Karakol is a city in Kyrgyzstan. Karakol is a true gem in the rough, just awaiting a master jeweler to polish her up. It holds great potential as a future tourism destination offering year-round trekking, mountaineering, skiing, and great opportunities set in a picture perfect setting of traditional slavic homes.

This town was formerly called Przewalsk during the Soviet era. It is located at the far end of the Lake Issyk Kyl nestled in the Tien Shan mountains and is the capitol of the Issyk Kul Oblast (state).

The city was originally founded by Russian Tsarist troops as a military station and is the resting place of the famed Russian explorer and naturalist, Nikolai Przewalski. It is a city of traditional slavic houses nestled between the Tien Shan mountains and Lake Issyk Kul.

Karakol was originally a Russian settlement and is still one of the few remaining largely slavic communities in Central Asia. Unfortunately, unemployment and the resulting alcoholism have left a toll as many young people have left and the crime rate has made it rather dangerous at night.

There are limited tourist facilities for discerning tourists, but offers much for adventure travelers.

Get in
From Bishkek Regular bus and taxi services leave Bishkek in the morning for the 5-6 hour drive.

From Kazakhstan Regular buses and taxis leave for the Kazakh border to Keghen regularly.

From Tamchy (Issyk Kul) Airport Tamchy is approximately 2 1/2 hours away and taxis can be arranged locally. Tamchy has limited air service during the summer travel season.

Get around
Taxis costs between 50 and 60 som.

There are also local mini-buses that ply planned routes.

See
Dungan Mosque
This is one of the few mosques that escaped Soviet destruction. It was built in 1910 by the local Dungan community that escaped Chinese oppression as a house of worship. Completely of wood without nails, it is painted in numerous colors. It is still used as a house of worship, but they gladly welcome tourists.

Holy Trinity Cathedral
This traditional Russian wooden cathedral with an onion dome has recently undergone extensive restoration work paid for by the local slavic community.

Regional Museum
This museum hosts numerous archeological bits from the Scythian era to numerous stuffed animals culled from the mountains. While there is much to see, little of the information is in English and the staff do not speak English. But, it is still worth a visit.

Przewalks Museum and Memorial
Set a few miles outside of the city is the museum that hosts the life story of one of the world's great explorers who died in Karakol in 1888. It is a true memorial to Russian colonization of Central Asia. The staff here speak English.

Do
Karakol Ski Base
At 3040 meters, this is the highest ski resort in Central Asia. It is located approximately 30 minutes from Karakol and featured 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. Lift tickets are only $8 and they recently purchased new ski equipment for rent.

Altyn Arashan
Hot Springs Hot springs located in hiking distance from Karakol.

Jeti Oghuz
Hot Springs An ageing Russian sanatorium will greet you here.

Karakol Canyon
The Karakol canyon offers excellent hiking. It's possible to hike to the beautiful Ala-Kul lake from this canyon. Arrange guiding in town at the Karakol Tourist Infrmation Office.

Buy
In the city center is a local Tsum open only until 5:00PM. They have a limited selection of outdoor goods and souvenirs.

There is also a local bazaar in the center with food.

Eat
In town, try Fakir restaurant for decent Central Asian Cuisine. Kalinka, a russian restaurant also offers affordable decent eats. Kench, on the outskirts of town, offers probably the best dinner option for the biggest price. It's still very cheap by western standards.