Lake Esik — Attraction in Almaty Region

Ok, so been here several times before. Now they have made a checkpoint before the lake so you need to park and walk. It's not far (10-15 minutes), but not comfortable in the heat. For 100 kzt you can get a marshutka (minibus) which will take you and they're running constantly.

We were pretty disappointed when we got there. The lake isn't suitable to swim in. It wasn't that cold, just dirty. Visibility is probably 6 inches. There's no real areas to sit down in, you just need to find a tree for some shade and awkwardly try and lean against the hill slope or sit on some rocks. It took us 90 minutes to get there and we were there for probably 20 minutes before heading back. Some of the lake is stunning in terms of photos and picturesque parts, but the area as a whole is littered with trash and there are some really large family gatherings so don't expect much peace and quiet. You can't buy anything near the lake at all, so make sure you buy what you need before you leave the checkpoint/car park. If you're in two minds, I'd avoid this and drive onwards to Turgren, which is stunning.

This was probably our third or fourth time here, but will be our last. Don't get me wrong the lake is pretty (see the photo) but BAO (Big Almaty Ozera') is visually more impressive, but not so easy to get...

An incredibly picturesque, alpine lake surrounded by thick forests and flower fields. Issyk lake (meaning "door" in English) is located at an 1760 meters above sea level, in the Issyk gorge of Trans-Ili Alatau, about 70 km east of Almaty. A very nice place to visit on a day trip from Almaty- but beware: it gets really crowded on the weekend when there is often a traffic jam on the road up. People park on both sides of the road, which allows for only one direction of traffic. You can imagine what happens as cars coming up the mountain to see the lake run into cars already coming...

This place feels like stepping into a postcard. The green color lake mirrors the surrounding mountains, creating a breathtaking view at every angle. The air is fresh, the atmosphere peaceful, and the natural beauty is simply unmatched. Whether you’re here for a quiet walk, or just sitting by the shore soaking in the scenery, it’s an experience that leaves you feeling calm and renewed. Truly a must-visit for anyone who loves nature. The place is less crowded and best...