Karakol is the ideal starting point for hiking in Kyrgyzstan. It has everything you need before heading into the Tian Shan mountains. In August ’24, I based myself in Karakol, heading back to the town between multi-day hikes to rest, refuel and explore. This Karakol travel guide covers everything you need to know—from planning your hikes and where to stay, to what to eat and the best things to do in Karakol when you’re not on the trail.
Where to Stay in Karakol: Hostels
I stayed at KBH Hostel, which was perfect for storing our bags and relaxing between multi-day treks. If they don’t have any availability on Booking, you can try reserving a bed directly over WhatsApp (+996 550 998 801).
In 2024, I paid 700 som ($8) for a dorm bed. They also have one or two private rooms if you prefer not to stay in a dorm, and offer the option to pitch your tent outside for a small additional fee, allowing you to use their facilities. There were several travellers doing this while I stayed there!
Other hostels I’ve been recommended are Snow Leopard Hostel and Duet Hostel.
Essentially, all the hostels in Karakol are catered to hikers and travellers interested in the outdoors, so they’ll let you store bags in between multi-day hikes.
Getting to and From Karakol
To get from Bishkek to Karakol, you can catch one of the many marshrutkas (minibuses) leaving from the Western Bus Station. Most travel along the northern side of Lake Issyk Kul (the second largest mountain lake in the world after Lake Titicaca in South America!) and stop halfway for a break because you’ll definitely need it, ha! To travel from Bishkek to Karakol by marshrutka, it will cost you 580 som (around $5).
After Karakol, most travellers tend to go to Song Kul for a multi-day horse trek. To reach Song Kul from Karakol, there are plenty of minibuses running along the south shore of the lake heading to “Bishkek”. It will cost you 580 som (around $5). But you don’t need to go all the way back to the city, let the driver know you want to go to Song-Kul, and they’ll drop you off at a town called “Balykchy”. From here, there a lots of shared taxis heading to Kochkor, the starting point for many horse treks to Song-Kul.
BEST Hikes Around Karakol
Karakol is surrounded by the Tian Shan mountains. From alpine lakes to remote valleys, the area offers a range of hikes for all levels—whether you’re looking for a challenging multi-day trek or just a day hike. Here are my recommendations for the best hikes around Karakol.
Ala-Kul Lake Trek (3 days)
Ala-Kul is definitely the most famous hike in Karakol—and for good reason. Ala-Kul Lake sits at 3,560m, a turquoise gem surrounded by jagged ridges. The classic route takes you through Karakol Gorge, over Ala-Kul Pass, and down into Altyn Arashan, where you can soak in hot springs before returning to Karakol.
Distance: 35–40 km (depending on route) with 2,149m elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate–Hard (steep ascents, high altitude, river crossings)
Route: Find it here.
I’ve seen so many companies advertise this hike for extortionate prices online. You can absolutely do it independently: wild camping or staying in yurt camps.
Camping Independently on Ala-Kul Lake TREK
We carried our own camping gear and opted to wild camp throughout the Ala-Kul trek.
On Day 1, we chose to camp a few km before the lake so it would be warmer at night. But it’s possible to camp at the lake, and if I were to do the hike again, I’d choose to pitch my tent at 3,560m on the shores of Ala-Kul. I imagine the sunrise to be unreal!
On Day 2, we camped around 2km before Altyn Arashan. It was absolutely stunning.
Staying in Yurt Camps on Ala-Kul LAKE Hike
If you don’t have your own camping gear to wild camp, you can opt to stay in one of the many yurt camps in the valley before and after the lake and Ala-Kul pass. Along Karakol Gorge and near Altyn Arashan, you’ll often find nomadic families running yurt camps in the summer season (June–September). Although they are basic, they are super cosy and include meals and hot tea—what more could you want?!
After being stuck in a midday thunderstorm on the pass, we found this yurt serving piping hot tea and biscuits; it was heaven.
Unlike big trekking routes elsewhere, you won’t find online booking platforms for yurts on the Ala-Kul Lake trek. Yurt stays on the trail are most always arranged in person, just turn up. If you’re nervous about just turning up, your hostel in Karakol can help arrange. This is a good option in peak season (July–August) if you want peace of mind.
What to Expect from yurt stays on the Ala-Kul Lake trek?
The price for a yurt stay on the Ala-Kul trek should be around 1000-1500 som per person ($10–15 USD), including meals. This will include a bed/mattress, dinner and breakfast (simple but hearty), and most likely, a hole-in-the-ground toilet.
What to pack for the Ala-Kul lake hike?
I can’t reiterate this one enough! Bring warm layers and waterproofs! Even though it’s a summer trek, Ala-Kul Lake sits at 3,560m, so temperatures can drop below freezing at night. See my packing list at the bottom of this post.
Jyrgalan Valley: Boz Uchuk Lake (3 days)
If you’re looking for a quieter alternative to Ala-Kul with fewer travellers and a feeling of being completely in the wilderness, the Jyrgalan Valley is the place. The Boz Uchuk Lake trek is a 3-day adventure through rolling meadows, rugged ridges, and stunning mountain lakes. If I had to choose between Ala-Kul and Boz Uchuk Lake, this trek would definitely be my favourite.
Distance: 42 km
Difficulty: Moderate — some steep sections and river crossings
Start at: Jyrgalan Village
End at: Boz-Uchuk Village
Route: Wikiloc GPX map
Stephen, over at Asia-Hikes, has done a great job breaking down the route here.
Camping on the Boz-Uchuk Lake hike
While there are some yurt camps in Jyrgalan Valley, the area has far fewer than the Ala-Kul trek. For that reason, I’d recommend bringing your camping gear and planning to wild camp along the route.
On Day 1, we crossed the Terim-Tor Bulak Pass (3,467m) and set up camp in the stunning Turgon Ak-Suu Valley.
On Day 2, we crossed the Turgon Ak-Suu River, which is best crossed as early in the day as possible. If you feel anxious crossing it, you can flag down a local shepherd to help you cross via horseback.
Once we crossed the river, we headed over the Boz-Uchuk Ashuu Pass (3363m) and arrived mid-afternoon at the Boz-Uchuk lakes to camp. It was absolutely stunning, and there was only one other group camping there. The only other person we saw that day was a local sheep herder
On Day 3, we hiked 14km through the valley to Boz-Uchuk village, where we found a taxi to drive us back to the KBH hostel in Karakol.
Things to Do in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan Besides Hiking
While of course Karakol is mainly used as a hiking base to explore the Tian Shan Mountains, there are also plenty of other things to do here.
Dungan Mosque
Close to KBH Hostel, you’ll find Dungan Mosque, built in 1910 in a unique Chinese-inspired wooden style. It’s worth taking a walk past to take a look.
Sunday animal market
The Sunday animal market is one of the most authentic experiences in Kyrgyzstan. It’s divided into three sections: cattle, horses, and sheep/goats, offering a glimpse into real nomadic life. The best time to go is around 7 am. You can find it here.
Day trip to Jeti Ögüz
Just 25 25-minute drive from Karakol is Jeti Ögüz, famous for its dramatic red rock formations, known as the “Seven Bulls”. The easy option is to take a Yandex Taxi. If you want the local experience, take a marshrutka (local minibus). The marshrutkas to Jeti Ögüz from Karakol leave from the corner at Ak-Tilek Bazaar (Torgoeva / Aldashev
streets intersection) here. It’s #371. The price is around 100 som. Tell the driver you want to go to Jeti-Oguz Resort (Жети-Огуз Курорт).
Food and Drink in Karakol, KYRGYZSTAN
From hearty noodles to local specialities, there are a few must-try dishes to try while you’re based in Karakol. Ashlyan-fu (a cold Dungan noodle soup with vinegar, chilli, and garlic) can be found here. It’s pictured above!
Lagman (hand-pulled noodles with vegetables, meat, and a savoury broth) and beshbarmak (traditional Kyrgyz dish of boiled meat with noodles) can be found in one of the little restaurants in Bugu Bazaar (Central Market).
For a small town, Karakol surprisingly has some great coffee shops. Go to Snow Coffee, Sayaban and Karakol Lighthouse.
Packing list for hiking in Karakol and Kyrgyzstan
Aside from the obvious camping set-up, like a tent, sleeping bag (zero degrees comfort), sleeping mat, camping stove and gas. This is my recommended packing list:
1. Clothing
- Base layers: Lightweight thermal tops and leggings
- Mid layer: Fleece or down jacket for warmth
- Outer layer: Waterproof, windproof jacket and pants
- Hiking pants: Quick-dry and breathable
- Hat & gloves: It can get cold at higher altitudes
- Extra socks: Wool or synthetic; avoid cotton
- Sun cream & sunglasses
2. Footwear
- Sturdy hiking boots: Waterproof with good ankle support
- Sandals for downtime at the camp.
3. OTHER Essentials
- Water filter: I’d recommend Sawyer Water Filter or LifeStraw.
- Trekking poles: I absolutely needed my poles for the descents and uneven terrain on both hikes.
- Headlamp or flashlight: With extra batteries
- Water bottles or hydration bladder: 2–3L capacity
- Power bank
- Map or GPS: We downloaded the GPX file to our phones.
- First aid kit: Blister pads, painkillers, altitude sickness meds etc.
4. Food & Snacks
You can stock up on food and snacks at the big Globus supermarket in Karakol.
- Energy bars, nuts, dried fruit
- Instant meals or noodles if you plan to camp
- Electrolytes or rehydration tablets
Final Tips for Karakol
If you don’t want to bring your camping gear with you but want to experience wild camping in and around Karakol, you can rent camping gear, including sleeping bags, tents and mats, from both EcoTrek and Kyrgzlife, based in the centre of Karakol.
That’s it for my Karakol travel guide! I loved using the town as a base for exploring the Tian Shan, and I’m sure you will too.