Tulpar-Kol or Tulpar Lake is a high-altitude series of lakes at the foot of Lenin Peak in the Alay Valley. It offers one of the most beautiful and unusual landscapes in the country. There are now several yurt camps set up around the lakes, from where you can stay the night under the stars and take in the beautiful mountains.

It also serves as a base for day hikes, including the hike up to Travellers Pass passing through Lenin Peak Base Camp (check the separate pin/entry for more info on this hike).

How to get there? The lake is about 23 km or 1 hour drive from Sary Mogul village. You can either walk, horse ride, or drive the distance. There is a dirt road the entire way from the village to the lake. You can certainly walk (we actually walked back), but expect it to take about 6-8 hours with a gentle incline to the lake. You can also arrange a horseback ride from Sary Mogul to the lake. We opted for a taxi to drop us at our yurt camp at the lake. It costs 2000 KGS from CBT Guesthouse in Sary Mogul, and it can be split between travellers if you want to share the cost.

Where to stay? There are several yurt camps set up in the summer months to accommodate hikers and tourists around the lake. You can book ahead or turn up and speak with the owners on arrival. Expect to pay anywhere from 2000-4000 KGS for x3 meals and a bed per day. We stayed at Buaisha Yurt Camp, which is the furthest from Tulpar Lake, but closest to Lenin Peak. Many people stay at the CBT Yurt Camp, which is closer to the lake, a bit more sophisticated and pricier. There’s also the possibility of wild camping, as this is permitted and free across Kyrgyzstan, if you are self-sufficient.