Issyk-Kul Lake is the second largest alpine lake in the world after Lake Titicaca in South America. Measuring 182 km long by 58 km wide, the lake appeared as a result of volcanic activity. It is heated from below by thermal activity and never freezes even in the depths of winter.
In the summer the water temperature reaches 25-28 degrees centigrade (warmer than the air) and you can swim in the lake enclosed on all sides by the snowy peaks of the Tien Shan Mountains. Extremely deep and nicely warm over the centuries the lake has been something of an oasis in this inhospitable mountain environment. With diverse flora and fauna Issyk-Kul Lake and the surrounding environments are rightly considered to be one of Central Asia most remarkable locations.
We offer you to spend 3 days at the shore of this beautiful lake, enjoy the warm water and sandy beaches. It makes a good extension after a long trek in the mountains or a cultural tour.
Itinerary:
Day 1. Transfer to Issyk Kul Lake.
In the morning
“Ak-Sai Travel” team will pick you up and you drive to the alpine lake Issyk Kul.
Upon arrival to the lake area you get accommodated in a hotel on the lake shore. Time at leisure.
Overnight in a hotel on the lake shore.
Day 2. Issyk Kul Lake. Excursion to Petroglyphs site.
In the morning you drive to the so called “Stone garden” or Cholpon Ata Petroglyphs site, the temple in the open air of Scythians and Hungsuns civilizations dated back IX-IIX centuries BC till III-IV centuries AD. The area of those stone drawing lies at the foot of Kungey Alatoo Ridge with a beautiful view of the whole lake.
Local History & Ethnography Museum is also highly recommended for visiting!
Afternoon you spend at the lake shore. You can enjoy the sandy beaches, clear warm water of the lake, bathe in the sun and relax.
Overnight in a hotel on the lake shore.
Day 3. Issyk Kul Lake – Bishkek.
Today you drive to Bishkek.
On the way we pass the tight Boom Gorge where boisterous Chu River, so much loved by rafters (routes up to 6th category difficulty!), cuts its way. Boom gorge lies at the eastern end of the KyrgyzRange and provides the only corridor between two Chui and Issyk Kul regions. Converging together through this narrow canyon are a highway, a railway (rising high above the road apparently it was built by German prisoners of war, the first train travelled was in 1948), and the ChuRiver.
The name "Boom" means "evil spirit" – and the gorge deserves this name – it is narrow and very dramatic at some places. One of the first travelers through it was the 19th century Russian explorer Peter Semyenov (Tienshansky) in 1850. Nowadays there are walls at various places along the gorge designed to prevent landslides cascading down onto the road below.
Arrival to Bishkek in the afternoon.
Contact "Ak-Sai Travel" team for more details about the tours program: