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'''Issyk-kul''' is an amazing and huge lake in [[Kyrgyzstan]]. There is 182 km from east to west and 58 km from north to south. Surrounded by paved road. Distance on both sided are equal between Balykchy and Karakol (app. around 220km). Northern part is more developed than southernSouthern.[[File:kgzroad.JPG|280px|thumb|right|Road along the Southern shore]]The places are small and you can just thumb everywhere on the main road. Hint: Spend there a few days hitchin' from village to village and stay where you find a good place, f.e. very cheap yurt camps on the South shore.

==Hitching OutHitchhiking out ==

===West towards [[The are no really big places, so just walk to the end of the town/village you are and put your thumb in the air. If you are hitching to Bishkek]]===There is it makes sense to wait for a check point called ''Titanik'' on direct lift, as traffic to the road from Balykchy to [[Bishkek]]capital is huge. In every other direction you can be happy about every lift going further than 20 km. Accessible in half an hour by foot In summer it is very likely that some tourists from roundabout Russia and Kazakhstan in Balykchygreat mood will pick you up. Wait for direct car to BishkekOn the other hand there are a lot of families with full cars.

===South towards [[Naryn]] and [[Kasgar]] ('''CH''') via Torugart pass., also towards [[Osh]] and [[Jalal-Abad]] via Suusamyr=== ===East towards [[Almaty]] ('''KZ''') and [[Urumchy]] ('''CH''')=== ==Hitching In==Coming from [[Bishkek]] is a most common way. ==Places to Visit==There are many valleys starting from road around Issyk-kul. ==Places to Avoid==

==Accommodation and Sleep==There is a huge number of hostels, guesthouses and hotels mostly of north North and less on the southSouth.The North, especially Cholpon-Ata is very popular among tourists from Russia and Kazakhstan. But anyway, with bargaining it should be no problemto get a place to sleep for a small price. Still, the South is more puristic and recommended.

==Other Useful Info==There is friendly geologist's service cars couple times in a week from Bishkek through Barskoon Valley to their party on more than 3500 meters altitude near Kumtor golg mine. Try hitch them. Great expirience among glaciers is guarantee.