Barskoon

Updated October 27, 2026Facts are checked against independent sources; where they disagree, we say soHow we check facts

Large village at a gorge with waterfalls; base for Skazka Canyon, Tamga-Tash and the Arabel Plateau.

1.5 h from KarakolBishkek: about 380 km, 6–7 h
Village on footShops, cafés, ATM
7 places nearbyFrom 10 to 79 km
4 places to stay2 within 1.5 km of the centre

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7 places from the centre outwards

Start with places you can walk to, then roads out of town. The map shows the route from the centre to the place you are viewing.

August 24, 2008

≈19 km along the road1 / 7

Barskoon waterfalls

By car or taxi up the gorge, about 18 kmJune–September

The gorge starts above the village. From the road’s end it’s 15–20 min on foot to the Snow Leopard’s Tears falls, with two more above. Gagarin monuments stand by the road; a yurt camp opens in summer.

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July 17, 2018

≈9.9 km along the road2 / 7

Tamga

By car or taxi along the south shore, about 10 kmDuring the day

A neighbouring village of wooden houses with mountain views. People stay here and find transport to nearby gorges; a MiG-21 jet stands as a monument on the outskirts.

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August 25, 2008

≈12 km along the road3 / 7

Tamga-Tash stones

By car up the gorge above Tamga, about 12 kmBy day, in dry weather

Stones with Tibetan Buddhist inscriptions in the hills above Tamga. There are three; seeing the first takes 20–30 minutes.

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July 18, 2018

≈27 km along the road4 / 7

Skazka Canyon

By car along the south shore, about 27 km; then on footDry weather

Red and orange rocks, sandy ridges and dry riverbeds by the lake’s south shore. You walk among the rocks; go in dry weather and sturdy shoes.

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July 16, 2017

≈34 km along the road5 / 7

Juuku Gorge

By car east, about 34 km; the last stretch is unpavedBy day, in dry weather

A green valley between red cliffs east of Barskoon. A dirt road follows the river; the Juukuchak hot springs are nearby.

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September 1, 2019

≈57 km along the road6 / 7

Arabel Plateau

Off-road vehicle, about 57 km, 2 h; permit neededMid-June to mid-September

A treeless plateau at 3,800–4,200 m above the gorge: rivers, lakes and brown slopes in autumn. The road leads to the Suek Pass and the Kumtor mine, through a border zone.

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August 1, 2019

≈79 km along the road7 / 7

Karakol

Marshrutka (South bus station) or taxi, about 79 km, 1.5 hAll year round

The region’s main town, with a wooden church, markets and museums. You come back here from Barskoon, and onward services leave from here.

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Seasons

Things to do in and around town throughout the year. Monthly temperatures are averages for 2016–2025, not a forecast.

August 19, 2023

Summer
June–August

Low houses of Barskoon above a grey bluff; green fields and mountains under a blue sky in the distance.
- JuneBarskoon +17° / +13°
- JulyBarskoon +20° / +16°
- AugustBarskoon +19° / +15°

Where it is

Location: Issyk-Kul Region
Coordinates: 42.16° N, 77.60° E

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Getting here and getting around town

How to get there

From Karakol
1.5 h
Marshrutka from the South bus station: 9:20, 12:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, from 100 som. Taxi about 3,500 som.
From Bishkek
6–7 h
About 380 km, 6–7 h by car. 180 km to Balykchy, then a marshrutka towards Karakol or a taxi.
To the waterfalls
about 18 km
Marshrutkas go as far as the village. Beyond, taxi or your own car; on foot about 15 km. After 17:00 getting back is hard.
To the Arabel Plateau
off-road vehicle only
About 57 km, 2 h. Above the gorge there is a checkpoint and border zone: you need a permit, ask an operator. Closed November to March.

Getting around town

On foot. The village is large, but the centre is compact: shops, cafés and guesthouses are close together.
Marshrutkas. Marshrutkas from Karakol run six times a day from 9:20 to 17:00; the ride takes 1.5 h.
Taxi. A taxi from Karakol to Barskoon costs about 3,500 som one way; agree the trip to the waterfalls with the driver.