Issyk-Kul Region

Issyk-Kul Region surrounds the world's second-largest alpine lake, framed by the snow-capped Terskey and Kungey Ala-Too ranges. Home to Karakol, Cholpon-Ata, the Tian Shan glaciers, and a network of jailoo summer pastures, this region is the backbone of EcoNomad's high-mountain itineraries. The lake itself is endorheic and slightly saline — never freezes despite altitudes above 1,600 m, hence the name 'warm lake' in Kyrgyz.