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Lake Kol-Tor
Lake Kol-Tor

Bishkek → Kegeti → Lake Kol-Tor, 1 day

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A day from Bishkek to a turquoise lake and a waterfall

Place: Kegeti and Lake Kol-Tor

  • One dayNo overnight, back to Bishkek
  • A day's mountain climbAbout 1,000 m climb in a day
  • July–Augustpossible May–October
  • BishkekAbout 80 km by car; check public transport to the trailhead for your date.
  • BishkekStart
Kyrgyz SeasonsPlanning a trip?Ask about a triphello@kyrgyzseasons.com

In order

6 stages in one day

The map shows separate sections, rather than the entire trip. Numbers mark known landmarks; agree exact stops before travelling.

  1. Kegeti Gorge in May: dense spruce trees on the slopes, a wide valley below and a clear sky above11.05.2022

    Day 11 / 6

    Bishkek → Kegeti Gorge

    Bishkek

    by car≈1.5–2 h

    About 80 km by car east along the highway and into Kegeti Gorge; there is a checkpoint with a fee at the bridge.

    Next Climb to the lake →
  2. Photo coming soon

    Day 12 / 6

    Climb to the lake

    on foot≈3–4 h

    First a dirt road, then a trail through coniferous forest beside the stream; one ford and about 1,000 m of climbing.

    Next Lake Kol-Tor →
  3. Lake Kol-Tor

    Day 13 / 6

    Lake Kol-Tor

    on foot

    A turquoise lake at about 2,700 m in a side branch of the gorge; the time to rest by the water is not specified.

    Next Descent to the car →
  4. Photo coming soon

    Day 14 / 6

    Descent to the car

    on foot≈1.5–2 h

    Return by the same trail down the gorge; the descent is harder on the knees than the climb.

    Next Kegeti Waterfall →
  5. A thin jet of Kegeti waterfall against pale rock walls of the gorge, with a dry channel below26.08.2014

    Day 15 / 6

    Kegeti Waterfall

    on foot

    A short stop at the waterfall in the gorge, about 3 km along the gorge from the start of the trail.

    Next Return to Bishkek →
  6. Photo coming soon

    Day 16 / 6

    Return to Bishkek

    Bishkek

    by car≈1.5–2 h

    The drive back to the city along the same highway; the tour programme gives a return at about 18:40.

    Next Kegeti and Lake Kol-Tor: four seasons ↓

Seasons

Kegeti and Lake Kol-Tor: four seasons

Season: July–August. Monthly temperatures at the destination are averages for 2016–2025, not a forecast.

  1. Spring

    March–May
    • Marchout of seasonat the destination +1° / −7°
    • Aprilout of seasonat the destination +6° / −3°
    • Maypossibleat the destination +11° / +1°

  2. Summer

    June–August
    • Junepossibleat the destination +14° / +5°
    • Julyseasonat the destination +17° / +8°
    • Augustseasonat the destination +15° / +6°
  3. Photo coming soon

    Autumn

    September–November
    • Septemberpossibleat the destination +12° / +3°
    • Octoberpossibleat the destination +5° / −5°
    • Novemberout of seasonat the destination −1° / −9°
  4. Photo coming soon

    Winter

    December–February
    • Decemberout of seasonat the destination −6° / −13°
    • Januaryout of seasonat the destination −6° / −14°
    • Februaryout of seasonat the destination −4° / −12°

Before you go

Getting there and what to know before you go

How to get there

  • From Bishkek

    About 80 km, 1.5–2 h

    By car along the highway through Lebedinovka, Novopokrovka and Rot-Front to Kegeti Gorge; there is a checkpoint with a fee at the bridge. check for your date

  • To the lake

    On foot, 3–4 h uphill

    A dirt road, then a trail beside the stream; one ford. It is about 7 km to the lake, with about 1,000 m of climbing. check for your date

  • Back to Bishkek

    Descent 1.5–2 h and the drive

    Down the same trail, a stop at the waterfall in the gorge and the return to the city. check for your date

Money, SIM cards and help

  • Cash. Cash for the fee at the checkpoint and for parking; check the amounts for your travel date.
  • Overnight. No overnight stay needed: the route is a single day.

112all emergencies

What to bring

Keep with you

Ticks are saved in this browser only.

Check before departure

  • Snow and trail condition Local guide
  • Fee amount and checkpoint hours At the destination
  • Transfer and parking at the trailhead Driver
  • Exact parking spot and trailhead
  • Current fee at the checkpoint
  • Public transport to the trailhead
  • Condition of the ford on the day
Kyrgyz SeasonsPlanning a trip?Ask about a triphello@kyrgyzseasons.com

All photos

Kegeti and Lake Kol-Tor in photos

Real photos, each with the date it was taken. Tap or click to enlarge.

  5. 26.08.2014
  6. 20.05.2016
  7. 11.05.2022

Places on the route

Kegeti and Lake Kol-Tor on the map

6 stages

© OpenStreetMap

Separate mapped sections and known landmarks are shown. The full route has not been confirmed; agree exact stops before travelling.

Trip inquiry

Bishkek → Kegeti → Lake Kol-Tor, 1 day

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