Karakol sits at 1,720 m near the eastern shore of Issyk-Kul and is the best base for trekking in Kyrgyzstan. The town has family guesthouses, a wooden Russian Orthodox church, a Dungan mosque built without nails and a lively Sunday animal market.
Why visit Karakol
Within a day of town you can be on a trail to Altyn-Arashan, a high valley with hot springs, or starting the Ala-Kul circuit, one of the most photographed treks in Central Asia. Winter brings skiing at the nearby Karakol ski base.
Best time to go
June to September is the main trekking season. Passes such as Ala-Kul (3,860 m) can hold snow into early July, so late July and August give the most reliable conditions.
How many days to allow
Allow three to five days: one to settle in and visit the town, and two to four on the trail. Our Ala-Kul Explorer trek starts here.
