Lake Issyk, Turgen Gorge
and Bear WaterfallОзеро Иссык, Тургеньское ущелье и Медвежий водопад
Everything you need to plan your day
By Nomad Outfitters · Updated 30 October 2026
Emptied in 1963, refilled since
On 7 July 1963 a mudflow from the Zharsai glacier broke the lake's natural dam and the water drained in about four hours. Restoration began in the mid-1980s and the lake slowly refilled. Today it sits at 1,759 m and is smaller than before.
Found near the town of Issyk
In 1969 to 1970 archaeologists excavating a burial mound near the town of Issyk found the Golden Man: a Saka warrior buried with more than 4,000 gold items. A replica is on show at the Issyk museum-reserve in the town.
About 30 m high
The Turgen Gorge, in Ile-Alatau National Park, is known for its waterfalls. Bear Waterfall is about 30 m high. On our tour the walk there and back is about 4 km on a forest path with a steady climb and a few stream crossings.
May to October
We run this trip from May to October, when the lake is ice-free and the forest trails are dry. In winter the roads are closed, so we suggest Big Almaty Lake or Charyn Canyon instead: both run all year.
Open
Sources: Kazakh Tourism (Lake Issyk); Forbes Kazakhstan (1963 mudflow); gov.kz (Issyk burial mounds); Welcome.kz (Bear Waterfall); Tengrinews (2026 fees).
Lake Issyk and Bear WaterfallОзеро Иссык и Медвежий водопад
Lake Issyk and the Turgen Gorge, with a 4 km round-trip walk to Bear Waterfall.
- 09:00 to 16:30hotel to hotel
- Privateyour own guide and car
- 4 kmto the waterfall and back
- Lunch at a local cafe
- Park fees and drinking water
- Free cancellation
Lake Issyk and Turgen questions
What happened to Lake Issyk in 1963?
On 7 July 1963 a mudflow broke the lake's natural dam and the water drained in about four hours. The lake has since partly refilled.
What is the Golden Man?
A Saka warrior found in a burial mound near the town of Issyk in 1969 to 1970, buried with more than 4,000 gold items. A replica is in the Issyk museum-reserve.
How long is the walk to Bear Waterfall?
On our tour about 4 km there and back, on a forest path with a steady climb and a few stream crossings.
Can I visit in winter?
We run this trip from May to October, because the roads are closed in winter. In winter we suggest Big Almaty Lake or Charyn Canyon, which run all year.
Tours that visit Lake Issyk and Turgen
1 day1 деньLake Issyk and Bear WaterfallОзеро Иссык и Медвежий водопад
A mountain lake, a forest gorge and a waterfall.Горное озеро, лесное ущелье и водопад.
from $85 per personот $85 за человекаView tourПодробнее о туре
3 days3 дняGreat Almaty LoopБольшое кольцо Алматы
Seven highlights around Almaty in three days.Семь главных мест вокруг Алматы за три дня.
from $400 per personот $400 за человекаView tourПодробнее о туре