Lake Köl-Ukök

Lake Köl-Ukök is the perfect place to escape from civilization

Lake Köl-Ukök, located in the Naryn region on the Teskey Ala-Too ridge, is the perfect place to escape from civilization and immerse yourself in your thoughts. The crystal clear, cold water is incredibly refreshing, but it's best not to venture far from the shore, as the depth reaches up to 17 meters in some places.

The best time to visit this place is during the warm months. The grass is particularly lush during these months, so shepherds bring their livestock to the pastures and set up yurts. Here, you can try traditional Kyrgyz dairy products such as kumys (fermented mare's milk) and kurut (dried salty cheese).

This area is home to wolves, foxes, hares, and mountain goats, as well as a variety of wild plants and flowers, such as rhubarb, wild garlic, and onions, kemirchek, and edelweiss. The lake Köl-Ukök is also successfully inhabited by the introduced Sevan trout from Armenia.

Although a special permit is required to visit Köl-Ukök, the area around the lake has become one of the most popular spots for trekking enthusiasts in Kyrgyzstan. You can reach the lake on foot or on horseback, and from there, take a short hike.

Adventurous and romantically inclined travelers stay here overnight. On the rocky shore of Lake Köl-Ukök, you can make a fire, have a snack, and warm up. However, trees do not grow in this area, so you will need to take care of firewood in advance and pack some logs in your backpack. But the effort will not be in vain; the most resilient will be rewarded with the sight of the night sky, filled with stars that can’t be seen anywhere else.