KG
Song-Kol
A high alpine lake where herders graze their animals in summer and visitors sleep in yurts
A high alpine lake where herders graze their animals in summer and visitors sleep in yurts
The lake is about 29km long and lies in a wide basin of pastures ringed by mountains. Walks along the shore and sunrise views are the main draw.
Photo: Ninara, CC BY 2.0
Families run simple yurt camps with felt carpets, wood stoves and shared meals. A night with dinner and breakfast usually costs around US$25–45.
Book through CBT or a Kochkor agency.
Photo: Ondřej Žváček, CC BY 2.5
Popular two- or three-day horse treks cross the mountains from Kyzart or Kochkor to the lake. Shorter rides can be arranged at the camps.
Agree on the route, guide and price beforehand.
Photo: Kalpak Travel, CC BY 2.0
The summer pastures are where you see traditional Kyrgyz herding life, including milking mares to make kymyz, fermented mare’s milk.
Photo: Ninara, CC BY 2.0
The small town of Kochkor, at about 1,800m, is the usual base. It has guesthouses, a bazaar and felt workshops, and is a good place to acclimatise.
Photo: JohnNewton8, CC BY-SA 4.0
Meals at the yurts are simple: bread, jam, noodle soups, plov and tea. Try kymyz if you are offered it.
Bring snacks; there are no shops at the lake.
The usual route is from Kochkor, about 3–4 hours by 4WD over a mountain pass. A shared or private driver costs around KGS 2,500–3,500 each way; prices vary.
Kochkor is a few hours by road from Bishkek. CBT and local agencies arrange transport, yurts and horses.
Kyrgyzstan uses the som (KGS).
A short trip from Kochkor.
Acclimatise in Kochkor and visit the bazaar.
Drive or ride to Song-Kol and settle into a yurt.
Ride or walk the shore, then return to Kochkor.
Nights can be near freezing even in July; bring warm layers.
No ATMs at the lake; bring som.
There is little or no mobile signal.
Acclimatise in Kochkor first.
Quick answers for planning time in Song-Kol.
About 3,016m above sea level.
Yurt camps are open roughly from June to September.
By 4WD from Kochkor, about 3–4 hours, or on a horse trek.
Usually around US$25–45 a night with meals.
Yes, nights can be near freezing even in July.
Planning a wider trip? Our Kyrgyzstan travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.