Tourists' complaints lead to the removal of Shlogbaums from Lake Yesik, as depicted in a video recording.
In recent months, a controversy over entry fees at Lake Issyk in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan has been a topic of discussion among locals and tourists. However, according to the latest travel sources, there are no recent or credible reports of ongoing issues with unofficial entry fees at Lake Yesik.
Organized tours to Issyk Lake mention entry/admission fees clearly as part of the package or as exclusions, implying official and controlled fee collection. Online reviews and tour listings generally reflect positive traveler experiences without complaints about entry fee corruption or unofficial charges. Recent cultural and tourist event posts related to the Almaty region do not reference any controversies or problems regarding lake access fees.
The uproar among visitors was caused by the unexpected entry fees at Lake Issyk, which has since been resolved. The fee for entering vehicles is regulated by law and applies only to the territory of the Ile-Alatau National Park, not Lake Issyk. The reported rates for the entry fee are: 2,000 tenge per person, 2,500 tenge for a light vehicle, 5,000 tenge for a minibus, 15,000 tenge for a medium bus, and 20,000 tenge for a large bus.
The contract signed between the Akimat of Almaty region and LLP 'Khabel' for the trust management of Lake Issyk and tourism development around it in December 2024 does not specify that LLP 'Khabel' can charge visitors for entering the lake. In fact, the actions of LLP 'Khabel' in charging entry fees exceed their powers and violate the contract terms. The Akimat of the Almaty region has sent a notice to LLP 'Khabel' to stop the illegal fee collection and dismantle the installed barriers.
It is important to note that an obligatory environmental fee for tourists and vehicles remains in effect at the eco-post of the Ile-Alatau National Park. For official and more detailed information, visitors are encouraged to contact Liter.kz. The barriers at the entrance to Lake Yesik have been removed as of August 17.
In conclusion, while there were issues with entry fees at Lake Issyk in the past, it appears that these problems have been resolved, and there are no current signs of unofficial entry fee issues at the lake. Visitors can enjoy their trips to Lake Issyk knowing that the entry fees are official and regulated by law.
- The controversy over entry fees at Lake Issyk in the past has been replaced with positive traveler experiences as organized tours now clarify fees, and online reviews reflect this change.
- The policy-and-legislation regarding entry fees at Lake Issyk is now clear, with the fees being official, regulated, and legible in tour packages, as well as the territorial application of the fees being specified.