The 10 best Things to Do in Issyk Kul Province - 2023 (with Photo)
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1. Issyk-Kul Lake
Ratings
4.5 (553 review)
Issyk-Kul Lake is a place, located in Tian Shan Mountains, Karakol, Kyrgyzstan.
The recommended time to visit Issyk-Kul Lake is less than 1 hour. However, the length of your visit will depend on your personal interests and level of engagement with the place.
Working Hours:
- Monday: 09:00-18:00
- Tuesday: 09:00-18:00
- Wednesday: 09:00-18:00
- Thursday: 09:00-18:00
- Friday: 09:00-18:00
- Saturday: 09:00-18:00
- Sunday: 09:00-18:00
The contact information for Issyk-Kul Lake is as follows:
- Address: Tian Shan Mountains, Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
Reviewed By Madan Gopal M
Enchanting and Scintillating.. This iconic lake, second largest Alpine Lake in the world,170 plus km long and 70 plus km width draws crowds all over the world. I took a bus loaded with friendly Russian tourists early in the morning and reached this enchanting place before afternoon. The serene and colourful lake surrounded by snow clad mountains, beautiful views of Tian Shan peaks is most memorable experience I cherish forever. There are many eateries, souvenir shops and adventure activities to entertain everyone. As it's a long drive from Bishkek, it's advisable to keep sufficient stock of fast eats and a bottle of drinking water. A must visit for every traveler.
2. Altyn Arashan
Ratings
5.0 (207 review)
Altyn Arashan is a site, located in , Karakol, Kyrgyzstan.
Working Hours:
- Monday: 09:00-17:00
- Tuesday: 09:00-17:00
- Wednesday: 09:00-17:00
- Thursday: 09:00-17:00
- Friday: 09:00-17:00
- Saturday: 09:00-17:00
The contact information for Altyn Arashan is as follows:
- Address: , Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
- Phone: +996 555 497 772
Reviewed By IntrepidTraveler77
Incredible Natural Beauty!!!. Incredible natural beauty! We went for the day by UAZ jeep. Yes, the road is bad but It’s very manageable. The journey from Karakol takes two hours with a few quick photo stops. Every single travel agency quoted $100 for transport only (returning the same day) and it seemed like there was some level of price-fixing amongst them.Eventually my hotel helped me find a driver for 5,000 Som and he turned to be extremely competent and friendly. We walked around AA, had coffee at Nomads Camp, and dipped in the “wild” hot springs. We skipped the private hot springs at AA and opted to go to Ak Suu hot springs, which are much larger and well-organized.While AA is out of the world, I think a night there would have been a diminishing return.
3. Jeti-Oguz Canyon (Seven Bulls Rocks)
Ratings
4.5 (132 review)
Jeti-Oguz Canyon (Seven Bulls Rocks) is a place, located in Kyrgyzstan.
The contact information for Jeti-Oguz Canyon (Seven Bulls Rocks) is as follows:
- Address: Kyrgyzstan
- Phone: +996 709 511 155
- Website: http://www.facebook.com/Pegasadventure/
Reviewed By PhilipLeic
Enjoyed a walk around. Stopped to view rocks and have a walk round the area. The rock formations are interesting and the river nearby picturesque. The area seemed very run down though with nothing open, maybe it was the end of the season. Worth a short walk though.
4. Ruh Ordo Cultural Center
Ratings
4.5 (134 review)
Cultural Center "Ruh Ordo" named after Chyngyz Aytmatov (Kyrgyz famous writer), complex is located in Cholpon-Ata. Complex includes 5 chapels of the 4 major religions of the world: Christianity (Catholic and Orthodox), Islam, Buddhism, Judaism. You will learn about the history of Kyrgyzstan, the Manas epos and his tellers of national products, outfits and yurta - national accommodation of Kyr
The recommended time to visit Ruh Ordo Cultural Center is about 1 to 2 hours. However, the length of your visit will depend on your personal interests and level of engagement with the site.
Visitors can also contact the site through their contact to get information about hours of operation, fees, and upcoming events and programs. The site staff is available to answer any questions and help visitors plan their visit to site.
The contact information for Ruh Ordo Cultural Center is as follows:
- Address: Sovetskaya St President Summer Residency - Sovmin, Cholpon Ata, Kyrgyzstan
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +996 777 922 008
- Website: http://rukhordo.kg/
Reviewed By Amanda W
This is such a cool place. I enjoyed visiting the Ruh Ordo Cultural Center. It's a very quaint place and is well kept. It's on the waterfront, so you get to enjoy the view while learning about culture. Win win.
5. Ala Kul Lake
Ratings
5.0 (99 review)
Ala Kul Lake is a place, located in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan.
The recommended time to visit Ala Kul Lake is More than 3 hours. However, the length of your visit will depend on your personal interests and level of engagement with the place.
Visitors can also contact the place through their contact to get information about hours of operation, fees, and upcoming events and programs. The place staff is available to answer any questions and help visitors plan their visit to place.
The contact information for Ala Kul Lake is as follows:
- Address: Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +996 708 932 110
- Website: http://hikingkyrgyzstan.com
Reviewed By Sambawalk2025
A memorable trekking experience with magnificent scenery. No camping gear, no guide, and no porter are required for 3D2N from Karakol Valley to Altyn Arashan and back to Karakol city. I did it on 23-25 July 2018 and enjoyed the spectacular scenery and trekking experience, just on my own.I chose this option because I am not able to carry heavy weight, unfortunately. 2 days prior to the trek, I visited Destination Karakol to confirm the possibility of this option. I only used one walking stick, which I found to be useful for crossing the stream and muddy grounds, and a small day pack with simple food and water. I started the trek by taking marshrutka #101 from Karakol City, hiked up from the Karakol Valley Park entrance to Sirota camp site where the local had set up Yurt and tent. I paid 1,500 Som, which included a Yurt stay, dinner and breakfast. The Yurt operator maintained a minibar with drinks for sale. Some other backpackers set up their tents nearby.The 2nd day was the longest. I started at 8am and reached Altyn Arashan only after 5pm. Yes, I stopped from time to time to rest, and who didn't? The scenery was just WOW. The ascent was not that easy, but I made it. The first part of descend was even more difficult, but after that, a easy smooth descent. In Altyn Arashan, I stayed at one Yurt operator (VIP) which provided Yurt stay, dinner, breakfast, a 30 minutes hot spring for 1,200 Som. The quality was minimum. On the 3rd day, I walked about 14 Km all the way to the main road where I was able to catch marshrutka #350 back to Karakol city.Don't miss it.
6. Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathederal
Ratings
4.0 (219 review)
Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathederal is a church, located in Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathederal, Karakol, Kyrgyzstan.
The recommended time to visit Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathederal is less than 1 hour. However, the length of your visit will depend on your personal interests and level of engagement with the church.
The contact information for Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathederal is as follows:
- Address: Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathederal, Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
Reviewed By Dirk W
Very pretty. A pretty little orthodox church, with 6 golden onion domes, in a small park. I spent more time walking around it than inside, because the interior is a little disappointing. Like most churches, it was lucky to survive the Soviet era and had to undergo extensive restorations.
7. Canyon Fairy Tale
Ratings
4.5 (99 review)
Canyon Fairy Tale is a place, located in Tosor, Kyrgyzstan.
The recommended time to visit Canyon Fairy Tale is about 1 to 2 hours. However, the length of your visit will depend on your personal interests and level of engagement with the place.
Working Hours:
- Monday: 00:00-23:59
- Tuesday: 00:00-23:59
- Wednesday: 00:00-23:59
- Thursday: 00:00-23:59
- Friday: 00:00-23:59
- Saturday: 00:00-23:59
- Sunday: 00:00-23:59
The contact information for Canyon Fairy Tale is as follows:
- Address: Tosor, Kyrgyzstan
- Phone: +996 705 054 805
- Website: http://www.facebook.com/Pegasadventure/
Reviewed By Shimnik
The most astonishing and breathtaking place around Issyk-Kul lake. In my opinion it is the most spectacular place around Issyk Kul lake. I would say it is more beautiful than Jety-Oguz canyon. The usual price for visiting Fairy tale canyon is 150 som for a car and 50 per person. I would recommend to visit all places around the lake with a local guy, who can arrange an entrance almost for free if you are short in budget. 4-5 p.m. is the best time for taking pictures. From the top of the canyon you can see Issyk-Kul lake. Amazing place! Number 1 for me. If you like Fairy tale, try to visit Charyn canyon in Kazakhstan and you will not regret!
8. Karakol Ski Base
Ratings
4.0 (149 review)
Karakol Ski Base is an area, located in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan.
Visitors can also contact the area through their contact to get information about hours of operation, fees, and upcoming events and programs. The area staff is available to answer any questions and help visitors plan their visit to area.
The contact information for Karakol Ski Base is as follows:
- Address: Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
- Phone: +996 772 534 081
- Website: http://www.ski-karakol.com/
Reviewed By Vadim M
Poor infrastructure and air quality. Poor infrastructure, very poor local medical service (I had to use it... misdiagnosed, nearly died). Limited expensive accommodation at the mountain resort. If you stay in the city like most ski-goers do, be advised that the entire city reeks of coal smoke in the winter. Each house burns it to stay warm. In 2022 the resort closed a week ahead of schedule and the snow in March was poor. Will not visit again.
9. Grigorevskoye Canyon
Ratings
5.0 (31 review)
Grigorevskoye Canyon is a forest, located in Grigoryevka, Kyrgyzstan.
The recommended time to visit Grigorevskoye Canyon is More than 3 hours. However, the length of your visit will depend on your personal interests and level of engagement with the forest.
The contact information for Grigorevskoye Canyon is as follows:
- Address: Grigoryevka, Kyrgyzstan
Reviewed By Mars Atlas
Picturesque gorge with an alpine lake at the top. Gorge is very beautiful. At the entrance there are honey available to buy. Local yurt cafes offer live trout which you can catch in the pond in the lake. Local kids offers horse rides and pictures with eagles. Negotiate the price. At the end of the gorge there is road which goes left above the bridge, if you take it in 12 kms there is beautiful alpine lake surrounded with trees. If you go right the road will take you to Kyrchyn valley - home of Nomad games. Then you may exit using Semenov gorge back to Issyk Kul lake.
10. Museum of Petroglyphs
Ratings
4.0 (158 review)
Museum of Petroglyphs is a museum, located in Cholpon Ata, Kyrgyzstan.
Visitors can also contact the museum through their contact to get information about hours of operation, fees, and upcoming events and programs. The museum staff is available to answer any questions and help visitors plan their visit to museum.
The contact information for Museum of Petroglyphs is as follows:
- Address: Cholpon Ata, Kyrgyzstan
- Phone: +996 554 136 904
- Website: http://www.kyrgyztours.com
Reviewed By Ana-Maria B
Really needs some preservation. I was both enthralled and sad to see the site. The artwork itself is stunning, but I wish there was care put towards preserving it. Just a handful of petroglyphs are still visible and even those in bad shape. Nothing protects them from the elements or vandals. If this goes on, they will soon be gone.The place deserves more care, they ca easily make the tickets more expensive, preserve the art and maybe add more information about it. I'd pay happily. As it is, the site is quite, easy to explore, quite easy to find as well. There is a small souvenir shop, bought a carved rock magnet.