Lake Issyk Kul
Issyk-Kul is an amazing high-mountain lake, one of the cleanest on the planet. Unique healing microclimate, mesmerizing beauty of the lake, lying in the frame of snowy mountains and coniferous forests, water, not inferior to the composition of the sea – all this attracts more and more people who want to relax and improve their health away from noisy megacities in the bosom of virgin nature.
Video: Lake Issyk-Kul
ContentsHighlights
Issyk-Kul is one of the deepest lakes in the world, located in northeastern Kyrgyzstan in the Tien Shan Mountains at an altitude of 1,600 meters. The lake is 180 kilometers long and varies in width from 30 to 60 kilometers. The average depth of the lake is 300 meters, but in some places it reaches 700 meters. The lake is second only to Baikal in terms of water clarity and transparency. Thanks to the huge thickness of water, the lake does not have time to cool down and never freezes. About 80 rivers and tributaries flowing from the glaciers of the Tien Shan flow into Issyk-Kul. And there is no runoff from the lake, and it accumulates all the valuable mineral substances brought by rivers and rains.
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The climate in the vicinity of Issyk-Kul is moderately maritime. The sun pleases with its appearance more often than on the Black Sea coast. But here there is no exhausting southern heat, and in winter there are no frosts. The average summer temperature is +24 °C, the water warms up to +22…+24 degrees. In winter, the thermometer rarely drops below 6 degrees Celsius.
.Hundreds of thousands of birds winter or rest during their migrations on the ice-free lake, and nature lovers will spend many fascinating hours watching them.
.Why go
Issyk-Kul offers incredible opportunities for recreation and recovery – the purest mountain and sea air, thermal springs available all year round, therapeutic mud and healing mineral water. There is a year-round tourist infrastructure for full-fledged rest – comfortable accommodation, well-maintained sandy beaches, cafes, cinemas, discos, boat and catamaran rentals. Guests of Issyk-Kul are offered exciting excursions to places untouched by civilization. Active recreation lovers will gladly take part in mountain climbing, hiking, horseback riding and rafting. For those who wish to see the underwater world, diving in the lake to a depth of more than 20 meters is organized. And hang gliding over the beautiful Issyk-Kul will be one of the most exciting adventures of your life!
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Fishermen will appreciate fishing on the lake – bream, carp, carp, carp, carp, carp, carp, carp, trout, bream, carp, carp, etc.
.There are only a few places on Earth with such a unique microclimate – the air contains a huge amount of iodine ions, sea salts, ozone, and the water of Issyk-Kul – a truly magical treasure trove – it contains all the useful chemical elements and trace elements, which together with a weak alkaline reaction have a powerful healing effect on the human body.
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Resorts and attractions
The northern coast of Issyk-Kul is more favorable, there are a lot of hotels for every taste and good entertainment infrastructure. Here is located resort Cholpon-Ata, whose mineral waters are similar in composition to Essentuki springs. Local silt and hydrogen sulfide muds are famous for their analgesic and antibacterial properties. Local attractions, water park and 70-meter Ferris wheel are worthy of attention. On the outskirts of Cholpon-Ata, check out the Stone Garden, where you will see the unique ruins of the city from the times of the Great Silk Road.
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Not far from Cholpon-Ata there is the village of Bosteri, famous for its fair and local apricots, cherries, honey.
.For a quiet family vacation, the village of Bulan-Sogotu is perfect.
.In the village of Korumdu you can see an ethnographic zone with ancient petroglyphs.
.The shallow beach near the village of Sara-oi will satisfy vacationers with children.
.Near the village of Ak-Suu you can take a dip in the unique springs – although they are located next to each other, the water in them differs in composition (hydrogen sulfide and radon) and temperature (from +32 to +50).
.Fans of esotericism consider it their duty to reach the local shrine of Tanga Tash, – three ginormous stones lying at a distance of a kilometer from each other.
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Accommodation
At the service of tourists more than two hundred sanatoriums with an excellent medical base, boarding houses, vacation homes, mini-hotels. Those who want to get as close to nature as possible and enjoy the local exotics, traditional Kyrgyz yurts are offered for accommodation.
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Useful information
- Do not buy alcoholic beverages in markets and small stores – there is a danger of buying counterfeit products. During forest walks do not eat unfamiliar berries and plants, do not collect mushrooms unknown to you.
- Souvenirs and things are more profitable to buy not in Issyk-Kul, but in Bishkek market Dordoi.
How to get there
Fly by air to Bishkek or Alma-Ata, then take a bus or train to Issyk-Kul. From Bishkek the road will take 4 hours, from Almaty 8 hours. A Russian passport is sufficient to cross the borders of Kyrgyzstan or Kazakhstan.
