Kegeti & Kol-Tor Lakes Trek — 11 Days
About this tour
Starting in Bishkek, this trek crosses beautiful gorges of the Kyrgyz range — Jailoo, Sary-Bulak, Kegeti and Kol-Tor — each with picturesque high-mountain lakes.
On the way you visit ancient mine workings, cross the Tez-Tor glacier and pass (3,800 m), climb onto an alpine plateau and reach Kol-Tor lake. The trip ends on Issyk-Kul with the Kok-Moinok canyon and the open-air petroglyph museum in Cholpon-Ata.
Highlights
- Tez-Tor glacier and pass (3,800 m)
- Kol-Tor lake and the 'Striped' pass
- Ancient mine workings in the At-Jailoo gorge
- Kegeti waterfall and the Burana Tower
- Petroglyphs of Cholpon-Ata and the Kok-Moinok canyon
Group departures
Join a group on one of these dates, or propose your own. A departure is guaranteed once 2 travellers have joined, and the price per person drops as the group grows.
Join a group: choose your date
Publish your dates and other travellers can join you. They go live as soon as you confirm your email.
- Guaranteed from 2 travellers
- Price drops as people join
- Set your own group limit
Itinerary
01
Day
Arrival in Bishkek
Airport pick-up and check-in. City tour with the History Museum, Fine Arts Museum, bazaar and a folklore show.
02
Day
Bishkek – Kegeti
Drive to the Kegeti gorge via the Burana Tower (70 km); visit the waterfall. Night in tents at the At-Jailoo shelter.
03
Day
At-Jailoo mine workings
Excursion in the At-Jailoo gorge to ancient mine workings (5 hours). Night in tents.
04
Day
Tez-Tor glacier and pass
Up to the Tez-Tor glacier and pass (3,800 m), then into the Sary-Bulak and Kegeti gorges (8 hours). Night in tents.
05
Day
Min-Teke – alpine plateau
Along the Kegeti gorge to the Min-Teke gorge and up onto an alpine plateau (3,200 m) (7 hours). Night in tents.
06
Day
Striped pass – Kol-Tor lake
Over the 'Striped' pass into the Kol-Tor gorge and visit Kol-Tor lake (6 hours). Night in tents.
07
Day
Down to the forest
Descent from Kol-Tor lake to the forest zone. Night in tents.
08
Day
To Issyk-Kul
Drive to Issyk-Kul (1,609 m) via the Kok-Moinok canyon. Night in a hotel; rest.
09
Day
Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs
Visit the open-air petroglyph museum in Cholpon-Ata. Rest.
10
Day
Issyk-Kul – Bishkek
Return to Bishkek. Night in a hotel.
11
Day
Departure
Transfer to Manas airport.
What's included
Included
Private transport for the whole route (car for up to 3 travellers, minibus for larger groups)
English-speaking guide
4 nights in hotels, guesthouses or yurt camps (shared twin rooms)
6 nights camping: tents, camp kitchen and a cook
Breakfast and dinner every day
Picnic lunches on trekking, riding and walking days
Pack horses with a horseman for the luggage and camping gear
Entrance tickets and park fees
Not included
International flights
Visa fees (if you need a visa)
Travel insurance
Single room supplement: $120 (4 nights × $30), if you prefer a room of your own
Lunch on travel days
Sleeping bag and mat (ask us if you need to rent one)
Drinks and snacks
Tips for your guide, driver and horsemen
Personal expenses
Who is this tour for?
- Hikers with good fitness — walking days last 5–7 hours
- Travellers who want wild mountain country and nights under the stars
Difficulty & safety
The highest point of the route is about 3,800 m. Walking days last 5–7 hours. Drink plenty of water, keep a steady pace on the first days and tell your guide about any headache or dizziness. Mountain weather changes quickly — always carry a warm layer and a rain jacket.
The route crosses the Tez-Tor glacier; your guide leads the crossing.
What to bring
Warm clothes — nights in the mountains are cold
Hiking boots
Rain jacket
Sunscreen and sun hat
Sleeping mat
Sleeping bag
