Issyk-Kul and Son-kul
INFORMATION
🇰🇬 Issyk-Kul & Son-Kul — The Jewels of Kyrgyzstan
Issyk-Kul and Son-Kul are two of Kyrgyzstan’s most stunning natural wonders. One is a warm alpine lake with a beach-like atmosphere, the other is a high-altitude pasture where nomadic life still thrives.
📌 General Information:
- Location: North and Central Kyrgyzstan
- Languages: Kyrgyz, Russian
- Currency: Som (KGS)
- Religion: Islam
- Visa: Not required for most CIS countries
- Climate: Moderate continental; warm summer, cool in the mountains
🏞 Must-See Places:
🌊 Issyk-Kul Lake
The world’s second most transparent lake. Swimming season lasts from June to September. Resorts, beaches, and water activities in Cholpon-Ata and Karakol.
🏕 Son-Kul
A lake located at 3,016 m above sea level. In summer, real nomads live in yurts. Horse riding, trekking, and ethnographic tours await.
⛰ On the Way
Mountain passes, gorges, and canyons make the road between the lakes incredibly scenic.
🍽 Local Cuisine:
- Beshbarmak — the signature nomadic dish
- Kymyz, kurt, boorsok
- Fresh dairy and mountain meat products
🚐 Tourism:
Popular for ethno-tours, yurt camps, hikes, and mountain treks. Tourism here is about reconnecting with nature and tradition.
Visitors enjoy horseback riding, overnight stays in yurts, and participation in nomadic games.
Issyk-Kul
Son-kul
Issyk-Kul and Son-Kul on the map
TOUR PROGRAM
- Itinerary: Bishkek – Burana Tower – Lake SongKol – Bokonbaevo – Karakol – Altyn-Arashan– Bishkek
- Accommodation: two overnight in the yurt camp, two overnight in the guesthouses
- Duration: 5 days
- Best Season: June – August
- Category: combined –auto/trek
- Level of Difficulty: Easy to medium
- Highlights: Burana, Son-Kol Lake, Barskoon, Jeti-Oguz, Canyon Skazka, Altyn-Arashan
- Requirements: Weatherproof warm clothes, trekking boots, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
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