Trek to Lake Köl Ükök
March to the amazing lake
The trek to Lake Köl Ükök is one of the most picturesque in Kyrgyzstan. From the semi-desert area around the regional town of Kočkor, you can reach a beautiful lake surrounded by flowering pastures full of horses and sheep and glaciated 4,000-meter mountains within a few hours of climbing. In addition, from the lake you can take a number of star trips to unnamed hills or to another beautiful lake Köl Tör.
1 day
Ascent to Lake Köl Ükök
The first day of the march is the most demanding. A long ascent awaits you through an arid, almost semi-desert landscape without shade. In addition, you will have to cross the wild river Terc. However, the final view of Lake Köl Ükök will be a great reward.
Ascent to Lake Köl Ükök I.
Arid valley to the ford
The long march from dusty Kočkor to a completely different, more beautiful world around Lake Köl Ükök is basically divided into two different stages of landscaping. The first that is being written about here is a little less interesting. It leads along the relatively arid Tör Ükök valley, with beautiful panoramic views of Kočkor, to a massive side valley, where the wild river Terc flows, which you will have to cross. For most tourists, this ford is the most challenging place of this entire trek to the lakes. continue reading
Ascent to Lake Köl Ükök II.
Across meadows and moraine to the lake
The second stage of the ascent to the enchanting Lake Köl Ükök already leads through a significantly greener landscape than the previous stage. In addition, if you are tired or set off late, you can easily camp on meadows or sleep in a yurt and walk to the lake the next day. In addition, a number of smaller lakes await you along the way. The stage ends with a steep ascent to the moraine, from which you will finally see the main goal of this trek. continue reading
Day 2
Hiking at Lake Köl Ükök
The next day, just enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Lake Köl Ükök or head to Lake Köl Tör even higher.
Hike along Lake Köl Ükök
Kyrgyz romance
After overcoming a long journey, mostly through an arid valley, from Kočkor to the moraine of Lake Köl Ükök, you will reach a completely different world. Here you just need to „stay“ in a yurt or set up your own tent and then you can enjoy beautiful walks around this beautiful lake. However, only the trail along the western side of the lake has been trodden. Hiking on the east side is relatively dangerous due to the rubble slopes. The actual basic walk is about three kilometers and there is really nowhere to hurry. More hardy individuals can bathe in this clear lake. continue reading
View of Köl Ükök
View of a beautiful lake
From the southern shore of Lake Köl Ükök, it is not a problem to climb directly up the slope to panoramic views of the lake in several places. In addition, behind a small ridge is a picturesque valley full of flowers. You can combine this walk with a subsequent trip to Lake Köl Tör, or just as a short march before descending back to Kočkor. continue reading
Hike to Lake Köl Tör
A trip to a small glacial arena
If you want to take trips from the beautiful and large Köl Ükök Lake further into the depths of this 4,000-meter mountain range, there are several options. The most popular of these is not even a half-day trip to another, slightly smaller lake Köl Tör. But count on the fact that the journey there is a bit more difficult than the ascent to Lake Köl Ükök. continue reading
Day 3
Return to Kočkor
On the third day, you can treat yourself to a short walk to one of the other viewpoints and then head back to Kočkor, either along the same road or through another valley leading to Kara-Suu. If you don't have much time, you can catch the whole trek in two days. Alternatively, you can take a trip to the lunar landscape of an arid ridge near the village of Isikayev, located near the starting point of the trek.
Hike to the moon ridge near Kočkor
Nice walk from Kočkor
Although the town of Kočkor is not very interesting in itself and most travelers come here mainly because it is a starting point to both the huge lake Sonkol and the beautiful lake Köl Ükök. Even so, from here you can take an interesting walk south to an abandoned arid ridge with interesting views over the village of Isakayev. continue reading
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