Kel-Suu Lake and Song-Kul: The two lakes that make Kyrgyzstan unforgettable
- Roxana Nothaft
- May 3
- 6 min read
By Roxy | Roxy’s Travel Plan | Best time to travel: July to September | Reading time: approx. 11 minutes
Kel-Suu Lake and Song-Kul: The two lakes that make Kyrgyzstan unforgettable
Two lakes, two worlds
One journey
When people return from Kyrgyzstan and I ask what impressed them the most, the answer is almost always one of the two: Song-Kul or Kel-Suu. Sometimes both.
That’s no coincidence. These two lakes are the heart of any journey through Kyrgyzstan. They are the emotional core, the moments you carry home with you, the ones that show you why you traveled so far.
In this article, I’ll explain exactly what to expect, how to get there, and why both lakes are part of our Discover Kyrgyzstan tour.
Song-Kul: The nomadic highland at 3,016 meters
What Song-Kul is
Song-Kul is not just a lake. It’s a way of life. A high plateau at over 3,000 meters, surrounded by gentle hills where Kyrgyz nomads set up their yurts in summer. The lake itself is deep blue, sometimes almost purple, depending on the time of day and the clouds.
There are no hotels here. No restaurants. No roads. Just vastness, light, animals, and the people who have lived in this rhythm for generations.
What to expect at the lake: Whenever you arrive, the lake is nestled within breathtaking, untouched nature. Crystal clear, deep blue, and seemingly endless, it stretches across the vast landscape.
A nomadic family with a traditional yurt camp welcomes you warmly. In one of the yurts, tea is served, a quiet moment to arrive and take in the stillness of this special place. In the evening, you sit by the fire. The air is crisp, the starry sky feels almost within reach. No noise, no distractions, only the wind and the soft stamping of horses accompany you. In the morning, the day begins slowly. A simple, traditional breakfast, fresh air, and a kind of calm that is hard to find elsewhere.
What you can experience there: There is no fixed program at Song-Kul, and that’s exactly what makes it so special. You can ride along the shore on horseback and feel the vastness of the landscape. You can go hiking without a destination, simply following the horizon. Or you stay at the camp, sit by the water, watch the animals, and let time pass. Maybe that’s what defines this place: nothing you have to do, nothing you have to plan, just being.Song-Kul is not a place for to-do lists. It’s a place that slows you down and gives you space to reconnect with yourself.
How to get to Song-Kul: Song-Kul lies about 100 kilometers south of Kochkor. The last 40 kilometers lead over an unpaved mountain road that can only be accessed with a 4x4 vehicle. With a private driver, however, the journey is straightforward.
Alternatively, you can reach the lake in a much more special way: on foot as part of a multi-day hike or on horseback, with a one- or two-night tour, depending on your preference.
The journey itself is already part of the experience.
Reaching Song-Kul on horseback is one of the most impressive ways to get there. Three days through wide valleys, over mountain passes, and across untouched nature, a true adventure and for many an absolute highlight of the trip. This kind of journey makes your stay at the lake even more intense. It’s not just the destination, but the entire journey that becomes unforgettable.
Kel-Suu: The blue secret in the canyon
What Kel-Suu is
Kel-Suu lies at around 3,500 meters above sea level, near the border with China, in one of the most remote regions of Kyrgyzstan. There is no road leading there, only a narrow horse trail that winds through tight canyons, across rugged high plateaus, and over steep mountain passes.
The journey to Kel-Suu doesn’t begin at the lake itself, but much earlier.
First, you travel by 4x4 through a remote, rugged landscape to a yurt camp that serves as the starting point.Even this drive feels like an adventure. Roads turn into tracks, tracks into barely visible trails, and with every kilometer, civilization fades away.This is where you spend the night. There are plenty of options on site, from small, family-run yurt stays to more comfortable bungalows with amenities like a sauna.
The next day, the actual journey to the lake begins, on foot or on horseback. The ride takes about 1.5 hours, and it’s exactly this stretch that changes everything.
On horseback, the landscape opens up in a completely different way. You move more slowly, notice more, and truly take in your surroundings. The mountains rise dramatically around you, the vastness becomes tangible, and with every step of your horse, the anticipation grows. This route is one of the most spectacular you can experience on horseback. The views are immense, rugged peaks, endless valleys, and a silence that’s hard to find anywhere else.
And then, after one final stretch, it suddenly appears in front of you: Kel-Suu.
Once you’re at the lake, you can optionally continue in small wooden boats. From the water, the steep rock walls feel even more impressive. You glide across the turquoise surface, surrounded by complete silence. No engine noise, no voices, just water, rock, and the moment.
What you need to know: Kel-Suu is only accessible from July to September. Before and after that, the mountain passes are usually still covered in snow or already impassable again. On our tour, you reach Kel-Suu on day 5. By then, you’ve already arrived in Kyrgyzstan, not just geographically, but mentally as well. That’s exactly when this place feels especially intense.
Why these two lakes belong in every Kyrgyzstan trip: Song-Kul stands for nomadic life, for encounters, for vastness, and a unique sense of calm. It’s about culture, people, and slowing down. Kel-Suu, on the other hand, is pure nature. Raw, dramatic, and silent. No context, no explanation, it simply exists. Together, these two places show two sides of Kyrgyzstan that couldn’t be more different, and that’s exactly what creates a complete picture. It’s this contrast that stays with you.
Discover Kyrgyzstan Tour: Both lakes included
We offer self-drive tours, private journeys with a guide, as well as small group tours, all perfectly designed for a travel duration of 2 to 3 weeks.
Feel free to explore these trips in more detail. They combine the country’s key highlights and offer a balanced mix of nature, culture, and authentic experiences, exactly how we would travel through Kyrgyzstan ourselves.
I’m also happy to create a detailed itinerary for you. Alternatively, you can simply browse through our tours. They provide great inspiration and give you a clear idea of what a two-week journey could look like. On our website, you’ll also find more in-depth 3-week itineraries. Just take a look and get a feel for possible routes and what’s achievable.
Our tour includes both lakes. Day 2 and 3: Song-Kul with a yurt stay and nomadic experiences. Day 5: Kel-Suu with a horseback ride and a boat trip.
Best time to travel: June to September is the ideal time to visit. The high plateaus are accessible, nomads are on the pastures, and temperatures are pleasant. Song-Kul is accessible from late May to October. Kel-Suu is only accessible from July to September. Traveling later in the season means cooler temperatures, but also fewer visitors.
Accommodation: In Bishkek, you’ll find good boutique hotels. In the rest of the country, guesthouses and yurt camps are more common. Be open to small adventures and enjoy authentic experiences.
Language: Russian is the main language, even in many tourist areas. With a local guide, you won’t face any language barriers. English is common in Bishkek, but less so in rural areas. Translation apps are widely used and very helpful. Make sure to download one with offline functionality, such as Google Translate.
Cash: In Kyrgyzstan, cash is still the most important form of payment, especially outside the cities. In larger towns like Bishkek or Osh, you’ll find ATMs and can sometimes pay by card. For remote regions, however, you should carry enough cash, ideally in the local currency (Som).
Internet: Internet access is generally good in cities, both via Wi-Fi in accommodations and mobile data. In rural or remote areas, however, the connection can be limited or unavailable. A local SIM card is affordable and recommended if you want to stay connected. Alternatively, you can install an eSIM in advance.
Would you like to learn more about Kyrgyzstan? We’ll be sharing more inspiring articles in the future, so stay tuned.
If you already have questions or want to dive deeper into anything, feel free to reach out anytime. You can easily contact me by email — my details are available on the website.
Comments