Kel-Suu lake is a long blue lake at about 3,500 m in the Kakshaal-Too range of the Naryn region, close to the border with China. It fills a narrow canyon between steep rock walls and is one of the most remote places travelers can reach in Kyrgyzstan.
Permit for Kel-Suu
The lake is inside the border zone, so every visitor needs a permit arranged in advance with passport details. Allow about three weeks. Carry your passport: there are checkpoints on the way.
Getting to Kel-Suu lake
From Naryn town the route goes south through At-Bashy. The last part is a rough track for 4×4 vehicles, and the final stretch to the shore is on foot or horseback. Facilities are basic: guesthouses in villages and seasonal yurt camps.
Tash-Rabat and the Naryn region
The stone caravanserai of Tash-Rabat, at about 3,200 m, sheltered Silk Road traders on the way to Kashgar. Naryn region is also the land of high pastures and long horse rides, and the link between Song-Kul and the south.
Tours
See our Kel-Suu lake and Tash-Rabat tour, or ride through the region on the Naryn horse riding tour.
