The shore of Issyk-Kul lake

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Issyk-Kul Lake

The great mountain lake that never freezes, between two ranges of the Tien Shan.

Region: Issyk-Kul region
Altitude: 1,607 m
Best time: May to October
Our routes: 4 tours stop here

Issyk-Kul is one of the largest mountain lakes in the world: 180 kilometres long and so deep it never freezes. The north shore has the beaches and resort towns; the quieter south shore has canyons, gorges and small villages where we stay in guesthouses and yurts by the water.

Don't miss

Swim in clear water with snowy peaks behind
South shore villages and lakeside yurts
Canyons and gorges a short drive from the beach

Photos of Issyk-Kul Lake

Tours that visit Issyk-Kul Lake

Plan a trip here

A yurt camp on the Song-Kol pastures

5 days

Kalmak-Ashuu pass, 3,446 m

Song-Kol & Issyk-Kul Jeep Loop

Two great lakes, one high pass and a night in a yurt in five days.

Season: June – September
Pace: Moderate
Group: 1–6 travellers

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A turquoise river in a deep rocky canyon

8 days

Kel-Suu Lake, 3,514 m

Tash-Rabat & Kel-Suu Expedition

Eight days into the high south, to a Silk Road caravanserai and a lake in a canyon.

Season: July – mid-September
Pace: Active
Group: 2–6 travellers

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A lake edged with spruce forest below a mountain range

4 days

Issyk-Kul Family Circuit

An easy-going four days around the great lake, made for families.

Season: May – October
Pace: Easy
Group: 2–6 travellers

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Snow-capped peaks above an ochre plateau

10 days

Too-Ashuu pass, 3,586 m

Grand Kyrgyzstan Overland

Ten days across the whole country: Suusamyr, Song-Kol, Tash-Rabat and Issyk-Kul.

Season: June – September
Pace: Moderate
Group: 1–6 travellers

See the route