Eco Camping, Kazakhstan

Price: 100 Som to place your own tent/1500 Som or more to sleep in a Tipi (See ‘Accommodation’ below)

Location:

There is an interactive map at the bottom of their website for the exact location, or see 'Transportation' below.

Contact information:

Accommodation

Situated out in the middle of nowhere, Hippohae is a large territory on the edge of an inlet of Lake Issyk-Kul, at the Eastern end - around 30km outside Karakol. The accommodation options are:

- to place your own tent 100 Som per person (not per tent)

- ready-placed Tipi’s for 1500 Som or more, depending how many people will share it.

- rentable camping gear from 400 Som per day for tents or 100 Som per person for sleeping bag/mat/etc.

- bed in a 6-bed dorm for 300 Som

Activities

There is space to do yoga, swim, do wood crafts, make dream catchers, and most other crafty things you can think of that involve natural materials. At night time there are often bonfires, with drums played and throat-singing. During our stay there was also a movie night, which played alternative short movies to psychedelic music or involved aliens.

Food

There is free tea all day long, but there are not shops near by, so bring your own food or you can pay for breakfast, lunch and dinner at the campsite. This food is 100% delicious and 100% vegetarian. Price list as follows:

- 150 Som for breakfast

- 250 Som for dinner

- 400 Som for lunch and dinner

- 650 Som for breakfast, lunch and dinner

- 250 for children full board

Transportation

Transport to/from this site can be difficult, we managed to hitch hike here but there is a possibility you will be walking the full 17km from the main road cross junction. I would suggest getting a taxi here for around 400 Som, and the campsite can arrange transport back to this cross junction or Karakol for 400/600 Som respectively.

Directions for self-organised taxi/hitch hiking

Leave Karakol to the WEST, towards Jeti-Oguz.

At the cross junction to turn left to Jeti-Oguz, TURN RIGHT towards Lipenka

Drive through Lipenka to the NORTH

You will be driving down duty, dirt roads, towards a military base (you can already see the tops of the Tipi's)

Drive PAST the military base and TURN RIGHT at the only building here, which is next to two trees

You will now arrive at the gates of Hippohae campsite.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere here is very relaxed, no judgement of where you are from or where you are going. To be open minded and welcoming is important, but as long as you are respectful of the other guests and animals, you will have a wonderful time. The people who ‘work’ here are very friendly and will teach you a lot… Although the line between guests and those who ’work’ here is very blurred, as the more long-term guests will help out around the territory to keep it clean and fixed up. This helps towards the very relaxed atmosphere.

This is the first time we have paid to place our tent since starting our Central Asian travels, because there are so many beautiful camping spots available for free… But Hippohae is different to your average campsite.