Son-Kul

Son-Kul, high-mountain lake (Inner Tien-Shan, Kyrgyzstan)

Son-Kul, high-mountain lake (Inner Tien-Shan, Kyrgyzstan). Son-Kul Lake is located in the heart of the Inner Tien-Shan, 90 km north-west of the city of Naryn. The hollow with a length of 57 km and a width of 29 km is located inside powerful mountain heaps. In the center of this basin lies the second largest lake of Kyrgyzstan - Son-Kul. It has a length of 29 km and a width of 17 km. Its surface is located at an altitude of 3016 meters above sea level, maximum depth is 13.2 m. The lake is of tectonic origin, filled with fresh water.

18 streams flow into the lake and only the single Son-Kul river flows out. Only 4 small rivers have a permanent flow into the lake: Kum-Bel, Ak-Tash, Tash-Tebe and Kara-Keche. The coastal strip has a different character: the north-western part is cut by rocky bays and gulfs, and the rest has gently sloping shores with separate marshy areas. In the valley of the river - Son-Kul there are many thermokarst craters which were formed as a result of melting permafrost located at a depth of 1.5 m. 4 km from the source the water flow breaks down into a rocky gorge in a cascade of waterfalls - Kok-Jerty. The lake freezes in the second half of October, it begins to open from ice in late April. The thickness of the ice in some years reaches 1 m.

The animal world is extremely diverse. In the summer various species of ducks, gulls, herons and other waterfowl (66 species) nest here. Due to the harsh climate, the lake was fish-free until 1959. At present the Ottoman, Peled, and Whitefish are acclimatized in the lake.

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  • Activities


    • Terrain features

      • Rivers
      • Waterfalls
      • Mountains
      • Alpine meadows
      • Lakes
      • Panoramic view
    • Wildlife
      • Mountain goats
      • Marmots
      • Birds
      • Predator birds
      • Rodents
      • Yaks
      • Hares
      • Wolves
      • Foxes

    Available trips in this area

    Ущелье Джети-Огуз / Jeti-Oguz gorge

    Family tour - Horse riding in Kyrgyzstan

    Duration: 10 Days
    Season: Summer

    This family tour is suitable for holidays with children from 6 years old. If your child does not have riding skills, then an experienced guide will certainly accompany him. You will visit a real farm where race horses are bred, see distant Kyrgyz villages with many children…

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    Вечер на озере Сон Куль / Evening at Son Kul Lake

    Horseback riding tour near Lake Son-Kul - Through the most beautiful mountain spaces

    Duration: 7 Days
    Season: Summer

    The high-mountainous Son-Kul Lake will meet you with a reflection of the blue sky, high passes will open for you magnificent views, deep canyons, real Kyrgyz villages without embellishment and the opportunity to get acquainted with the locals, staying in yurts, shepherds…

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    Крепость Таш-Рабат / Tash-Rabat fortress

    Horse ride from Naryn to Tash Rabat - Following the nomadic traces

    Duration: 16 Days
    Season: Summer

    Horse tour from Naryn to Tash Rabat will give you an unforgettable experience! Only in this tour absolutely wild places and untrodden paths are waiting for you, where you can find traces of ibex, goats, wolves, foxes, hares and mountain deer. You will visit the filming site…

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    Gear Rental

    Travelling to Kyrgyzstan, but short a few items on your gear list? We offer the «must have» items for rent at reasonable prices.

    The best food

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    «Asia Mountains»
    720021, Kyrgyzstan
    Bishkek, Lineinaya str. 1a