Lake Kara-Kamysh

Lake Kara-Kamysh is located within the Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve, in the Kara-Suu River valley, and is separated from the other lakes of the reserve by a mountain ridge rising to heights of up to three kilometers. There are two ways to reach the lake. The first is via a dirt road that branches off from the road to Sary-Chelek near the village of Juzumzhan. As of August 2025, the route is quite long and challenging for a typical city car, although some drivers do manage to reach the lake even in low-clearance vehicles. Another option is to drive to Sary-Chelek and then hike over the Kotor­ma Pass (2,450 meters above sea level). The hike from the parking area near the main lake of Sary-Chelek to Kara-Kamysh takes several hours and requires a basic level of fitness.

The main part of the route from Bishkek to Sary-Chelek is described in the corresponding article. A few kilometers past the settlement of Syny, at a fork, turn right. The road through Kara-Suu, Chaldybar, Chat, and Kyzyl-Kol gradually deteriorates and eventually leads you to Kara-Kamysh. The final section is especially impressive, where the dirt road climbs a steep serpentine onto a massive moraine that supports the lake from the south. Here, right by the car bridge, there is a waterfall on the Kara-Suu River.

Whichever option you choose—by car or on foot—you need to prepare thoroughly. Keep in mind that there is no mobile connection in the lake area and its surroundings, so you can only rely on passing cars or fellow hikers for help. However, both routes are quite popular, so these places cannot be called completely wild. During the summer season, the lake is busy, with several yurt camps and basic infrastructure (water, generators), and cafes are operating.

We will describe in detail the hiking route from Sary-Chelek, the first part of which (up to the spring near Iyri-Kol) coincides with the trail to the panorama described in a neighboring article. It is important to refill your water supplies at the spring, as there are no other sources all the way to Kara-Kamysh. The road running along Iyri-Kol continues further to the northeast, gradually gaining elevation and becoming overgrown with grass. It is important not to miss the right turn onto a faint trail leading toward the pass—we have marked this point on our interactive map. From there, you should stay on this trail. At first, you will continue a gradual ascent toward the base of the mountain ridge, but soon the climb becomes steeper and rockier. For an unprepared person, the route to Kotor­ma can become a real challenge. It is important to pace yourself, take breaks when needed, and monitor your physical condition. Trekking poles greatly ease the journey. The saddle of the pass lies at an elevation of about 2,450 meters, offering breathtaking views of both the Sary-Chelek lakes and the steep valley descending on the eastern side of the ridge. The descent can be even more demanding than the ascent, as it is steep, long, and not always convenient. In places, the trail disappears among numerous forks and branches, but if you keep heading downward, you are unlikely to stray far from the route. Toward the end of the descent, the trail turns left, the forest appears, and at some point you will reach a viewpoint with the Kyrgyzstan flag, from where the lake comes into view. A few more dozens minutes of careful descent—and you are finally at your destination. With proper preparation, crossing the Kotor­ma Pass can become one of the highlights of your trip to Kyrgyzstan.