Issyk-Kul Lake
Issyk-Kul Lake
4.5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
562 reviews
Excellent
374
Very good
149
Average
31
Poor
5
Terrible
3
Chris
United States2 contributions
Apr 2022
Issyk Kul is salty big lake, to visit around it takes 5-7 days from bishkek. You can do hiking, horse riding, eagle show archery, folklore show and Sleep in yurt. Better to book tour with a company. More safe and faster. Everything organised with Kyzart Travel. Thanks to my guide Kanat
Written April 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KatielouAustralia
Hobart, Australia1,910 contributions
Jun 2023 • Friends
You cannot go far without seeing this massive lake which is 180km long, 60km wide, and 700m deep. A visit to the shore saw us dipping our toes into the cold, refreshing water. Of note were the different coloured stones that were quite interesting.
Written July 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bozeman-Dublin
Trim, Ireland11,261 contributions
Aug 2024 • Friends
We loved our couple of days on the South shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. We stayed in a yurt camp not far from Tamga and found it to be as beautiful as it is peaceful. Amazing stars at night and pretty lake views by day.
The Lake is enormous and the roads along the south shore are absolutely dreadful! Don't let that put you off though as it really is a lovely area to be in.
The Lake is enormous and the roads along the south shore are absolutely dreadful! Don't let that put you off though as it really is a lovely area to be in.
Written August 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LittleThings23
50 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Such a big beautiful lake. Never knew lake can give you the exact same feeling as sea. Beach is full of vibe and nicely developed with food stalls, games, shopping, rides, restaurants, open bars, live music. Many accomodation options nearby. Stay cost for two - 2000 soms
Written July 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matt S
Wellington, UK54 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
Great to come across this lake, was one of the highlights of the rally. Met up with countless other ralliers. Amazing destination in the middle of the mountains. With a clear night, with the massive moonlit lake.
What was better was to turn right on the way back to Bishkek up toward the sky in the mountains....
If I was to go again, I would like to see some Stromatolites, a little further along the shores.
What was better was to turn right on the way back to Bishkek up toward the sky in the mountains....
If I was to go again, I would like to see some Stromatolites, a little further along the shores.
Written December 19, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Retired_Miami
Miami, FL347 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
We spent 2 nights October 2014 located near the Tian Shan Mountains. Yes it is a beautiful lake. If you're not into swimming in one of the worlds highest lakes, you're better off bathing in your bathtub. Yes, the apple trees, flowering rose bushes, and other flora are pleasant to see. You could feel the ghost of Stalin looking over your shoulder, listening into your hotel room, or looking over the preparation of your food. Lake Issyk-Kul is a throw back to the Soviet Union. Hardly any restaurants. Take it or leave it attitude. If I would have known better, I would have left it to others.
Written October 31, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GoranWembley
United Kingdom4,058 contributions
Aug 2015 • Solo
I chose to get to Karakol by following Issyk Kol's southern shore. The marshrutkas depart from Bishkek's western bus station when full, of course. The marshrutkas to Karakol travelling via lake's northern shore fill up much quicker and they depart every 40-50 mins. Mine one took almost three hours to fill. I did this so I can circumnavigate the whole lake; ie, I made my way back to Bishkek via northern route. The souther shore route was nicer.
I stayed later in that big resort on the north shore (Cholpon Ata?) for a couple of days chilling.
Tip from others for those who want to see the nicer part of Issyk Kol:
It is better to get to Karakol from Bishkek via northern shore, then take a minibus from Karakol to any village you like (usually Tosor, Tamga, Ton) and visit Fairytale canyon, the wild beaches, peach gardens, Barskoon waterfalls. After that head to Balykchy town and eat some smoked fish. From Balykchy head back to Bishkek or go to Naryn.
Note: Minibuses to south shore from Karakol leave every 1 hour throughout the day. Usually they don't wait to fill up.
I stayed later in that big resort on the north shore (Cholpon Ata?) for a couple of days chilling.
Tip from others for those who want to see the nicer part of Issyk Kol:
It is better to get to Karakol from Bishkek via northern shore, then take a minibus from Karakol to any village you like (usually Tosor, Tamga, Ton) and visit Fairytale canyon, the wild beaches, peach gardens, Barskoon waterfalls. After that head to Balykchy town and eat some smoked fish. From Balykchy head back to Bishkek or go to Naryn.
Note: Minibuses to south shore from Karakol leave every 1 hour throughout the day. Usually they don't wait to fill up.
Written July 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David O
Siem Reap, Cambodia485 contributions
Jun 2016 • Friends
We visited the lake for a few days and had one of the best times of our lives - the lake is warm.in the summer and quite shallow. The water is so fresh some of the locals were recommending we drink it. Overall I would come definitely return.
Written June 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
valerianoir
St. Petersburg, Russia5 contributions
Jul 2012 • Family
It's the place where I grown up, so I know everything about these snowy mountains, this cold, but so beautiful lake that locals concern to be a little sea. The water is always, always so clear and blue, that you never say for sure how many metres of depth are above you. Of course, you should be able to bad service (actually, no service at all), but I guess it's a small price for an opportunity to watch the lake, to feel it and to enjoy the Mother Nature as it is.
Too many lyrics, but there is no place better for me.
Too many lyrics, but there is no place better for me.
Written July 18, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bakbouk
Sacramento, CA144 contributions
Sept 2017 • Friends
The lake is very large, and unusual in that the mountains to the north are quite different than the mountains to the south. So if you drive the circumference, the views you'll get on one side are different than those on the other.
In September the air was quite hazy, so the views were not as spectacular as they could be.
There are not a ton of access points to the lake. Those that I saw were mostly on the southwestern side.
There are vendors along the north side road selling smoked fish.
In September the air was quite hazy, so the views were not as spectacular as they could be.
There are not a ton of access points to the lake. Those that I saw were mostly on the southwestern side.
There are vendors along the north side road selling smoked fish.
Written October 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Boussadia H
Rome, Italy
dove meglio alloggiare vicino al lago senza annoiarsi (1) terme, 2) ristoranti, 3) divertimento...)
parlo russo e inglese
Written July 6, 2018
Здравствуйте. Мы хотим остановиться в поселке Боконбаева. Подскажите пожалуйста как и где можно арендовать машину с водителем?
Written July 3, 2018
Вот телефон человека, у него несколько машин может он вам одну сдаст. В крайнем случае покатает от 50% цены яндекс такси Адыл +0707000990
Written July 4, 2018
Во первых здравствуйте!
Во вторых, озеро Иссык-Куль огромное, северный и южный берега, что вам удобней?
В третих, как Вы будете передвигаться?
В четвертых, в какое время планируете путешествовать?
и так далее)
Пожалуйста!
Written September 9, 2017
popovanofeles
Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
Здравствуйте. Хостел это отстой. Самый оптимальный вариант это краткосрочная аренда посуточных и гостевых квартир. Сейчас на этот вид услуг цены ниже, чем в прошлом году, за этот же период. Если моё предложение Вас заинтересовало, могу порекомендовать.
Written July 4, 2018
Darja_1c
Moscow, Russia
Добрый день, подскажите, пожалуйста, в каком месте (посёлке, городе) лучше остановиться у озера. И почему? Спасибо.
Written June 16, 2017
Здравствуйте.На озере на южной стороне сконцентрировано большее количество отелей и пляжей в основном частные. Даже сами киргизы больше отдыхают на южном берегу.Это Чолпон-Ата . В Караколе много достопримечательностей зоопарк,музей Пржевальского, ближе добраться в горную часть. Еще там очень вкусный "Ашлян-фу"- блюдо дунганской кухни,но его ,мне кажется ,любят все там. Мне в Кыргызстане нравится везде, но если пляж ,то Чолпон-Ата,к тому же там есть горячий источник рядом. Буду очень рада ,если мой ответ будит Вам полезен)))
Written June 16, 2017
light1965
Severouralsk, Russia
Здравствуйте!Мне понравился ваш отзыв об отдыхе на озере Иссык-Куль.Если можно напишите подробнее условия посещения страны(нужен ли загран паспорт,где можно обменять русск.рубли,).Как называется ваш посёлок и как добраться от Бишкека.Название отеля,и можно ли остановиться в частном порядке.Заранее благодарна.Очень хочется отдохнуть на озере
Written May 22, 2017
Здравствуйте. Страну посещали семьей,у меня муж кыргыз,поэтому ездили к родственникам. Но в Кыргызстане очень много русских летом и вообще русскоговорящих,кыргызов,вообще. В Бишкеке ,по-моему вообще все на русском говорят))). Загранпаспорта российским гражданам не нужно. Цена билета летом на поезде порой даже дороже ,чем на самолете. Но на самолете комфортней ,конечно ,не нужно стоять по 5 часов на досмотре на границе. Мы жили на северной стороне озера,там попрохладней.Если едите загорать,то лучше в июле и на южный берег в Чолпон-Ата или Бостери. Рубли можно поменять везде. Но лучше в банке,конечно.В частном порядке остановиться можно ,мне кажется в любом доме,в сезон там все сдают. Из Бишкека на озеро едут маршрутки и частники.По ценам маршрутка дешевле,но летом бывает очень жарко. Я вообще очень люблю Кыргызстан. Там все красиво : и озеро ,и горы,да и люди очень гостеприимные,что характерно,чем проще человек,из деревни,например,тем он доброжелательней,каждый расскажет как лучше добраться,где остановиться,что посмотреть. Если мой ответ будит полезен ,буду очень рада.)))
Written June 16, 2017
From which places around the lake can i get a boatride?
Written October 21, 2016
Most of the hotels have a jetty. But boat rides only in season. You need to check. Easiest is from balychk
Written October 22, 2016
Would love to visit this lake! Can anyone advise a route from Arslanbob please. Looking for some nice places to stay over the next 3 weeks and hoping for advice on where to visit after Arslanbob ... whether its best to make the long journey to Bishek in one journey or if it could be broken up? Thank you :)
Written August 23, 2016
Don't miss Issy kul. Equally, you should experience a yurt stay in one of the delightful gorges to the south of Issy kul. We stayed in the Jetty Oguz gorge - south of Karakol : it's incredibly Alpine. Amazing adventure..
Written August 23, 2016
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