Kara-Suu lake (South Toktogul reservoir)

Kara-Suu Lake lies in a beautiful valley on the southern bank of the Naryn River, along the route between Jetigen and Arslanbob villages. It should not be confused with the other Kara-Suu Lake located near Sary-Chelek.

Stretching approximately 6.5 km in length and up to 1.5 km wide, the lake was most likely formed by a massive landslide that blocked the valley. Although a rough dirt road leads to the lake, it is far more enjoyable to reach it on foot or horseback, allowing you to fully appreciate the surrounding landscapes.

Above Kara-Suu Lake lies the much smaller Kapka-Tash Lake. The popular hiking trail connecting Arslanbob and Jetigen passes along the lower section of Kara-Suu Lake and is also part of the Kyrgyz Nomad Trail (KNT), an epic 4,000 km national thru-hike that crosses the entire country while promoting sustainable community development and nature conservation.

The lake is nestled between the Tartalyk Mountains to the northeast and the Këk-Kël Mountains to the southwest. A scenic pedestrian path linking Kara-Suu and Kapka-Tash runs along the northern side of the lake, about 30 to 60 meters above the shoreline, winding through fragrant juniper