TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Lake Song-Kul - in Kyrgyz, "the Final  Lake".  Song Kul gleams like a brilliant sapphire on its lush green mountain plateau.  At 3016 m, it is inaccessible during the winter months,   and even in summer, weather conditions can change rapidly.   "The Last Lake" is considered one of the most beautiful areas for summer pasturing, with an area of 270 km sq.  In winter, the lake freezes over with ice more than a meter thick. 

Nomads have been making the upland trek to this 3016 m asl lake since ancient times with their livestock.  Some left mysterious "standing stone"   arrangements.

Lake   Son-Kul is a beautiful place to experience life in a jailoo   – a summer pasture.  Ride horses in the surrounding mountains, or stay in a yurt and experience an old-fashioned Kyrgyz summer.

The jailoos are the pastures where Kyrgyz shepherds tend their flocks in the summer, and Son-Kul is the jewel of the jailoos, a stunning 270 km2 of sparkling water at 3016 m, surrounded by 3700 m mountains on all sides. For the fullest jailoo experience, approach the lake via the mountains enclosing the western end of Kochkor Valley, moving from jailoo to jailoo and staying with shepherd families in remote meadows far off the beaten path. Enjoy homemade jam, fresh cream, bread still warm from the oven, and the best kymyz (fermented mare’s milk) around.