Map
A beach beside a blue lake, buildings on the shore and a mountain range in the distance.
6 July 2017 · Blue Issyk-Kul

Cholpon-Ata

A summer base beside Issyk-Kul: the town’s shore and trips to Semenov Gorge and Kyrchyn.

  • 4–5 h from Bishkek265 km, taxi or bus
  • Walk around the centreCheck access for your date
  • 6 places nearbyShore, museums and valleys
  • June–SeptemberCheck mountain trips
  • 161 nearby stays56 options within 1.5 km
Kyrgyz SeasonsPlanning a trip?Ask about a trip

Around

6 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. A beach beside a blue lake, buildings on the shore and a mountain range in the distance.06.07.2017

    3 km by road1 / 6

    Blue Issyk-Kul

    Taxi; check access for your dateSummer; July–August

    Sandy urban lakeshore: beach, water and Ruh Ordo in the background.

    Ask at the entrance

    Place page →

    Next: Semenov Gorge →
  2. Grey-brown mountain slopes surround the valley, with patches of coniferous forest.22.09.2007

    54 km by road2 / 6

    Semenov Gorge

    Taxi; check access for your dateJune–September

    The Kichi-Ak-Suu river valley with spruce-covered slopes. A place for a walk and picnic in the mountains.

    Ask your guide

    Place page →

    Next Kyrchyn valley →
  3. A row of white yurts on a green meadow beside a mountain slope under thick clouds.03.09.2026

    55 km by road3 / 6

    Kyrchyn valley

    Taxi; check access for your dateJuly–August

    A green meadow among the mountains. A spacious valley for a walk after staying on the north shore.

    Ask your guide

    Place page →

    Next History museum →
  4. A low museum building with round columns stands along a city street without foliage.13.04.2024

    ≈0.8 km on foot4 / 6

    History museum

    On footWeather permitting

    A museum on a city street with a low façade and columns. Check opening hours and access to the galleries before visiting.

    Check hours, access and condition for your date

    Place page →

    Next Petroglyphs →
  5. A dark boulder with fine carved figures lies among dry grass and pale sand.24.09.2023

    ≈3 km on foot5 / 6

    Petroglyphs

    On footWeather permitting

    Boulders with carved animal figures in an open area. Bring water and sun protection; ask on site about entry and visiting rules.

    Check hours, access and condition for your date

    Next Ruh Ordo →
  6. A yurt on a green lawn, with three low reddish seats in front.03.08.2012

    2 km by road6 / 6

    Ruh Ordo

    Urban trip; confirm entryCheck conditions before travelling

    A lakeside museum park commemorating Chinghiz Aitmatov, with symbolic chapels and sculptures. The yurt is shown as it looked in 2012.

    Check hours, admission price and the exact access route before travelling

    Place page →

    Next Cholpon-Ata: four seasons ↓

Seasons

Cholpon-Ata: four 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

    Town and shore walks as weather allows.

    • MarchCholpon-Ata +6° / +4°
    • AprilCholpon-Ata +10° / +8°
    • MayCholpon-Ata +14° / +11°

  2. Summer

    June–August

    Sandy urban shore: water, parasols and Ruh Ordo in the background.

    • JuneCholpon-Ata +17° / +14°
    • JulyCholpon-Ata +20° / +17°
    • AugustCholpon-Ata +19° / +16°

  3. Autumn

    September–November

    Walks around town and along the lakeshore.

    • SeptemberCholpon-Ata +17° / +13°
    • OctoberCholpon-Ata +11° / +8°
    • NovemberCholpon-Ata +7° / +5°

  4. Winter

    December–February

    Walks as weather allows; check accommodation and museum hours for your date.

    • DecemberCholpon-Ata +4° / +2°
    • JanuaryCholpon-Ata +2° / 0°
    • FebruaryCholpon-Ata +3° / +1°

Where it is

Location
Issyk-Kul Region
Elevation
1,640 m
Coordinates
42.64° N, 77.07° E
Open in Maps

Getting there

Getting here and getting around town

How to get there

  • From Bishkek

    4–5 h; about 265 km

    Marshrutka or taxi. Check departure and price before travelling. check for your date

  • Via Balykchy

    Check departure

    Change in Balykchy. Ask the operator about the service and time. check for your date

  • From Karakol

    Check departure

    Ask the operator about departure, journey time and price.

  • Via the airport

    Issyk-Kul airport

    Check the flight and transfer before travelling. check for your date

Getting around town

  • On foot. Walk around the centre. check for your date
  • Taxi. Taxis around town and to more distant places; agree the fare before getting in. check for your date
  • Marshrutkas. Ask about the route.
  • Outside town. Agree the route and fare with the driver.

Money, SIM cards and help

  • Money. Kyrgyz som. check for your date
  • Cash machines. Check card acceptance and fees before the transaction. check for your date
  • SIM and eSIM. Compare tariffs and coverage before buying a SIM card.
  • Water. Use bottled water for drinking.
  • Visitor centre. Ask your hosts.

112all emergencies

Check in advance

  • Departure times to Bishkek and Karakol
  • Local marshrutka and taxi fares
  • Airport flights and transfers
  • Accommodation prices and card acceptance
  • Access conditions in mountain valleys
  • Museum and cultural site opening hours
  • Mobile coverage and drinking water

Check on site

  • Bus station, entrance, departures and fare dispatcher or driver
  • Whether the road is passable and where it is safe to get out in the valleys Driver or local guide
  • Open accommodation, total price and payment method Chosen lodging before travel
  • Beach access, cultural site opening hours and local mobile service Site administration
Kyrgyz SeasonsPlanning a trip?Ask about a trip

Accommodation

Where to stay: 56 of 161 places are within 1.5 km of the centre

1 km1.5 kmguesthouseMemphis Guest HouseSunriseAyvillaU TatyanyAk-Tolkun GuesthouseU Teti SaryEl-Nur GuesthousehotelhotelhotelhotelBarsbekArcha MaxBakythostelGuest houseGreenvilleguest houseKalinkaBESThotelguesthousePearlhostelAysuluDyadya VanyaOrdoSenatorFor rentAmirhotelhotelMaksat Mini GuesthouseBermetguesthouseAminaLukomoryeLukomoryehotelIssychAltunayLove StoryguesthouseOsobyi Guest HouseOLIMPICPodsolnuhiBumerang KGU NazguliBaliAla-Too GuesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseguesthouseZeto Club HotelTri KoronyLyubimyguesthouseV Gostyakh na Issyk-KuleVavilon GuesthouseCholpon-Ata Holiday HomeGoluboy Issyk-Kul GuesthouseMolzavodFamilyPanorama HotelAselMolzavodAla-Too centre
guesthousehostelhotelotherbus stations© OpenStreetMap

How many places

161 on the map

136 guesthouses4 hostels20 hotels1 other

Within 1.5 km from the centre
56 of 161

All photos

Cholpon-Ata in photos

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

  1. 22.09.2007
  2. 06.07.2017
  3. 19.08.2021
  4. 24.09.2023
  5. 13.04.2024
  6. 03.09.2026
  7. 03.08.2012

Cholpon-Ata on the map

6 places · from 0.8 to 55 km

© OpenStreetMap

Each number links a place to its chapter. The road line is approximate.