Ala-Kol Lake

Ala-Kol is a turquoise glacial lake at 3,532 m above Karakol — the highlight of the most popular trek in Kyrgyzstan, linking the Karakol valley with the hot springs of Altyn-Arashan.

Its name means ‘colourful lake’: the water changes from deep blue to violet and green with the light, sometimes within an hour. The lake lies in a stony bowl under the ridges of the Terskei Ala-Too, about 2.8 km long and around 70 m deep, fed by the glacier above it. From October to May it is frozen.

The classic route climbs from the Karakol valley through spruce forest to a mountain hut below the lake, then crosses the Ala-Kol pass (about 3,850 m), with a stunning view over the lake, and descends to the hot springs of Altyn-Arashan. It is a steep but non-technical trek of 3–4 days.

• Start: Karakol
• Altitude: lake 3,532 m, pass about 3,850 m
• Best time: July to mid-September
• Fitness: good fitness needed; altitude and a steep scree descent