Karakol Tours & Holidays
Karakol Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Holidays
Karakol is the administrative centre of Issy-Kul province and a good base from which to explore the lake. It was founded in 1869 after the commander of a nearby garrison realised that with its mild climate and fertile soil it was well suited for settlement. Today the town is famous for its surrounding apple orchards and there is a very good Sunday market. Things to see include the Chinese mosque, which was built entirely without nails by Chinese artisans in 1920, and the Holy Trinity Cathedral. ...
Karakol is the administrative centre of Issy-Kul province and a good base from which to explore the lake. It was founded in 1869 after the commander of a nearby garrison realised that with its mild climate and fertile soil it was well suited for settlement. Today the town is famous for its surrounding apple orchards and there is a very good Sunday market. Things to see include the Chinese mosque, which was built entirely without nails by Chinese artisans in 1920, and the Holy Trinity Cathedral. There are also good walks to be had in the valley of the Karakol River.
Best experiences
Enjoy a meal at Reina Kench Eco-Farm
This beautiful and peaceful eco-farm was built from scratch after the fall of the Soviet Union and is run by the same family that still live and work here. Enjoy a delicious home cooked lunch in the restaurant where most of the produce has been grown on site.
Explore Soviet life with a city tour
Karakol reaches back only 150 years and can be described as a quaint Soviet-style town full of Russian-style cottages shaded by white poplar trees. Visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral, the bright Chinese Dungan Mosque, Pushkin Park and Nokolai Przhevalsky Museum.
Hike through Jety-Oguz Valley
This is one of five beautiful green valleys around Karakol with icy cold rivers and sloping forests of Tien Shan spruce, Siberian larch and walnut trees. Local shepherds can tell you about the red rocks and the fractured mountain known as "Broken Heart".OUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO STAY
Green Yard, Karakol
In the centre of Karakol, this small family-owned hotel offers nicely decorated rooms with modern facilities including flat screen televisions and en suite bathrooms. The warm and welcoming atmosphere…
Karagat Hotel, Karakol
Boasting spacious rooms, an indoor plunge pool, a sauna and a large terrace, Karagat Hotel is one of the best accommodations in Karakol. The rooms are spread over six floors and are designed with…
Matsunoki Guesthouse, Karakol
Found in central Karakol, the Matsunoki makes a great base for exploring the city's main sights on foot and providing a bit of comfort before or after a challenging trek towards the Tien Shan. The…TOURS FEATURING Karakol
Travel to Kyrgyzstan with like-minded people on one of our small group tours (usually max size 12), featuring knowledgeable local guides and an expert tour leader.
Complete Kyrgyzstan
If you have a bit more time and want to really get under the skin of this ravishing country, look no further. Exploring far-flung destinations and staying in humble accommodation, this is for the more robust traveller
Wild Kyrgyzstan
Make the most of this adrenaline junkie's paradise, exploring the wild and wonderful Kyrgyzstan via foot, horseback and mountain bike and staying in a variety of guesthouses, yurt camps and wild tented camps
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This itinerary offers the perfect harmony between Uzbekistan's rich collection of historical architecture and Kyrgyzstan's untouched, natural beauty; providing superior examples of what the region is renowned for
Wild Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan
Tour these neighbouring countries that share many similarities including a breathtaking mountainous geography, and a shared history and nomadic culture. The itinerary blends energetic activities with cultural tours