Evergreen Guesthouse

After my accident on the way to Karakol, Katsya helped me find a reason to continue the trip. I'd been in a minibus crash on the second day of my journey, and five people died. I was in a terrible state of mind, then hitchhiked partway with a local and somehow made it to Karakol. When I arrived at the guest house, Katsya saw how I was and asked what had happened. She was the first English speaker I'd met since the disaster. She sat with me in the lounge, listened, and comforted me like family. She also reassured me that minibuses are usually fine and generally safer than taxis, since you can't trust a taxi driver far from the city. She insisted I have breakfast, checked what time I'd get up, and immediately told her chef to make me whatever I wanted. Her kindness helped me a great deal. I was thinking of cutting the trip short and flying back to Bahrain the next day, but her words gave me hope and helped me find some positivity in the journey. The next morning I asked for recommendations, and she gave me useful information about the hikes. I chose altyn arshan. She marked the spot on a map, ordered a taxi, and explained that I should walk straight, follow the river for 5-6 hours, then check in at the first hut on my right. It really was that simple XD. She'd made a reservation for me, and it all went exactly as planned. I made lots of friends up there. When I came back down, I could have gone to Bishkek that same day, but I wanted another night at the evergreen guest house, for Katsya's wonderful hospitality and the homey feeling, as well as the beautiful place itself. The amenities were better than what I've found in 5 star hotels elsewhere: natural incense, perfumed towels, cleanliness, and beautiful furniture. Those little touches made it feel beyond a 5 star experience. Breakfast was huge, with lots of tasty choices. The apples in the garden and the peaceful feel of the property are unlike any other hotel or guest house I've stayed at. The rest of the trip went amazingly. I did more hikes and eventually got home safely. But without the hosts' care, I would have booked a flight home for the very next day. I can't thank Katsya and her team enough!

The host made me feel at home right away, and the whole guesthouse had a cozy, thoughtful feel. Breakfast was free, fresh, filling, and much better than I expected. I especially enjoyed the three homemade jams with Russian pancakes. They even did my laundry for free, which was a lovely surprise after being on the road for a while. The cats are another treat if you like them, they're friendly and great with kids. Evergreen Guesthouse in Karakol was honestly one of the best places I've stayed on my many travels.

We enjoyed our stay a lot. It's a lovely family-run place with a well-kept garden full of fruit trees. Breakfast is included, with jams made from fruit grown there, and I'd recommend it to anyone.

Katusha was a big help while we were there. She speaks English very well and knows a lot about the region. The guesthouse is quiet, a little away from the noisy center, but everything is walkable. The rooms, bathroom, and breakfast were all really good. One of the best guesthouses in Karakol. Thanks again for your help :)