Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in 10 days: Astana, Almaty and Issyk-Kul
Astana → Almaty → Charyn Canyon → Karakol → Issyk-Kul → Ala Archa National Park → Bishkek
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The warm lake · Kyrgyzstan
Issyk-Kul
A vast mountain lake that never freezes, ringed by snow peaks.
Issyk-Kul, at about 1,600 m, stretches for roughly 180 km between the Kungey and Terskey ranges of the Tien Shan. Its slightly salty water never freezes, which gave it the name "warm lake".
The north shore has resorts and the open-air petroglyphs of Cholpon-Ata; the quieter south shore has the Skazka ("fairy tale") canyon, the red cliffs of Jeti-Oguz, yurt camps and eagle-hunting demonstrations.
- Time needed
- 2–3 days
- Best time
- June–September
- Getting there
- About 4 hours from Bishkek to the western end; Karakol is at the eastern end.
Don’t miss
Highlights
- 01
Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs
Rock carvings of ibex and hunters in an open field.
- 02
Skazka canyon
Eroded red and ochre formations on the south shore.
- 03
Jeti-Oguz
The "seven bulls" red rock formation and the Broken Heart rock.
- 04
Eagle hunters
Demonstrations by berkutchi near Bokonbaevo.
- 05
Yurt camps
Lakeside stays on the south shore.
Tours
Tours that include Issyk-Kul
The best of Kyrgyzstan in 8 days: Issyk-Kul and the yurts of Song-Kul
Bishkek → Issyk-Kul → Karakol → Song-Kul
Price on requestView tour
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