Weather in Song Kol

About Song Kol

Song Kol's high-altitude lake (3,016 metres) hosts a famous yurt festival each summer when thousands of nomadic families gather. The lake's clear waters reflect surrounding peaks; yurts dot the grasslands like white mushrooms. Trekking routes connect Song Kol to Issyk-Kul and other passes.

Country

Kyrgyzstan

Best months to visit

Year-round

Currency

KGS

Language

Kyrgyz, Russian, English

Things to do in Song Kol

Staying in traditional nomadic yurts and living with shepherding families Horseback trekking across high-altitude passes to and from Song Kol Attending the annual Song Kol yurt festival (August) with nomadic culture celebrations Fishing for arctic char in the alpine lake during summer months Photographing yurts, herds, and landscapes at golden hour light Eating traditional Kyrgyz meat pies (manti) and airag (fermented mare's milk)

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

-10C

Cold, with occasional showers.

February

-8C

Cold, with occasional showers.

March

-2C

Cold, with some rainy days.

April

Cold, with some rainy days.

May

Cold, with regular rainfall.

June

12C

Cool, with frequent heavy rain.

July

16C

Cool, with frequent heavy rain.

August

14C

Cool, with frequent heavy rain.

September

11C

Cool, with regular rainfall.

October

Cold, with some rainy days.

November

-4C

Cold, with occasional showers.

December

-9C

Cold, with occasional showers.

Song Kol is a high-altitude lake at over 3,000m, reachable only by rough mountain roads or on horseback, where the surrounding pastures fill each summer with the yurt camps of semi-nomadic Kyrgyz herding families bringing their livestock to graze. There's no permanent settlement here — just grassland, lake, and sky — making it one of the purest experiences of Central Asia's nomadic traditions, and a trip here typically involves staying in a guest yurt, riding horses across the plateau, and watching the lake change colour as the light moves through the day.

Best areas to stay in Song Kol

Song Kol Lake Shore

The lake itself, ringed by yurt camps in summer — a vast, treeless expanse of water and grassland at over 3,000m altitude.

Kyzart Pass Route

One of the main approach routes to the lake, a dramatic high mountain pass crossing used by both 4x4s and horse trekkers.

Moldo-Ashuu Pass Route

An alternative approach from the south, often combined with the Kyzart pass for a loop route to and from the lake.

Kochkor (gateway town)

The small town most commonly used to arrange guides, horses, and transport for trips up to Song Kol.

Getting to Song Kol

✈

Flights

Fly into Manas Airport (Bishkek), then travel overland to Kochkor (3-4 hours) as the starting point for onward 4x4 or horse transfers.

⏱

From London

~8-9 hours from London via Bishkek, plus a full day of overland travel and a multi-hour pass crossing to reach the lake.

🚕

Getting around

No public transport reaches Song Kol — trips are arranged via 4x4 transfer or multi-day horse trek with a local guide, typically organised from Kochkor or Bishkek.

Frequently asked questions

When is Song Kol accessible?

Only from June to September — the high passes leading to the lake are snowbound the rest of the year and the yurt camps are seasonal, packing up by late September.

How do you get to Song Kol?

Via 4x4 over the Kyzart or Moldo-Ashuu passes from Kochkor or Bishkek, or on a multi-day horse trek from Kyzart village — there's no paved road and no public transport.

What's it like staying in a yurt camp?

Basic but memorable — guest yurts have mattresses, blankets, and a central stove, with communal meals (often including kumis, fermented mare's milk) cooked by the host family. Toilets are outhouses and there's no electricity beyond solar lighting.

Do I need to be an experienced rider to do a horse trek here?

No — treks can be arranged for beginners with short daily riding distances, though more experienced riders can do longer multi-day routes across the high pastures.

How cold does it get at night?

Even in summer, nights at this altitude can drop close to freezing, so warm layers are essential regardless of how hot the days feel.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

One of the most memorable two nights of my life — staying in a yurt with a herding family, riding horses along the lake at sunset, and waking up to mist over the water. Genuinely remote and unspoiled.

Freya L. · August 2024

★★★★★

The drive over the pass alone was worth it — endless green pastures full of horses, sheep, and yurts with the lake appearing suddenly below. Cold at night but the hospitality made up for it.

Marek N. · July 2023

★★★★☆

Did a 3-day horse trek to Song Kol and back — hard on the legs if you're not used to riding, but an unforgettable way to see the high pastures and meet nomadic families along the way.

Cara D. · September 2024