Karakol (Каракол) is a city in Kyrgyzstan on the east of Lake Issyk Kul.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
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.
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 07:15 from Karakol, last bus 17:00 from Exit of Altyn Arashan river) 355: Jeti Ögüz (30-35 som).
1 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.
Rent a bike. Local tour companies rent mountain bikes which are good for exploring the area. 500-600 som/day. (updated Nov 2018) 1 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) 2 commercial. 200 som.
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. 1 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) 2 Ethno Cafe Dastokon, Przewalski 107 st, ☏ +996 555400270, +996 554640351, +996 707400270, +996 705640351, dastorkon.cafe@gmail.com. 11:00-00:00.
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.
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.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Karakol typically sees ~24°C daytime highs and 12 rainy days.
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