Alay Travel Guide

Alay Travel Tours Kyrgysztan

Kol-Suu lake

Kol-Suu Lake is one of Kyrgyzstan’s hidden gems, a stunning alpine lake located in the remote and mountainous areas near the border with China. It’s known for its striking beauty, turquoise waters, and dramatic scenery. The lake sits at an altitude of about 3,500 meters above sea level and is surrounded by rugged mountain peaks and vast alpine meadows. The length of the lake is 9 kilometers; the width is from 500 to 2000 meters. But the depth is only 5-10 meters.

Getting There: Google map location: Kol-Suu (Kel-Suu) lake 

  • From Naryn:
    • The closest area is from Naryn city and is located in a relatively isolated region near the Kyrgyz-China border.
    • The easiest way to reach the lake is by 4×4 vehicle (jeep) due to the rough, unpaved and far roads. The drive usually takes through two parts from At-Bashy to the right via Akbeiyt pass (3280m), Chatyr-Kol lake option to include the Tash Rabat fortress on the way and last point is called Kok-Kiya where is the camps for overnight (326km, 203miles) and the shorter way is directed through Ak-Muz – Bosogo – Kynda – Ak-Sai villages and last to point Kok-Kiya (150km,93miles)
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  • Transport fee from Naryn: Many travel companies or local guides can arrange transportation to Kok-Kiya for about 200-230 dollar for round trip from Naryn including visit the Tash-Rabat and Chatyr-Kol lake.
  • Via shorter way is 100-130USD dollar (round trip).  
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  •         From Bishkek: if you are travelling from Bishkek so travel agencies arrange transport for return trip costs around 230-280 dollar USD depending on the difference of two section (just transport until camps) and recommended to spend one night in Naryn because of long driving it will be tired. 

The total distance from Bishkek through short way is 465km (289miles) and via longer side including Tash-Rabat fortress is 641km (398miles).

From the Torugart border: If you are crossing from China so you will have option to cross through Torugart border and visit Kol-Suu lake with 67km (108miles) 3-4hours

  • Road Conditions:
    • The road leading to Kol-Suu Lake is quite challenging after At-bashy region for about , with steep inclines, narrow mountain paths, and seasonal conditions. It’s best to visit in the summer months (late June to September), when the weather is more favorable, and roads are more passable.

What to Do:

  1. Trekking and Hiking:
    • The area around Kol-Suu Lake offers not more hiking opportunities due to the rugged terrain.
    • The lake is main visited part for a one-day expedition
  • Photography:
  1. Kol-Suu Lake’s unique color and surrounding natural beauty make it a photographer’s paradise. The contrast between the turquoise lake, rocky landscapes, and snow-capped peaks creates striking images.
  1. Explore the Surroundings:
    • Kol-Suu is part of a larger, remote area that can be explored for its rugged beauty and untouched wilderness. The lake itself is only accessible via a series of dirt roads, but the journey through mountain passes and lush valleys is worth the effort.

Best Time to Visit:

  • Summer (June to September): This is the best time to visit Kol-Suu Lake, as the weather is milder, and the road conditions are better.
  • Winter (October to May): The region can be harsh and inaccessible during the winter months due to snow and poor road conditions.

Things to Consider:

  1. Acclimatization: Kol-Suu Lake is at high altitude, so it’s important to spend some time acclimatizing before visiting to avoid altitude sickness.

Accommodation: There are several camping options near Kol-Suu Lake, or about 5 miles (8km) before the lake, where yurt, tent and cottages run by travel agencies and locals are available starting from mid-June. These camps provide both accommodation and meals. The cost is approximately $30–35 USD per person, including meals.

Permits: Kol-Suu Lake is located near the border with China, so a border permit is required. Checkpoints along the route will ask for the permit before you get closer to the area.

Last Point of Reach: From Kok Kiya valley about 8 km before reaching Kol-Suu Lake, where the several camps (yurts, tents and cottages). Begins a roughly off road, and a river crossing makes difficult for vehicles. The best option is to hire a horse for $15–20 if you’re a small group (1–5 people). For larger groups, a Soviet УАЗ-СГР «Buhanka» car, which can accommodate up to 10 people, can be hired for (around way) $150.

Kol-Suu Lake is a great destination for those seeking adventure, serenity, and dramatic natural beauty. However, due to its remote location, it’s essential to plan your trip carefully to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.