A classic trip to Lake Sonkol
A trip to the magic lake
One of the most classic, but still very nice, trips in Kyrgyzstan is to Lake Sonkol. The very road there, through canyons and mountain passes, is very nice, but the lake itself and its picturesque surroundings is the imaginary icing on the cake. Yurt herders, huge herds of horses, cows and sheep await you here, and most importantly a huge lake where you can even bathe if you are just a little hardy. In addition, the surrounding landscape full of flowering meadows and easily accessible mountains absolutely attracts exploratory walks.
1 day
Road to Lake Sonkol and first walks
The first day awaits you about a two-hour drive to the lake through a beautiful landscape. After lunch at the Bataj-Aral Yurt Camp, you can either just relax by the lake, take a bath, take a short walk along its shores or, if you have the taste and strength, go hiking in the mountains north of the lake.
Drive to Lake Sonkol
Journey through two passes
The shortest and most classic way to Lake Sonkol from the town of Kočkor leads through a very interesting landscape for tourists. You will find a path through a canyon, a green valley with a view of the four thousand mountains, a winding exit to a high pass and finally a descent through meadows, around herds of horses and cows, to this great lake. During these 100 kilometers you will really enjoy a number of nice views. continue reading
Hike to the mountains above Lake Sonkol
To an abandoned prospect
The most easily accessible mountain from the Bataj-Aral yurt camp, located at the northeastern end of Lake Sonkol, is a peak at the western end of a smaller ridge directly north of it. Thanks to the surrounding meadow terrain, you can set off to the ascent ridge practically in a straight line or walk less than four kilometers along the lake and then just turn. In any case, it is a beautiful path overlooking the monumental Kyrgyz ridge with good visibility. continue reading
Day 2
Hiking at Lake Sonkol
The second day is ideal for all-day hiking. You can either go to the mountains again for a larger day trip, or combine a walk by the lake with a shorter trip to the mountains. Those who like to ride a horse can „rent“ a pony and take a trip around the area from a horse saddle.
Hike along Lake Sonkol
South of the yurt Batai Aral
Just south of the Bataj-Aral yurt camp is a small shallow lake separated only by a narrow scythe from the huge Sonkol. The walk along this scythe is very nice, especially in the morning, when the peaks of the mountain range north of the lake are reflected in the lake. If you are a little brave, you can cross the river at the end of this lake, go through the wetland and return to the camp another way, or bypass the whole small lake. If you don't want almost a pound and a half to walk through waterlogged terrain, you have to return the same way along the scythe. Even so, it's a nice, almost three-hour trip. continue reading
Hike to the gorge above Lake Sonkol
In the meadows to the mountains
Not far from the north-eastern end of Lake Sonkol, there is a mountain ridge of less than ten kilometers long mountain ridges of weathered mountains with many interesting rock formations. An ideal place for trips from the lake. One of the possible destinations is a small gorge near the most distinctive mountain on the ridge. continue reading
Day 3
Return to Kočkor
The third day is slowly marked by a return to Kockor, or alternatively a trip to Naryn if you continue to the south of Kyrgyzstan. For the last time, enjoy the local pastoral life in the morning before leaving this interesting place.
Life at Lake Sonkol
Pastoral life in yurts
When visiting Kyrgyzstan, it is definitely worth getting to know the original pastoral life in yurts. One of the good options is Lake Sonkol, where most tourists live in the yurts of travel agencies, but you can still see here, especially in the side valleys, the original pastoral life without embellishments. continue reading
Trip variants
The described variant is classic. You can also try staying on the south side of the lake or walk through the mountains from Kyzart or Uzumbulak
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