Naryn Region

The Son Kul Range is a mountain range located north of Lake Son Kul in central Kyrgyzstan. This mountain range is part of the inner Tien Shan and forms the natural border of the northern side of the Son Kul high-altitude plateau.

The range rises above the lake and creates a picturesque mountain landscape with alpine meadows, wide pastures, and steep slopes. The Son Kul Range covers the northern part of the lake and reaches its highest point at an altitude of 3,650 meters above sea level.

The At-Bashi Range is 135km long and culminates at 4,801 meters. It stretches from the southwest, from the Muz-Tor valley and the Tuz-Bel Ashuu pass, to the northeast to Bosogo and the Kayindi pass. North of the chain is the At-Bashi Valley at an average altitude of 2,500 meters. North side, the slopes are steep and covered with rich vegetation. On the south side, the plain of Ak-Say is at an average altitude of 3200 meters. The highest peak is the Rhianydd at 4,801 meters. The At-Basi peak rises to 4788 meters and is the second highest in the chain.

This open pit mine is one of the largest in Kyrgyzstan. You can see it when you take the road between Song Kul Lake and Chaek.

The Torugart Pass is the most marked passage between Kyrgyzstan and China. Travelers and merchants cross this passage more than 2000 years ago. On the Kyrgyz side, the caravanserai of Tash Rabat is the stopping point for spending the night before the day that will take you to Kashgar. The passage is heavily controlled, especially on the Chinese side, and your trip must be organized with local tour operators. The pass is open all year, but is closed on weekends (Saturday and Sunday), and when there is heavy snowfall.

The Toktogul hydroelectric power station, built in 1975, is the largest and most important power station in the country, producing up to 40% of its electricity. In addition, the dam of its dam produces a volume of 19 billion cubic meters of water that flows through the largest Toktogul reservoir in Central Asia and governs the irrigation and energy regimes. Visits are prohibited to the public, and entrances are monitored by the military. Access to the dam is from the small town of Kara-Kël (or Karakul, Kara-Kul, Kara-Kol).

There are two lakes, 1,2 km long and a lower lake 340 meters long. They are part of the Terskey Alatoo and the Issyk Kul oblast, even if the river flow into the Naryn bassin. It's situated near a popular local place names Jilu Suu (Jeli Suu) and its hot sources. From hot spring, you may count one day to hike there and back. It's also part of a trek between the valley of Karagoman till Jilu Suu through these lakes. Long time ago, these lakes were created after the retreat of the glacier Kelter (Köl Toer) which culminates at 4478 meters altitude.