Sary-Chelek Lake

An emerald-green alpine lake at 1,887 m surrounded by relict walnut and apple forest — UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1978.

Sary-Chelek (‘Yellow Bowl’) is the centrepiece of an UNESCO Man and Biosphere reserve covering 24,000 hectares of the southwestern Tian Shan foothills. The 7.5 km long, 350-metre-deep emerald-green lake is one of seven alpine lakes in a steeply tilted valley at 1,887 m altitude, fed by snowmelt from the Chatkal range. Surrounding the lake is a remarkable mosaic of vegetation: walnut and apple forest in the lower zone (continuous with the Arslanbob grove 50 km southeast), spruce and fir higher up, alpine meadows above the treeline. Wildlife in the reserve includes brown bears, wolves, lynx, ibex and over 150 bird species; the reserve has been a strict-protection zone since 1959 and was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978. The lake itself is open to swimming and short rowboat excursions from a small jetty; the surrounding walking trails climb to viewpoints on the steep ridges and to the smaller upper lakes (Iyri-Kol, Aryl-Kol). The nearest accommodation is in the village of Arkit just outside the reserve, where homestays and a small guesthouse are organised by the Community-Based Tourism office. Access is via a switchbacking dirt road from Jalal-Abad — 4×4 strongly recommended.