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astrogeoguy · 5 years

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Lovely Luna in Evening, Saturn Shines at Maximum, and Moonlight-Friendly Sights!

(Above: Look - a donut! The Ring Nebula in Lyra, imaged by Ron Brecher of Guelph, Ontario on July 25, 2012. His other excellent images are found at http://astrodoc.ca/ )

Hello, Summer Stargazers!

Here are your Astronomy Skylights for the week of July 7th, 2019 by Chris Vaughan. Feel free to pass this along to your friends and send me your comments, questions, and suggested topics. I repost these emails with photos at http://astrogeoguy.tumblr.com/ where all the old editions are archived. You can also follow me on Twitter as @astrogeoguy! Unless otherwise noted, all times are Eastern Time. Please click this MailChimp link to subscribe to these emails. If you are a teacher or group leader interested joining me on a guided field trip to York University’s Allan I. Carswell Observatory or the David Dunlap Observatory, visit www.astrogeo.ca.

I can bring my Digital Starlab inflatable planetarium to your school or other daytime or evening event. Contact me, and we’ll tour the Universe together!

The Moon and Planets

This is the week of the lunar month when skywatchers worldwide can enjoy the moon in the early evening sky - just ahead of next week’s 50th anniversary of Apollo 11. And, two more planets will reach opposition and maximum visibility this week. Here are the Skylights!

(Above: The moon at First Quarter, imaged by Michael Watson of Toronto in spring, 2015. Michael’s amazing photos can be viewed on his Flickr page here.)

Tonight (Sunday) the moon will begin the week as a pretty waxing crescent in the western, early evening sky on the border between Virgo (the Maiden) and Leo (the Lion). On Tuesday morning, the Earth-orbiting moon will reach a 90 degree angle from the sun - setting up its First Quarter phase, when it appears half-illuminated from Earth. We call this phase “first quarter” because the moon has completed one-quarter of the trip around Earth.

First quarter moons rise around noon and set around midnight. The evenings surrounding this lunar phase are the best times to look at the moon under magnification. As the sun slowly rises over the moon’s eastern horizon (which takes a week!), its steeply slanted rays of light cast deep, black shadows to the west of every elevated feature – mountains, crater rims, boulders, and even fault lines. Every hour, and every night, the zone alongside the terminator, the pole-to-pole boundary dividing the lit and dark hemispheres, creeps west - revealing new breathtaking vistas.

On Tuesday night, the moon will take up a position above (celestial north of) the very bright, white star Spica in Virgo. Over the course of several hours, you can watch the moon’s orbital motion carry it eastwards of that star. That’s toward the left for Northern Hemisphere observers, and vice versa.

On Thursday and Friday night, the waxing gibbous (which means “more than half-illuminated”) moon will visit Libra (the Scales) and then land above the up-down row of three little white stars that mark the claws of Scorpius (the Scorpion).

In the southern sky on Saturday evening, the waxing gibbous moon will land about three finger widths to the left (east) of the bright planet Jupiter. If you watch the moon and Jupiter over several hours, starting at dusk, you will see the moon’s orbit carry it farther from the planet, while the rotation of the sky will lift the moon above Jupiter.

(Above: The bright gas giant planets continue to dominate the southern evening sky. On Saturday, July 13, the bright, waxing gibbous moon will land near Jupiter, as shown here for 10 pm local time.)

For about an hour after sunset on the Sunday evening, Mercury’s orbital motion downwards towards the sun will bring it less than 4 finger widths to the lower left (south) of slightly brighter Mars. The two dim planets will be very low in the north-northwestern twilit sky. Take care that the sun has completely disappeared below the horizon before attempting to search for them with binoculars or telescopes. The best time to look for Mercury falls between 9:30 and 9:45 pm local time. Mars sets nearly 30 minutes later, so you’ll have more time to look for it. Observers closer to the Equator will have a better chance to see the two planets – due to a darker sky after sunset. Mercury will drop too low to see after mid-week.

(Above: Mars and Mercury can be spotted with difficulty, low in the north-northwestern sky after sunset early this week, as shown here at 9:40 pm local time. Mercury is following its orbit downward, toward the sun.)

That incredibly bright object that you’ve been seeing in the southeastern evening sky recently is Jupiter! This week, Jupiter will be visible from dusk to almost 4 am local time. Even a backyard telescope can show Jupiter’s saucy equatorial stripes and the four Galilean moons named Io, Europa, Callisto, and Ganymede. They always appear in a rough line flanking the planet. If you see fewer than four, then some are either in front of Jupiter, or hidden behind it.

From time to time, the small, round black shadows cast by the Galilean moons become visible in amateur telescopes as they cross (or transit) Jupiter’s disk. Io’s shadow will transit Jupiter after midnight on Thursday (i.e., Friday morning) from 12:31 am to 2:43 am EDT.

Due to Jupiter’s rapid 10-hour rotation period, the Great Red Spot (or GRS) is only observable from Earth every 2nd or 3rd night, and only during a predictable three-hour window. The GRS will be easiest to see using a medium-sized, or larger, aperture telescope on an evening of good seeing (steady air). If you’d like to see the Great Red Spot in your telescope, it will be crossing the planet starting late on Monday evening (from 10:15 pm until 2:15 am EDT). More GRS viewing opportunities will occur after dusk on Tuesday and Thursday, and on Saturday night from 10:15 pm to 1:30 am EDT.

On the afternoon of Tuesday, July 9, Earth’s orbit will carry us between Saturn and the sun. Sitting opposite the sun in the sky on that date, Saturn will rise at sunset and arrive at its minimum separation from Earth of 9.0 Astronomical Units (an AU is the average sun-Earth distance). That’s 1.351 billion km, or 75 light-minutes! Saturn will shine at a peak brightness for the year (magnitude +0.05) and exhibit an apparent disk diameter of 18.4 arc-seconds. The rings, which will be getting narrower every year until the spring of 2025, will subtend 42.86 arc-seconds. (For comparison, the full moon is 1,800 arc-seconds across.) Don’t fret if Tuesday is cloudy. Saturn will look nearly as good for several days.

(Above: Saturn will reach peak visibility for 2019 on Tuesday, as shown here at 10:30 pm EDT. Look in the southeastern sky after dusk, about 30 degrees to the lower left of Jupiter.)

Yellow-tinted Saturn will remain visible all night long. Its position in the sky is just to the left (east) of the stars that form the teapot-shaped constellation of Sagittarius (the Archer). Saturn is quite a bit dimmer than Jupiter. To find it, look about 3 fist diameters to the lower left (east) of Jupiter. Dust off your telescope! Once the sky is dark, even a small telescope will show Saturn's rings and several of its brighter moons, especially Titan! Because Saturn’s axis of rotation is tipped about 27° from vertical (a bit more than Earth’s is), we can see the top surface of its rings, and its moons can appear above, below, or to either side of the planet. During this week, Titan will migrate counter-clockwise around Saturn, moving from Saturn’s right tonight (Sunday) to the upper left of the planet next Sunday. (Remember that your telescope will flip the view around.)

For night owls, distant and dim, blue Neptune is in the southeastern pre-dawn sky, among the stars of Aquarius (the Water-Bearer). The planet will be rising shortly before midnight local time this week. You’ll find the magnitude 7.9 planet sitting a thumb’s width to the left (east) of a medium-bright star named Phi (φ) Aquarii.

Blue-green Uranus will be rising at about 1:30 am local time this week. It is sitting below the stars of Aries (the Ram) and is just a palm’s width above the head of Cetus. At magnitude 5.8, Uranus is bright enough to see in binoculars.

Venus is bright enough to see within the pre-dawn twilight sky that surrounds it, but it is sitting very low in the northeast - sinking ever-closer to the rising sun. Venus will be rising at about 5 am local time all week.

But wait, there’s more! On Sunday, July 14, the dim and distant dwarf planet Pluto will also reach opposition. (After all, it IS sitting near Saturn this year.) On that date, Pluto will be the closest to Earth (4.91 billion km, or 273 light-minutes) and reach its greatest visual magnitude (+14.2) for 2019. Pluto will rise in the east at sunset and reach its highest elevation, over the southern horizon, at 1:20 am local time. While Pluto is far too dim to see in amateur-grade telescopes, an astronomy app can show you where it is compared to the brighter nearby stars. Even if you can’t see it directly, you will know that Pluto is there.

Some Moonlight-Friendly Sights

While the moon will brighten evening skies all over the world this week, there are still plenty of sights to see.

Stars shine with a colouration that is produced by their surface temperatures, and this is captured in their spectral classification. The three bright stars of the Summer Triangle, namely Deneb, Vega, and Altair, are all A-class stars that appear blue-white to the eye and have surface temperatures in the range of 7,500 to 10,000 K. High in the southwestern sky, orange Arcturus is a K-class giant star with a temperature of only 4,300 K. Finally, reddish Antares, the heart of Scorpius, is an old M-class star with a surface temperature of 3,500 K. By comparing these stars colors’ to other stars, you can estimate those stars’ temperatures. The classification letters, from hottest to coolest are: OBAFGKM. Can you think up a mnemonic phrase to remember the order? I have one.

(Above: The bright stars of summer shine with different colours. Deneb, Vega, and Altair are hot white, medium-hot Arcturus is orange, and cooler Antares is closer to reddish. The sky is shown for early July at 10 pm local time.)

The constellation of Lyra (the Harp) is positioned high overhead in late evening in early July. This constellation features a coffee and a donut! Keen eyes might reveal that the star Epsilon Lyrae, located just one finger’s width to the left (east) of the bright star Vega (Alpha Lyrae), is a double star. Binoculars or a small telescope will certainly show the pair. Examining Epsilon at high magnification will reveal that each of the stars is itself a double – hence its nick-name, “the double-double”. To see the donut, aim your telescope midway between the stars Sulafat and Sheliak, which form the southern end of Lyra’s parallelogram. Messier 57, also known as the Ring Nebula, will appear as a faint grey ring. Higher magnification works well on this planetary nebula – which is the corpse of a star that had a similar mass to our sun.

(Above: The constellation of Lyra, the Harp features summertime’s brightest star, Vega. It also contains a coffee and a donut - the double double-star Epsilon Lyrae and the Ring Nebula, respectively.)

Mid-July evenings bring us one of the best asterisms in the sky, the Teapot in Sagittarius (the Archer). This informal star pattern features a flat bottom formed by the stars Ascella on the east and Kaus Australis on the west, a triangular pointed spout pointing west, marked by the star Alnasl, and a pointed lid marked by the star Kaus Borealis. The stars Nunki and Tau Sagittarii form its handle. The asterism reaches maximum height above the southern horizon around midnight, when it will look as if it’s serving its hot beverage – with the steam rising as the Milky Way!

(Above: The stars of Sagittarius form a quaint Teapot-shaper asterism. The Milky Way rises like steam from its spout, as shown here at 11 pm local time in early July.)

The Summer Triangle

If you missed last week’s note about the Summer Triangle asterism, which shines high in the eastern sky every July, I posted it here.

Public Astro-Themed Events

Taking advantage of the moon and other bright objects in the sky this week, the RASC Toronto Centre astronomers will hold their free monthly public City Sky Star Party in Bayview Village Park (steps from the Bayview subway station), starting around 8 pm on the first clear weeknight this week (Mon to Thu only). You don’t need to be an RASC member, or own any equipment, to join them – looks are free! Check here for details, and check the banner on their website home page or Facebook page for the GO or NO-GO decision around 5 pm each day.

Every Monday evening, York University’s Allan I. Carswell Observatory runs an online star party - broadcasting views from four telescopes/cameras, answering viewer questions, and taking requests! Details are here. On Wednesday nights they offer free public viewing through their rooftop telescopes. If it’s cloudy, the astronomers give tours and presentations. Details are here.

On Tuesday, July 9, starting at 7 pm, U of T’s AstroTour planetarium show will be Our Musical Universe. Find tickets and details here.

Weather permitting, on Tuesday, July 9 from 9 to 10:30 pm, astronomers from RASC – Mississauga will hold a free public star party at the Riverwood Conservancy, 4300 Riverwood Park Lane, Mississauga. Details are here.

On Thursday, July 11, starting at 7 pm, U of T’s AstroTour will present their planetarium show Grand Tour of the Cosmos. Tickets and details are here.

At 2 pm on Thursday, July 11, the Cliffcrest Library will present a free public talk by Dr. John Percy, Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto, in Astronomy & Astrophysics and in Science Education entitled The Amazing Universe. Check here for details.

If it’s sunny on Saturday morning, July 13 from 10 am to noon, astronomers from the RASC Toronto Centre will be setting up outside the main doors of the Ontario Science Centre for Solar Observing. Come and see the Sun in detail through special equipment designed to view it safely. This is a free event (details here), but parking and admission fees inside the Science Centre will still apply. Check the RASC Toronto Centre website or their Facebook page for the Go or No-Go notification.

The next RASC Family Night at the David Dunlap Observatory will be on Saturday, July 13. There will be sky tours in the Skylab planetarium room, space crafts, a tour of the giant 74” telescope, and viewing through lawn telescopes (weather permitting). The doors will open at 8:30 pm for a 9 pm start. Attendance is by tickets only, available here. If you are a RASC Toronto Centre member and wish to help us at DDO in the future, please fill out the volunteer form here. And to join RASC Toronto Centre, visit this page.

Keep looking up, and enjoy the sky when you do. I love questions and requests - so, send me some!

#astronomy #stars #planets #First quarter moon #Lyra #Saturn #Pluto #opposition #Ring Nebula #Messier 57

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seniorbrief · 6 years

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The Most Spectacular Sunset from Every State

The Most Spectacular Sunset from Every State | Reader’s Digest

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Nebraska

Courtesy Cathy Bruha

“I was lucky to have the opportunity to observe this little fox family from across a canal in our area (rural central Nebraska) for a couple of months a few summers ago. I enjoyed watching them grow and hunt and play. This evening shot was one of the last times I saw them before they disbanded towards the end of summer. We have seen a couple of them briefly since, but none of them returned to the same den.” — Cathy Bruha

Nevada

Johnny Adolphson/Shutterstock

Cactus flowers help this springtime sunset shine in the Nevada desert. Don’t miss the most stunning desert escapes around the country.

New Hampshire

Courtesy Lydia Williams

“The gorgeous sunset on the hay wagon on Wagon Hill in Durham, NH was a beautiful eye catcher. In the winter, children sled down the hill. But this summer sight was so spectacular.” — Lydia Williams

New Jersey

Courtesy Janet Klecz

“This is the vast salt marsh estuary that makes up a large part of the south Jersey topography. It teems with life; mammals, shellfish, and birds. Butterflies, lightning bugs, and frogs. Fish, turtles, and snakes. I captured this photo just between sunset and the rise of the transparent new sugar moon. It is a full briny smelling flood tide, with no breeze at all. This was a very tranquil moment. The entire marsh begins to sing, as unseen creatures awaken to compose new music in the moonlight.” — Janet Klecz

New Mexico

Dean Fikar/Shutterstock

The Red Rocks area of northern New Mexico is home to some of the most marvelous sunsets in the state.

New York

Courtesy Marisa Wiedl

“This photo was shot after a major rain storm this summer. The landscape can change very quickly in upstate New York as summer storms move in, but the good news is they end with lots of rainbows.” — Marisa Wiedl

North Carolina

Courtesy Heidi Saunders

“Last Friday night was really chilly and the sky was cloudy! So we decided to take a drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway to Water Rock Knob! Twenty minutes later and several degrees colder, the sun was slowly going down and providing a gorgeous show for all to see! Since my new telephoto lens had not come yet, I used my cell phone to capture a few shots! It was a truly perfect evening!” — Heidi Saunders

North Dakota

Courtes yCarmel Meier Hardison

“I chose this image because this is taken out in rural North Dakota, known for its wheat fields; it also is known for its beauty in sunflowers as well as its sunsets, and I had the opportunity to capture them both in this beautiful image.” — Carmel Meier Hardison

Ohio

Michael Shake/Shutterstock

“Beautiful sunset over the Maumee River in northwest Ohio.”

Oklahoma

Courtesy Marshalene Wimer

“Rupturing skies above a little country church in Fairview, Oklahoma made me think of the day we have to look forward to when Jesus will come back in the clouds above to come and take His children to Heaven. What a sight and what a day that will be! This was taken on 10-04-16 above our little country town as a dry line was moving through.” — Marshalene Wimer.

Oregon

Courtesy Liz Watkins

“On an evening bike ride, I noticed how beautiful the sky was as my daughter rode in front of me. We had to stop and breathe in the still air and capture the feeling in the last few minutes as the sun went down. These are the moments where I’m reminded to be thankful for the serenity of the great Oregon outdoors. It’s beautifully quiet yet intense, especially when you take the time to listen to the sunset.” — Liz Watkins

Pennsylvania

Courtesy Susan Grove

“Living in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania you have a front-row seat to history. Surrounded by the mountains, it is a beautiful place to visit at any time of the year. The last few years, fields of sorghum have been planted on parts of the battlefield, and they put on quite a show as they begin to acquire their rust-red fall color. On my way home from work one evening, I took a small detour so that I could capture one of the fields with the backdrop of the beautiful orange sunset behind the mountains.” — Susan Grove. Don’t miss some of America’s most stunning hiking trails to see more beautiful sunsets.

Rhode Island

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The Castle Hill Lighthouse stands in Newport, Rhode Island, to greet ships headed for Providence by way of Narragansett Bay.

South Carolina

Courtesy Mary Fosnow

“I have always enjoyed stepping outside with my camera around sunset. It’s my favorite time of day. The last moments are sunlight are magical to me. I have witnessed many breathtaking sunsets, with vivid shades of red and orange. But this particular evening, I was stopped in my tracks by the masterpiece in the sky. I was mesmerized by the brilliant hues, all uniting and blending in a perfect display. I live in South Carolina, a beautiful state. I savor the scenery around me as I go about my day. But that evening, I felt especially grateful and lucky to have witnessed such a splendid scene.” — Mary Fosnow

South Dakota

Courtesy Sherrie Kersting

The older I get and the more difficult life becomes the more I am reminded the simple things in life are what matter most. Well, those simple things all began on this farm 50 years ago. It is through this farm that I realized the importance of faith, family and farming. All of which are tried in today’s world. My quote for this picture is ‘Some old-fashioned things such as fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat,’ by Laura Ingalls Wilder. God placed this quote in my lap the day I took this picture, as the picture was taken south of De Smet, SD, home of Laura.” — Sherrie Kersting

Tennessee

Courtesy Raymond Gobernatz

“Beautiful sunsets on Reelfoot Lake in West Tennessee are unbelievable. Wildlife is abundant. The color these sunsets provide are fantastic.” — Raymond Gobernatz

Texas

Courtesy Susan Moore

“Fall may not be as pretty here in Rockwall, Texas but the sunsets are gorgeous on Lake Ray Hubbard. I cross the long bridge coming home every evening and kept my camera in my car to catch the perfect sunset by the lighthouse at the harbor. Every night I would wait to have this red color and finally captured it. I have yet to see it again. It’s amazing how quickly it moves when trying to get the pictures!” — Susan Moore

Utah

Courtesy Katherine Plessner

“On a visit to Bryce National Park on a spring day, it was almost a blizzard when we got there. The sun came out late in the day for some beautiful evening colors.” — Katherine Plessner. Don’t miss these stunning photos of national parks covered in snow.

Vermont

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Boats bask in the golden sunset on Lake Champlain near Burlington, Vermont.

Virginia

Courtesy Austin King

“This is a 1933 Dairy Barn in Bedford, Virginia. I’ve taken many pictures of this old dairy barn and this one captures the beauty the most. The work done by farmers in the heat of summer and the cold snowy days of winter is the reason this barn is still so special today! This photo was taken by photographer Austin King around August 2016.”

Washington

Courtesy Tara Fritz

“This picture reminds me how the sky can be an ever-changing canvas. An evening stroll can turn into a masterpiece in the sky. The picture is taken in Washougal, Washington at the Columbia River looking towards Oregon. The beauty of the Pacific Northwest seems to never stop amazing me. The colors, sky, water, marsh grass all make this photo so beautiful.” — Tara Fritz

West Virginia

Steve Heap/Shutterstock

The sun sets over the mountains of West Virginia, illuminating the New River Bridge.

Wisconsin

Courtesy Gini Waltz

“I could hardly get my camera fast enough when I saw the brilliant sunset over Deer Lake in northern Wisconsin where we have a cabin. I knew that the changing colors in the sky would soon be fading, so I hurried to capture its beauty from several different angles. At the same time as the sun was setting, my husband Jim was casting his fishing line out to try to bring in a bass or walleye. I like the way the silhouettes look against the setting sun.” — Gini Waltz

Wyoming

Nagel Photography/Shutterstock

Clouds over Grand Teton National Park highlight the colors given off by the setting sun. Next, be sure to check out these gorgeous photos of national parks in full bloom.

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fadingfartconnoisseur · 7 years

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Top 10 Things To Do in Karakol (That Don’t Involve Trekking)

Karakol is the main city in the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan and is mostly known for being a jumping-off point for the surrounding Tian Shan Mountains and the popular treks to Ala-Kul lake, Altyn Arashan hot springs and the new treks in the village of Jyrgalan.

But, there are so many things to do in Karakol itself, many of which don’t even involve trekking!

I have to admit, when we first visited Karakol in 2013, we were there to do what most people do – spend the night and go trekking in the mountains the next day. However, having returned to the city this year, we’ve now learned about some new (and really cool) things to see and do in and around Karakol.

Whether you’re a trekker, or not, spend a couple of days and soak up all that the city and its surroundings have to offer. Here’s my list of 10 non-trekking things to check out when you’re in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan.

“Ok, Nick, that’s enough noodles!” Learning to make ashlanfu with Hamida was a highlight of our trip to Karakol

1. Visit a Dungan Village & Have a Feast

Did you know that many of the residents of Karakol are actually Dungan people? These are a group of Arab-Chinese Muslims who fled their homes in China during the revolution against the Buddhists in 1877. They crossed the towering Tian Shan Mountain range and arrived in Karakol. With them, they brought religion, culture and cuisine.

In just 15 minutes by car, you’ll arrive in the Dungan village of Yrdyk, with a population of 3,000 people. This day tour brings you to the local mosque (only men are allowed inside), the Dungan museum which is run by the sweetest old man, and finally, to a family home for a feast with Hamida as the host.

Mosque in the Village of Yrdyk

First, you’ll be able to see how the popular (and delicious!) local ashlamfu noodle dish is made, and will be able to construct one yourself. From there, you’ll make your way into Hamida’s living room where you’ll sit on colourful carpets and wait for your feast to arrive.

There are a minimum of 8 homemade dishes served, all of which are incredibly flavourful and completely different from traditional Kyrgyz food. You will be absolutely stuffed and satisfied after this meal!

Don’t miss this tour to the Dungan Village of Yrdyk, we highly recommend it.

Look at this massive spread of food! The feast at Hamida’s home was delicious

To book this tour, contact the wonderful people at Destination Karakol, either by phone (+996 558 508 808), Facebook Message, or by visiting their office, which is located right next to Fat Cat Cafe at 22, Gagarin Street. The cost of the tour, including guide, transportation, mosque visit, museum visit and traditional Dungan meal is $20 / person.

2. Sip Coffee & Beer at Fat Cat Cafe

Since opening in 2016, Fat Cat Cafe has proved itself to be an excellent addition to the food and drink scene in Karakol. Here you can order a latte, homemade pizza, chocolate cake, or even an IPA craft beer! All of which can be enjoyed on the outdoor patio.

Zhamilia is the owner, and although she is Kyrgyz, she spent some years living in Germany earning her Masters Degree. When you eat or drink at this cafe, not only will you be impressed by the food and drinks, but, you’ll be putting your money towards the dreams of a wonderful woman, and the community she supports.

The beautiful Zhamilia at Fat Cat Cafe

Among other things, Fat Cat Cafe supports the school supply drive for underprivileged kids in the nearby villages, and teaches baking skills to women who are victims of domestic abuse. In fact, Zhamilia’s mother opened the NGO to empower, educate and encourage women.

The motto at Fat Cat Cafe is ““Coffee, Food and Giving Back”.

Although there are a few cafes in Karakol, we recommend Fat Cat for all of the reasons listed above! A latte at the cafe goes for $2, while a 500ml IPA beer will set you back just $2 as well! The prices here are very fair. To learn more about Fat Cat Cafe, check out their Facebook Page or call them at +996 777 066 603. This cafe is located right beside the Destination Karakol office

3. Hop On a Boat For a Sunset Cruise

Lake Issyk-Kul is the second largest lake in the world, and is the most popular tourist site in Kyrgyzstan, for good reason. The lake is absolutely gorgeous and is a great place to cool off during those hot Kyrgyzstan summers.

Even though Lake Issyk-Kul is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, this endoheric lake never freezes!

The sandy beaches and rocky shoreline are beautiful, but getting out on the water is what it’s all about. Grab some friends and head out on a sunset cruise. Sip on a beer and watch the sun dip behind the mountains.

Sunset with beers on the lake, nothing better than that!

This is the perfect way to end the day in Karakol.

Sunset cruises can be organized and booked through the Destination Karakol office in town. Call them at +996 558 508 808, send them an email [email protected], or check out their Facebook Page. In general, the cruise costs 1,200 som ($17) / person, which includes a free beer and transport from your hotel. A minimum of 8 people are required, with the maximum being 50!

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4. Go On a Free Walking Tour

A great way to see all of the top monuments and neighbourhoods of Karakol is by joining the new free walking tour on offer with Destination Karakol. Free walking tours have been available all over the world for a very long time, and finally there is one in here! Each time we’ve joined a walking tour around the world, we’ve learned something new and had a great experience, and it was no different with this one.

Dungan Mosque in the city of Karakol – it was built without using any nails!

Now, it’s true that Karakol may not have as many must-see sights or historic buildings as, say, Edinburgh, Salta, Berlin or Medellín, but there are still many hidden gems in the city.

Meet up with your guide and set off to see the Dungan Mosque which took 3 years to build…without using a single nail! You’ll also visit the Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Church, an antique shop, the fruit and vegetable market and the Russian Quarter with its gingerbread looking houses.

The Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity church on a cloudy day in Karakol

The walking tour is a good way to get your bearings of the city, while learning about some of the history of Karakol as well.

Although the Free Walking Tour is “free”, tips are appreciated if you were happy with the service. You can sign up for the tour at the Destination Karakol office. Visit them at 22, Gagarin Street, call them at+996 558 508 808, or check out their Facebook Page.

5. Make (and Eat) Laghman Noodles

Laghman noodles can be found all around Central Asia, and in parts of China as well. We ate countless bowls of laghman soup with mutton when we were teaching English in Yangzhou, China. It was our go-to meal!

This special type of noodle is rolled very thin before being pulled and stretched over and over again, resulting in a very long noodle that looks like a string. The noodles are added to spicy broths to make a delicious soup, or fried with sauce, vegetables and meat. No matter which type of laghman you choose to eat, it’ll be tasty!

Watching the expert stretch out the noodles for laghman soup, before giving it a try ourselves

If you’ve never seen laghman noodles rolled, pulled and stretched (of if you’ve never sampled laghman soup) then you definitely need to check out this tour.

You’ll meet up with Gulya the host who will give you a demonstration about noodle stretching, before you’re able to give it a try yourself! Once all of the noodles are pulled, Gulya will create a delicious beef laghman soup for you, plus you’ll enjoy some mantis, vegetables and bread.

If you’re interested in making laghman noodles, and eating the delicious soup, you can arrange this tour with Destination Karakol. The tour includes transportation, the noodle rolling lesson and the meal itself. The cost is $15 / person.

6. Barter For Cattle at the Animal Market

Try to time your trip to Karakol for a weekend! Every Sunday, around 2 kilometers outside of the city, you’ll find hundreds of Kyrgyz people selling, swapping and bartering for livestock. Although you’re probably not in the market for any goats, sheep, cows, pigs and horses (or are you?), this is a unique experience showcasing traditional Kyrgyz life, an experience that shouldn’t be missed.

Try to arrive at the market before 8:00am if you can. Everything is packed up and finished by around 10:00am. The grounds can be a bit messy with mud and manure, so don’t wear your best clothing or shoes.

A taxi from the center of town shouldn’t cost you more than 100 som ($1.50).

7. Shop For Random Items at The Antique Shop

If purchasing a horse isn’t your thing, maybe you’ll find something you like at an antique shop! Basically, anything and everything you can imagine from the Soviet times will be laid out on display in the shop on the corner of Zhamansarieva and Toktogula. This is the ultimate spot for kitschy Soviet memorabilia.

Want an old police cap or some figurines? How about some camera gear or a typewriter? Better yet, some old coins and Soviet pins… or maybe a creepy doll? All of this and (much) more can be found at the antique shop. Definitely stop in and take a look.

This antique shop is packed with items from Soviet times

8. Stuff Your Face With Shashlyk (and more) at Cafe Zarina

Fat Cat Cafe is the place to go for coffee, beer and western food, but if you’re looking for some amazing local food, then check out Zarina Restaurant. The wooden interior and picnic table style seating makes you feel like you’re dining in a cozy log cabin.

When we first arrived in Karakol this year, this was the first restaurant we ate at. In fact, the waiter at Zarina recommended we try the local speciality, ashlanfu, and from then on, we’ve been hooked on the dish! We made our own and devoured a bowl at the Dungan Village tour and we ordered it many times during our Karakol trip. (Note: if you want more ashlanfu there is actually an alley in the small bazaar that is basically devoted to this dish.)

Ashlanfu is just one of the many delicious dishes you can order at Zarina

We returned to Cafe Zarina two times during our trip to Karakol and can vouch for the delicious chicken and lamb shashlyk, the spicy beef tongue, the fried laghman noodles (and the laghman soup), and finally, the ashlanfu. The prices here are fair and the service was good as well. Click here for directions to Zarina.

9. Learn About Traditional Handicrafts, and Buy Some Souvenirs

Karakol is an excellent example of sustainable and community based tourism in action. From the incredible work being done by Zhamilia of Fat Cat Cafe, and her mother at the local NGO for women, to the new tours and products in place by Destination Karakol, there are so many ways that you as a tourist can help spread around your dollars and support these initiatives!

Another way to put your money to good use is to have a look at (and purchase) some of the traditional products on offer at the One Village, One Product Association, which is a Japanese funded rural woman’s development project. At this shop you’ll find inventive items created by village women, using locally sourced products.

Don’t miss the beautiful handmade felt shyrdaks, the tasty pine, sea buckthorn and walnut jams, the local honey, and the all-natural soaps. If you’re looking for a souvenir from Kyrgyzstan, definitely check out this wonderful shop. Click here for directions, or check out their Facebook Page.

10. Soak Your Body and Ease Your Muscles

Trekking or not, everyone loves to soak their muscles in a relaxing banya or natural hot spring! A Banya is a traditional Russian Bathhouse, something that is commonly found all around Central Asia.

We’ve visited these bath houses in Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, but surprisingly, we didn’t have a chance to check out one in Kyrgyzstan! Luckily, our friends Dan and Audrey from Uncornered Market did, and they recommend Karkyra banya (Баня «Каркыра») on Karasaev Street, which costs around $1.50/hour. You’ll need to take a taxi here (around 70 som, $1). It’s also possible to have beers while you soak – gotta love that!

Another option is to visit the nearby natural hot springs. The springs at Altyn Arashan are too far away to be a day trip, and they’re best visited as a reward for trekking all the way from Karakol via Ala Kul Lake!

But, don’t worry, the Ak-Suu hot springs are located just 15 kilometers from Karakol, making for a great day trip. To get here, take martshuka (mini-bus) #350 from the bazaar. The cost of the bus is around $0.50, while the hot spring ticket will set you back $0.70.

Practical Advice For a Trip to Karakol

If you’re looking to book any of the tours I’ve mentioned in this post, or if you need any information about things to see and do in Karakol, advice about transportation or accommodation, speak to the people at Destination Karakol. Click here for their Facebook Page, email them at [email protected], or call them at 996 558 508 808.

To get to Karakol from Bishkek you’ll need to hop on a marshrutka (minibus) which will take roughly 8 hours and cost you around $5. If you’re coming from the popular town of Cholpon-Ata, just hop on one of the many minibuses bound for Karakol. To get to Karakol from the Village of Jyrgalan, a minibus will take around 45 minutes and cost $1.

There are numerous hostels, homestays and hotels in the city. Click here to find one that you like. Although we’ve never stayed here ourselves, our friend Tynch owns the beautiful Happy Nomads Yurt Camp with positive reviews from travellers. Click here to learn more about his place.

For eating and drinking, we recommend Fat Cat Cafe, Zarina Restaurant, Cafe Dastorkon, the massive Dungan meal in Yrdyk, and eating at the street markets.

There are numerous ATMs in the city, and a couple of decent-sized grocery stores as well if you’re looking to self-cater.

We also highly suggest that you have travel insurance before embarking on a trip to Kyrgyzstan. World Nomads covers everything from adventurous activities, such as trekking and camping out in the wilderness, to a quick trip to the emergency room. Always do your research and find the best insurance policy for the activities you plan to do.

Want More Kyrgyzstan Articles?!

Trekking in Kyrgyzstan: A How-To Guide For The Keskenkija Trail in Jyrgalan

Our Experience Marking the New Keskenkija Trail in Jyrgalan

How To Hike Ala Kul and Altyn Arashan Without a Guide

Our Experience Hiking Ala Kul and Altyn Arashan

Lake Song Kul: Horse Trekking High in The Mountains of Kyrgyzstan

The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Kyrgyzstan

Arslanbob: Village Life at Its Finest

The Start of the Pamir Highway: Osh to Sary Mogul

Disclaimer: We feel so honoured to have been invited by Discover Kyrgyzstan and USAID-BGI to explore Karakol and share our experience with you. Although this was a press trip, if you’ve been following our blog, you’ll know that we’ve loved Kyrgyzstan ever since we visited back in 2013, and that all opinions in this article are entirely our own.

This trip was made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the sole responsibility of myself, the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

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