AkSuu
AkSuu
For those with too little time to visit Altyn Arashan this is an opportunity to bathe in natural hot springs. The waters are said to have healing properties, curing everything from insomnia to rheumatism. Ak Suu's sanatorium, 7km from Karakol, is set in a pretty gorge and has numerous relaxing bathhouses. Local people come here at weekends to wallow in the waters, chat and ramble through the gorge. The village of Ak Suu close by has plenty of attractive wooden cottages, a pretty Orthodox Church and shops where you can stock up on traditional post-bath bread, fish, vodka and beer.