Difference between revisions of "Issyk-kul lake"

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Earth > Asia > Central Asia > Kyrgyzstan > Issyk-kul lake
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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 (around 220km). Northern part is more developed than southern.
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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 (around 220km). Northern part is more developed than Southern.
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The places are small and you can just thumb everywhere on the main road.
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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.
  
 
== Hitchhiking out ==
 
== Hitchhiking out ==
  
=== West towards [[Bishkek]] ===
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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 it makes sense to wait for a direct lift, as traffic to the capital is huge. In every other direction you can be happy about every lift going further than 20 km. In summer it is very likely that some tourists from Russia and Kazakhstan in great mood will pick you up. On the other hand there are a lot of families with full cars.
There is a check point called ''Titanik'' on the road from Balykchy to [[Bishkek]]. Accessible in half an hour by foot from roundabout in Balykchy. Wait for direct car to Bishkek.
 
 
 
=== 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 Avoid ==
 
== Places to Avoid ==
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== Accommodation and Sleep ==
 
== Accommodation and Sleep ==
There is a huge number of hostels, guesthouses and hotels mostly of north and less on the south.
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There is a huge number of hostels, guesthouses and hotels mostly North and less on the South.
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The North, especially Cholpon-Ata is very popular among tourists from Russia and Kazakhstan. But anyway, with bargaining it should be no problem
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to get a place to sleep for a small price. Still, the South is more puristic and recommended.  
  
 
== Other Useful Info ==
 
== Other Useful Info ==

Revision as of 19:35, 3 December 2012

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 (around 220km). Northern part is more developed than Southern.

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.

Hitchhiking out

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 it makes sense to wait for a direct lift, as traffic to the capital is huge. In every other direction you can be happy about every lift going further than 20 km. In summer it is very likely that some tourists from Russia and Kazakhstan in great mood will pick you up. On the other hand there are a lot of families with full cars.

Places to Avoid

Avoid Balykchy and Karakol at nighttime.

Accommodation and Sleep

There is a huge number of hostels, guesthouses and hotels mostly North and less on the South. The North, especially Cholpon-Ata is very popular among tourists from Russia and Kazakhstan. But anyway, with bargaining it should be no problem to 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.