The village of Kyzyl-Suu sits quietly on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan. For most travellers, it’s just a name they see on a map when driving the long road between Karakol and Bokonbayevo, and they probably don’t even notice it. Most travellers will visit the Seven Bulls at Jeti Oguz, Fairytale Canyon, Barskoon (where you can see the famous Yuri Gagarin statue) and of course Beltam Yurt Camp. But tucked away in the mountains behind this small town is a little secret — a series of natural hot springs hidden in a deep green valley known as Chon Kyzyl-Suu Gorge.
These hot springs are not a developed resort with fancy pools or tiled baths. They’re simple, warm, and rustic, more like the sort of place you stumble across by accident than a planned destination. Yet that’s exactly what gives them their charm.
Where is it and how to get there?
Kyzyl-Suu lies about 70 kilometres west of Karakol, a town often used as a base for hiking around Issyk-Kul and the Terskey Ala-Too mountains. From Kyzyl-Suu, the gorge runs south into the mountains. The hot springs sit about 15 kilometres up this valley. The road starts paved but soon turns to dirt, so you’ll need a 4x4 vehicle or a local driver.
If you don’t have your own transport, you can hire a car/taxi in Karakol, or make you way to the main road turn off and try to hitchhike. You could also join one of our tours which makes everything a lot easier. It’s also possible to hike or cycle up the gorge. The route follows a clear river, with pastures, pine forests, and herds of horses along the way.
Eventually you’ll see a few small concrete pools and stone buildings where the springs have been channelled into bathing spots. A couple of pools are outdoors and offer lovely views of the valley; another couple are enclosed and used by locals in the colder months.
The Hot Springs Experience
The water at Kyzyl-Suu comes out at about 43–45°C (109–113°F). It has a faint smell of minerals, typical of geothermal water, and is believed to have health benefits, soothing tired muscles and helping skin conditions. Many visitors come after long treks or horse rides in the mountains.
There’s no luxury here: changing facilities are basic, and sometimes there’s no one around to collect a fee. But that simplicity is part of the attraction. Sitting in a steaming pool, surrounded by wild mountain scenery and silence, feels far removed from the busy beach towns around Issyk-Kul.
For hardened individuals you can jump directly from the hot mineral baths into the near freezing stream next to them which is supplied by snow and glacial melt.
Why Visit
If you want to experience a real Kyrgyz natural hot spring, this is one of the best. It’s peaceful, authentic, and rarely crowded. You’ll often share the pools with shepherds, locals, or a handful of travellers. The setting alongside snow-dusted peaks, pine forests, and the sound of the river makes it unforgettable.
For hikers, the gorge is also the start of several trekking routes into the Terskey Ala-Too Range, including paths that lead toward Jeti-Oguz, Ala-Kul, or the Altyn Arashan valley. Even if you just come for a day, it’s worth combining the hot springs with a short walk deeper into the gorge.
Practical Information
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Location: Chon Kyzyl-Suu Gorge, 15 km south of Kyzyl-Suu village
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Access: 4×4 vehicle or hike; road can be rough
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Entrance fee: Small, if attended (usually under $5)
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When to go: May to October (road may close in winter due to snow)
Kyzyl-Suu Hot Springs are one of those places that remind you what makes Kyrgyzstan special: raw nature, friendly people, and a feeling of discovery. Kyrgyzstan was never meant to be a 5-star travel destination, but one of rustic raw experiences like this.
