The alpine lake Issyk in Kazakhstan

Almatу region, Kazakhstan

 

The alpine lake Issyk in KazakhstanThe alpine lake Issyk is one of the favorite vacation spots for residents and guests of the city of Almatу.  Nature generously endowed the Almatу region with its treasures.  At its territory there are three picturesque Kolsai Lakes, the majestic Charyn Canyon, the unique geological park Altyn Emel and many other amazing corners of nature.  All of them are wonderful in their own way; each has a special magic and attractiveness.   The lake Issyk or Green Lake (Dzhasyl-Kul), as it used to be called because of the fabulously beautiful green color of the water also has its unique features.

It takes about an hour to get from Almatу to this mountain lake. Provided that a traveller does not stop for a while in the town of Issyk, through which the road passes.   However, it had better stay here at least for short time. This place is worthy of attention.   During the excavation of one of the tumuli on the town outskirts, archaeologists discovered the "Issyk Golden Man”.   The unique find dating back to the 5th century BC is also known as the “Kazakh Tutankhamen”. It is the remains of a Saka warrior from head to foot dressed in gold and armed with a precious long sword and a short dragger. It is believed the warrior was a prince of the ruling dynasty of the Kushan Empire. Nowadays, at the place of the excavation there is a historical and cultural reserve, an excursion along which will revive the mysterious history of the Saka kingdom.

Having left the ancient city, drive towards the south.  A shady narrow road along which pines, birches and spruces grow leads to the Issyk Gorge. The gorge is lost in the middle of the picturesque northern slopes of the Trans-Ili Alatau. At its bottom the river Issyk with crystal clear water flows, which originates high in the mountains at the foot of the Kassin glacier. At an altitude of 1760 meters there is the Lake Issyk, formed as a result of a mountain collapse about 8-10 thousand years ago.

The alpine lake Issyk in KazakhstanThe famous geographer and explorer of Central Asia Pyotr Semyonov Tyan-Shansky wrote about this region thus: “The Issyk Valley serves as one of the best gateways to the most gorgeous places of Trans-Ili Alatau.  I have been told so much about the waterfall located in the Issyk Valley, and about the beautiful alpine "Green Lake".  The lake still amazes with its bright, but extremely fragile beauty.  Its shore is covered with a colorful carpet of mountain herbs and flowers, filling the air with a heady aroma.  Slender gracious birches, aspens trembling from the slightest breeze and shaggy pines are snuggled on the mountain slopes, at some places descending right to the water surface.    Higher in the mountains, this sunny and relatively young mixed forest is replaced by centenarians of Tian Shan - tall and massive evergreen spruces. Somewhere in the distance, the snow- white summits of Trans-Ili Alatau shine in the sun.

The place ambiance disposes to full relaxation. Cozy pergolas are scattered along the lake shore, there you can have a picnic with family and friends. By the water it is so pleasant to lie down on soft and tender grass and admire the enchanting landscapes.  But it is unlikely that you will be able to swim here, the water in the lake is very cold, even at the height of summer the temperature does not rise above 8 degrees.   If you have a desire, you can go boating, local entrepreneurs will be glad to organize a trip around the lake for a modest fee.

The picturesque surroundings of the lake call tourists to go hiking.  In fine weather, it would be nice to have a walk to the "Kremlin Wall", the unique sheer cliff of red granite. It stretches for half a kilometer and, indeed, resembles the wall of the Moscow Kremlin. That is why the cliff got its rather strange name. Rock Climbers from different places come here to test their strength and climb to the cliff´s top at the height of 120 meters.  Experienced travellers may also be interested in rather challenging but exciting mountain hike to the waterfalls situated in the majestic Turgen gorge.  Among them there is the famous Medvejii Waterfall, foamy and violent, the very one that Semyonov Tyan-Shansky mentioned.

Having chosen a trip to the Lake Issyk, you can have holidays of your dreams and return home full of strength and energy.

Jatko Y.V, 2019

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