Kyrgyzstan: Ak Sai Panorama
Ak Sai Panorama offers perhaps the best payoff to effort ratio on the southern shore of Issyk Kol, the top of which is a massive 360 panorama of the lake and surrounding mountains of Ak Say Canyon.
Total Km: 2 km
Total Days: 1
Elevation Gain/Loss: 80m+ / 80m-
Start Point: Ak Sai Canyon
End Point: Ak Sai Canyon
GPS Files
The trailhead is at the end of an unmarked dirt just to the west of the end of the riverbed road through Ak Sai Canyon. Turn up out of the riverbed along the well-used path and follow a bit until the trailhead becomes visible just off the road – if you’re driving there’s space for three or four cars to park right at the beginning.
From the trailhead, follow the obvious dirt trail briefly across the open plain (keeping an eye out for the very many lizards and grasshoppers in the area) towards the base of the nearest hill, at which point is starts to gently rise and climb 80m towards the top. Fantastic views of Issyk Kol can be had the whole way up, so stop occasionally to catch your breath and enjoy the view.
While the views of the mountains to the south do slowly open as the trail climbs the small hill, they don’t reveal themselves fully until just below the highest point of the Ak Sai Panorama hike. It’s right around 800 meters of walking from the trailhead to the top of the panorama, with only 80m of climbing in between, so this one is particularly well-suited to families or non-hikers as basically any able-bodied person can make the walk. From the top of the Ak Sai Panorama, magnificent views stretch in every direction and the area should be particularly nice at sunrise and sunset as the golden light highlights the numerous layers of small hills that run to the southern horizon.
(Your mileage may vary on whether sunrise and sunset are family friendly.)
After having enjoying the view from the top of Ak Sai Panorama and wandered onwards as far as you dare along the hilltop path that extends beyond the panorama point, head back down to the trailhead along the same path you arrived from. It’s around 20 minutes to climb and 10 to descend if you’re moving at a reasonable pace, but it’s well worth the trip out even if it takes longer to drive to and from the trailhead than it does to make the walk itself!
Alternate Options for Hike Name
An obvious path continues onwards from the viewpoint towards the mountains to the south. We did not follow them on this visit, but it seems likely that one could eventually wind their way to link up to the Ak Sai Petroglyphs trail given time and determination – but take lots of water and expect plenty of false trails.
Good To Know
There is absolutely no water in the canyon unless it is actively raining (in which case, watch out for flash floods along the dry river beds). Take everything you need for the day, and ideally keep a GPS track to help you wind your way out if you’re exploring deep into the area.
Getting to the Hike Name
While it would probably be possible to hire a taxi from Bokonbayebo of Ak Sai to the Panorama trailhead, you’ll more likely either want your own wheels or to just walk over in the morning from the Feel Nomad camp if you’re staying there.
Where to Stay and Eat
A special shout-out to Feel Nomad Yurt Camp, who suggested this hike to us as it’s just a couple kilometers west of their location on the shore of Issyk Kol. Alternatively, there are a handful of decent guesthouses and restaurants in Bokonbaeyvo, from which this would be a simple daytrip once you’re arranged transportation.
