Issyk-Kul: A beautiful jewel of Kyrgyzstan

The biggest lake in land-locked Krygyzstan, Issyk-Kul is idyllically located amongst the scenic Tian-Shan range of mountains with an altitude of 1,600m. Once a stopover on the Silk Road, the lake is pristine any time of year, never freezing, even during winter.

Issyk-Kul is the seventh deepest lake in the world and the 10th largest lake in the world by volume. The lake is 182km long and up to 60km in width, reaching a maximum depth of 668m.

As the lake is located amongst the Tian Shen mountains at an altitude of 1,600m, Issyk-Kul is the second-largest mountain lake in the world (after Lake Titicaca in South America). In the Kyrgyz language, Issyk-Kul means “warm lake” but it isn’t always warm but it also never freezes, despite being near snowy mountains.

The lake provides an ideal ecosystem and living conditions for numerous of plants and animal species. Over 20 species live in the lake, providing locals with an important food source.

The lake is soothing and immaculate, especially on a summer blue sky day when the lake glimmers with a crystal shine as the waves gently ebb and flow.

If you’re looking for things to do at the lake, head to northern places such as Cholpon Ata. The lake is perfect to walk around, along with biking (that can take around a week to completely to go around it fully). There are numerous water sport activities you can do as well, such as swimming, kayaking, sailing, and diving.

The view is best from Issyk-Kul’s south shore as you will get great views of snow-capped mountains in the background.

Visit two locations in a single day

Take a trip to the magical Skazka “Fairytale” Canyon where you can have the chance to visit both Issyk-Kul and the canyon! Issyk-Kul is literally less than 100m from the road you would be dropped off in. It is a great opportunity to chill or have lunch here after exploring Skazka Canyon.

Go to Karakol’s South Bus Station and take mashrutka 310 (you can actually take a number of different buses as long as they pass Skazka Canyon – just ask the bus driver).

Always dress to the season and forecasted weather.

Essentials:

• Phone with the following apps installed:
  Maps.me (Have the Kyrgyzstan map downloaded)
  2GIS
  Google Translate (have the Russian language pack installed)
• Bottle(s) of water. Bring at least two litres with you. It can get scorching hot, especially in summer
• Lunch
• Comfortable shoes
• Passport (photocopy)
• Money (cash)

Recommended:

• Sunglasses 
• Jacket 
• Hat 
• Hand sanitiser 
• Tissues 

Note: Mashrutkas don’t follow a set schedule and will depart when the bus is full or near-full.

South bus station option

Go to South bus station and board mashrutka 310 (you can actually take a number of different buses as long as they go to or pass places like Bokonbayevo, Barskoon, and Skazka canyon – just ask the driver).

Tell the driver you want to stop at Skazka Canyon – it’s one of the best spots to visit Issyk-Kul.  

Your stop for Skazka Canyon is here.

42.174694, 77.353306

Cost:
~200-150 som, depending where you go in Issyk Kul (As of 2019; to be used as reference. Subject to yearly changes)

Journey time:
~Two hours. (Try and sit on right side to get some nice views of Issyk-Kul) 

Eastern Issyk Kul option

You can also take marshrutka 116 that goes to the eastern area of Issyk Kul, going also past near Przhevalsky Museum.

42.491356, 78.395487

How to ask the bus driver to stop (in Russian):
Say:
“Ostanovíte, pozhaluysta!” (останови́те, пожалуйста) = “Stop, please!”

Go to Google Translate for audio translation

Both the north and shore roads are well serviced by regular mashrutkas, especially if you are closer to Karakol.

Flag down a mashrutka driving towards Karakol and get onboard and pay. There are regular mashrutkas going to Karakol so don’t worry about getting stranded. There are many mashrutkas going to Bishkek as well but mainly via the northern route.

You can also try your luck hitchhiking back to Karakol also.

Issyk-Kul is a nice day out, wherever you are in the large lake. It’s perfect during calm sunshine days when the skies are clear and the scenic views of the lake and snow-capped mountains are at their most majestic.

Is this lake unique like nothing a traveller has seen before? Probably not, but it is certainly worth seeing and relaxing at while you’re near the area.

Have you been to Issyk-Kul? What did you think of your time at this lake?

Comment below to let other travellers and myself know!

Know a friend or two who are planning to go to the Issyk-Kul area, such as Karakol, for a few days?

Share this post to them to help them get the most of nature and their time in Kyrgyzstan.

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