KYRGYZSTAN

ISSYK KUL

Issyk-Kul is the largest basinal lake in the country, which is located 1,609 meters above sea level. It is situated between the high mountain ranges of the Northern Tien Shan – Kungei Ala-Too and Terskey Ala-Too and attracts tourists with its picturesque nature.

The water capacity of Issyk-Kul amounts to almost 1,738 thousand cubic kilometers, with the water surface area exceeding 6,236 thousand square kilometers. The coastline stretched for 690 kilometers. The maximum depth of the lake is 700 meters. This Kyrgyz lake is included to the list of the world’s largest lakes. In terms of depth, it is seventh largest on the planet and in terms of transparency – the second (inferior only to Baikal).

Among the largest tributaries the Tyup and Jergalan rivers are worth mentioning. They flow into Issyk-Kul from the eastern side. The lake level is always changing. Moreover, scientists have been observing the cycle for many years. Nowadays, the salinity of the lake is about 5.9 percent.
KARAKOL

Karakol is a town in Kyrgyzstan, founded on July 1, 1869. It is located quite high (approximately 1.7-1.8 thousand meters above sea level) neighbouring Issyk-Kul. The distance between the town and the lake is about 12 kilometers.

The founder of this mountain settlement is Baron Kaulbars. Once he was ordered to protect an important caravan road connecting Chui valley and Kashgaria. For this, the workers guided by the baron built an entire town. In March 1889, the settlement was renamed Przhevalsk in honor of the famous Russian traveler. It was ordered by the Russian tsar. It was from here that many expeditions set to explore various regions in Central Asia.

The town developed rapidly. In 1887, a weather station was opened here, and at the beginning of 1907, a stud farm started functioning. The population grew rapidly. If at the end of the 19th century, about 8 thousand people lived here, in 2017 the population exceeded 92 thousand. By the way, during the period from 1922 to 1939 it was renamed back to Karakol, but then again renamed to Przhevalsk, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Nikolai Mikhailovich.

First of all, the mountain town attracts fans of extreme sports – paragliding, mountain biking, mountain climbing. Climbers are attracted here by the mountain peaks of Karakol 5,281 meters and Dzhigit 5,173 meters high. Tourists enjoy visiting Ala Kel Lake, located at 3,532 meters above sea level. In the vicinity from Karakol there are popular resorts Jeti-Oguz, Zhyluu-Suu and Jergalan.

In the Karakol Clove located 2.3-3.5 kilometers high, operates the homonymous skiing center. There are as many as 5 chairlifts here. In Soviet times, professional athletes who participated in the Olympic Games came to train here.

JETI-OGUZ

Jeti-Oguz Clove is located 30 kilometers from Karakol. If literally translated from the Kyrgyz language, it means the”seven bulls”. The gorge owes its name to a string of weathered reddish cliffs that a bit resemble bulls lying on the ground. Such unusual natural architecture is the main “zest” of the place Jyty-Oguz.

Another notable feature is a rock with an unusual name “Broken Heart”. Next to it, there is the Jety-Oguz resort. Located at more than 2 kilometers above sea level, the resort attracts tourists with its healing geothermal springs.
SON-KUL

Son-Kul Lake is located at 3,016 meters. If being translated from the Kyrgyz language, the name means “The Last Lake”. The lake is small – it is a little less than 30 kilometers long and 18 kilometers wide, with the maximum depth amounting to 22 meters. It is located in a large hollow between the ranges of Son-Kultau and Moldotau in Naryn Oblast. And at the same time, Son-Kul is the largest natural freshwater lake in the country.

Jailoo (alpine meadows). Located in the vicinity of the lake, it has been actively used for pasture for several centuries. Cattle is brought here for summer time. At the same time, shepherds live here in small yurts with their wives and children all this time.

Son Kul is located in a picturesque place. One road leading here is replete with beautiful serpentines. Another passes the coal mines of Kara Keche. If you look at the lake from quite a distance, it seems that you are looking at a jewel lost among the mountainous snowy areas. The water shade changes depending on the weather. It can be both dark blue and yellow.

About 10 species of fish live in the lake, including whitefish, gray stone loach and marinka, osman, pelyad and broad whitefish. Scientists estimate that about 40-70 species of birds can be found on the lake. The fact is that Son-Kul is a key point for migrating waterfowl. For example, for the black stork, red-crowned crane and orn.

The district center of Jety-Oguz of the Issyk-Kul region is Kyzyl-Suu village. Its population is only 16 thousand people. It is located close to the Issyk-Kul Lake. You can get here taking highway A363. It is that very place where a huge jade nugget was once found. The rock is still guarded by local residents. It weighs about 100 tons and the indigenous population believes in its energy and ability to bring good luck.

SARY-CHELEK

The lake is located at 1,940 meters above sea level in the Chatkal mountain range. It fascinates with its beauty and picturesque landscapes. Sary-Chelek is located about 550 kilometers to the west of the capital of Kyrgyzstan on the territory of the homonymous national reserve. The reservoir is only 7.5 kilometers long; its water is fresh. In terms of depth, it ranks second in the country and third, if we are speaking about the whole Central Asia. In summer, the water temperature reaches 19 degrees and in winter drops to 4-5 degrees.

The lake is notable for its steep banks. They can dive up to 234 meters deep. The northern part of the lake is surrounded by beautiful spruce and fir forests. Sary-Chelek has no exact literal translation. For example, the word can be translated as “a yellow bucket” and as “a yellow scoop”. However, the name is relevant only in autumn, when the tree leaves are painted golden. In summer, the water of Sary-Chelek has a classic blue shade, slightly being complemented by green.
TASH-RABAT

Tash-Rabat is considered to be a unique architectural monument. It is dated back to the 15th century. The object is located at 3.2 kilometers above sea level. In the Middle Ages it was a guest yard (caravanserai), where merchants, travelers and hunters stayed. It was popular due to its location: Tash-Rabat served as a link on the trade route of caravans between Kashagar and two famous valleys – Ferghana and Chuysk.

Scientists studied the ruins for a long time. Someone believes that a Nestorian Christian monastery, built in the 10th century, used to be here. In 1980, it was decided to restore the monument. Today, it is very popular with tourists. From here you can make a fascinating journey to the beautiful lake Chatyr-Kul.

ARSLANBOB

Arslanbob is a unique place. It is a fruit-nut oasis that appeared due to natural forces. Located at about 1.6 kilometers above sea level. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful places in the southern part of the country. Arslanbob is situated at the tract of the Babash-Ata mountain range. On the slopes of the Ferghana and Chatkal ranges, forests with nuts stretched for quite a distance, with the total area amounting to about 608 thousand hectares.

This place is surrounded by legends. They say it that Alexander the Great picked the fruits here and took to his homeland. And it was these fruit that later gave roots to the famous Greek walnut gardens.

But forests are not the only significant attraction of Arslanbob. At more than 2 kilometers high, in the cloves you can see incredibly beautiful waterfalls.

BURANA

Buranin Tower is a minaret built of burnt bricks. It is the country’s pride and a very significant monument of Central Asian architecture of the 10th century. At that time, Kyrgyzstan used to be a part of the Karakhanids’ state. Local craftsmen succeeded in trade and construction. They built new prosperous cities. One of them was the Burana fort (named after Burana tower). Today, the remains of this ancient village are located near Tokmok town.

Seasonality

Tourists come here from April to October. Summer is quite hot. In May and June, ticks can be found here. Therefore, tourists are advised to carry repellents. You should take sun screens, glasses and warm clothes even in summer.

From Issyk-Kul, walking tours, full-day trips or multi-day trips are organized. Regardless of the weather or season, you can take incredible pictures here. For example, against the background of mountains or lakes. Many tourists enjoy taking photos or shooting videos surrounded by local residents (shepherds, nomads).

In Kyrgyzstan, there are about 4 thousand plant species. Most of them feature healing properties. Many plants serve as food for domestic and wild animals; birds and rodents eat their fruits and seeds.
The fauna of Kyrgyzstan is also rich. The country has about 500 species of vertebrate animals and 3 thousand species of insects. Forests occupy a small area (about 5.6 percent of the total territory).

In Kyrgyzstan you can meet bears, snow leopards, wolves, wild boars, martens, and other interesting animals. It is in this country that the largest populations of mountain goats, spruces, techs and saigas are concentrated. There are also Himalayan vultures, golden eagles, partridges, pheasants and others. The fauna of Kyrgyzstan is really impressive.