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White yurts and small houses stand on a green slope between spruce trees and a high rocky mountain.
22/06/2026 · Hot springs

Karakol → Skazka → Barskoon waterfalls, 1 day

Skazka and waterfalls in a day from Karakol

Place: Barskoon waterfalls

  • One dayReturn in the evening
  • ≈241 kmof map context sections
  • Transfers and walksDifficulty: ask your guide
  • All year roundseason
  • Karakol≈2–2.5 h to Skazka Canyon
Kyrgyz SeasonsPlanning a trip?Ask about a trip

In order

7 stages in a day

The map shows separate sections, rather than the entire trip. Numbers mark known landmarks; agree exact stops before travelling.

  1. A broad town street with pavements and low houses, with a snowy mountain range in the distance.28.04.2023

    Day 11 / 7

    Karakol → Skazka Canyon

    Karakol · Skazka Canyon

    by car≈2–2.5 h

    Drive from Karakol along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul to Skazka Canyon.

    Next: Canyon and picnic →
  2. Red canyon walls surround a hollow filled with water, with grass growing along the edges.18.07.2018

    Day 12 / 7

    Canyon and picnic

    Skazka Canyon

    on foot

    Walk among colourful rocks, then have a picnic on the shore of Issyk-Kul.

    Next: Drive to the waterfalls →
  3. A white waterfall stream is visible among spruce forest on a steep slope below dark rock walls.04.06.2024

    Day 13 / 7

    Drive to the waterfalls

    Barskoon waterfalls

    by car≈1 h

    Drive along the southern shore and up Barskoon Gorge.

    Next: Two waterfalls →
  4. A waterfall flows down a rock face between spruce trees and stony slopes.24.08.2008

    Day 14 / 7

    Two waterfalls

    Barskoon waterfalls

    on foot≈1 h to the waterfall

    Walk to the Leopard’s Tears and Bowl of Manas waterfalls. You can see the Yuri Gagarin monument in the gorge.

    Next: Return drive →
  5. A carved wooden church facade, with green roofs and golden domes above a lawn.

    Day 15 / 7

    Return drive

    by car

    After the walk, drive back to Karakol with a stop for swimming.

    Next: Hot springs →
  6. White yurts and small houses stand on a green slope between spruce trees and a high rocky mountain.22.06.2026

    Day 16 / 7

    Hot springs

    Bathe and relax at hot springs on the way to Karakol.

    Next: Dinner in Karakol →
  7. A carved wooden church facade, with green roofs and golden domes above a lawn.

    Day 17 / 7

    Dinner in Karakol

    Karakol

    Dinner at a Karakol café and return to your guesthouse.

    Next: Barskoon waterfalls: four seasons ↓

Seasons

Barskoon waterfalls: four seasons

Season: year-round. Monthly temperatures at the destination are averages for 2016–2025, not a forecast.

  1. Spring

    March–May

    Ice formations can occur at the waterfalls in April.

    • Marchseasonat the destination +1° / −7°
    • Aprilseasonat the destination +6° / −1°
    • Mayseasonat the destination +10° / +2°

  2. Summer

    June–August

    Flowing water, green banks and conifer forest.

    • Juneseasonat the destination +14° / +6°
    • Julyseasonat the destination +17° / +9°
    • Augustseasonat the destination +16° / +8°

  3. Autumn

    September–November

    Daytime temperatures are about +13 °C in September and about +6 °C in October.

    • Septemberseasonat the destination +13° / +4°
    • Octoberseasonat the destination +6° / −2°
    • Novemberseasonat the destination 0° / −8°
  4. Based on a photo by Ondřej Žváček, CC BY 2.5, modified

    Winter

    December–February

    In winter you can see frozen waterfalls.

    • Decemberseasonat the destination −3° / −12°
    • Januaryseasonat the destination −4° / −13°
    • Februaryseasonat the destination −3° / −12°

Where it is

Location
Issyk-Kul Region
From the base
≈142 km from Karakol by road
Elevation
2,490 m
Coordinates
42.01° N, 77.61° E

Included in these guides

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Before you go

Getting there and what to know before you go

How to get there

  • From Karakol

    Drive via Skazka Canyon

    2–2.5 h to Skazka Canyon, then about 1 h to Barskoon. check for your date

  • To the waterfalls

    About 1 h on foot

    Ask your guide how long the whole walk takes.

  • Back to Karakol

    Via the hot springs

    Return via the hot springs; dinner and a guesthouse in Karakol in the evening.

Money, SIM cards and help

  • Tours. 15,000–25,000 som per vehicle. Confirm the price and what it covers before leaving.
  • Cash. Ask the organiser what the price includes.

112all emergencies

What to bring

Keep with you

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Check before departure

  • Forecast and mudflow warnings before departure
  • Access road and trail conditions ask your guide
  • Which waterfalls are accessible ask your guide
  • Pick-up location and return departure time with the operator
  • Name and conditions of the hot springs ask the organiser
  • What the trip price includes ask the organiser
  • Public transport to the trail
  • Time for the full walk around both waterfalls
  • Exact pick-up location
  • Bathing, food and admission costs
  • Mobile coverage on the walking section
  • Trail conditions in snow and ice
Kyrgyz SeasonsPlanning a trip?Ask about a trip

Keep planning

Guides and ready-made itineraries

Pages that include this place in a guide or itinerary.

Included in guides

All photos

Barskoon waterfalls in photos

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

  3. 24.08.2008
  4. 18.07.2018
  5. 28.04.2023
  6. 28.04.2024
  7. 04.06.2024
  8. 22.06.2026
  9. 22.06.2026

Places on the route

Barskoon waterfalls on the map

≈241 km of map context · 7 stages

© OpenStreetMap

Separate mapped sections and known landmarks are shown. The full route has not been confirmed; agree exact stops before travelling.