Lake Issyk Kul, Kyrgyzstan

Explore Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan

Issyk-Kul translated from Kyrgyz as “hot lake” is the world's second largest salt lake with an altitude of 1609 meters. Although surrounded by icebound mountains the 15,844 square kilometer Issyk Kul lake never freezes.

The area was basically unknown to the western world until Russian explorers ventured to climb the mountains nearby. Yet the name Isi-kul was first mentioned in the anonymous work “The boundaries of the world from East to West” written in Tajik in 982 AD which surprisingly accurately states the size of the lake.

The lake lies at the bottom of a drainage hollow and has no outflow, and the surrounding mountains ring the lake and nearby valleys，creating a unique combination of sea, steppe, mountain climates and an eternal ice zone. The “geological mystery” Issyk-Kul is famous for its warm, sandy beaches, thermal mineral radon springs, alpine meadows and coniferous park type forests.

The lake Issyk-Kul has been held in high regard by the Kyrgyz and known as the “pearl of the Tien Shan”. Enjoy the remarkable backdrop of the snow-dappled Ala-Too mountains, and swim in the crystal waters of the lake.