Bokonbayevo - place in Issyk-Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan

Bokonbayevo is a village in Kyrgyzstan.

Understand

Bokonbayevo is a small, laid back city near the southern shore of Issyk Kul lake. Tourists use it mainly as rest/sleep stop between Bishkek and Karakol, although there are some interesting sights nearby.

Get in

Marshrutkas from Bishkek leave from the Western Bus Station (350 som, 5-6 hr). Take any one that goes the "southern route" towards Karakol. Or head to Balykchy first and take any marshrutkas going east on the southern route from here. Any of these should go through Bokonbayevo.

Get around

Walking or taxi (50 som).

See

• Kan Dobo Ruins and Museum, 42.0642°, 76.9934°. Ruins of an ancient 6th-12th century settlement. 2019-03-27

Do

• Issyk Kul lake

• Eagle shows (3,000 som or less, depending on your negotiation skills)

• Horse riding (tours to a nearby viewpoint, 6 hr roundtrip, from 3,100 som for 2 people + guide)

Buy

Eat

Drink

Sleep

• Guesthouse Gulmira, 107 Sekeev Street, +996 777 274 190. €19/double room 2018-08-01
• Various Yurt Camps, 42.16344°, 77.02918°. 2018-11-15
• Guest House Milana, Комузчу Бектур 27, Bokonbayevo, 42.112121°, 76.978421°, +996 707758273, +996 702097728. Comfortable, lovely family and not far from the center. Great view of the mountains. Also serves breakfast and dinner. 300 som, incl. breakfast 500 som 2019-08-21

Go next

• A taxi to Karakol with stops at the Fairy Tale Canyon, Barskoon waterfalls and Jeti Oguz can be arranged for 3,000 som. But this is far beyond any reasonable price you should pay in this country. You are better off hitchhiking (autostop) or using a marshrutka.
• A taxi to the nearby Salt Lake is 1,500 som (1 hr drive, 2 hr at the lake, 1 hr back).
• The Barskoon waterfalls is 50 km east of Bokonbayevo, 20 km from the highway to the south.