Naryn - Kel Suu Lake

Kel-Suu Lake is a high mountain lake of glacial origin in the south-eastern part of the Naryn region, near the Kyrgyz-Chinese border, at an altitude of 3 500 metres. The lake's water has a bright blue colour and contrasts beautifully with the surrounding rocks. This is one of the most beautiful and at the same time most difficult to access places in Kyrgyzstan.

Kel-Suu is a rubble-like lake formed in a large cleft between rocks. You cannot see most of the lake from the shore, so you have to go by boat to see the whole lake. The length of the lake is 9 km and its width varies from 500 m to 2 km at its widest point.

The lake has a special feature that gives it its name. Kel-Suu translates from Kyrgyz as "coming water". In fact, the lake sometimes disappears and seeps into the underground caves and grottos, and therefore one should know before visiting that the lake may never be found.

The lake is quite inaccessible. Kel-Suu Lake is located on the inaccessible Kokshaal-Too ridge of the Naryn region. The road to it passes through the vast Ak-Sai valley and is rich in swampy places and fords that can only be negotiated with a skilled car and an experienced driver. As the lake is located in the border region, a border pass is required for access.