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Issyk-Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan
LAA
Issyk-Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan
LAA
Issyk-Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan
LAA
Issyk-Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan
LAA
Issyk-Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan
LAA
Issyk-Kul
The second-largest mountain lake in the world, ringed by the Tian Shan, with red canyons and yurt camps along its southern shore.
REGION
Issyk-Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan
ALTITUDE
1,607 m
TOP SIGHTS
Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon · Jety-Oguz red rocks · Yurt camps near Bokonbaevo · Eagle hunting demonstrations · Burana Tower (on the way)
BEST TIME TO VISIT
June–September
HOW TO GET
Approx. 4 h from Bishkek; south shore road to Karakol
TIME NEEDED
2–3 days
Issyk-Kul — the “warm lake” — is one of the largest alpine lakes on earth, 180 km long and lying at 1,607 m between two ranges of the Tian Shan. Thanks to its depth and slight salinity it never freezes, and its clear water reflects snowy peaks on every side.
The quieter southern shore is the most scenic: the red and orange clay formations of Skazka Canyon, the sandstone “Seven Bulls” of Jety-Oguz, and yurt camps near Bokonbaevo where you can spend a night the nomad way and watch a demonstration of eagle hunting.
NEARBY LOCATIONS