Kyrgyzstan

Campsite near the small village of Uch Koshkon.

Discover Tuz-Kol: Kyrgyzstan’s Natural “Dead Sea”

Nestled on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, the second-largest mountain lake in the world, lies Tuz-Kol, a small hypersaline lake known as the Dead Lake. Situated at an altitude of about 1,600 meters, Tuz-Kol is framed by rolling steppe, dramatic cliffs, and distant snow-capped peaks of the Tien Shan. Its unique location offers a stunning contrast between the shimmering turquoise waters of Issyk-Kul nearby and the dark, mineral-rich waters of Tuz-Kol itself.

A Natural Wellness Retreat

In the heart of the Achyk Tash valley, the Toulpar Kel lakes form an array of shimmering small lakes situated on the ancient moraine of the Lenin Glacier. Located just opposite the base camps of Lenin Peak (7,134 m), they offer a haven of tranquility in a magnificent setting, between high-altitude steppes and snowy peaks. A pedestrian bridge allows easy access to the base camps and the trail leading to Lenin Peak.

The Uzongukush rivers have their sources in the Kokshaal-Too and Borkoldoi ranges and flow towards China.

This region is located on the borders of the Issyk Kul Oblast, the Naryn Oblast and the border with China. The climate is mild, although the average altitude is about 2800 metres. It can be reached from the Ak-Say valley in the west, or from the north from Ak-Shirak and Karasay. It is also a peaceful place where it is possible to observe wildlife. 

Pasture and camp yurts shepherds from the village of Sary Mogol.

Pass linking the valley of Sary-Mogol north to the valley of Sary-Mogol south. 

Camp at the footsteps of the Sary Mogol valley

Maybe less know, petroglyphs of Ornok are of the same period than petroglyphs of Cholpon Ata. A wild open air museum, where you have to find by yourself stones drawn during bronze, iron ages, and during the early Middle Ages. There are more than 2000 stone boulders, with images of ancient hunters and animals such as the mountain goat (Ibex), deers: totemic animals of the Bugu's tribe, dogs, leopards, horses, camels.

The 2 endoheric Paterbashik lakes are located on a high plain north of the Borkoldoy range, where the Tez river originates. 

The larger one, which stretches for 2.3 km, is to the west of the road leading to Uch-Kochkon, and the other smaller 670m. is on the east side of the road.