Lake

The Chong Kolduk Lake, or Big Kolduk Lake, is the largest and most visited alpine lake in the Kichi-Alai foothills above Kyrgyzstan’s Gulcho valley. Sitting at 2,470 meters elevation, it’s the first lake travelers encounter on the climb up from Köldün Shaty village, just 5 km from the Osh–Alai road junction. Roughly 700 meters wide, it dwarfs its quieter neighbor Kichi Kolduk Lake and rests in a broad basin of alpine meadows, rocky slopes, and seasonal streams draining the Alai range. Its accessibility makes it a natural starting point for day trips into the highlands.

The Kichi Kolduk Lake (Small Köldük) is a small alpine lake located in the Kichi-Alai foothills above the Gulcho valley in southern Kyrgyzstan, at an altitude of about 2,540 meters. It lies in an open mountain basin at the foot of a distinctive pyramidal peak reaching 3,519 meters, which dominates the landscape. The lake is modest in size, roughly 400 meters wide, but set in a wide amphitheatre of alpine meadows, rocky slopes, and seasonal streams flowing down from the Alai mountains.

Ak-Tash, peaking at 3,853 m, is the only isolated mountainous formation at the heart of the Song Kul Lake basin. Located northeast of the lake, the range extends about 10 km long and 6 km wide. At its northeastern end, the Djaman Echki and Ak-Tash valleys converge to form the Djaman Echki Pass (3,341 m), which separates this massif from the Song Kul Too range. 

The Suluu Toer Lakes are nestled on the northern slopes of the Kyrgyz Alatoo mountain range. They can be easily reached on foot from the northern entrance of the Too-Ashuu tunnel, following the old road leading to the Too-Ashuu (or Ashuusu) Pass. The lower lake, a square-shaped basin, spans 160 meters in width and sits at an altitude of 3,191 meters. The upper lake, nearly 200 meters wide, lies 300 meters higher at an elevation of 3,245 meters. This area is perfect for a scenic 5-kilometer hike, taking approximately two hours each way.

Quiet Tosor Bay is a corner of tranquility and harmony on the southern coast of the magnificent Issyk-Kul Lake, in the heart of Kyrgyzstan. Here, where mountains meet crystal clear waters, nature reveals its true beauty and majesty.

The sandy beaches of Tosor Bay seem to be created for those who dream of solitude and peace. The fine, soft sand that caresses your feet and the clear waters of the lake that beckon with its freshness invite guests to forget about the hustle and bustle of the city and plunge into the world of natural harmony.

Nestled majestically 45 kilometres south of Ulgii, Lake Tolboo stretches gracefully from southeast to northwest, captivating with its calm waters. This impressive body of water, of tectonic origin and fed by glacial springs, covers an area of 185 square kilometres and rises to an altitude of 2,080 metres. It offers a breathtaking spectacle nestled in the heart of the Altai Mountains. At its southern end, the legendary Soum Tolbo silently watches over its waters, adding a mystical element to the landscape.

Historical significance

Khurgan Lake is a stunning body of water situated in the district of Tsengel, within the Bayan-Ölgii Province of western Mongolia. This picturesque lake is part of the breathtaking landscape of the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, offering visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Mongolia's western region.

Connected to Khoton Lake by a wide and short channel spanning approximately 2 kilometers, Khurgan Lake, along with Dayan Lake, plays a vital role in feeding the Khovd River, enriching the surrounding ecosystem with its pristine waters.

Dayan Lake, a freshwater mountain lake, is situated in the Sagsai district of the Bayan-Ölgii Province in western Mongolia. Recognized by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area since 2009, the lake is nestled within the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. Covering an expansive 67 square kilometers with a depth of 4 meters, Dayan Lake offers a picturesque landscape.

Shakiratma Peak is located in the Chong Kyzyl Suu Valley, in front of the Chong Kyzyl Suu Geophysical Station. 

To climb it, you have to go up the Chong Kyzyl Suu valley from the station, about 5km, into the Keldike gorge. Above the forest, a path runs north to the Shakiratma valley. The easiest way is on the south side of the summit. There is also a beautiful lake to visit.

Saryköl is a beautiful lake situated on a mountain plateau between Shorgosu and Aïgyrbulak in the south-east of the Jetimbel Too range. Its name means "Yellow Lake" in Kyrgyz. Sary Köl is an endorheic lake, meaning that it has no outflow, and all of its water is retained within its basin.

The lake measures approximately 2.4 kilometers in length and 700 meters in width. The lake's location on the plateau ensures that it is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, with peaks rising in the distance.