Issyk-Kul Region

Lake Issyk-Kul is one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the world. It lies at an elevation of about 1,600 meters above sea level. The lake covers an area of over 6,000 km², with a maximum depth exceeding 600 meters. The lake is surrounded by mountain ranges on all sides, with some peaks rising above 5,000 meters, and many others coming close to that height. Issyk-Kul’s beaches are very popular during the summer season. Yet beyond the beaches, the region around the lake offers many other natural wonders waiting to be explored.

Kok-Moynok Canyon

A whole city made of sand

By car
Distance from Bishkek	165 km
Travel time	2 h 45 min
Difficulty level	★★★☆☆
On foot
Distance from parking	up to 1300 m
Hiking time	up to 1 h 30 min
Elevation gain	up to 170 m
Difficulty level	★★☆☆☆
Place rating	★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8/10)

By car
Distance from Bishkek	200 km
Travel time	3 h
Difficulty level	★☆☆☆☆ — ★★★★☆
On foot
Distance from parking	up to 3500 m
Hiking time	up to 1 h
Elevation gain	—
Difficulty level	★★☆☆☆
Place rating	★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆ (5/10)

By car
Distance from Bishkek	255 km
Travel time	4 h 50 min
Difficulty level	★★★☆☆
On foot
Distance from parking	—
Hiking time	—
Elevation gain	—
Difficulty level	☆☆☆☆☆
Place rating	★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ (6/10)

By car
Distance from Bishkek	260 km
Travel time	4 h 45 min
Difficulty level	★★★☆☆
On foot
Distance from parking	up to 1600 m
Hiking time	up to 35 min
Elevation gain	up to 110 m
Difficulty level	★☆☆☆☆
Place rating	★★★★★★★★★☆ (9/10)

By car
Distance from Bishkek	285 km
Travel time	4 h 45 min
Difficulty level	★☆☆☆☆
On foot
Distance from parking	up to 2200 m
Hiking time	up to 40 min
Elevation gain	up to 150 m
Difficulty level	★★☆☆☆
Place rating	★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10)

By car
Distance from Bishkek	300 km
Travel time	5 h 10 min
Difficulty level	★☆☆☆☆
On foot
Distance from parking	up to 1500 m
Hiking time	up to 2 h
Elevation gain	up to 50 m
Difficulty level	★★☆☆☆
Place rating	★★★★★★★★★☆ (9/10)

By car
Distance from Bishkek	340 km
Travel time	5 h 45 min
Difficulty level	★☆☆☆☆
On foot
Distance from parking	2100 m
Hiking time	1 h 45 min
Elevation gain	720 m
Difficulty level	★★★★☆
Place rating	★★★★★★★★★★ (10/10)

By car
Distance from Bishkek	370 km
Travel time	6 h 30 min
Difficulty level	★★☆☆☆
On foot
Distance from parking	2300 m
Hiking time	50 min
Elevation gain	160 m
Difficulty level	★★☆☆☆
Place rating	★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8/10)

By car
Distance from Bishkek	400 km
Travel time	6 h 55 min
Difficulty level	★☆☆☆☆
On foot
Distance from parking	7700 m
Hiking time	3 h
Elevation gain	480 m
Difficulty level	★★★☆☆
Place rating	★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8/10)

By car
Distance from Bishkek	410 km
Travel time	7 h 20 min
Difficulty level	★★★★☆
On foot
Distance from parking	10000 m
Hiking time	3 h 10 min
Elevation gain	450 m
Difficulty level	★★★☆☆
Place rating	★★★★★★★★★★ (10/10)

By car
Distance from Bishkek	270 km
Travel time	4 h 20 min
Difficulty level	★★☆☆☆
On foot
Distance from parking	1900 m
Hiking time	50 min
Elevation gain	170 m
Difficulty level	★★☆☆☆
Place rating	★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8/10)