This 2-day Kol-Ukok lake tour is the quickest way into the mountains of central Kyrgyzstan: a private 4×4 takes you from Bishkek via Kochkor straight to Lake Kol-Ukok (about 3,070 m), the “lake in a chest”. In the afternoon you hike about 11 km to the small Kol-Tor glacier lake at about 3,460 m and back, then spend the night in a family-run yurt camp on the shore. Easy to moderate, no trekking experience needed, private trip for 2–12 people with fixed prices from $170 per person.
Price per person, depends on group size
Included: professional tour guide, one night yurt accommodation (B&B), two lunches, one dinner, private 4×4 transport.
Not included: hotel in Bishkek and any services not specified in the program.
Moments from Kol-Ukok
Included
Not included
Transport
Up to 4 guests travel in a 4×4 directly from Bishkek. Larger groups take a minibus to the Bolshevik area and change to 4×4 vehicles there, with 3 guests per car on the mountain track.
What to bring
Comfortable hiking shoes, a warm jacket and hat (nights at 3,000 m are cold even in summer), rain jacket, sunglasses and sunscreen, a small daypack with water and snacks, headlamp and personal medicine.
In a traditional family-run yurt camp on the shore of Kol-Ukok. Each yurt is shared by up to four guests; you sleep on thick felt mattresses with warm blankets, and the family cooks dinner and breakfast for you.
Easy to moderate: about 11 km there and back with about 400 m of ascent, 4–5 hours at a relaxed pace. It is a radial hike from the yurt camp, so you can turn back at any time.
The price per person depends on group size: $430 for 2 travellers, $290 for 4, $240 for 6, $200 for 8 and $170 for 12 – see the price table. It is a private tour on your dates.
By private 4×4 from Bishkek (about 215 km, 4–5 hours). Groups of more than four take a minibus to the Bolshevik area and change to 4×4 vehicles for the mountain track.
Yes. The yurt family can saddle horses for a ride along the lake or towards Kol-Tor – arranged locally at extra cost.
Yes. For a real trek, take the 4-day Kol-Ukok trek to Tuura-Suu or the 5-day horseback expedition. All routes: trekking tours in Kyrgyzstan.
Tell us your dates and group size. You get a personal offer within 24 hours, no commitment.
