15 Best Things to Do in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan

Before arriving in Kyrgyzstan, Karakol was a place I knew I’d end up spending a fair bit of time. As the main base for exploring the Tian Shan mountains, it’s the town where backpackers and hikers tend to come and go from as they explore the landscapes around the eastern part of Issyk Kul lake. This means that there are plenty of things to do in Karakol, from relaxing in cafes to treks and day trips in the surrounding region.

We spent over two weeks in and around Karakol, as we tried to do and see as much as we could, along with having some well-deserved rest days in town. From four days on the Ala Kul trek to relaxing for a few days in Jyrgalan village, we got to see a wide variety of places.

If you’re planning a trip to Kyrgyzstan, I’m sure Karakol is on your itinerary. So, in this post, I’m going to detail all the best things to do in Karakol, from places to eat, where to stay, and the best hikes and day trips to do around the region.

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How to Get to Karakol

Bishkek to Karakol: 405 km or 7 hours drive

The cheapest way to get to Karakol from Bishkek is taking a marshrutka or public minibus. They leave from the new bus station in Bishkek called Bishkek Avtovokzal (about 12km away from the city centre).

Marshrutka #501 go to Karakol from 7am onwards and they leave consistently whenever full. It costs 600 som with luggage, and the journey takes about 8 hours. 

However, the best way to get to Karakol is to take the train from Bishkek to Balykchy, a town on the western shore of Issyk Kul, and then take a marshrutka from Balykchy to Karakol. This can be done in one day (although it takes an extra hour or two than a direct marshrutka). 

The train only runs in the peak summer months, but it’s a very scenic ride with VIP carriages that are very comfortable, costing 800 som per person. The train trip from Bishkek to Balykchy takes 4 hours, and then you’ll have to walk to the bus station in Balykchy for marshrutka #300, which takes about 4.5 hours and costs 350 som.

Read more: How to Get From Bishkek to Karakol

When to Visit Karakol

You can visit Karakol all year round. However, like most of Kyrgyzstan, it’s best to visit Karakol in the summer months between May and September. This provides the warmest weather, and most ideal conditions for hiking in the surrounding mountains.

While winter is becoming a popular time in Karakol for skiing and other winter sports, most people visit the town for its access to alpine lakes, hiking trails, hot springs, and secluded villages; all of which are only accessible in the warm months without snow.

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How Long to Stay in Karakol

Honestly, this completely depends on what you plan to do around Karakol. We ended up staying over two weeks in and around the area, so it’s very easy to fill in your time, especially if you plan any hiking trips.

You only need a day to see the main sights within Karakol town centre. However, then you’ll likely want to plan a couple of day trips, plus some hikes. The popular Ala Kul trek is 3 or 4 days, otherwise there are longer treks as well for up to 9 days.

There are day trips or overnight stays in villages like Jyrgalan and Jeti Oguz, plus further afield to a waterfall and canyon on the southern shore of Issyk Kul. There are plenty of options, depending on what you’re interested in seeing and how much time you have.

Where to Stay in Karakol

Being a popular base in eastern Kyrgyzstan, Karakol has a range of accommodation to suit all sorts of travellers. It has some great hostels, guesthouses, and hotels for a reasonable price, with not much in the luxury hotel market (yet).

I stayed at Interhouse Hostel, which felt like a home away from home. It has a relaxing atmosphere, beautiful fruit garden to hang out in, lovely host, and spacious kitchen. I highly recommend this hostel, if you’re looking for something chill and friendly.

For backpackers looking for a livelier atmosphere, Duet Hostel is a very popular spot for young travellers and a bit closer to the centre of town. Here are my recommendations:

• Hostel: Interhouse Hostel
• Hostel: Duet Hostel
• Midrange guesthouse: Matsunoki
• Midrange B&B: Hillside Karakol B&B
• Hotel: Ordo Hotel

Where to Eat in Karakol

There are a handful of great restaurants and cafes to try local and international food. While ashlan-fu soup is the local dish you must try at least once in Karakol, you’ll find regular Kyrgyz meals on most menus, like laghman, plov and gan fan. Here are the places I recommend you eat in Karakol:

Ашлянфу: The name literally translates to ashlan-fu but this local place serves much more than that (pictured above). One of the busiest yet unassuming local spots in town, you may have to queue for a table. We went so many times to this place, we lost count. Plov is served until it runs out and is incredibly good. Otherwise go for laghman or the eggplant salad.

Duet Hostel: A traveller staple, this place is a go-to for burgers (even a veggie burger) and coffee, and meeting other travellers. They also offer some local meals too. It has a very cosy vibe, you can easily curl up with a book or chat with friends for hours. They also offer live music nights on weekends.

U Saidy: A local spot near the centre of town known for its ashlan-fu soup. This is for those on a budget and looking for a real local spot.

Karakol Lighthouse: Another western-oriented café with good coffee and a wide variety of meals, plus a cosy space to relax. It’s a very popular spot for tourists, plus it caters for vegans and vegetarians which is rare in Kyrgyzstan!

Where to Rent Gear in Karakol

If you’re hoping to do some trekking around Karakol but didn’t bring your own camping gear, don’t worry you can easily rent in town. The main places offering hiking and camping gear for hire are EcoTrek and, the newer, 4Rent. You’ll be able to get everything you need, including tents, sleeping mats, sleeping bags, hiking poles, gas cookers, and even backpacks.

EcoTrek has been the go-to for the last few years, with all the camping gear you’ll need for trekking. However, most of their gear is quite bulky and heavy, so be prepared to be carrying a heavy pack.

We hired from 4Rent, and they had lighter and newer gear, although it’s slightly more expensive per day. It’s still not “ultralight”; you’ll have to bring your own if you want the lightest gear, but it’s not too bad. They also rent out SUP boards, mountain bikes, and cars, so it’s an all-adventure rental shop.

Both places also sell gas canisters for cookers as well. 

Best Things to Do in Karakol

If you’re after the best things to do in Karakol, here’s a comprehensive look at everything you should add to your list. Whether you’re resting in between treks or looking for day trips, this list covers everything you need to know.

Visit the Destination Karakol Office

If you’re looking for tourist information on Karakol and the surrounding region, the Destination Karakol Office is a great resource. The friendly staff speak English, have maps for sale, and can supply plenty of free information on treks, day trips and more.

They can also offer recommendations and make bookings for you. You can book treks, yurt camps, and hire guides through the office or via Whatsapp if you want to book ahead.

Karakol Bazaar

A great place to pick up snacks for hiking trips like dried fruit and nuts, or just to observe local life, the bazaar is just north of the centre of town. You’ll find a bit of everything here, semi-organised into sections. 

There’s also a marshrutka station in the bazaar called Aktilek Bus Station, where local minibuses leave for Jeti Oguz, Ak Suu, Jyrgalan and more.

Dungan Mosque

This is a unique wooden mosque built by Dungans, Chinese Muslims, who were fleeing conflict in China. It was completed in 1910 and was built in a traditional style without any nails. 

It’s still used today for praying, but is also open to tourists outside of prayer times to take a look inside. Women need to be covered, but there’s free scarves to borrow at the entrance. It’s free to enter.

Holy Trinity Church

One of the most distinct and beautiful landmarks in Karakol, you can’t miss this Orthodox Church in the centre. The church was originally established in the 1860s to serve the Cossacks who were sent to Karakol in the Russian Empire.

While the church was destroyed in an earthquake, it was rebuilt in 1895. It was the tallest building in Karakol for some time, and still stands out from the surrounding homes. During the Soviet times, it fell again into disrepair, but it has since been restored to its former glory.

It’s one of the most unique Orthodox churches I’ve ever seen and is a really interesting place to visit for its striking architecture made from wood and gold details.

Animal Market

Located a few kilometres from the centre, the Sunday Animal Market in Karakol is one of the best in Central Asia. It’s an early morning affair, so set your alarm and get up to witness the locals buying and selling livestock.

People travel from far away to participate in this market, so you’ll see people from all over Kyrgyzstan. Everything from sheep and goats to horses and cattle are for sale. It’s a very fascinating insight into local life and Kyrgyz culture.

Try Ashlan-Fu Soup

This cold noodle soup originates from the Dungan community, a Chinese Muslim minority group who reside in eastern Kyrgyzstan. It’s a popular dish in Karakol and the must try in the region. It’s incredibly cheap and served all day.

It consists of two types of noodles together, rice noodles and regular wheat noodles, in a spicy vinegar based broth with meat and vegetables. The best place to try it is U Saidy near the centre of town or Ашлянфу, which is a local restaurant literally named after the soup.

Hang Out in Duet Hostel

The traveller hangout spot in Karakol, Duet Hostel has a cosy café offering free Wi-Fi and a lounge where you can kick back and relax. It’s a good place to meet people if you’re a solo traveller, and they offer free tourist information too. 

They have a handy map of the Ala Kul trek that you can use to plan your trip, and the staff can provide information on transport. Duet also have a whiteboard for travellers and hikers to find a buddy for treks. I know people who found other people to join with this system, so it’s perfect if you’re a solo traveller and prefer not to hike solo.

Trekking Around Karakol

If you came to Karakol for trekking, you won’t be disappointed. Whether you want to be gone for 3 days or up to 10 days, Karakol is home to some of the most accessible, beautiful, and popular trails in Kyrgyzstan.

While most people choose the Ala Kul trek, you can get more off the beaten trail too. Here are the main treks to do near Karakol:

Ala Kul Trek

Hands down the highlight of the Karakol region, the trek to Ala Kul Lake is one of the best things to do in Kyrgyzstan. Ala Kul is a high-altitude alpine lake sitting at 3,500m and has a remarkable bright turquoise colour sitting within a bowl of high mountains. 

You can only visit the lake on foot, most commonly done by doing the 3 or 4 day Ala Kul trek. This is also part of the much longer Ak Suu Traverse (more on this below), for experienced hikers who want to spend 9 days in the wilderness.

The popular 3 or 4 day trek option is 55km one way, beginning just outside of Karakol and ending in Ak Suu Village, passing through the Karakol Valley, Ala Kul lake, and Altyn Arashan Valley. You can complete the trek either by carrying your own camping gear or staying in yurt camps along the way.

However, it’s not an easy trek, with plenty of elevation gain and steep, rocky trails, so it’s recommended to have previous hiking experience or at least go with friends or other backpackers. 

We completed this trek over four days, carrying hired camping gear. You can read our experience in my complete guide, which shares everything you need to know.

Ak Suu Traverse

If you want a longer version of the Ala Kul trek, the Ak Suu Traverse is the best trek to do in Karakol. It includes the Ala Kul trek, but begins in Jyrgalan and ends in Jeti Oguz, taking in several lakes along the way, including Ala Kul and the Boz Uchuk Lakes. 

It takes around 9 days to complete the 110km traverse, and it’s best reserved for experienced hikers and backpackers, as it’s a tough trail with plenty of vertical gain, high mountain passes, river crossings, hostile weather conditions, and wild camping. 

There are yurt camps along the way too, if you want to carry less. However, this will make your itinerary less flexible, as it will dictate where you’ll stay each night. You should expect to pay around US$40-60 per night for yurt camps in this region too, so it adds up quick.

This trek is considered one of the best and most scenic in the world, so it should definitely be on your hiking bucket list if you’re a keen, experienced hiker. Be sure to check other detailed reports online and ask at the Destination Karakol Office about the latest conditions before setting out.

Boz Uchuk Lakes Trek

This 3 day trek near Jyrgalan is also a section of the Ak Suu Traverse. However, it’s a far less popular route than the Ala Kul trek so you’ll see less people. It’s about 46km long, but has several high mountain passes to cross along with rivers that may have to be done by horseback (locals will help with this for a price).

The trek leaves from Jyrgalan, about two hours from Karakol, and ends at Boz Uchuk Village. There’s also the option to extend the trail along the Ak Suu Traverse to Altyn Arashan or Ala Kul if you have the time.

It’s one of the best treks to do around Jyrgalan, but there’s plenty of other options from the village too, including the Keskenkija Loop and Bulak Ashuu Lakes. Destination Jyrgalan Office has plenty of information to help plan your trek. You can contact them on WhatsApp or visit them directly in Jyrgalan Village.

Day Trips from Karakol

If you want to get out of town but don’t want to go on any major hikes, there’s still plenty of great day trips or overnight trips to do from Karakol. From secluded villages to waterfalls and otherworldly canyons, there are incredible things to do in the eastern side of Issyk Kul.

Here are the best day trips from Karakol:

Ak Suu Hot Springs

The village at the end of the Ala Kul trek is home to an underrated hot spring resort that is less visited than the busier ones at Altyn Arashan. It’s also closer to Karakol, making it more conveniently visited in half a day from town.

The resort contains change rooms, showers, a restaurant, and a few connected open air pools with varying temperatures. There’s no time limit, but it’s recommended to stay no longer than an hour in the pools.  

You can get there easily by taking the #350 marshrutka from Karakol for 30 minutes to Ak Suu Village.

Resort entrance fee: 300 som per person

Jeti Oguz

Jeti Oguz is a tiny village at the base of the famous red rock formations known as the Seven Bulls and the Broken Heart. It’s only about a 40 minute drive from Karakol. Most people come to Jeti Oguz for a day trip to snap some pictures of the interesting red rocks and go on a gentle hike in the surrounding valleys. 

Apart from the landscapes, the village is also known for the Jeti Oguz Sanatorium, a remnant from the Soviet past. During 2025, the sanatorium was closed and under construction, it’s unclear whether it will reopen.

You can reach Jeti Oguz with marshrutka #372 from Aktilek Station in Karakol. They leave every 30 minutes and cost 100 som per seat. Be sure to ask the driver to drop you in the further village, known as Jeti Oguz Resort or Kurort. Otherwise, taking a taxi for the round trip would be easier, but more expensive.

From where the marshrutka drops you, it’s an easy 10-minute walk up to the main viewpoint to see the view of the Seven Bulls. 

If you want to go on a day hike, then the most popular one is to continue directly through the valley for 6km to the Valley of Flowers, and then another hour further to reach the Devechi Kosi Waterfall. This is a decent hike, so if you want to get back to Karakol in a day, start early. Otherwise, there are yurt camps during summer in the valley where you can stay a night or pitch your tent.

Getting back to Karakol can be more difficult. We hitchhiked back to Jeti Oguz village, where we found a marshrutka back to Karakol. They leave frequently until 5pm.

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Altyn Arashan

This little village in the pictuesque Altyn Arashan Valley has become incredibly famous for its hot springs. Guesthouses have popped up everywhere now to accommodate the demand for tourists wanting to visit this pretty spot to soak in hot water. Most of the guesthouses have their own indoor hot springs, which are small and operate on designated time slots.

During summer, it can be very busy, and you’ll need to book to actually get into the hot springs. However, if you’re happy to walk a bit, you’ll find some free hot springs hidden in a cave by the river about 1.5km before Altyn Arashan village. You can find them on Maps.Me. Go early though, as there are only two small baths and you won’t fit many people inside. We camped at the start of the trail to these hot springs and visited at 8am so we could have it all to ourselves for an hour until people started to arrive.

It used to be common to hike from Ak Suu Village to Altyn Arashan, where you can stay a night in a guesthouse and return the next day. Now, it’s more popular to book a day trip with a tour in old Russian 4×4 vans from Karakol. The road is in bad condition and a 4×4 is necessary to reach the valley.

Otherwise, if you’re planning on doing the Ala Kul trek or Ak Suu Traverse, then you’ll come to Altyn Arashan as part of the trek. You can either stay in a guesthouse or camp. Although be prepared for it to be busy in peak season.

National park fee for this valley: 300 som

Jyrgalan

This beautiful little mountain village less than two hours east of Karakol is definitely worth visiting if you have the time. As a former mining town, it has revived itself by introducing tourism to the area with several family-run guesthouses and plenty of hiking trails. 

Whether you want to relax in a cute little guesthouse for a few days in a quiet place or head off on day hikes or longer multi-day treks, Jyrgalan is a great spot to visit near Karakol. We stayed a few days in a friendly guesthouse, where we were fed delicious home cooked meals and spent our days hiking around the village.

Jyrgalan is also the start of the Ak Suu Traverse and shorter multi-day treks to Boz Uchuk Lakes, so you’ll see a few trekkers passing through the village. But I recommend staying at least a night or two there to see local life.

Guesthouse recommendation: Salamat Guesthouse (book directly through WhatsApp found on Google Maps)

Read more: Essential Guide to Visiting Jyrgalan Village

Barskoon Waterfall

As one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Kyrgyzstan, this has become a popular day trip for photographers. However, it’s not so easy to reach by public transport, and it requires hiring a taxi or attempting to hitchhike. While we didn’t make it to the waterfall, it’s definitely on my list for my next trip to Kyrgyzstan.

From Karakol, you can easily get a marshrutka to Barskoon village, 80km west of Karakol. They will be going further to Balykchy along the southern shore of Issyk Kul, but you can ask to be dropped in Barskoon. From this small village, you’ll most likely have to hire a taxi for the round trip to the waterfall. I’ve heard it costs around 1700 som for the car to the start of the hiking trail, which is about 17km south from the village.

The hike up to the viewpoint is nearly 2km one way and takes over an hour. Ensure you have good shoes as it’s a skinny trail over rocks towards the end. You can decide how far you go, as there are several viewpoints along the way.

Skazka Canyon

The otherworldly Skazka Canyon or Fairytale Canyon has emerged as one of the must visit places in Kyrgyzstan. Similarly to Barskoon Waterfall, it can be found west of Karakol on the shore of Issyk Kul lake. This means it’s possible to reach it in a day trip and return to Karakol if you want. The other option would be to stay in the nearby village of Tosor for a night (which is what we did).

From Karakol, take any marshrutka going along the southern shore of Issyk Kul towards Balykchy. They leave frequently. Ask to be dropped at the Fairytale Canyon or Skazka entrance, which should be about two hours from Karakol. From there, you can easily walk through the entrance to the canyon. To return to Karakol, head back to the main road and flag down any marshrutka heading for Karakol (or hitchhike).

There are several trails and viewpoints in the canyon where you can admire the view of the rock formations and interesting multi colours of the layers. It does get very busy so be prepared to be around a lot of tourists. 

The canyon is actually at its most beautiful at sunrise or sunset, but to do this you’ll have to stay nearby. Tosor is the nearest village and only 7km from the canyon entrance. There are a few basic guesthouses there, or you can find yurt camps on the shore of Issyk Kul lake.

Entrance fee to the canyon: 50 som

Exploring More of Kyrgyzstan?

• Issyk Kul: How to Get From Bishkek to Karakol
• Bishkek: 10 Best Things to Do in Bishkek
• Train Travel: How to Take the Bishkek to Balykchy Train
• Jyrgalan: Essential Guide to Visiting Jyrgalan Village
• Ala Kul Trek: Complete Guide to the Ala Kul Trek
• Song Kul: Complete Guide to Horse Trekking to Song Kul
• Kol Ukok: Essential Guide to Kol Ukok Lake Near Kochkor
• SIM Card: Which SIM Card Should You Buy For Kyrgyzstan?

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