Staying in Cholpon-Ata on Issyk-Kul

Staying in Cholpon-Ata on Issyk-Kul

Cholpon-Ata is the centre of the northern shore and the best-known resort town on the lake: a promenade, cafés, the open-air petroglyph museum and the hippodrome that hosts the World Nomad Games. People come here when they want more than just a beach. Meiman lists 81 places in town.

What people book

Most of the supply is guest houses — 35 of them: a room at the host's place, breakfast, help with transport, cheaper than the sanatoriums. Next come houses and cottages (25), taken by families and groups for the yard and the barbecue. There are six hotels, a few aparthotels, apartments and even yurts. The median rate is around 5,000 som a night — noticeably lower than in neighbouring Bosteri and Chok-Tal, where whole houses dominate.

What is nearby

The beaches and the promenade are within walking distance of the centre. Bosteri, seven kilometres away, has the water park and the amusement park. To the west lie Sary-Oy and Chok-Tal, quieter and with larger houses. Issyk-Kul airport at Tamchy is about half an hour away; Bishkek is four hours by car.

What to check before booking

The distance to the water and which beach it is — the public one or the property's own. Whether breakfast or meals are included. Whether there is parking: in summer it is tight in the centre. For a guest house, how many rooms are let at once and whether the kitchen is shared.

Booking and payment

You book directly with the host, with no agency fees. Some places are confirmed straight away, others once the host has checked the dates. Meiman holds your prepayment until you check in and passes it to the host only afterwards; the rest you pay on arrival. You can pay by card or by QR. Book ahead for July and August, and for the days of major events at the hippodrome.