Song-Köl Lake

Song-Kol, a vast, serene alpine lake set on a high plateau at over 3,000 metres, is the beating heart of nomadic Kyrgyzstan and one of the most magical places in Central Asia. Each summer, herding families drive their horses, sheep and yaks up to the lush lakeside pastures, or jailoo, dotting the treeless shore with white yurts. Staying overnight in a yurt here, sharing meals with a nomad family, riding horses across the endless grasslands and watching the sun set and the stars blaze over the still water, is an unforgettable immersion in a timeless way of life.

History

Signs of earlier nomadic life surround the lake: ancient petroglyphs to the east, round stone settings like those of Mongolia and the Altai, and burial mounds of different sizes (Wikipedia, Song-Köl).

The landscape

• The lake and jailoo - the alpine lake and summer pastures.
• The yurt stays - the nights with nomad herding families.
• The horse riding - the rides across the vast grasslands.
• The night sky - the brilliant stars over the high plateau.

When to go

June to September is the only real window, when the passes are open, the pastures green and the nomads and their yurts in residence; even in summer, nights at this altitude are cold, so warm layers are essential. Outside these months the plateau is snowbound and empty.

What to expect

Reaching Song-Kol means a rough four-wheel-drive journey over high mountain passes, and the yurt stays are simple, with basic facilities, shared meals and no electricity or plumbing, so it is a rustic experience rather than a comfortable one. The altitude and cold nights can be demanding. For an authentic, deeply peaceful immersion in nomadic life amid stunning high-country scenery, though, it is the highlight of Kyrgyzstan.

Nearby

The towns of Kochkor and Naryn and the Tash Rabat caravanserai are within reach.

Key facts