Issyk Kul is the largest lake in Kyrgyzstan and often referred to as the second largest mountain or alpine lake in the world. It's become a focus point of many travellers as it is a spectacular sight, with a rich blue colour and snow-capped mountains almost the entire way around the lake.

There are many small towns around the shoreline of the lake, some of which are worth stopping in to check out, as they offer bases for exploring other incredible landscapes near the lake, like canyons, waterfalls, and mountains.

The north shore of the lake has become the main tourist destination for locals and regional travellers, who come to the lake's beaches for summer holiday time. Cholpon-Ata is the main town where local holidaymakers from Bishkek visit, with plenty of lakeside resorts popping up.

However, it's the south shore that offers more adventure and culture, and I highly recommend allowing a few days to explore the south shore between Balykchy and Karakol. This makes it ideal to include in an itinerary starting from Bishkek.

How to get there? Reaching Issyk Kul is very easy from Bishkek. You can reach the lake in 3-4 hours from the city by road or train. There are regular marshrutka buses running from Bishkek to destinations around the lake, or take the train from Bishkek to Balykchy (there's a separate entry/pin for this train).

Best things to do in Issyk Kul:

• Swim in the lake at any of the towns along the shore, although Chopin Ata has proper beach resorts and sun beds

• Aksay Canyon is a spectacular series of deep canyons that can be found between Aksay village and the south shore of Issyk Kul. You can hike up to a viewpoint near the lake shore and admire the panoramic view

• Fairytale Canyon or Skazka Canyon has become an iconic photo stop in Kyrgyzstan and is easily accessible on the south shore of Issyk Kul off the main road

• Bokonbaevo town is a major town on the south shore and known for being home to eagle hunters. You can contact the CBT (community tourism) office to organise a visit with one of the eagle hunters themselves

• Karakol is the major town over on the east side of the lake and where most travellers head to explore the Tian Shan Mountains with plenty of things to do from there

Read my guide on travelling from Bishkek to Issyk Kul and all the things to do along the way here!