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A wide, deserted sandy beach by the blue lake, with shelters and a pier along the shore.
Sary-Oy: autumn

Sary-Oy

Updated How we check facts

A village with a wide sandy beach on the north shore of Issyk-Kul, west of Cholpon-Ata.

  • ≈254 km from BishkekFrom Karakol ≈152 km
  • Village on footBeach: ≈1.4 km away
  • 7 places nearby7 to 21 km away
  • 8 places to stay5 within 1.5 km of the centre
Kyrgyz SeasonsPlanning a trip?Ask about a triphello@kyrgyzseasons.com

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. The sandy beach of Kara-Oy with clear shallows and the calm blue surface of Issyk-Kul.August 14, 2022

    ≈7.2 km along the road1 / 7

    Kara-Oy

    By car, about 7 kmAll year round, by day

    The neighbouring village to the east: a sandy beach and the hot springs of the Ak-Bermet resort.

    Place page →

  2. A stone boulder with outlines of horned animals stands in the grass in an open area.October 10, 2014

    ≈12 km along the road2 / 7

    Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs

    By car, about 12 kmDaytime, best in dry weather

    An open-air museum above the highway. Animals, hunters and hunting scenes are carved into large boulders.

    Place page →

  3. A low museum building beside a town street, with leafless trees on the left.April 13, 2024

    ≈13 km along the road3 / 7

    History museum

    By car, about 13 kmAll year round, by day

    Cholpon-Ata’s town museum: Issyk-Kul history, traditional textiles, felt and musical instruments.

    Place page →

  4. A yurt on a green lawn, with three low reddish seats in front.

    ≈14 km along the road4 / 7

    Ruh Ordo cultural centre

    By car, about 14 kmWeather permitting

    A lakeside cultural complex named after Chingiz Aitmatov: chapels, sculptures and viewpoints.

    Place page →

  5. A beach beside a blue lake, buildings on the shore and a mountain range in the distance.July 6, 2017

    ≈15 km along the road5 / 7

    Cholpon-Ata beaches

    By car, about 15 kmJune–September

    The town’s sandy shore with piers. Some stretches are reached through resort grounds, so pick your spot in advance.

    Place page →

  6. A lake beside a gently sloping shore under grey clouds, with a barely visible mountain range in the distance.June 13, 2022

    ≈21 km along the road6 / 7

    Bosteri

    By car, about 21 kmJune–September

    A resort village beyond Cholpon-Ata: holiday resorts, beaches and a Ferris wheel on the shore.

    Place page →

  7. A pale pier runs from the sandy shore into the lake, with mountains stretching beyond the water.September 1, 2024

    ≈18 km along the road7 / 7

    Chok-Tal

    By car, about 18 kmJune–September

    A quiet village on the north shore on the way to Balykchy: a sandy shore and a pier, with beaches and gorges nearby.

    Place page →

Map

Sary-Oy: 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

    Days from +6 °C in March to +15 °C in May, nights from +3 to +11 °C.

    • MarchSary-Oy +6° / +3°
    • AprilSary-Oy +11° / +7°
    • MaySary-Oy +15° / +11°

  2. Summer

    June–August

    Days +18…+21 °C, nights +14…+17 °C.

    • JuneSary-Oy +18° / +14°
    • JulySary-Oy +21° / +17°
    • AugustSary-Oy +20° / +16°
  3. September 24, 2023

    Autumn

    September–November

    A wide, empty beach by the blue water. Days from +17 °C in September to +7 °C in November.

    • SeptemberSary-Oy +17° / +13°
    • OctoberSary-Oy +11° / +8°
    • NovemberSary-Oy +7° / +4°

  4. Winter

    December–February

    Days around +2…+4 °C, nights around 0 °C.

    • DecemberSary-Oy +4° / +1°
    • JanuarySary-Oy +2° / 0°
    • FebruarySary-Oy +3° / 0°

Where it is

Location
Issyk-Kul Region
Coordinates
42.61° N, 76.95° E
Open in Maps

Getting here and getting around town

How to get there

  • From Bishkek

    about 4 h

    Via Balykchy along the north shore of Issyk-Kul, about 254 km by road. No marshrutka timetable found: check for your date.

  • From Karakol

    about 3 h

    Along the north shore, about 152 km by road. Check marshrutka times and fares for your date.

Getting around town

  • On foot. The village is walkable; the beach is about 1.4 km away. Take a taxi to Cholpon-Ata and on trips.

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

  • Marshrutka timetables from Bishkek and Karakol
  • Transport back after the trip
  • Mobile network coverage

Check on site

  • Road conditions and transport back At your accommodation
  • Price and availability Accommodation host

Where to stay: 5 of 8 places are within 1.5 km of the centre

1 km1.5 km centre
guesthousehostelhotelother© OpenStreetMap

How many places

8 on the map

2 guesthouses1 hostel5 hotels

Within 1.5 km from the centre
5 of 8

Options with names, from the centre outwards

  1. Kaynarhotel
  2. Altyn-Bulak Guesthouseguesthouse
  3. Jamaicahotel
  4. Chaikahotel

Sary-Oy in photos

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

  1. April 13, 2024
  2. July 6, 2017
  3. June 13, 2022
  4. August 14, 2022
  6. September 22, 2007
  7. October 10, 2014
  8. September 24, 2023
  9. September 1, 2024

Guides and ready-made itineraries

Pages that include this place in a guide or itinerary.

Routes and programmes

Kyrgyz SeasonsPlanning a trip?Ask about a triphello@kyrgyzseasons.com

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