Karakol

Karakol, at the eastern tip of Issyk-Kul, is the base for most treks in the Terskey Ala-Too. The town itself is worth a day: a wooden Russian Orthodox cathedral built without a single nail, a Chinese-style Dungan mosque, and a Sunday animal market.

Around Karakol

• Altyn-Arashan — hot springs in a pine valley under Palatka peak.
• Ala-Kul — a turquoise glacial lake at 3,500 m, reached over a 3,900 m pass.
• Jeti-Oguz — the red “Seven Bulls” cliffs.
• Karakol ski base — the best skiing in Central Asia from December to March.

Try ashlan-fu, a cold, spicy noodle soup the town is famous for.