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An asphalt road runs between a colourful building and a monument to a horseman on a stone pedestal.
Bokonbaevo

Bokonbaevo

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Village on the south shore of Issyk-Kul: a night’s stay and trips to canyons, a salt lake and gorges.

  • 5–6 h from BishkekAbout 2.5 h from Karakol
  • Village on footBeyond that, taxi
  • 7 places nearby20 to 71 km by road
  • 31 places to stay27 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.

  1. Rocky ridges of a dry canyon run towards the valley, with mountains on the horizon under a blue sky.July 17, 2022

    ≈25 km along the road1 / 7

    Ak-Say canyons

    Dry, eroded ridges, pale slopes and sparse grass. A place for a walk among the canyons.

  2. Tall orange weathering pillars of the canyon rise above a sandy path.April 27, 2023

    ≈35 km along the road2 / 7

    Skazka Canyon

    Taxi, then walk

    Red-orange sandstone walls and towers. A short walk among colourful landforms.

    Place page →

  3. A stony plain with sparse shrubs and poles lies at the foot of folded reddish hills.April 27, 2023

    ≈20 km along the road3 / 7

    Kadzhi-Sai

    By car along the south shore, about 20 kmAll year round, by day

    A south-shore village on the way to Skazka Canyon, amid a stony plain and reddish hills. People stay overnight here and move on.

    Place page →

  4. A village road runs past trees and low houses, with a snowy ridge on the horizon.

    ≈40 km along the road4 / 7

    Tosor

    By car along the south shore, about 40 kmAll year round, by day

    A south-shore village: trees line the street and a snowy range shows in the distance. As from Kadzhi-Sai, people head from here to Skazka Canyon.

    Place page →

  5. An arch with the village name stands over a road that runs off between low houses and trees.

    ≈30 km along the road5 / 7

    Kyzyl-Tuu

    By car towards Balykchy, about 30 kmBy arrangement

    A village of yurt makers. Workshop visits are by arrangement, in advance. The road to Tuz-Kol salt lake starts nearby.

    Place page →

  6. Blue water at Tuz-Kol and low pale banks beyond the shoreline grass.August 27, 2018

    ≈33 km along the road6 / 7

    Tuz-Kol salt lake

    By car with the driver waiting, about 33 kmSummer

    A small salt lake among pale hills. The last kilometres follow a dirt road near Kyzyl-Tuu.

    Place page →

  7. A river in a wide gorge, with mountains and dark spruces on both sides and blue ridges in the distance.August 15, 2022

    ≈71 km along the road7 / 7

    Barskoon Gorge

    By car, about 71 kmSummer, a full day

    A wide gorge with a river and dark spruces. The Barskoon waterfalls lie higher up. It is a long drive, so set aside a whole day.

    Place page →

Map

Seasons

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

  1. Spring

    March–May

    Walks around the village; check trip conditions for your date.

    • MarchBokonbaevo +8° / −3°
    • AprilBokonbaevo +13° / +2°
    • MayBokonbaevo +16° / +6°
  2. July 17, 2018

    Summer

    June–August

    The south shore and trips to the canyons.

    • JuneBokonbaevo +19° / +10°
    • JulyBokonbaevo +22° / +13°
    • AugustBokonbaevo +21° / +12°

  3. Autumn

    September–November

    Walks around the village; check trip conditions for your date.

    • SeptemberBokonbaevo +18° / +8°
    • OctoberBokonbaevo +12° / +2°
    • NovemberBokonbaevo +6° / −4°

Where it is

Location
Issyk-Kul Region
Coordinates
42.11° N, 77.00° E
Open in Maps

Getting here and getting around town

How to get there

  • From Bishkek

    5–6 h

    Marshrutka from the western bus station along the south shore. Listed fare about 350 som, but it’s dated: check it. About 274 km.

  • From Karakol

    ≈2.5 h

    Marshrutka or taxi along the south shore, about 133 km. Check the timetable and fare for your date.

Getting around town

  • On foot. A small village: the tourist office is at 16 Mambetov Street, with stays nearby. Take a taxi for trips out.
  • Taxi. Taxi; check the fare for your date.

Money and mobile

  • Visitor centre. Tourist office: 16 Mambetov Street. Check hours for your date.

Contact and help

112 single emergency number

  • 101 fire and rescue
  • 102 police
  • 103 ambulance

You can call 112 with a local SIM or without one.

Check in advance

  • Departure times to Bishkek and Karakol
  • Taxi and local marshrutka fares
  • Accommodation prices and card acceptance
  • Mobile coverage in the canyons
  • Access conditions in the Ak-Say canyons and Skazka Canyon

Check on site

  • Departure, fare and travel time Dispatcher or driver
  • Access and conditions in the canyons Local guide
  • Accommodation price and payment method Your chosen accommodation

Where to stay: 27 of 31 places are within 1.5 km of the centre

1 km1.5 km centre
guesthousehostelhotelother© OpenStreetMap

How many places

31 on the map

26 guesthouses2 hostels3 hotels

Within 1.5 km from the centre
27 of 31

Options with names, from the centre outwards

  1. Akzholguesthouse
  2. Guest House Klaraguesthouse
  3. Altyn Oymokguesthouse
  4. Rakhat Hotelhotel
  5. Albi-Sabiguesthouse
  6. Guest House Akbermetguesthouse
  7. Madriel Eko Retreathostel
  8. Guest House «Kolomto»guesthouse

Bokonbaevo in photos

Real photos, each with the date it was taken. Tap or click to enlarge.

  1. April 27, 2023
  2. April 27, 2023
  6. July 17, 2018
  7. July 18, 2018
  8. August 27, 2018
  9. July 17, 2022
  10. August 15, 2022

Guides and ready-made itineraries

Pages that include this place in a guide or itinerary.

Included in guides

Routes and programmes

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