🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan
Kol-Tor Lake
4 days | Kyrgyz Range lake trek | Small groups
Bishkek → Shamshy Gorge → Tuyuk → Kol-Tor → Kegety Gorge → Bishkek
Photo: Partner-supplied Kyrgyzstan photography from Asel / Kyrgyz Guided Tours; exact route locations are not confirmed.
- Duration
- 4 days
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Highest point
- 2,733m
- Best season
- 10 June–30 September
- Style
- Small group / Private
- Accommodation
- Mountain guesthouse and tents
Overview
A short mountain trek close to Bishkek, crossing from Shamshy Gorge into the Kyrgyz Range to reach Kol-Tor lake at 2,733m.
Nights are spent in a mountain guesthouse and then in tents, with horses carrying the communal gear, before a descent through the river and forest of Kegety Gorge.
At a glance
- Duration
- 4 days
- Trekking
- 3 trekking days
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Highest point
- Kol-Tor Lake — 2,733m
- Season
- 10 June–30 September
- Group style
- Small group / Private
- Accommodation
- Mountain guesthouse and tents
- Meals
- Trekking food included
- Start / finish
- Bishkek / Bishkek
- Price
- Price pending confirmation
Operated locally by an experienced Kyrgyz trekking partner.
What makes this trek different
Travelling through the landscape itself
Close to Bishkek
Around two hours' drive from the capital to the start.
A mountain lake
Kol-Tor sits at 2,733m in the Kyrgyz Range.
Horse-supported
Horses carry communal gear and food between camps.
Two gorges
In via Shamshy Gorge, out through the river and forest of Kegety Gorge.
Day by day
The itinerary
Day 1Bishkek to Shamshy Gorge120km | approx. 2 hours
Drive to Shamshy Gorge via Burana, with lunch at a yurt inn and a forest hike.
- Accommodation:
- Mountain guesthouse
Day 2Shamshy to Tuyuk5–6 hours | camp at 2,250m
Trek from Shamshy towards Tuyuk, on the approach to Kol-Tor.
- Accommodation:
- Tent
Day 3Tuyuk to Kol-Tor via Ketse Kelbes5–6 hours | lake at 2,733m
Continue via Ketse Kelbes to Kol-Tor lake.
- Accommodation:
- Tent
Day 4Kegety Gorge and back to BishkekDescend to 1,350m | approx. 2-hour transfer
Descend through the river and forest of Kegety Gorge, then transfer back to Bishkek.
Photo brief
Awaiting a genuine route-specific operator image
Photo brief
Awaiting a genuine route-specific operator image
Photo brief
Awaiting a genuine route-specific operator image
Photo brief
Awaiting a genuine route-specific operator image
Photo brief
Awaiting a genuine route-specific operator image
Difficulty & terrain
TREKS Central rating: Moderate
The operator grades this programme as Medium, and TREKS Central presents it as Moderate.
- Trekking days of 5–6 hours
- Highest point around 2,733m
- Camping nights in the mountains
Where you'll sleep
Accommodation along the route
Twin-share accommodation. Bishkek hotel nights are not included.
Shamshy Gorge
Mountain guesthouse
Tuyuk and Kol-Tor
Tents
What's included
- Transport as described
- Twin-share accommodation
- Trekking food
- Communal equipment
- Horses carrying communal gear and food
- Cook for groups of 6–10
- Excursions, entrance fees and park permissions
- Souvenirs and taxes
What's not included
- International flights
- Bishkek hotel
- City meals not mentioned in the programme
- Alcohol
- Sleeping bag and mats (rental available on request)
- Personal expenses
- Travel medical insurance
Small-group & private travel
Small groups, not tour parties
Suitable for small-group or private travel, operated on the ground by a Kyrgyz trekking partner.
You can
- Join a small group — TREKS Central generally plans for 3–6 travellers
- Travel as a couple or existing group
- Request a private trek
The operator supplies a cook for groups of 6–10. Meal and support arrangements for smaller groups are pending confirmation.
2027 departures
10 June–30 September (2027 dates pending confirmation)
Departure dates are not yet confirmed. Request your place and we'll respond personally — no payment is taken online.
Price pending confirmation
Operated locally by an experienced Kyrgyz trekking partner. TREKS Central is your UK-facing contact throughout.
Pending confirmation
Some details are pending confirmation
Pricing, departures and certain route details are pending confirmation with our local partner.
A mountain lake, two gorges and nights under canvas.
A short trek in the Kyrgyz Range.