Trip to Kel Suu Lake
Kel-Suu is a high-mountain lake of glacial origin, located in At-Bashy district of Naryn oblast in south-eastern Kyrgyzstan. Some characteristics: - is located at an altitude of 3514 m above sea level in the Kakshaal-Too mountain massif, in the central Tien Shan; - length of the lake - 5 km, width varies on average from 500 to 600 m; - depth - 5-10 m; - water type - fresh water; - water temperature in summer - 8-10 °C. The peculiarity of the lake is periodic disappearance of water. Water can completely escape into underground crevices and caves, creating a special landscape with massive rocks. This is due to the seasonality of glacier melting. The highest water levels occur during the months of July and August. The name of the lake means ‘coming water’ in Kyrgyz. Access to the lake is limited as it is located in the border area with China. Travelers must pass through two border checkpoints and obtain a permit.
In the morning at 8.00 leave for Kok-Kiya valley. distance/time: 150 km. On the we will pass Ak-Muz village, We head up to the Bosogo pass through the lush and scenic valley with spruce trees covering the mountain slopes. Afterwards you will cross Kyndy pass, where locates military check point. The next road we will go along a gravel road. We will see the gray cows of shepherds who keep cattle in the Aksai Valley. We will see an old working gold factory. In the middle of the road, the road will turn into a valley through a large iron bridge over the Suud River, and will descend into a different landscape. We will pass an old wooden bridge and a small canyon with an interesting water flow.
Early in the morning you will set off for Kol-Suu. The one-way trip takes 2 hours. There are boats on the shore of Kol, you can rent them. After lunch, head to Tashrabat along Chatyr-Kol lake. you will pass through the Torugar military zone and see Chatyr-Kol. The road is good, so the journey is easy. Then you will see a very wide field of the Barley Valley, with many sheep and horses, and you can take pictures of the beautiful landscape. After a while, the last checkpoint. After passing through the beautiful Ak-Beyit valley, they can see the Tashrabat caravanserai in the mountains.
After breakfast the trip to Naryn. On the way visit the ruins of the Koshoi na-Korgon fortress and its museum. If they enter the village of At-Bashi, they will see a large bronze monument of a horse's head inside the village. The last 45 km to Naryn remains.
- Duration: 3 days and 2 nights
- Difficulty level: moderate
- Best season: Mid of June - September