Sary Chelek Lake

As one of the most beautiful spots in the country, visiting Sary Chelek Lake is likely to be a highlight of your time in the Western Tien-Shan Mountains of Kyrgyzstan. There are lots of things to do here and plenty of amenities for visitors.

For many people, the adventure of visiting the lake can start even before reaching it. Many people choose to hike here from the nearby village of Kara-Suu, or there are also horse trails that you can follow while riding on a day trip or multi-day expedition. Of course, there are easier options too - the lake is reachable by car and you can arrange a taxi in Arkit village as a good and safe option.

After reaching the lake, visitors have a wide array of activities to choose from. There are multiple hikes that will take you to other nearby lakes or to gorgeous viewpoints. In Sary Chelek National Reserve, trails are usually well-marked, but you can opt for downloading or buying a map. Other common activities in the area are picnics, camping, and boat rides across the water.

Hiring a boat is highly recommended as it will allow you to see areas of the lake that can’t be seen from the shore. This is the biggest lake in the region and it impresses visitors for its incredible size as well as its stunning views. It extends for an incredible 7.5 kilometres and is 650 metres wide. Its crystal-clear waters allow great visibility, making a boat ride even more special.

One of the nice things about Sary Chelek Lake is that it's popular with locals, so there's an atmosphere of authentic and modern Kyrgyzstan culture when you visit here. It is not uncommon to see people from nearby villages coming to the lake to spend time with family and friends. These gatherings are usually accompanied by a feast that locals, mostly women, cook on the site.