Karakol, Kyrgyzstan

What to do in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan 

Karakol is probably the most touristic town in Kyrgyzstan, just because it’s the starting point for a lot of popular hikes. Most people who goes to Karakol only uses it as a starting point to these hikes, but if you decide to explore the town itself, you’ll notice that it’s quite a charming place with lots of hidden gems to discover. If you find yourself in Karakol, here’s what you can do. 

Visit the Antique Shop

This unique antique shop in Karakol has everything you can imagine from the Soviet times. If you want to buy a unique souvenir from Kyrgyzstan, this is definitely the place to go to. There’s old coins, Soviet pins, cameras gears, old police caps, and much more. Even if you don’t want to purchase anything, it’s worth stopping by. 

Go on a free walking tour 

Destination Karakol is a tourism agency that offers free walking tours where visitors get to see all the top monuments in Karakol and meet other travelers. Do remember to tip the guides if you think they did a good job, since most of the time, that’s their only salary. 

Visit the Dungan Mosque 

This beautiful mosque is quite a unique one since it was constructed and designed by Chinese artisans, which you can notice in the design. It was completed in 1910 and is still used today. The mosque was constructed without using any nails, making it an even more unique mosque. If you plan to visit, remember to wear appropriate clothes in order to enter. 

Drink coffee in one of the many cafés

One of the most popular cafés in Karakol is Fat Cat Café, which is also a social enterprise. They aim to give back to the local community by helping victims of abuse, low-income families, helping the homeless and schools. So you can drink coffee and contribute to a good cause, all at the same time. Other noteworthy coffee places include Karakol Meeting Point, which is situated just next to Duet Hostel. You also have Karakol Coffee, one of the most popular places for travelers who are looking to get a western breakfast or lunch. 

Where to stay in Karakol 

If you’re a solo traveler and wants to meet others who wants to join you for a hike for example, I suggest you stay at Duet Hostel. They also have a lot of information about the different types of hikes you can do and can even arrange guides for you. A big bonus is that the Karakol Meeting Point café is just next to the hostel, so you don’t have to go far to get a breakfast before you set off on your hike.  

Another hostel that’s worth mentioning is the KBH Hostel. It was probably the most modern hostel I stayed in during my month in Kyrgyzstan and they also have a lot of information about the different hikes you can do in the surrounding area. But it wasn’t as social as Duet Hostel, I thought. 

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