Bokonbayevo is a village in Kyrgyzstan.

Understand

Streets in Bokonbayevo

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

• 1 Kan Dobo Ruins and Museum (near Tuura-Suu, south of Bokonbayevo). Ruins of an ancient 6th-12th century settlement. (updated Mar 2019)

Do

• Issyk Kul lake

A local eagle man with his Golden Eagle

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

Horse trek in the surrounding area

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

Sleep

• 1 Akbermet Guest House, Калканова, 54 Bokonbayevo, ☏ +996 707 116 060. 4-bed dormitory. 800 som, incl. breakfast 890 som. (updated May 2024)
• Guesthouse Gulmira, 107 Sekeev Street, ☏ +996 777 274 190. €19/double room. (updated Aug 2018)
• 2 Guest House Milana, Комузчу Бектур 27, Bokonbayevo, ☏ +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. (updated Aug 2019)
• 3 Various Yurt Camps (just northwest of Tong (Тон) village). (updated Nov 2018)

Go next

• Karakol – With stops at the Fairy Tale Canyon, Barskoon waterfalls and Jeti Oguz on the way.
• Tong – Popular with locals for its Salt Lake.
• Tamga – With the Barskoon waterfalls is 50 km east of Bokonbayevo. The waterfall 20 km from the highway to the south.