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June, 2020
Lake Issyk Kul
A stunning, stunning lake, with so many mysteries and secrets to explore
I can’t tell the number of times we have travelled to lake Issyk Kul in northern Kyrgyzstan. The lake never ceases to amaze. And it’s never really the same. On tranquil days, the water is like a mirror, reflecting the nearby Celestial Mountain peaks. On windy, stormy days, the waves of the lake are as big as those on the Black Sea.
The western part of the lake is much more dry than the eastern. Nature in the west hardly changes between the seasons. But in the east, where a lot more rain falls, everything is incredibly green and lush in spring, and in spring it’s covered by a lot of snow. To be honest, I like both. The fact that you can find a sunny part, where it almost never rains or snows, and you can enjoy some lovely sunshine even on the coldest days, is just amazing.
Climbers on Mount Rainier
4K Time-lapse Clip
Many rivers and streams flow into Issyk Kul, but not one flows out, which makes the lake salty, which in turn keeps it from freezing in winter, which also in turn makes the weather around more mild.
The northern shore is developed, but you can still find a quiet, wild spot to go trekking or bathing. The south shore is much more wild, and even in the height of season you are likely to find your own quiet spot.
There are so many valleys, canyons, shrines, ruins, Soviet remains around the lake shore.

The area is incredibly diverse: Kyrgyz, Russian, Dungan, Uyghur, Balkar, Kalmyk… there are so many different ethnic villages and communities.

Oh, and the fruits and vegetables! Here you will find the best raspberries, apples, apricots, cherries and plums I’ve ever had. Because of the high altitude, they ripen much later in the season.
We love exploring Issyk Kul. It is part of every itinerary we do of Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia. There is something to explore even if you may have already visited before.
We love Severobaikalsk for its colourful, lake-side dachas; we love it for the amazing Bar Bison, one of the few places we know where photos of food represent what you actually get on your plate; and we love it for the stunning mountains around. They are not a bit less spectacular than the Swiss Alps. Yet here you won't find another tourist around.
Text — Yuri Boyanin
Photography — Dinara Kanybek kyzy


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