The drive between the Issyk Kul and Song Kul lakes is long and sometimes difficult but one of the most beautiful ones I have ever experienced. My motion sickness was not the only reason I could not take my eyes off the road! Here is a big collection of photos as I could not choose.
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INFO & PLANNING TIPS
TIPS FOR TRAVEL PLANNING ADDICTS
- Google indicates that it takes 2h15 minutes to get from Ottuk at the west end of Issyk Kul to Song Kul. Maybe without any stops and under good road conditions. But you should plan at least 5 hours
- From Ottuk, take A365. The road is in good condition until the turning point 40km after Kochkor (turn right towards Song Kul)
- The rest of the road is dirt. There were few difficult rocky sections but generally if you take your time it is not a very technical road. And lucky me there were no crazy drops on the side of the road to give me vertigo 🙂
Note: A lot of the pictures where taken from the bus. I apologize for the reflections.
Leaving Issyk Kul
Teh drive started under a heavy and clouded sky. As soon as we left Issyk-Kul, we discovered landscapes with many colors. The atmosphere was a delight with the clouds and fog.
Orto-Tokoy reservoir
Shortly after leaving Issyk Kul lake, we discover another small one. Its name is Orto Tokoy. We had no time to stop so my pictures does not give it justice.
Near Kochkor
At Kochkor we stopped for gaz and lunch. It is not a touristic destination, more of a practical stop, and yet I think the surroundings of the town are worth exploring.
Along A365
As we continued along A365, I was blown away at every turn. Could you believe this is one of the main roads in the country? The different layers of colors and mix of soft and sharp lines put me almost in transe
Dirt road to Issyk Kul
Then we left the main road to start on the dirt road to Song Kul lake. We finally left civilization and I was really getting excited. My used all my magic to ask the Universe to clear the sky which happened gradually, yeah!
There is not much I can say. I am letting the pictures speak:
Higher on the road to Song Kul
Then we started getting higher and higher in the mountains. The sky was clearing, the lines became softer and the colors turned to shades of broawn and green.
Reaching the snow
As we climbed and climbed towards the mountain pass to Song Kul we finally reach the snow level.
Sheep are really everywhere!
The amount of snow on the side of the road started to be quite impressive.
Where the snow was meting it creates beautiful patterns:
Close to the mountain pass, the road was still covered in snow
And we drove next to some huge wall!
We stopped to breathe the Fresh air and take in the scenry were white meets green.
Arrival at Song Kul lake
Adn finally, what we had been longing for: Song Kul Lake, the gem of Kyrgyzstan. Check out the post for many pictures of this beautiful work of nature.
Want to see more of Kyrgyzstan's beauty?
Discover more planning information, things to do and places to see in my online Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide.
Stunning don't you think?
