Here’s everything you need to know about how to visit Sary Chelek with a detailed overview of the top things to do, including the best hiking trails in Sary Chelek Nature Reserve! Let this complete Sary Chelek Travel Guide help you with planning your trip to one of the most beautiful lakes of Kyrgyzstan!
Sary Chelek is located in the Jalal-Abad region in the west of Kyrgyzstan, tucked into the Western Tien Shan Mountains at the foot of the Chatkal Mountain Range.
This alpine lake is the highlight of a larger area called Sary Chelek Nature Reserve which has been declared as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978.
The reserve has seven alpine lakes with Sary Chelek Lake being the largest one. Located at an altitude of 1887 meters and created by a landslide, the lake covers almost 500 hectares. The depth varies across the lake, with its deepest point at 245 meters.
The other six lakes in the area are smaller but nonetheless beautiful! There’s a hiking trail in the park that allows you to visit almost all the lakes in one day (see below hiking in Sary Chelek).
The dense forest with its wild fruit and walnut trees and the valleys surrounding the lakes are a habitat for thousands of plant species, hundreds of birds, and around 40 species of mammals, such as bears and lynx.
It’s no surprise that it’s prohibited to hunt, fish, and collect herbs and flowers when visiting Sary Chelek Biosphere Reserve. It’s also forbidden to swim in any of the lakes and you should always stick to the trails and camp at the designated sites (more about that below in where to stay in Sary Chelek).
Fun fact: Sary Chelek means “yellow barrel”. According to a legend, there was once an old beekeeper who decided to place his hives on the shores of an unusually beautiful lake.
When the time for harvest came, the beekeeper was so stunned by the golden color of the honey that he named the lake Yellow Bucket, referring to the barrels filled with honey on the shore.
I’ve always wanted to visit Sary Chelek ever since I first arrived in Kyrgyzstan in 2017 but never did until this year as it’s quite remote and requires a bit of time to get there. That’s why you won’t see many foreign tourists (yet) as the lake and reserve aren’t part of the usual traveler’s route.
Sary Chelek is so worth taking the time to get there though!! Even the views along the one road that leads to the nature reserve are already very picturesque!
Sary Chelek is one of those places that makes you feel grateful and in awe for what Mother Nature has to offer! I don’t like using the word “gem” too much but I really would describe the lake and nature reserve as true gems!
It’s definitely one of the must-see destinations during your trip in Kyrgyzstan, especially if you’re a nature and outdoor lover!
Sary Chelek lake is very accessible and doesn’t require long days of trekking like when you want to visit Ala Kul Lake, another one of Kyrgyzstan’s remarkable lakes. You’d just need 2 days (or more, depending on what you want to do there) on your travel itinerary.
This travel guide will help you plan your trip to Sary Chelek Nature Reserve and Lake to get the most out of your visit.
You’ll find out how to get to Sary Chelek by public transport, where to stay, and what you can do in the reserve in one or multiple days, including an overview of the best hiking trails and horse treks.
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1. When is the best time to visit Sary Chelek Lake
The lake is beautiful all year round, but the best time to visit Sary Chelek Nature Reserve is between May and October if you want to do some hiking or horse riding.
Every season in Sary Chelek Nature Reserve offers something different.
I can only imagine how stunning it must be during the winter months (December – March) when the lake is frozen and surrounded by snow-covered trees and mountains.
However, the road leading to Sary Chelek lake is not always accessible during winter due to snowfall (you can always inquire about the road condition with the CBT tourism office in Jalal-Abad).
When you visit Sary Chelek in spring (May – June), most of the area should be snow-free, with the exception of the surrounding mountain peaks. All the flowers, fruit, and walnut trees are in full bloom, creating a colorful spectacle all over the valleys.
Spring is usually the wettest time of the year so definitely bring waterproof gear as it can rain heavily!
Sary Chelek Lake is the busiest during summer (July to September). The valleys surrounding the lake are colored in different shades of green and the weather is usually warm and dry (around 25°C), making it a popular place for local tourists to visit the lake and have a picnic on its shores.
The locals tend to stay near the main lake so if you want to hike in the nature reserve, you’ll often find yourself alone on the trails, even during summer.
When autumn (mid-September – early November) comes around, the golden color of the trees on the lake’s shores is reflected in the water, forming a fabulous golden landscape. This is another explanation why the lake was named “Sary” Chelek, meaning “yellow” barrel.
2. How to get to Sary Chelek
The entrance gate to Sary Chelek Nature Reserve is located in the village of Arkit. Getting there by public transport from Osh or Jalal-Abad is the easiest but it’s also possible to travel to Arkit from Bishkek.
Once you arrive in Arkit village, you need to find another ride to go from the park gate to Sary Chelek lake itself, which I explain in detail below.
2.1 From Osh to Sary Chelek (Arkit)
There’s daily one mashrutka (minibus) going directly from Osh to Arkit. The trip takes roughly 7,5 hours and costs around 600 som (around €6). There are no lunch breaks on this journey so bring snacks and water.
The mashrutka from Osh to Arkit is scheduled to leave every morning at 7.30 at the new bus station north of Osh (intersection of Kasymbekov Street and Kurmanzhan Datka Street).
You might have to take a taxi to get to the new bus station if you’re staying in the city center of Osh (expect to pay around 150 – 200 som for this taxi).
Tip: While 7.30 am is the “official” departure time, the public transportation system in Kyrgyzstan has its own timing. I highly recommend getting to the bus station at the latest at 6.30 am. There’s only one minibus going to Arkit per day and it tends to fill up quickly. The bus leaves as soon as it’s full, often before 7.30 am.
The marshrutka has a 30-minute break in the bus station of Jalal-Abad (enough time for a toilet visit) and has stops in Kotchkor-Ata and Tash-Komur.
In case you missed the minibus, you can take a shared taxi from Osh to Arkit. These taxis also leave from the new bus station in Osh. A shared taxi costs around 1000 som (€10) per person and the journey takes roughly 6 hours.
The fastest and most comfortable way to travel to Sary Chelek is taking a private taxi from Osh to Arkit. You can contact the CBT tourism office in Osh and they’ll arrange a car and driver for you, which usually costs between 5000 and 6000 som (roughly €50-€60).
2.2 From Jalal-Abad to Sary Chelek (Arkit)
There’s daily one minibus going directly from Jalal-Abad to Arkit (the same marshrutka mentioned above coming from Osh). The journey takes roughly 6 hours and costs 450 som (€4,50).
The “official” departure time for this marshrutka is at 9 am but as I already mentioned above, this differs depending on the departure time in Osh. You should be at the bus station in Jalal-Abad at the latest at 7.30 am if you don’t want to miss this ride!
You can also take a shared taxi from Jalal-Abad to Arkit. You can find them right outside the bus station. I don’t know exactly how much a shared taxi costs but count on roughly 800 som (€8) per person. The journey from Jalal-Abad to Arkyt by shared taxi takes about 5 hours.
If you want to have private transport from Jalal-Abad to Arkit, contact the CBT tourism office in Jalal-Abad and they’ll arrange a car and driver for you for 5000 som (€50).
2.3 From Bishkek to Sary Chelek (Arkit)
To get to Arkit village near Sary Chelek from Bishkek, you first have to take a shared taxi or minibus from the New Bus Station in Bishkek to Tash-Komur. These taxis generally go all the way to Osh so you need to tell the driver you’re getting off at Tashkomur. The journey takes around 6 hours and will cost you roughly 800 som (€8).
You should time your departure in Bishkek well as you need to catch a ride with the minibus (the same one mentioned above coming from Osh and Jalal-Abad) in Tash-Komur around noon. You’ll need to pay the bus driver 250 som (€2,50) and he’ll drop you off in Arkit village roughly 3 hours later.
I’ve also heard that there is a shared taxi directly going from Bishkek to Arkit village. It leaves near Osh Bazaar Street (Kuliva Street) in Bishkek and costs 1200 som. However, I can’t confirm this info yet as I haven’t taken this shared taxi so I’d advise inquiring about it at your guesthouse/hotel in Bishkek.
You can also request a private transfer from Bishkek to Sary Chelek via the CBT/ tourism office in Jalal-Abad.
2.4 From Arkit to Sary Chelek Lake
When you arrive in Arkit village by minibus or shared taxi, you get dropped off near the entrance gate of the nature reserve.
Behind this gate, there’s a 17km long dirt road leading directly to Sary Chelek Lake.
You can make the 4-hour long walk to the lake but know that hikers can only enter from 7 am until 2 pm as there’s no camping allowed between the gate and Sary Chelek lake.
If you decide to go to the lake on foot, keep in mind that you still need to walk back the same day (34 km in total) unless you’re planning on camping at one of the designated campsites. You could also try to hitch a ride back, depending on the season.
During the high season (June – September), there are marshrutkas going between Arkit village and Sary Chelek Lake. They leave from the entrance gate.
The price for a mashrutka is 3000 som for a roundtrip to the lake and is shared between the number of people coming along for the ride. If the mashrutka is full, it’ll cost around 250 som per person. Make sure you know at what time the marshrutka plans to return to Arkit so you don’t miss your ride back!
There are also shared taxis going to and from the lake. You’ll also find them near the gate entrance. They generally charge 150 som per person (one-way). To return to Arkit, you’ll find shared taxis at the parking space near Sary Chelek lake.
You can also opt for a private taxi. You’ll pay 1500 som (for the entire car so not per person!) for a roundtrip to the lake, including the driver’s waiting time.
Another option could be to hitch a ride, though this depends on the season. There are a lot of local tourists driving up to the lake during summer and they’ll be happy to give you a ride (sometimes in exchange for a small payment). Just keep in mind that their cars tend to be quite full so it might take some time before someone picks you up.
Starting from September on, there isn’t much traffic going up to the lake so the chances for you to hitch a ride will be a lot smaller.
Tip: If you’re staying at one of the guesthouses in Arkit, you can always ask your hosts if they can arrange a taxi for you.
3. Entrance fees to visit Sary Chelek Nature Reserve
Sary Chelek is a nature reserve so you have to pay a fee at the park gate before entering the reserve.
The park rangers will stop you and/or the vehicle(s) at the gate and ask for the following payments:
- The entrance fee for Kyrgyz citizens is 100 som, non-Kyrgyz residents pay 400 som. Make sure you ask for a receipt!
- If you come with your own car, you have to pay an extra 150 som per vehicle to enter the park. If you’re traveling by marshrutka or (shared) taxi, you don’t have to worry about this cost. It’s already included in the payment for the ride (don’t let the driver tell you otherwise!)
- If you want to camp in the nature reserve, you have to pay an additional 500 som per tent per night. Again, ask for a receipt as the rangers in the park will very likely check if you paid the park fees when they see your tent.
Dreaming of hiking through wild mountain landscapes, horseback riding across alpine pastures, sleeping in yurts, and exploring remote valleys by 4×4 with a small group of adventurous travelers?
4. Top Things to do in Sary Chelek Nature Reserve
Sary Chelek is all about enjoying the natural attractions in the reserve.
If you’re short on time, you can stick to the main lake and enjoy a nice picnic on its shores or even go on a boat ride. It’s also possible to go on a horseriding trip or an easy-moderate day hike and visit all seven alpine lakes in the reserve.
If you want to spend more time in Sary Chelek National Park and really immerse yourself in nature, you can go on a multiple-day hiking or horseriding trek combined with camping in the reserve.
Here’s an overview of all the things you can do in Sary Chelek Nature Reserve.
4.1 Have a picnic on the shores of Sary Chelek lake
If you don’t have much time but you still want to see Sary Chelek lake, the highlight of the nature reserve, you can drive up to the lake (40 minutes) with your own car or by shared taxi and enjoy a picnic at the lake.
There’s a recreational area near the shores of the lake with a few small outlets where you can buy snacks and drinks (only during high season), spaces to prepare meals, and some outdoor picnic tables.
If there are a lot of people around, as this is the most popular spot in the nature reserve, you can walk around a bit and find a more quiet place near the shores.
It’s impossible to hike all around the lake as it’s surrounded by steep granite cliffs. You can’t even see the whole lake from one end to the other because of the way it curves around.
4.2 Go for a boat ride on Sary Chelek Lake
If you want to get a proper sense of the size of the lake, you can take a ride on a small motorboat that will take you from one side of the lake to the other and back.
There’s no official place where those boat rides are being sold. You have to search for the boats near the shores (and then try to find their owner). You can also look out for them on the lake itself. As soon as you see a boat approaching the shores, go where it docks and talk to the boat driver.
You’ll have to negotiate on the price. You shouldn’t pay more than 1000 som per person for an hour on the lake.
4.3 Hiking in Sary Chelek: 4 Best Hiking Trails
If you like to have a more active visit to Sary Chelek, there are some really nice hiking trails in the nature reserve! Just keep in mind that these hikes can only be done from May until October, depending on the weather conditions.
You can navigate some of the trails by using maps.me or buy a trekking map of the area at the Destination Jalal-Abad Tourism Information Center located in Jalal-Abad (near Toktogul Park) or at the tourist office near the entrance of Arkit village (open from May until October).
This is also where you can hire a local guide, rent a tent, and/or organize a multiple-day trek or horse riding trip in Sary Chelek Nature Reserve.
You could go independently on the first two hikes that I describe below. I’d recommend getting a guide if you want to do the longer multiple-day treks.
1) Hike from Arkit Village to Sary Chelek Lake and back
Hiking distance: 34km – hiking time: 8 hours – max. altitude: 1900m – elevation gain/loss: +700m/-700m – difficulty: easy/moderate
This might not be the best trek around the area but it’s a nice hike.
To walk to the lake, follow the dirt road that starts from the entrance gate all the way to Sary Chelek lake.
You’ll walk through walnut, apple, and cherry tree groves and small pastures with grazing cows and horses.
You’ll know when you’ve reached the highest point of the road at Panorama Hill (1900 m) when you see a viewpoint overlooking the Sary Chelek Valley. You’ll see a lot of local tourists taking photoshoots there in summer.
Keep following the road. After 30 minutes, you’ll pass by Kyz Kul, the second largest lake in the reserve.
You’ll see that the trail splits in two shortly after passing Kyz Kul. Stick to the right to reach Sary Chelek lake. You’ll know when you’re there when you see the ridge of the lake (and cars with people in high season).
You can return by taking the same road back to Arkit or you can hike back along another trail that follows some of the mountain ridges. Double-check the trail with maps.me so you don’t get lost on your way back!
You first have to take the same road back to the mountain pass. As you reach the pass, keep left and look for a small gate and path behind it. If the gate is closed, you shouldn’t cross it. You should then continue following the dirt road back to Arkit.
If the gate is open, follow the small path. The trail goes downhill over steep slopes and flattens once it reaches the river. Keep following the river until you’ve reached Arkit.
You could also split this hike up in 2 days (or even combine it with the Seven Lakes Hike) and camp at the shores of Sary Chelek Lake. You can find more info about camping in Sary Chelek Nature Reserve below.
2) Seven Lakes Hike
While this trail is called ” Seven Lakes Hike”, it takes you to six out of the seven alpine lakes in Sary Chelek Nature Reserve. Bakay Kol, the seventh lake lies on the other side of Sary Chelek.
I did this hike in June when all the flowers and trees were in full bloom and it was downright spectacular! It’s a hike I highly recommend!
You have several options on how to do this hike.
Option 1 (day hike): Hiking distance: 11km – hiking time: 4 hours – max. altitude: 2016m – elevation gain/loss: +352m/-321m – difficulty: easy
This is the shortest version of the Seven Lake Hike. You’ll have to arrange transport in advance with dropoff at Sary Chelek Lake (unless you want to do the 4-hour walk to the lake as described above) and pick up at Iri Kul lake.
You can arrange this through Destination Jalal-Abad’s Tourist Center or ask at your guesthouse.
The trailhead starts at the main viewpoint of Sary Chelek Lake. You have to walk a little bit back on the main road, passing the parking. You’ll see a small path going through a meadow on your left-hand side. This is the path you need.
You can double-check the trail on maps.me as it’s very clear on this app (download the map beforehand as there’s no reception in the nature reserve!).
This 10km long trail goes through the scenic mountain hills filled with wildflowers. The path is very clear so you can’t go wrong.
Along the way, you’ll first see from a distance Kyz Kul, the second largest lake in the nature reserve.
The next lake you’ll come across is Tuyuk lake, meaning “closed” lake as there’s no river feeding the lake. The water comes from a spring on the bottom of the lake.
Continue following the path until you reach a viewpoint from where you can see Chacha Kol (maps.me refers to this one as Kely Kol).
Then there is Haram Kul, which means “forbidden” lake. It received its name as a lot of animals have died in this lake. I guess you definitely shouldn’t go for a swim there…
The last lake on this trail is Iri Kul, the third largest lake of Sary Chelek Nature Reserve. This is the endpoint of this hike.
There’s a small road going to this lake that is accessible for cars. This is where your driver should meet you to come and pick you up.
Option 2 (day hike): Hiking distance: 20km – hiking time: 7 hours – max. altitude: 2016m – elevation gain/loss: +352m/-321m – difficulty: easy
If you do the long version of this hike, you’ll make a loop and need to arrange dropoff and pickup at Sary Chelek Lake in advance.
The trail is exactly the same as above until you’ve reached Iri Kul. From there you hike a little bit back but continue following the dirt road that is accessible for cars.
At some point, you’ll see how the road branches into two and you need to go right. This road will bring you near Chacha Kol (Kely Kol on maps.me) and then all the way to Kyz Kol with as endpoint Sary Chelek Lake.
You can ask your driver to meet you at the parking lot near Sary Chelek Lake.
Option 3 (2-day hike): Hiking distance: 26km – duration: 2 days/1 night – max. altitude: 2600m – elevation gain/loss: +952m/-921m – difficulty: moderate
You can also do the Seven Lakes Hike as a 2-day trek. The difference with the day hikes that I mentioned above is that you do an extra hike towards a viewpoint near Iri Kul lake from where you have a panoramic view all over the reserve (highly recommended!!)
On the first day of this 2-day trek, you follow the route I described in option 1. When you arrive at Iri Kul, you can pitch your tent at the designated campsite on the shores of the lake. You’re even allowed to make a small campfire there. Update: there’s now a sign saying you’re not allowed to camp at Iri Kul. Best would be to return to Sary Chelek Lake where you can pitch your tent for 500 som.
Start the second day with the hike to the viewpoint. You can always leave your camping gear at Iri Kul as the path towards and from the viewpoint is the same. The total hiking time from Iri Kul to the viewpoint and back is around 5 hours.
Take the same road on which you arrived at Iri Kul and hike a little bit back until you see a trail at your left-hand side (this trail is also visible on maps.me). Walk up the hill through the long grass and flowers until you reach a fork in the path.
Take the left path up. From here it’s getting quite steep! Take enough breaks to catch your breath and appreciate the views!
The last part towards the viewpoint is a bit of a climb but the scenery that unfolds once you’ve reached it is just incredible! You get treated to a fantastic panoramic view over the nature reserve and its lakes!
To return, follow the same path back to Iri Kul lake. From there on, follow the trail I described in option 2. The hike finishes at Sary Chelek Lake where you can take a (shared) taxi back to Arkit (or arrange pick up in advance).
3) 3-day Trek to KotormA Pass and Kara Suu Lake
Trekking distance: 53km – duration: 3days/2nights max. altitude: 2446m – elevation gain/loss: +1352m/-2321m – difficulty: moderate
On this 3-day trek, you really get to experience the stunning beauty of Sary Chelek Nature Reserve and the Chatkal Mountains!
I did this trek partly on foot (first day) and partly on horseback (second and third day). There’s an alternative horse riding trek covering more or less the same route, with the exception that you don’t go to Arkit Village.
You can navigate this trek by using maps.me. Don’t forget to download the map for offline use!!
Important: If you can, you should arrange transport in advance from Kyzyl Kol, the endpoint of this hike, to Tash-Komur or Jalal-Abad. You can do this through CBT Karasuu or Destination Jalal-Abad tourist office.
- Day 1: Arkit Village to Iri Kul lake, total hiking distance: 28km
On the first day, you start hiking from Arkit village all the way to Iri Kul Lake where you can camp on the shores of the lake. This day is a combination of hiking from Arkit Village to Sary Chelek Lake and Seven Lakes Hike (option 1).
- Day 2: Iri Kul Lake – Kotorma Pass (2446m) – Kara Suu Lake, total hiking distance: 8km
Leave the campsite and continue following the dirt road along the shores of Iri Kul lake. The road will soon change into a small path leading towards the surrounding mountain ridges.
The trail goes up gradually in the beginning and becomes steep towards the end (total elevation gain is around 600m). The path is rocky at certain points so be careful where you step!
The views on top of the Kotorma Pass are stunning (as usual)! You’ll see on one side the Sary Chelek Valley and on the other side the towering peaks of the Chatkal Mountains.
Continue the trek by following the windy path down through the lush valley. At some point, the path turns and you’ll see Kara Suu lake appearing in the distance.
Continue the trail all the way down to Kara Suu Lake, also known as Kara Kamuush Lake. This is where today’s hike ends.
You might even have some time (and energy) left to go for a walk from one end of the lake to the other, rent the rafting boat from one of the nearby yurt camps or go for a swim in the (cold) water. Swimming is allowed in Kara Suu Lake.
You’re allowed to camp for free on the shores of the lake or you can also stay in one of the nearby yurt camps. The price for a yurt stay is changeable but count on 1200 som per person (breakfast and dinner included).
If you’re camping but would love a proper warm meal, you can get breakfast, lunch, or dinner at one of the camps for 300 som per meal per person.
- Day 3: Kara Suu Lake – Kyzyl Kol Village, total hiking distance: 17km
Today’s hike is very straightforward. There’s only one road that goes from Kara Suu to Kyzyl Kol Village.
You first have to hike up a rocky pass (1800m). Then the track descents all the way into Kyzyl Kol while following the Kara Suu River. Along the way, you’ll pass a beautiful small waterfall and hike through the Kara Suu Gorge.
Enter Kyzyl Kol Village by crossing the wooden bridges. There are a few homestays in the village where you can spend the night. I stayed at guesthouse Kuzgun Tash.
In case you didn’t arrange transport in advance for your return journey to Tash-Komur or Jalal-Abad, you can always inquire at the guesthouse or try your luck by hitching a ride out of the village.
4) 8-day Sary Chelek Trekking Adventure
Trekking distance: 65km – duration: 8days/7nights – max. altitude: 2833m – elevation gain/loss: 3228m+ / -3865m – difficulty: moderate/ demanding
I haven’t done the full 8-day trekking adventure in Sary-Chelek (only the last 3 days in the reversed way) but I added it to this guide as it looks like a wonderful trekking experience!
This is an all-in-one trek as it combines hiking through the remote Chatkal Mountains, visiting the Sary Chelek lakes and Kara Kamush Lakes and experiencing the day-to-day life of the nomadic shepherds you’ll meet along the way.
This is definitely a trek on which you won’t meet many other travelers!
Here’s a full description of the 8-day trekking adventure in Sary-Chelek. For this trek, I would recommend hiring a local guide through Destination Jalal-Abad.
4.4 Horse riding Treks in Sary Chelek
Horse riding is very popular in Kyrgyzstan. Aside from hiking, it’s usually the only way to get around (remote) mountainous places.
There are some really nice horse trekking trips in Sary Chelek! I partially did the 3-day horse trek from Sary Chelek Lake to Kotormo Pass and Kara Suu Lake, which was really worthwhile!
For a multiple-day trek like this one, you have to be comfortable being on a horse but you don’t have to be a skilled rider.
The same counts for the other horse treks in Sary Chelek Nature Reserve. It gives you a chance to explore the reserve and reach stunning mountain passes without breaking too much of a sweat.
It’s also just great to go on a horse trek, knowing that horse riding is such a big part of the Kyrgyz culture!
The Feel Like a Nomad Horse Riding Tour includes a wonderful 4-day trek on horseback through Sary Chelek!
5. Where to stay in Sary Chelek
There are no guesthouses or homestays in the nature reserve. The only way to spend a night near the lake(s) is by camping.
If you don’t want to camp, you can stay in one of the many guesthouses and homestays in Arkit village.
5.1 Camping in Sary Chelek Nature Reserve
Sary Chelek is a protected biosphere reserve, so you can’t pitch your tent wherever you want.
There is a designated campsite at Sary Chelek Lake. There used to be one at Iri Kul Lake but as of lately one isn’t allowed to camp there anymore.
The campsite at Sary Chelek Lake has a few nice facilities. There are public toilets (although not always the cleanest…), a covered picnic area with grills to cook on, and some garbage bins.
Remember that you’re not allowed to swim in the lakes and always take your garbage with you!!
It’s really lovely to camp in the reserve! If the weather is nice, you’ll get to enjoy a stunning sunset at one of the lakes and see a zillion of stars at night.
Camping in Sary Chelek Reserve costs 500 som per tent per night. You have to pay at the park gate in Arkit Village upon entering the reserve and don’t forget to ask for a receipt in case one of the rangers comes and checks.
5.2 Accommodation in Arkit Village
There are many guesthouses and homestays in Artik Village welcoming (foreign) tourists. They also offer meals at an additional price as there are no restaurants in the village.
There are a few that can be booked online in advance or via the tourist info center or CBT in Jalal-Abad or Arkit.
The prices vary between 500 and 1000 som per person per night. Breakfast is usually included. If you want to have lunch or dinner, count on an extra 300 som per person per meal.
6. What to pack for a trip to Sary Chelek
Here are some essential things to bring along on your trip to Sary Chelek:
- Food and drinking water:
There are no restaurants in Arkit Village and Sary Chelek Nature Reserve. There are some small convenience stores that sell snacks, soft drinks, and bottled water in Arkit.
You can have a proper meal at your guesthouse or homestay for around 300 som per person. If you’re camping, you have to prepare your own meals. I’d recommend buying your food in advance at the (super)markets in Jalal-Abad, Osh, or in any other larger town or city.
There are small streams and rivers where you can fill up your water bottle. I highly recommend using something to purify the water! Our stomachs aren’t used to the minerals and bacteria of the mountain water. I use the reusable water filter bottle from Lifestraw, and I never had any issues. You can also get a separate water filter or use a steripen.
If you’re worried about getting sick, you could also bring a Jetboil Flash Camping Stove to boil the water.
- Rain gear such as a waterproof jacket and rain pants as it can rain quite a lot in Sary Chelek, especially during spring and early summer.
- Rain cover for your daypack to keep your belongings dry
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm
- Insect repellent or something else to protect your from mosquito bites, especially if you’re planning on camping.
- Ecofriendly toiletpaper (always handy to have on your trip throughout Kyrgyzstan!)
- Good trekking boots if you’re planning on going on a few hikes
If you love to camp at Sary Chelek but you don’t have any camping gear, you should be able to rent a tent, sleeping bag, and pad at CBT Sary Chelek or Destination Jalal-Abad Tourist Center in Jalal-Abad. If they don’t have any, you can definitely get some camping gear at the CBT in Osh.
7. Places to visit from Sary Chelek
When you arrive back in Arkit after your visit to Sary Chelek lake, you’ll have to spend the night in one of the guesthouses as public transport only goes in the morning.
7.1 From Sary Chelek to Osh
To go or return to Osh from Sary Chelek by public transport, you’ll have to take the marshrutka (minibus) that leaves Arkit every morning at 6 am. You can find this marshrutka near the entrance gate of the nature reserve. Go early so you definitely have a seat!
The trip takes roughly 7,5 hours and costs around 600 som (around €6). There are no lunch breaks on this journey so bring snacks and water.
7.2 From Sary Chelek to Arslanbob
If you have the time, I’d highly recommend a visit to the world’s largest walnut forest and the villages in Arslanbob!
To get there from Sary Chelek, take the mashrutka that goes from Arkit to Osh and get off at the bus station in Jalal-Abad City. This part of the journey takes roughly 6 hours and costs 450 som per person.
Once you’re in Jalal-Abad, you can choose to spend the rest of the day visiting the city or you can travel directly to Arslanbob.
Every 2 hours (between 9 am and 6 pm) a mashrutka leaves from the Central Bus Station in Jalal-Abad to Bazar Korgen (60 som per person, 45 minutes). You have to get off at Bazar Korgen and take another mashrutka to Arslanbob (60 som per person, 1 hour).
You can also take a shared taxi from the bus station in Jalal-Abad and travel directly to Arslanbob (around1,5 hours) for 200 som per person.
7.3 From Sary Chelek to Bishkek (with a stop at Toktogul Reservoir)
There’s no direct transport that goes from Sary Chelek to Bishkek.
You first have to take the minibus to Osh at 6 am in Arkit but get off at Tash-Komur. You’ll get dropped off at 9 am by the bridge where you’ll find plenty of shared taxis going to Bishkek.
To break the long journey towards Bishkek, I’d recommend stopping at Toktogul Reservoir to enjoy the breathtaking views of the largest reservoir in Central Asia.
You can go for a quick stop or spend more time hiking up to the Toktogul Kyzyl-Too Panoramic view (around 6km) and camp at the reservoir. You’re even allowed to swim in certain permitted locations in the reservoir (the water is around 28°C in summer!).
I wish you a great trip to Sary Chelek! If you have any more questions concerning traveling to Sary Chelek (or around Kyrgyzstan), email me or ask in the comments below!
Disclaimer: This post has been created in the framework of the project «Visit Jalal-Abad» of Youth of Osh and Destination Osh within the frame of the Integrated Rural Development Programme implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH with co-financing by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). All thoughts and opinions are, as always, my own.
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Great post, but the information about how to get there from bishkek is wrong. The correct bus station to get the mini bus or shared taxi to Taşkomur is the west bus station, the same station where are the buses to Tashkent. The place is 15km from bishkek and 25km from the “new bus station” linked here. The correct place is: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4evKoDft9oQ7nnG57
We followed the information here, got to the wrong bus station, missed 3 hours in bishkek traffic and lost the last minibus to Taşkomur because of that, loosing 1 day of our trip 🙁
Hi Alexander,
Thank you for this important update. This must be a recent change since they’re renovating the old Western Bus Station. I’m sorry to hear you missed the bus but I hope you still had a great time. Thanks to your update, which I’ll now add on the guide, you’ll prevent the same thing from happening to others. Thank you and wishing you a great continuation of your trip!
Hi.
I wanted to ask if it’s possible to sleep at Sary Chelek without a tent. Are there yurts or other options? Thanks in advance.
Hi Sandro, you can stay in Arkyt village where there are plenty of guesthouses. Hope this helps.
Hi! Is car camping possible around the lakes? We rented a 4×4 car and we want to visit the Sary Chelek region. And thank you for all great information in the blog 🙂
You’re allowed to camp at the first lake near the parking place. There will be a camping fee. Enjoy your trip!
Hi Cynthia,
We were in Sary Chelek yesterday and did the hike to Iri Kul, ready to set up camp – but there is a big sign (looking very new) with a very clear “no camping” icon. We walked back to the main lake and asked a ranger about camping on the other designated campground, but he would only let us stay near the parking for 500 soms, not at the lake. It did seem like people had recently camped at Iri Kul so the rules may be a bit flexible / bribeable, but the official policy is clear: no camping allowed.
It’s a shame, but perhaps good to update your page to avoid unpleasant situations.
Thanks for your excellent blog by the way, it has helped us a lot in planning our trip!
Marit
Thanks for letting us know Marit!
Hi Cynthia, hope you see this. 🙂
Just wondering if we are allowed to enter or exit the park after 2pm? Say if we arranged a transport to pick us up at Iri Kul, would any driver be able to pick us up at 2pm? Do you have any contacts of drivers?
Hi Dave,
Yes, you’re allowed to enter or exit the park after 2pm. I don’t have contacts of any local drivers there but you can request one at CBT Sary Chelek.
Best wishes,
Cynthia
Thank you so much Cynthia!
Hi Cynthia,
Your great work on Kyrgyzstan has me sitting in a guesthouse in Arkit ready to do the short version of the 7 day hike and I can’t find anyone that knows how to explain to a driver how to meet us at Iri Kul Lake? We also can’t find any road to there on maps me to help me explain it. If by some miracle you read and answer this before tomorrow morning, would be great. If not, I’ll let you know how we go when arrive at the gate hoping one of rangers can help us.
My driver is so unsure that we think we are going to try and find the road and start from there and do the hike backwards so there is no confusion about where the pick up is. Ah, the adventure.
cheers,
Michael
Hi Michael, I’m probably a few hours too late to reply for you to see this ‘:). I hope you found a solution?
Otherwise I would suggest to hike back from Iri Kul lake to the main lake and ask for a pick-up there.
Looking forward to hearing how it went!
Hi there! Thank you so much for all the nice blogs you’re writing. I was wondering if there is a way to travel from Arslanbob to Sary Chelek by public transport/taxi? Would love to hear from you, cheers!
Hi Lotte, yes, there is. It’s described in my guide to Arslanbob which you can read here.