This 4-day Kol-Ukok trek near Kochkor is a quiet traverse through the mountains of central Kyrgyzstan: about 52 km on foot from the Ukok river up to Lake Kol-Ukok (about 3,080 m), the “lake in a chest”, over the Sary-Bel pass (about 3,510 m) and the Kichi-Ukok pass (about 3,900 m) into the Taldy valley and down along the Tuura-Suu river. Three nights in tents by lakes and rivers, pack horses carry the luggage, shepherd families on the summer pastures. Transfer from and back to Bishkek, July to September, private trip for 2–12 people.
The price is calculated individually: it depends on group size, dates and accommodation level. Send a request and we will prepare an offer for your group.
Request your datesMoments from the trek
Included
Not included
Your final list of services is confirmed in your personal offer.
Drinking water
We carry bottled water for the first day; on the trek we drink from springs and rivers (boiled for tea and cooking). Bring a water filter or purification tablets – they are hard to find in Kyrgyzstan.
What to bring
Broken-in, waterproof hiking boots, warm layers for cold nights by the lake, rain jacket and trousers, sun hat and warm hat, gloves, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen, trekking poles, headlamp, a 25–30 l daypack, blister kit and personal medicine.
You should be a fit hiker: 9–18 km and 3–7 hours a day, up to about 1,370 m of ascent on day 1 and two passes up to about 3,900 m. There are no technical sections. Regular hiking or sport 2–3 times a week before the trip is good preparation.
All three nights are in tents: at Lake Kol-Ukok, by a small river below the Kichi-Ukok pass and in the Taldy valley. Tents and mats are provided, the horses carry all camping gear. If shepherd families are on the pastures, a visit to their yurt is often possible.
A private car takes you from Bishkek via Kochkor to the trailhead (about 200 km, 3–4 hours) and from the Tuura-Suu bridge back to Bishkek (about 290 km, 5–6 hours). On request we add a night in Kochkor or a stay at Song-Kol lake.
On the first day we carry bottled water. On the trek we use water from springs and rivers, boiled for cooking and tea. For drinking, bring a filter or purification tablets – they are hard to find in Central Asia.
This is a private tour; the price depends on group size (2–12 people) and dates – the larger the group, the lower the price per person. Send us your dates and we will prepare an offer.
This 4-day trek crosses from Kol-Ukok to the Tuura-Suu valley on foot. Prefer to ride? Take the 5-day horseback expedition to Kol-Ukok. Short on time: Kol-Ukok lake tour. All routes: trekking tours in Kyrgyzstan.
Tell us your dates and group size. You get a personal offer within 24 hours, no commitment.
