Kochkor to Son-Kul Lake via Kalmak Ashuu Pass

From a distance, this looked like a small settlement with ornately constructed structures...




mostly made of mud or clay... some with perimeter fencing or walls...

 In reality, this is the local cemetary just outside of Kochkor village.

We start our day at Kochkor and the plan for today is to travel to Son-Kul Lake.
First, we spend some time walking around Kochkor bazaar. At a nearby, supermarket we bought some groceries, cookies and snacks.

Kyrgyzstan gentleman..and his tall hat, struts proudly by..

Horse milk by the barrel...

Clothing section..

Old man taking a break

A Russian Tank... on our way out of Kochkor

On the A365, near Sarybulak. Elevation 2,260m above sea level.
About 4km south of Sarybulak, we leave the A365 and turned right into the road that will take us up the mountain range to Son-Kul Lake.



Entering Karatal Japyryk Nature State Reserve

At the top of the hill, admiring the views of the distant mountains and valleys..
All part of central Tien Shan mountain range.
We are about 2,500m above sea level at this point.

Tolok River snaking through the valley. We will soon meet Tolok River near Keng-Suu village and follow it westward.



A flat stretch near Keng-Suu village.



Kid at Keng-Suu village saluting us... his way of saying hello and goodbye...
We are about 2,620m above sea level now and it is cold.



Kyrgyz jailoos ie summer pastures. Following Tolok River westward.







More grasslands as far as the eye can see..





Local villager making their own mud bricks



For the extension to his house.

The three amigos..

More mud houses



 and barns.



Leaving Tolok River to follow the Kalmak Ashuu River.
We will be driving up Kalmak Ashuu pass before descending into Kalmak Ashuu Valley.



We are about 3,000m above sea level and can now see Yaks in the pastures.. well only one Yak actually.. this fella is huge.. almost the size of a buffalo.



Sheep grazing on the banks of the Kalmak Ashuu River.



Slightly over 1pm now.. elevation 3,118m. The Kalmak Ashuu pass goes up to 3,446m before descending.. we still have a bit more climbing to do.

For now, we are taking an hour long lunch break and ...



enjoying the view at the same time....



Continuing our drive on Kalmak Ashuu Pass after lunch, This stretch gets a little narrow.



We are now at the top of the Kalmak Ashuu Pass. Elevation 3,450m.
Looking down at the road that will take us to Son-Kul Lake.



Horse back riding activity... In the background, just a bit of snow left on the mountain top... In winter time, this whole area would be covered in snow and the gravel road that we are driving on now would be closed.



Mini glacier...



Horse trying to scratch an itch on his hind leg..



Kid on a donkey waiting for his friend so they can ride together...



Crossing one of the rivers feeding into Son-Kul Lake



One of many Kyrgyz jailoos or summer pastures where herds of sheep, goats, horses etc graze over summer. There must be hundreds of sheep and goats on this section alone..
In the distance, barely visible, is Son-Kul Lake.



Dad and the large flock of sheep and goats.



Mum and her foal soaking up the summer sun...



Driving on the southern shores of Son-Kul Lake in search of a nice spot.



Local family gathering for Eid or Orozo Ait as it is known locally.
Son-Kul Lake and the Tien Shan mountains in the background.



Another yurt with a lada van and a herd of horses



Gazing at grazing sheep at Son kul Lake ... taking in the sights ... too
Should be nice to camp here ....with yurts, sheep, horses, the Son-Kul lake..

Ooh it's juicy ...i kneel to eat all... 

Its cold.. lets cuddle..



The two best friends up and grazing again...



The two still sticking to each other as the rest of the flock moved further down and closer to the lake.
Soon they join the rest and continue their walk home.



Our Sorento.. so tiny...



We decided to camp here tonight..

Not far from where we camped is a Yurt camp with horse riding activities waiting for the arrival of the tour group on the next day.

The next day... having a lazy day at Son-Kul Lake.
Drizzled a bit with some hail stone shower.

Cold and windy..

Today, the horses kept us company

Son Kul Lake... 3,016m above sea level
is the second largest alpine lake in Kyrgyzstan after Issyk-Kul Lake
 and also the largest fresh water lake in Kyrgyzstan.

We rested at Son Kul Lake for 2 nights and left late in the morning on 12 Aug 2013. 

Map of our route from Kochkor to Son-Kul Lake