When people think of Kyrgyzstan, they often picture rugged mountains and vast landscapes. But did you know it’s also home to some stunning lakes? In fact, the world’s second-largest alpine lake, Issyk-Kul, is found here. Beyond that, many other breathtaking lakes lie hidden among the mountains, waiting to be discovered. Some of these require extra effort such as obtaining a special permit or embarking on a multi-day hike. But every one of these lakes is worth it. In this guide, you’ll discover the 5 most beautiful lakes in Kyrgyzstan and how to visit them.
1) Issyk-Kul
We start this list of the most beautiful lakes in Kyrgyzstan with the largest one: Issyk-Kul. If you look up Kyrgyzstan on a map, this blue spot immediately catches the eye. At its widest point, Issyk-Kul Lake stretches an impressive 182 kilometers and is the second-largest alpine lake in the world. In some places, it’s so vast that it feels like you’re gazing out over the sea. Issyk-Kul never freezes, which is why its name means “warm lake” in Kyrgyz. For the locas this vast lake offers welcome relief during the hot summers. Around its shores, you’ll find small villages with beaches where locals come to sunbathe and swim. If you travel through Kyrgyzstan, you will almost certainly encounter this lake.
How to visit Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan
From the capital Bishkek you reach this lake in about a 3-hour drive, with the first major town you encounter being Balykchy. You can easily reach the lake via paved roads from Bishkek by local marshrutka, taxi or rental car. We enjoyed exploring the lake from the town of Bokonbayevo, which is also known for its eagle hunting shows. We stayed at Guesthouse Atkan which arranged one of those authentic eagle hunting shows for us right on the shore of Issyk-Kul Lake!
2) Ala-Kol
Ala-Kol Lake is one of those lakes that requires an effort to reach. Ala-Kol is located at an altitude of 3,500 meters and can only be reached on foot via a multi-day trek. In 3 or 4 days you hike through the Tien Shan Mountains, passing by this lake. Along the way you can sleep in local yurt camps or by bringing your own tent. The hike is very tough with a lot of altimeters and requires a good condition. But once you reach Lake Ala-Kol, you will immediately forget the effort you made! This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful lakes in Kyrgyzstan!
How to visit Ala-Kol in Kyrgyzstan
Ala-Kol Lake is located in Karakol National Park. The base for making the multi-day trek to Ala-Kol Lake is the town of Karakol. We stayed in Snow Leopard Hostel before and after the hike, where we could safely leave our luggage. From capital Bishkek, it takes about 8 hours to drive to Karakol, located in eastern Kyrgyzstan.
3) Köl-Suu
Lake Köl-Suu (or Kel-Suu) in Kyrgyzstan also requires some effort to reach. But we found the drive there almost as beautiful as the lake itself! Because Kel-Suu is near the Chinese border, you need a special permit. You can apply for one at CBT Naryn (Community Based Tourism). Such a permit must be applied for at least 7 days in advance and must be picked up at the CBT office, as a hard copy is required. When you drive from Naryn to Lake Kel-Suu, you will have to show your passport and permit at a border post along the way. Afterwards you will continue to the yurt camps about 7 km from the lake. The last 7 km will be done on foot or on horseback, so you should allow a full day for this. More info on how to apply for a permit and what to do at Lake Kel-Suu can be found in our ebook about Kyrgyzstan!
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How to visit Kel-Suu in Kyrgyzstan
The easiest way to reach the lake is from the town of Naryn where you also pick up your permit. From Naryn it is about a 4 to 5 hour drive to the yurt camps near the lake in the Kok Kiya valley. This is a very bumpy gravel road that you cannot drive on with an ordinary car. So be sure to arrange for a 4×4 rental car or a taxi. Once you arrive at the yurt camps, you can start the hike to Kel-Suu Lake. You walk or horseback ride 7 km deeper into the valley until you reach the lake. At Golden Moon Yurt Camp you can arrange horses and a guide.
4) Chatyr-Kol
Chatur-Kol is the third largest lake in Kyrgyzstan and is also located near the Chinese border. If you want to see the lake up close, you need a permit for this too. Conveniently, the permit for Lake Kel-Suu is also valid for this lake because it is the same region around Naryn. Fortunately, you can also admire this lake without a permit. From the settlement Tash Rabat, known for its caravanserai, you can make a long but beautiful hike (on foot or on horseback) up to the Panda Pass. That mountain pass is at 4000 meters altitude, and from here you have a great view of the lake and its surroundings.
How to visit Chatyr-Kol in Kyrgyzstan
Tash Rabat is about a 2-hour drive from the town of Naryn, hidden among the mountains. The easiest way to reach Tash Rabat is by private transport, but keep in mind that there is a (bumpy) gravel road during the last part of the drive. You can also get there from Naryn by taxi or an organized transfer through your accommodation or CBT Naryn. Public transportation is not an option to reach this remote but beautiful place. The Panda Pass and the viewpoint over Chatyr-Kol Lake can only be reached on foot or horseback. The hike (24 km round trip) is incredibly beautiful and takes you past all kinds of valleys where yaks wander around.
5) Song-Kul
Lake Song-Kul (or Son-Kul) is the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan. It is a vast mountain lake at an altitude of 3000 meters and the symbol of nomadic life in Kyrgyzstan. . Around its shores, horses and sheep graze freely while yurt camps dot the open steppe. Here, life moves entirely to the rhythm of nature: no internet, no rush, just endless horizons and brilliantly clear starry nights. You can take a dip in the cold waters of Son-Kul, or explore its surroundings on horseback or on foot.
How to visit Song-Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan
The most popular access points to reach Song-Kul Lake are from the villages of Kochkor or Kyzart. From Kochkor the drive takes about 5 hours. If you drive yourself then you have two roads you can follow. We went for the adventurous 4×4 off-road road, with the spectacular Parrots Pass at the end. This narrow mountain road winds up in sharp hairpin turns, offering sweeping panoramas along the way. The exact location of Parrots Pass can be found in the Google Maps of the Kyrgyzstan ebook! Prefer not to drive yourself? Then arrange a taxxi or group tour at CBT Kochkor. A multi-day hiking or horseback ride to Lake Son- Kul is also a popular option. To stay overnight at Song-Kul, we can recommend Yurt Camp Asman!
Still have questions about the most beautiful lakes in Kyrgyzstan? Let us know in a comment below! Looking for more information for your next trip? Please do not hesitate to contact us contact or send an email to info@snoezelsontheroad.com
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