The main lake
Deep water between green walls.
Mixathefast24 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mixathefast24 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mixathefast24 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mixathefast24 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · ElizaZharkynbek — CC BY-SA 4.0
Sary-Chelek is a long mountain lake in western Kyrgyzstan and the largest in the Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve, at the eastern end of the Chatkal Range. Its Kyrgyz name means «yellow bucket». Forests and steep slopes are mirrored in its water, which sets it apart from the country's barer high lakes. The reserve was established in 1959, now covers 23,868 hectares and was designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1978. One guide says a landslide created the lake. It is 7.5 km long, covers about 4.9 sq km and reaches a depth of 234 m, though other sources give 245 m. The lake lies at about 1,880 m. Early in summer, snow-covered peaks show above it, and green rock walls drop straight into the water. To the south are six smaller lakes among low hills, linked by a trail that lets you see most of them in a day. The forest holds walnut and wild fruit trees, many birds and mammals including bears and lynx. The gateway is Arkyt village, the reserve's headquarters. The lake is about 137 km in a straight line from Jalal-Abad city, but the journey is long: a minibus from Osh to Arkyt takes around 7.5 hours, then a car or a walk from the gate. Allow at least two days; May to October suits it best. Hunting, fishing and picking plants are banned, and one guide says swimming is too.
Deep water between green walls.
A trail through the southern hills.
The forest before the cold.
Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve, near Arkyt village, Jalal-Abad Region
Travel to Arkyt village, most easily by minibus from Osh in around 7.5 hours, then take a car or walk from the reserve gate.
Usually not, because the journey is long. Guides suggest at least two days to see the small lakes as well.