, video games, satellite TV, free Wi-Fi, transport to sights upon request. The owner's wife is an excellent cook who prepares traditional meals and serves very tasty breakfasts. The owner of the house and the staff are very hospitable and helpful. As they ski, hike and paraplane themselves, they can be very helpful in advising the tours worse visiting and the sights worse seeing. 550-1050 som per person, breakfast included.. 

• 42.493878.402811 Tagaytay Hotel, Tynystanova Street, 29а, ☏ +996 3922 52161. More upscale, modern hotel on the quiet and tree-lined Tinistanova (Pervui Maya) street. sgl from 2200 som, dbl from 3500 som. 
• 42.487978.4041112 Amir Hotel, Ayni St, ☏ +996 3922 51315. Clean and modern with friendly English-speaking staff. Has a restaurant. dbl 3800 som, sgl 2600 som. (updated Sep 2019)
• 42.473978.413213 Green Yard, 14 Novostroika Street, [email protected]. A very nice guesthouse near the mountains. Very nice accommodations, Wi-Fi, great breakfasts, and tea always available in the common dining room. A room costs 1,200-1,400 som per night.. (updated Sep 2019)
• 42.48663878.40347614 Guest House Nice, 81a Abdrahmanova st. (next to "Pobeda" Park), ☏ +996 709380615, [email protected]. Check-in: 13:00-22:00, check-out: 11:00. There are 6 rooms. The place is run by a friendly English speaking family. Easy access to public mini-buses. 840 som single, 1250 som twin, 1400 som double, 1800 som triple (shared bathroom); 1530 som double (private bathroom); 350 som breakfast. (updated Jun 2017)
• 42.487478.400415 Ordo Hotel Hostel, 128 Lomonosov St (128 улица Алыбакова), ☏ +996 995 128 000. Clean, quiet, very comfortable hostel/guest house with a different homemade breakfast each morning by the owner, Mars, and his family. Mars speaks English well, is kind, hospitable, and helpful. The location is central and convenient. Room 2,200–4,000 som. (updated Jun 2023)

Unfortunately unemployment and the resulting alcoholism have left a toll, as many young people have left, and the soaring crime rate has made it rather dangerous at night.

• 42.49846778.3995171 OVIR Kushtobaev/Kutmanalieva (50 m NW of militsia/police). 09:00-17:00. 1 month visa extension at the same day. Bring your passport, two passport-pictures, one copy of the relevant pages in your passport and fill out two forms. Go to the 42.49493378.398251 RSK Bank (Toktogul 271, near Turkestan yurt camp), go to the counter on the right, write on a piece of paper your name and the sum you have to pay (1,000 som as of Aug 2001), then you’ll get a form and can pay the money on counter "1“. There is an 15 som fee for the transaction. Back at the OVIR you’ll get your passport back, but you’ll be asked for another 153 som fee for the sticker. (no receipt, of course) (updated Mar 2019)

• Jyrgalan – A remote and empoverished eastern village quickly becoming popular as a winter and hiking destination. Take bus 331 to "шахта" from the main bazaar at 08:30, 13:30, 17:30. 80 som.
• Ak Suu – The gateway to Altyn Arashan valley, hot springs and Ala Kul glacier lake. Take one of the many east-bound marshutkas, e.g. #350 (20 som).
• Bishkek – Proper buses (not marshrutkas) to Bishkek leave at 20:00 and 21:00 from the backside of the bus station and cost 330 som (arriving in Bishkek the next morning at 05:30-6:00). Choose whether you want to go by southern (station is south east of the centre) or northern shore (from bazaar) of the lake. North is more frequented.

• Issyk Kul and the Tian Shan – Has many interesting and must-see destinations that can easily be reached by public transport or autostop from Karakol.