Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve

Sary-Chelek is a nature reserve and one of the most picturesque places in Kyrgyzstan. Its special charm comes from a scattering of lakes of different sizes and shapes. Routes of varying difficulty can be planned across the reserve — from short walks to multi-day treks. The two most popular options are this lakeside walk (which does not involve significant elevation gain), as well as the ascent to a panoramic viewpoint offering breathtaking views over the vast expanse of the park. On the way to the panorama, you can expect a moderately challenging climb with an elevation gain of about 600 meters. The village of Arkit serves as the main base for visitors traveling to Sary-Chelek. If you're looking for a place to stay in Arkit, we can highly recommend this wonderful guesthouse.

The journey to Sary-Chelek is long and not easy, and we recommend splitting it into two days (with an overnight stay in Toktogul). However, it is possible to make the trip in one day if you leave Bishkek very early. In this case, it is better to have a second driver. Another strong argument for dividing the journey into two days is the number of interesting places along the way that you simply won’t have time to visit in a single day.

Most of the route follows the Bishkek–Osh highway via Sosnovka, the Too-Ashuu Pass, the Suusamyr Valley, the Ala-Bel Pass, around the Toktogul Reservoir, through Karakul, and along the Naryn Valley to Tash-Kumyr. In Tash-Kumyr, you need to cross the Naryn River via a bridge and then turn right onto the road leading toward the village of Arkyt. You can read more about the section up to Tash-Kumyr on the pages dedicated to the Sulutor Lakes and the Toktogul Reservoir. The best places for an overnight stay (if traveling over two days) are located in the Chychkan Gorge and in Toktogul. There are toll points in Sosnovka and Karakul.

The road is in good condition up to the village of Syny, with asphalt coverage. After that, the main highway turns west, while you need to turn right onto a bridge over the Kara-Suu River. As of August 2025, the section from this bridge to Arkyt is under reconstruction: paved sections alternate with rough dirt road, but overall it is still possible to reach Arkyt without major difficulties. Near the village of Syny are the aeolian rock formations known as Burana-Tash.

At the entrance to Arkyt, there is the first checkpoint, where they simply record your car number and name — no payment is required here. In the village and surrounding area, there are many recreation areas and guesthouses where you can stay. At the northern exit of Arkyt, there is a second checkpoint where you need to pay the entrance fee to the reserve. From here begins a winding dirt road that, after about an hour of exhausting ascent, will finally lead you to the parking area by the main Sary-Chelek lake. As of August 2025, intensive road works are also underway here, so this section is expected to improve. If this has already happened, please let us know using the contact details at the bottom of the page.

Within the reserve, you are in the wilderness, and although there are many visitors, basic safety precautions should be followed. Bring sufficient food and water, plan your time carefully, and try not to travel alone or in the dark. Near Lake Iyri-Kol, there is a good spring where you can refill your water supplies (it is marked on our map). Remember that fishing and all forms of hunting are prohibited in Sary-Chelek, and making fires is not allowed. Gas canisters may be used for cooking. As of 2025, mobile network coverage is absent in a significant part of the area.

There are many trails in the reserve; we will describe the main circular route, which starts and ends at the parking area near the main lake. This route allows you to see five out of the six smaller lakes of the reserve. We will also describe the ascent to the panorama — you can choose to include or skip this option.

So, the main trail from the parking area (the green line on our map) climbs over a small pass to Lake Tuyuk-Kol. This small lake lies in a basin among hills and is very scenic. The route then continues toward the lake system of Aram-Kol and Iyri-Kol, and about one kilometer after Tuyuk, it leads to a viewpoint overlooking the main lake. The trail then bypasses Aram-Kol from the west and leads to a dirt road running from northeast to southwest. If you turn left here, after a few hundred meters you will reach a small grove on the shore of Iyri-Kol. This spot is notable for several reasons. First, there is an excellent shaded area for resting and having a snack. Second, a bit further between the road and the lake is the spring we mentioned earlier, which can be used to refill water supplies. Further northeast, the road leads toward the Kortorma Pass, which we will describe on the page about Lake Kara-Kamysh. From here, if you go back a little, the trail to the panorama begins.

The ascent to the panorama is physically much more demanding than the lakeside route, as it involves gaining several hundred meters in elevation. However, if time and energy allow, we recommend going up, as the view from the panorama is one of the most breathtaking in all of Kyrgyzstan. A useful landmark during the climb is the Kyrgyzstan flag, which can be seen from below, while the best viewpoint lies slightly beyond it. Keep the weather in mind: on cloudy days, the ascent may not be worthwhile.

Regardless of whether you climbed to the panorama or not, the return route can pass by Lakes Chacha-Kol and Kyla-Kol (the blue line on our interactive map). If you are short on time or prefer not to take risks, you can easily return the same way you came to Iyri-Kol. Whichever option you choose, a journey through Sary-Chelek is an unforgettable experience you are unlikely to regret.