That you should see with your own eyes
Kyrgyzstan is often called "little Switzerland" because of the beauty and accessibility of nature. Mountain peaks, fast rivers, alpine pastures, mountain lakes, waterfalls - this is what you will see while traveling around Kyrgyzstan.
Today we will talk about the largest lakes in the country, which you just need to see with your own eyes.
Issyk-Kul lake
The lake is located at an altitude of 1600 meters. The length of the lake from west to east is 178 km, and from south to north 64 km. The maximum depth is 668 m. About 80 rivers flow into the lake and none flow out. The water in Issyk-Kul lake has a brackish taste and does not freeze in winter. There are 21 species of fish in the lake. In the bays and in the west of the lake, 20-65 thousand birds winter every year (eyetails, mallards, swans, coots, dives).
Son-Kul lake
It is located at an altitude of 3016 m. Length 29 km, width 17 km. The maximum depth is 13 m. About 18 small rivers flow into Son-Kul Lake and only one flows out (Son-Kul River). The water in the lake is fresh. Fish: osman, whitefish, peled. Birds: herons, gulls, ducks and other water birds (about 60 species).
Sary-Chelek lake
Located at an altitude of 1900 m. Length 7.5 km. The maximum depth is 234 m. On the shore of the lake there's located the Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve with an area of 23,900 ha. It is home to 40 species of mammals, 157 species of birds and 1,000 species of herbaceous plants. Lake Sary-Chelek arose as a result of a strong earthquake, which led to a collapse that blocked the path of a mountain river, as a result of which a mountain lake was formed at this place.
Kel-Suu lake
It is located at an altitude of 3500 m. The length is 9 km, the width is up to 2 km. From all sides, Kel-Suu is surrounded by steep cliffs with many caves and grottoes.
Ala-kul lake
It is located at an altitude of 3532 m. The depth is about 70 m. The length is 2.8 km. The lake can be reached on foot from the Karakol gorge or Altyn-Arashan valley. Interesting hiking trails with unforgettable views lead to Ala-Kul Lake. And after the hike, you can relax in the hot springs.
Kol-Tor lake
The mountain lake Kel-Tor is located 86 km from Bishkek on the northern slopes of the Kyrgyz Range. It is located at an altitude of 2725 meters above sea level. Here you can enjoy walks through the spruce forest and dense thickets of mountain ash, honeysuckle, wild rose, raspberry and barberry, which are later replaced by juniper bushes and alpine meadows. Lake Kol-Tor was formed as a result of an earthquake and is a dam-type lake. The water in the lake has a beautiful turquoise hue.
Lakes of Achik-Tash valley
The Achik-Tash valley is located at an altitude of about 3600 meters above sea level. There are more than 40 alpine lakes here. One of the largest lakes in the valley is Tulpar-Kul Lake. It is within walking distance from the base camp, which attracts tourists. In the reflection of the lake you can see the famous Lenin Peak (7134 m) and take fantastic photos. From the Achik-Tash base camp, you can hike to the nearest peaks and admire the panoramic view of the lakes and Achik-Tash valley.
Which lake impressed you the most and where would you like to visit? You can contact us to learn more about traveling to the lakes of Kyrgyzstan.
