CBT Karakol

CBT Karakol

Karakol is the largest city in the Ysyk-Kol region, nestled among the magnificent contours of the Central Tien Shan, towering on three sides. It is a quiet and peaceful provincial town, located near the eastern tip of Ysyk-Kol and next to such highest and majestic peaks as Pobeda Peak (7,439 m) and Khan Tengri (6,995 m). Founded by Russian settlers in the 19th century, the city still retains the atmosphere of that time. Well-preserved architectural monuments such as the Dungan mosque and the Russian Orthodox church. Visitors are attracted by the museum and the monument to the Russian explorer Nikolai Przhevalsky, and the Valley of Flowers, the hot springs of Altyn-Arashan and Zheti-Oguz, the Alpine Lake Ala-Kol, numerous picturesque gorges near the city provide a great opportunity for active rest and observation of the wonderful nature of the Tien-Shan.

Karakol is also famous for its Sunday livestock bazaar, where trading begins at sunrise. Dashing thoroughbred horses, thoroughbred cows and fattened lambs are waiting for their owners. It will be interesting to watch the everyday worries of buyers and traders.

From Karakol you can easily get to Ysyk-Kol lake, Ak-Suu, Altyn-Arashan, famous Karakol valley and to the road to Enylchek glacier. Despite its remoteness from the capital, Karakol has its advantages of a big city: cold beer, weighty ice cream, credit card facilities, fairly reliable Internet connection, and good cafes – all just a short distance from some of the most impressive mountains in Asia.