Song-Kul Lake

Song-Kul (Соң-Көл) is Kyrgyzstan’s second-largest lake, set at around 3,000 metres in the vast alpine landscape of the Tien Shan. Surrounded by open jailoo summer pastures, the lake remains closely connected to the traditional way of life of Kyrgyz herding families, who bring their livestock here during the warmer months and live in yurts. Travelers can stay in family-run yurts, sample traditional food and kumys, ride horses, or explore the landscape on foot. Multi-day horse treks from Kochkor cross high mountain passes to the lake. Song-Kul is also an important wetland for numerous bird species. The remote landscape is accessible only during the snow-free summer months.