Sonk-Kul

Son-Kul Lake
General view of the lake
Country:	Kyrgyzstan
Region:	Naryn Region
Coordinates:	Latitude: 41°50'25" Longitude: 75°8'7"
Square:	278 km²
Height:	3016 meters above sea level
Depth:	average: 8.6 m maximum: 14 m
Type of water:	fresh
Water temperature:	Summer: 11°C
Rating:
Sonk-Kul Sonk-Kul Lake on Kyrgyzstan map

Sonk-Kul (Kyrgyz: Соң-Көл - "Last Lake") is a unique high-altitude lake located in Kyrgyzstan, in the northwestern part of the Naryn Region at an altitude of 3016 meters above sea level. It is the second largest lake in the country.

Geography

Sonk-Kul is located in the central part of the republic or the northwestern part of the Naryn Region. It was formed between two mountain systems of the Tian Shan - Sonk-Kul-Too and Moldo-Too.

The lake is the second largest and the largest freshwater natural reservoir in Kyrgyzstan. The lake stretches 28 km in length and 18 km in width, with a total shoreline length of 82 km. Its water surface area is 278 km², with a maximum depth of 22 meters and an average depth of 9.2 meters.

The mountains surrounding Sonk-Kul are the sources of 18 different rivers of various sizes that flow into the lake, while only one river, bearing the same name as the lake, flows out of it, eventually joining the largest river in Kyrgyzstan, the Naryn.

Climate

The climate in the Sonk-Kul valley is quite different from the lowland plains of Kyrgyzstan due to its high elevation. Winter in this region is very cold and snowy with a large amount of precipitation, making the lake inaccessible as all roads leading to it are closed, and the lake itself is covered with a thick layer of ice. Summer is quite warm, but it can be quite cool in the evening. During the day, one can sunbathe and swim in the lake, although briefly, as the average water temperature is 3.5-5°C, and in summer, the water can warm up to +11°C.

Tourism

Visiting the lake is most interesting for lovers of active recreation and untouched nature. There are no comfortable hotels and developed infrastructure in the lake valley. Visitors can either camp independently by setting up tents or stay in one of the yurts (a portable frame dwelling with felt covering used by Turkic and Mongolian nomads in ancient times), where they can try local national dishes made from meat and fish.

Additionally, one can enjoy the beauty of nature on the way to the lake, passing through picturesque gorges^{(names to be specified)}.

How to get there

Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, is the main transport hub connecting major routes in the country. The distance from the capital of Kyrgyzstan to Sonk-Kul Lake is just over 280 km. Most of the journey will be along the Bishkek-Naryn highway. This highway, considered strategic as it connects the capital of Kyrgyzstan with China, is in very good condition. However, before the Dolon Pass, after the Sary-Bulak area, you will need to turn right and drive through two passes. In summer, the road is in good condition and passable for almost any passenger car.

Photo Gallery

• Photos of Sonk-Kul Lake
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Photos courtesy of photographer Grigory Nikolaevich Kobko.

Note

Sonk-Kul is one of the unique and beautiful lakes in Kyrgyzstan. Despite the lack of comfortable hotels and resorts around the lake, it is still recommended to visit this unique area and enjoy the lake's purity. It is quite convenient to visit on the way to Issyk-Kul, as it is essentially in the same direction, just requiring an earlier turn-off.

If you have any questions, edits, or additional information on the topic of the article, please leave your comments on the specially created discussion page.