The incredible Asian city finally getting a revamped airport

Karakol, a city in Kyrgyzstan, has been operating without its major airport since 2018. Temporarily ceasing flights, the building has undergone major reconstruction in a bid to expand the number of global tourist arrivals.

Plans to revive and modernise the airport and air terminal complexes were approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic. This includes a whopping new extension of the artificial runway by 400 meters, as well as the construction of a new gigantic building of the terminal complex of the Karakol International Airport.

The much needed new terminal opens up great opportunities for the Central Asian country as it will become possible to receive passengers on international flights. The modern passenger infrastructure and favourable location of the airport will help attract additional tourist flows, contributing to the socio-economic strengthening of the region as a whole.

Karakol is one of the country’s more remote cities, with limited public transport options. The most common method of transportation is a ‘marshrutka’, a shared taxi which is known for being notoriously bumpy. 

However, the Kyrgyz city makes the journey worth the trek, having been named the adventure capital of Central Asia, famed for its cultural diversity.

Karakol lies about 93 miles from the Kyrgyzstan-China border, with the area traditionally being a honeytrap for intrepid adventurists. 

The city offers a plethora of activities with a stunning mountainous backdrop. From the rugged Tien Shan mountains to the grand Issyk-Kul lake, the world’s second largest Alpine lake, visitors will be surrounded by constant beauty. 

Hiking, horse riding, kayaking, and paragliding are just some of the activities the region offers, as well as birdwatching trips or wildlife safaris to spot some of the world’s rarest animals. Brown bears, wild pigs, lynxes, grey wolves and ermines can be spotted along the more mountainous regions alongside mountain goats and even snow leopards. 

The city also hosts the Karakol Ski Base, the highest ski resort in Central Asia. A new ski resort, Three Peaks, will be unveiled in 2026, in partnership with French ski specialist Société des Trois-Vallées. This venture will draw even more sporting enthusiasts to the region.