Kol-Tor Lake

Kol-Tor is a bright turquoise mountain lake at about 2,700 m in the Kegeti gorge, east of Bishkek — one of the best day hikes from the capital.

The trail starts at the end of the road in the Kegeti gorge and climbs through spruce forest along a rushing stream, then over boulders to the lake, which lies in a bowl of steep, forested slopes below snowy peaks. The colour of the water is unforgettable on a sunny day. Allow 3–4 hours up and 2–3 hours down.

• Distance: about 1.5–2 hours from Bishkek to the trailhead
• Altitude: lake about 2,700 m
• Hike: about 6–7 hours return, moderate
• Best time: June to September