Cilo Glacier and Glacial (İzbırak) Lakes

The Cilo glacier and the glacial lakes formed at its foot (locally called the İzbırak/Buzul lakes) are the most spectacular and most-photographed attractions of Hakkari's nature tourism.

Formation and Geography

Sitting at around 3,500 meters in the northern and eastern cirques of Cilo Mountain, these lakes fill basins carved by millennia of glacial erosion, gathering snow and meltwater into hues ranging from deep turquoise to emerald green that mesmerize every visitor. They are ringed by sharp granite crags, moraine deposits and snowfields that persist even at midsummer, offering the closest Turkish equivalent of an Alpine landscape. The Cilo glacier, one of the country's largest valley glaciers, continually feeds cold meltwater into the lakes, keeping their icy clarity.

Trekking Route and Conservation

The typical trekking route starts at the first lake and reaches the others with roughly 45-minute walks between them, each lake offering a different tone and panorama. The area carries strict protection status and is exceptionally rich in wildlife.

Access and Visiting Conditions

Access is by 4x4 from Hakkari center to a trailhead, then guided hiking of moderate-to-advanced difficulty that demands good fitness because of the altitude. Weather is highly changeable, with sudden afternoon fog and cold, so tours begin early. As a border zone, visits must be arranged with governorate permits, experienced local guides and verified up-to-date security information. The ideal period is late July through August, when the lakes shed their ice and reach their full color.

Photography, Practicalities and Experience

In recent years the Cilo glacial lakes have shot to fame on social media, turning Hakkari into an essential stop on nature-photography and mountaineering routes. The crags and moraine ridges around the lakes offer photographers varied angles and plays of light, and the mirror reflections that form on the still water in the early morning are the most prized frames. As there is no ticket booth or visitor center in the area, all organization runs through agencies and local guides. Groups should walk slowly to acclimatize, drink plenty of fluids and dress in layers against sudden weather changes. Although reaching the glacial lakes demands physical effort, the turquoise scene that appears on arrival is a reward that erases all the fatigue of the walk, and most visitors describe the moment as the most striking natural scene they have witnessed in Turkey.