Which shore of Issyk-Kul lake is more attractive?

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flumy
flumy

I'm in the final stages of completing my draft itinerary containing three Central Asia countries, i.e. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. After I have done most of my job regarding Kazakhstan, I have to do something with Kyrgyzstan too. For the time being, I have two questions on my mind and I hope that our forum members will help me to resolve them.

  1. On my route from Karakol toward the western part of Kyrgyzstan, I will pass along Issyk-Kul lake. To be honest, this lake was and it still is the number one reason for introducing Kyrgyzstan in my itinerary. So, I would like to know which shore of the lake is more attractive regarding the viewpoints, the authentic villages and life of local inhabitants, natural landscape, natural attractions, etc. I'm well aware that one mentioned detail could be better on the northern, while other detail could be better on the southern shore, but if the result is a draw, my preference goes toward natural attractions. I know that my question is probably an everlasting dilemma, but I would really like to hear your suggestions.

  2. I have one more lake in mind. This is Song Kul lake. I find it rather remote, but also attractive. Please, is this lake worthy visiting after I have, let's say, explored Issyk-Kul lake? I understand that along the shores of Song Kul lake there are no permanent settlements and that the water is the cleanest possible, so there are the differences between the two lakes, but are the views of the lake and natural attractions really so different than those encountered along Issyk-Kul? Is this lake really an attraction not to be missed while in Kyrgyzstan?

Thanks for your kind suggestions, opinions and whatever do you plan to write regarding my dilemmas.

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willemspie
willemspie
  1. I recommend the Southern shore. Like the beach and the village of Tamga, where there are guesthouses (like the attractive Florid GH).
  2. Song Kol is a high altitude lake, it is a cold place with many herders in yurts all around. It is totally different from Issyk Kul. If you go towards the Western end of the lake, it is less touristy.
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CaucasusandMercury
CaucasusandMercury

I'd also recommend the southern shore. As said above, Tamga is fine but there is also Bokonbaevo. the southern shore is much less exploited, fewer settlements, and no sun and bath resorts whatsoever. The water is purer there,while it's a bit polluted along the northern shore.
However, I'd recommend you stay along both shores. Go to Karakol along the northern and then back along the soutchern. Along the northern shore, you could make journeys a bit inland along the Semyonovka and Grigorievka ravines, thats's wonderful. And you could take a short boat cruise on the lake from the yacht club at Cholpon-Ata.

Also, not by the shore but a bit north is the wonderful valley and village of Chon-Kemin, they have a fantastic little hotel I cannot recommend enough.

As noted above, Son-Kul lake is totally different. But it's amazing and beautiful and I'd recommend you to go there. From Issyk-Kul you'd drive through Kochkor and pass a pretty high pass, beautiful scenery. You'd have to stay in a yurta in a camp. On the way from there, make sure you take another road, the one that goes in a slightly southeastern direction from the southeastern end of the lake. You'll pass through what is called the mountain road with 51 bends (or 38, or 42 whatever I don't recall) and you experienca another kind of landscape and another scenery.

I'm unsure whether I'm allowed to advertize my favourite plces to stay over there, but I know great places along the different shores, Chon-Kemin, Bokonbaevo, Tamga and Son-Kul. Write a message if you need more info.

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flumy
flumy

Thanks a lot to both of you!

Unfortunately, I will not have enough time for both shores and that was the real reason of my question. I will definitely follow your suggestions and choose one of the villages on the southern shore you have kindly mentioned. The problem is that both villages, Tamga and Bokonbaevo appear to be equally attractive. When I say attractive, I mean they have retained much of their original look and they are definitely not overly commercialized. I really appreciate their simplicity, and the way how they look, although it could appear at first somewhat rugged. By the way, this is the very reason why did I put Kyrgyzstan on my itinerary. Looking at one of the world attraction like Issyk-Kul and staying in the village that lives its usual life like there is nothing special around them. This is it!

I will also follow your second suggestion and will definitely put Song-Kul on my itinerary. Somehow I feel that I would be sorry not to visit it although I will make just a short visit there, staying just one night on the lake in the yurt as far as I have properly understood. I'm almost certain that this will be wonderful and memorable part of my Central Asian tour especially because of this astonishing Kyrgyz nature.

Once again thanks and, please, if someone wants to contribute to this topic with additional details, just do it! It means a lot to me.

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walkingworlds
walkingworlds
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In response to #3

I also recommend the southern shore! It is quieter and has a more rustic feel. If you would like a homestay experience and avoid the tourist crowds at Tamga or Bokonbaevo, I recommend staying at Jenish village. There is a family-run guesthouse called Apricot Guest House. It is a lovely family and their house is just 200m from the beach (which is also thankfully quiet and clean).

Tamga and Bokonbaevo are great places, but they are still quite far from the shore and you will have to take some form of transport from the town to the shore. I prefer an all-in-one experience so I would pick towns or villages that are just by the shore.

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Thorn Tree

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