The same view from the pass in spring, summer, autumn and winter. Monthly temperatures at the lake and in Karakol are averages for 2016–2025, not a forecast.
Spring
March–May
It is still winter at the lake: about +3° by day and −5° at night in May. Ice lasts a long time: part of the lake was still frozen on 29 June 2012.
Marchlake −6° / −15°Karakol +5° / −5°
Aprillake −1° / −10°Karakol +10° / 0°
Maylake +3° / −5°Karakol +15° / +4°
Summer
June–August
The lake is ice-free and turquoise. By day it is +7…+11° at the lake, with nights around zero. Weather changes within hours.
Junelake +7° / −2°Karakol +18° / +8°
Julylake +11° / +2°Karakol +21° / +11°
Augustlake +10° / +1°Karakol +20° / +10°
Autumn
September–November
Fresh snow covers the peaks in September, while the lake is still ice-free. In October, daytime temperatures at the lake are below zero; November has a winter climate.
Septemberlake +6° / −4°Karakol +17° / +6°
Octoberlake −2° / −12°Karakol +9° / −1°
Novemberlake −10° / −18°Karakol +2° / −8°
Based on a photo by Ekrem Canli, CC BY-SA 3.0, modified
Winter
December–February
The climate is deep winter: −12…−15° by day at the water, down to −22° at night. The lake is covered in ice and snow.
Decemberlake −14° / −21°Karakol −2° / −11°
Januarylake −15° / −22°Karakol −3° / −13°
Februarylake −12° / −20°Karakol 0° / −10°
Photo roll
Real photos, each with the date it was taken. Tap or click to enlarge.
From Karakol, the entrance to Karakol Nature Park is about 6 km away: take marshrutka No. 101 from near Duet Hostel or a taxi. To shorten the walk, you can book a 4WD to the second bridge, where the climb via Sirota to the lake begins. This transfer takes about 1.5 hours; the July 2026 guide price was 2,500 som per person with four passengers, plus 300 som per person for park entry. The vehicle does not reach the lake; agree the return pickup and final price in advance.
