Around Lake Issyk-Kul
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 480.41 mi
- Elevation gain
- 8,304 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Easy
- Elevation loss
- 10,869 ft
- Max elevation
- 6,649 ft
- TrailRank
- 51
- Min elevation
- 2,416 ft
- Trail type
- One Way
- Coordinates
- 262
- Uploaded
- November 23, 2012
- Recorded
- November 2012
near Kalmak-Ashuu, Chüy (Kyrgyz Republic)
Viewed 3591 times, downloaded 38 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
The regular camera picture formats are not adequate to capture the wide expanse of Kyrgyzstans plains and mountains. Kyrgyzstan is a photographer's dream.
We had to be in Kyrgyzstan, and arranged to arrive a few days early. It was too cold in November to plan any longer hikes, but the drive around Lake Issyk-Kul and back to Bishkek was an excellent introduction to Kyrgyzstan and its mountains. It has been snowing in the mountains and the weather was bright and sunny providing glorious views.
We start the trail at Ashu guesthouse, in order not to double-track too many of the coordinates.
The roundtrip took us 4 days, which was just right to sample the many sights marked as waypoints.
The road is asphalt throughout, old but without potholes. There is an alternative autobahn between Bishkek and the turn-off to Ashu.
We had to be in Kyrgyzstan, and arranged to arrive a few days early. It was too cold in November to plan any longer hikes, but the drive around Lake Issyk-Kul and back to Bishkek was an excellent introduction to Kyrgyzstan and its mountains. It has been snowing in the mountains and the weather was bright and sunny providing glorious views.
We start the trail at Ashu guesthouse, in order not to double-track too many of the coordinates.
The roundtrip took us 4 days, which was just right to sample the many sights marked as waypoints.
The road is asphalt throughout, old but without potholes. There is an alternative autobahn between Bishkek and the turn-off to Ashu.
Waypoints
Mountain hut
5,000 ft
01. Ashu Travel Guesthouse
A comfortable and well maintained guesthouse in a working farm. It mght be a good idea to bring a mousetrap to protect your snacks.
Lake
5,741 ft
02. At the lake, near the fairytale canyon
These are views from the lakeshsore. At this point the drive and hike to the Fairytale Canyon starts - see separate wikiloc trail
Photo
Fountain
Information point
Archaeological site
Comments (2)
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Fantastic
Thanks! Should you ever plan to visit Kyrgyzstan, plan to stay 4 weeks - there is so much to hike....