Karakol Travel Guide: How to Get There & Explore

Karakol serves as the gateway to some of Kyrgyzstan's most epic adventures, including the renowned Ala Kul Trek and the challenging Ak-Suu Traverse.

However, even beyond its role as a hiking hub, Karakol boasts a unique charm. Nestled amidst breathtaking snow-capped peaks, the city offers a diverse culinary scene and several intriguing cultural sites, making it an ideal place to relax and recharge before or after your outdoor explorations.

How to reach Karakol from Bishkek

The most common route to Karakol is from Bishkek.

• Marshrutka - Frequent Marshrutkas depart from Bishkek Bus Station, offering an affordable option at 500 SOM.

• GoBus - For a more comfortable journey, consider GoBus (580 SOM). Tickets can be booked through their app, but note that foreign credit cards may not be accepted (so I simply asked someone at my hotel in Bishkek to book me a ticket). Two daily departures are available from Bishkek: one in the morning and one late at night.

Based on my experience (traveling to Karakol by GoBus and returning by Marshrutka), I highly recommend GoBus for a significantly more comfortable journey. I would in fact still opt for GoBus even if the price difference were more substantial.

Uncovering Karakol in 24 hours

Coffee enthusiasts should absolutely start their day at Snow Coffee. I stumbled upon this charming little cafe while heading to the Ella Maillart exhibition (see below) and was thoroughly impressed.

They serve some of the best espresso I encountered in Central Asia, at a very reasonable price (80 SOM for takeaway). But the best part about this café is the Barista, who is incredibly friendly. So even if your coffee isn't quite perfect (which is unlikely), the warm welcome still makes the experience worthwhile 🙃

Google image

Once you've enjoyed your caffeine boost, head to the Karakol Historical Museum to explore the captivating Ella Maillart photo exhibition (200 SOM). I first learned about this incredible exhibition from fellow travelers on the Pamir Highway, and it certainly lived up to the hype.

A true hidden gem, this exhibition seems to be a well-kept secret among locals, despite having been on display for many years. Ella Maillart, a remarkable Swiss adventurer, travel writer, photographer, and even an Olympic sailor, embarked on a journey through Soviet Turkestan in 1932. This exhibition beautifully retraces her remarkable expedition through a stunning collection of photographs. It's an absolute must-see for any visitor to Karakol.

Credit to mytravelnotions.com for the picture

After exploring the Historical Museum (I personally found the other sections less engaging, with no English information), satisfy your hunger at "Local Karakol Food". This informal market, likely known to locals by a different name, features several eateries offering delicious local specialties.

Don't miss the Ashlyan-Fu, a flavorful bowl of cold rice noodles served in a spicy broth. This simple yet incredibly tasty dish was a personal favorite during my time in Kyrgyzstan.

I recommend choosing a restaurant that appears popular with locals – they often know best! Note that the market typically closes around 6 PM, making it an ideal lunch spot. I enjoyed a satisfying meal of Ashlyan-Fu, a local flatbread, and a drink for just 110 SOM.

After lunch, take a short stroll to the impressive Holy Trinity Cathedral, one of the few Orthodox churches in Kyrgyzstan. The original church, constructed in 1872, was tragically destroyed by an earthquake a few years later.

Remarkably, the community rebuilt on the same site, choosing wood as the primary building material. This unique architectural choice makes the current cathedral a truly distinctive landmark.

After visiting the cathedral, I recommend taking some time to simply wander around and soak in the local atmosphere. Observe daily life unfold in this charming city. Karakol's manageable size makes it easy to explore on foot, and you can cover a significant portion of the city center within a few hours. If you're feeling tired from your trek, this is also the perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy a well-deserved nap.

For dinner, I strongly recommend going to Кафе Берекет. Whilst I hadbeen recommended more than once to go to Dastorkon, the pictures on Google Map and their menu kinda put me off (huge place, serving too many dishes including pizzas etc.). Кафе Берекет, on the other hand, is a ittle hole-in-the-wall offering only a few local dishes (and boasting amazing online reviews. I had two fantastic dishes there, and all the other dishes I saw passing by looked amazing as well.

For dinner, I highly recommend indulging in the delicious cuisine at Кафе Берекет. While Dastorkon was frequently recommended to me by locals, the photos and menu on Google Maps didn't quite appeal to me (it seems to be a large restaurant serving a wide variety of dishes, including pizzas etc.).

Кафе Берекет, on the other hand, is a charming little gem with a more intimate atmosphere. They offer a focused menu featuring a selection of authentic local dishes, and the online reviews were overwhelmingly positive. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal there, and the dishes I observed passing by looked equally enticing.

Where to sleep in Karakol?

I personally stayed at Snow Leopard Hostel, a popular choice among trekkers, both arriving and departing on multi-day adventures (as hiking is a major draw for visitors to Karakol). The owners were incredibly friendly, and their young daughters are surprisingly talented chess players!

Private rooms are typically around $20, while dorm beds are available for under $10. The hostel can also assist with arranging transportation and accommodation for your trek, although I opted to organize these logistics independently (using Yandex for transport to the park entrance, which proved to be a cost-effective option).

I encountered other travelers who highly recommended Eagle's Nest, a relatively new guesthouse with positive reviews.

A few minutes/seconds before I was checkmate

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