Teshik-Kul Lake

Teshik-Kul Lake (also Teshik-Kel) is an inaccessible alpine lake located at an altitude of 3500 meters on the southern side of the Terskey-Ala-Too ridge in Issyk-Kul region.

Teshik-Kul is a typical mountain lake divided into two parts, which are located at different heights and are connected by a waterfall. The water of the lake is milky blue, opaque, due to the high content of various impurities.

The area around the lake is very picturesque. To the east of it there is a magnificent view of a mountain glacier that does not melt even in summer, and to the west there is a small mountain plain that runs right at the foot of the glaciers that feed this rather large lake. The lake has an underground drain, and therefore the river flowing out of it breaks right out of the ground a little below the lake itself. It does not have a direct drain.

The area in which the lake is located is very difficult to access. The turn to it begins in the area of the valley of the Jiluu-Suu River, next to the hot springs of the same name, right before the ascent from the south side to the Ton pass. In turn, the pedestrian ascent to the lake is easy and simple: only 5 kilometers with a slight height difference. When climbing to the lake, you need to be very careful: the old path to the lake has crumbled into the river in places, therefore, for a safe ascent, you need to choose a path as far to the right as possible of the river flowing into the gorge.

Teshik-Kul Lake is located in Issyk-Kul region, on the southern side of the Terskey-Ala-Too ridge. The nearest settlement to the lake is the village of Bokonbaevo, located 40 kilometers from this place. But such a short distance is deceptive — the area in which the lake is located is very difficult to access.

There are several ways to get to the lake by car: with a check-in through the valley of the Bolgarth River through the Jalpak-Bel pass or the Kichi-Naryn valley (check-in from the Bishkek-Torugart highway near the city of Naryn or the village of Sary-Bulak), as well as through the Tosor pass on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul (very difficult, but interesting the route for the car). Whichever way you choose, the car must be very well prepared for off-road driving. You can also get to the lake through the Ton pedestrian pass, near the village of Bokonbaevo.