Stay in a traditional yurt on the summer pastures of Song-Kul Lake’s southern shores.
Set on the remote southern shore of Song-Kul Lake at 3,200 m (10,500 ft) above sea level, the Ak-Sai Yurt Camp offers a rare opportunity to step into Kyrgyz nomadic life. Surrounded by the sweeping grassy pastures of the steppe and ringed by distant snow-dusted peaks, the camp is one of the largest on the lake, yet retains an authentic atmosphere of wilderness and simplicity.
Each yurt is built in the traditional style, with a timber frame and thick felt covering designed to withstand the mountain climate. Inside, they’re simply furnished with beds or sleeping mats around a central wood-burning stove, decorated with local shyrdak felt rugs and bright accessories that showcase the artisanal heritage of the Kyrgyz nomadic herders. Electricity and basic solar-heated showers bring welcome comfort against the chill of the highlands — the altitude means nights here can dip below freezing, even in summer.
Meals are served in the communal dining yurt, where traditional Kyrgyz dishes, such as beshbarmak noodles, samsa pastries, or borsok dough treats, are prepared from locally sourced ingredients and eaten at wooden tables. Facilities are shared and simple, with latrines and water sourced from nearby springs.
OUR OPINION:
This is a wonderfully authentic stay, where the raw wilderness of the landscape, the immersion into a nomadic lifestyle, and the dramatically shifting weather across the steppe leave an indelible impression on your trip.
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Photos of Ak-Sai Yurt Camp
Dinner at Song-Kul Lake
Traditional Yurt on the South Shore, Song-Kul Lake
Traditional yurt on the South Shore, Song-Kul Lake
Ak Sai Camp, Song-Kul
Traditional Yurt on the South Shore, Song-Kul Lake
Traditional Yurt on the South Shore, Song-Kul Lake
Ak Sai Camp, Song-Kul
Traditional Yurt on the South Shore, Song-Kul Lake
Traditional Yurt on the South Shore, Song-Kul Lake
Sleeping arrangements in a traditional yurt
Traditional Yurt on the South Shore, Song-Kul Lake
Ak Sai Camp, Song-Kul
Rooms
You’ll sleep in private tents at Ak-Sai Yurt Camp, with each tent offering twin beds. Featuring woollen walls and handcrafted details, the yurts embrace the traditions of Kyrgyz nomadic life. Local shyrdak felt rugs bring bursts of vibrant ruby to the floors, while the zinging hues of the woven textiles and simple accessories reflect the artistry of mountain herders. Beds or sleeping mats are arranged around a central wood-burning stove, ensuring warmth once the sun dips and temperatures fall.
The design is unfussy yet atmospheric, blending practicality with heritage. Though toilets and showers are in a separate shared block, the yurts themselves provide electricity for small comforts and the welcoming glow of firelight at night.
Location
This is a wild, unspoiled location, surrounded by open grassland deep in the Tian Shan mountains. Don’t expect shops or any signs of modern life. Instead, you’ll embrace the nomadic lifestyle, sleeping in yurts as the herders’ livestock of horses, sheep, and yaks graze freely on the summer pastures around your camp.
Food and drink
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner served in the dining yurt.
- A mix of Kyrgyz and European meals on offer.
Song-Kul Lake and nearby places
- Lake Issyk-Kul 70 miles away
- Bishkek 81 miles away
- Karakol 174 miles away