The majestic Tien Shan, the tops-thousandths and glacial lakes-94% of the area of Kyrgyzstan are occupied by mountains. Prepare durable boots and a spacious backpack: after reading the article, you will definitely want to wave to Kyrgyzstan for excellent hiking.
It is easy to get to the country now. Direct flights of Aeroflot, Victory, Ural Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Smartavia and Avia Traffic Company are flying to Bishkek from Moscow.
Issyk-Kul
It is impossible to come to Kyrgyzstan and not visit the Issyk-Kul. This is one of the largest and deepest lakes in the world, it is located at an altitude of 1,608 m above sea level in the tectonic hollow. Issyk-Kul is surrounded by the ridges of Kyungi-Ala-Too and Terskaya-Ala-Too. It is believed that in terms of water transparency, the reservoir is second only to Baikal, the appearance here reaches 20 m in depth. Basically, they come here in the summer for the sake of a beach holiday, but in winter Issyk-Kul admires its beauty.
On the northern shore of the lake there are a large number of resorts and public beaches, and the southern coast is famous for nature. The most popular places on Issyk-Kul are the cities of Cholpon-Ata and Karakol, the resort villages of Bosteri, Sary-oh, Chok-Tal, Bulan-Seloetta, Chon-Sarya, Tamchy, as well as the Barscoon gorges, Jeta-Oguz, Grigoryevskoye and Semenovskoye. Beach tourism is concentrated mainly on the northern coast from the village of Tamchy to the village of Corumdu. They bathe in the lake from mid -June to the end of August.
From Bishkek, regular buses go to popular tourist cities and villages.
Semenovskoye Gorge (Kyrchyn)
Perhaps this is the largest and most famous gorge on the northern shore of Issyk-Kul. It is located about 30 km from the village of Cholpon-Ata on the road from Bishkek. To study the surroundings, it is better to start from the village of Semenovka: from there, an asphalt road along the Chon-Ak-Suu river leads to the mountains. When heading for it, you will go out to the summer pasture (gylo) to a height of 2,010 m above sea level, where Chon-Ak-Suu meets with Kichi-Ak-Suu: this is the historical place of the Aksakalov Congress. This is the name of the head of the family and elders in the Turkic peoples. Around there are many tracking routes of various complexity, allowing you to fully enjoy the beauty of the gorge.
From June to the end of September, a legal entity was opened in the gorge; Although it can not be compared in terms of amenities with familiar hotels, a stay here gives an inconsistent authentic experience – you can feel like a real nomad. Together with travelers, Kyrgyz families live here, who will tell about the history and culture of their people, prepare traditional dishes, and also teach crafts and riding.
Grigorievsky Gorge
It is located 60 km from the city of Cholpon-Ata. Here you are waiting for a mountain river, coniferous massifs and endless meadows. As a rule, they come here with a one -day tour, but if you wish, you can stay longer, stopping in one of the yurt camps. A good -quality gravel road has been laid to the gorge, you can even go along it on a low -profile. Horse campaigns to high -mountain lakes, forests or poppy fields are also popular here.
Where to stop to visit Issyk-Kul and gorges:
- At Azimut in Balykchi (score 9.2) – from 2,100 rubles per day*.
- In Paris Resort Issyk-Kul in Choktal (estimate 10)-from 7,200 rubles per day*.
- In the house for the vacation “Cottage on Issyk-Kul” in Choktal (estimate 10)-from 10,800 rubles per day*.
Tien Shan and Highland Lakes
The mining system of 88 ridges passes through all of Kyrgyzstan and divides the country into the northern and southern parts. On their territory, many natural reserves have spread. Tien Shan is one of the highest mountains on the planet: more than 30 peaks here exceed a mark of 6,000 m, and in Kyrgyzstan they are called the “heavenly mountains.”
Climans and athletes strive to conquer the peak of victory-the highest point of the Tien Shan, 7,439 m high. The ascent requires good physical shape, high-quality equipment and experience: this adventure will not be suitable for beginners. Another majestic peak, Khan-Tengri, stands on the boundaries of three states-Kyrgyzstan, China and Kazakhstan. Those who just want to begin to conquer the mountains can go on a hiking campaign to the basic camps on the glaciers of the South Enilchek or Northern Inolchek. And in winter, ski resorts open on the slopes of the Tien Shan: ski and snowboard lovers can come, for example, to the slopes of Orlovka, Chunkurchak, Ak-Tyuz or Kashka-Suu. The season lasts from December to April.
The Tian-Shan mountains are also famous for their unique picturesque lakes. At the junction of two ice sleeves of the Southern and Northern INLECKS there is an unusual “disappearing” reservoir – Merzbacher. Twice a year, in winter and summer, it dumps all the water over the vale channels into expiring rivers in a week. After that, on the exposed bottom you can see ice blocks similar to icebergs.
Lake Sonköl
The most large natural fresh pond of Kyrgyzstan, surrounded by alpine meadows. It is located at an altitude of about 3 016 m, and you can get to it only in the summer. Translated from the Kyrgyz, the name means “Lake, where wild ducks live.” It is not surprising that ornithologists have chosen it, because here you can see such unique birds as a mountain goose, black stork and a beautiful beautiful crane; Snow leses, foxes and wolves live in the coastal forests, Edelweiss and healing herbs grow in the green meadows by the lake, horses and sheep graze. In the vicinity, an ancient rock painting was discovered, capturing scenes from the life of primitive shepherds, and on the northern shore there is the mausoleum of the national hero Tilak Baatyr, erected at the end of the 19th century. The road to Sonyl from Bishkek will take about 6-7 hours, it is better to choose an SUV for a trip.
Sary-Chelek
One of the most beautiful high-mountain lakes of Tien Shan, which is part of the biosphere reserve of the same name. Around there are gorges with a dozen sonorous streams, the slopes of the northern shore are covered with dense forests of fragrant fir trees and firs, and the southern – hazel. The surrounding spaces are a combination of mountain taiga and alpine meadows. Capricorns live here, and local residents are sure that to meet them – to great happiness and an ambulance. On the south-east side of Sarah-Chelek there are several other not very large, but no less picturesque lakes: Kyla-Kol, Iri-Kok, Choch-Kol and Krugoye. In most of them, fishing is prohibited, but fans of sitting with a fishing rod can always go fishing on Sary Chelek itself.
Karakol
The fourth largest city of Kyrgyzstan is convenient to use as a starting point for going to glaciers, mountains and waterfalls of the central Tien Shan. Karakol itself is surrounded by majestic mountains. In winter, skiers and snowboarders come here, and in the summer – fans of the jipping and equestrian campaigns.
There are many interesting places in Karakola’s near the vicinity of Karakola: this is the same name-channel, and the Kashka-Suu glacial Lake, and the ice Aksui wall, and the Forty Kosichka waterfall. In Karakol, you can stop to explore the numerous natural attractions in a car or with excursions.
Where to stay in Karakol:
- In the hostel of Interhouse Karakol (rating 9.4) – from 2,900 rubles per day*.
- Hotel Hotel 78 CAFE (score 9.6) – from 5,000 rubles per day*.
- In the three -star hotel My Hotel Karakol (score 9.7) – from 5,000 rubles per day*.
Jets-Oguz (rocks of seven oxen)
The gorge is located 28 km from Karakol, on the northern slope of the Teresa Ala-Too ridge. The mountains are covered with lush vegetation, but the soil of the rocks has a reddish tint, which is why the gorge is often compared with the American Grand Canyon. As the local legend says, the rocks were painted with blood: the evil khan stole the bride from his enemy, but instead of marrying, he killed her. The most interesting locations of the Jeta-Oguz are the Ak-Daloi Mountain Lake and the Cock-Digloo waterfall 20 m high, as well as the rock “broken heart”, to which the couples in love come.
The gorge is very picturesque: in the summer, poppies, mountain edelweis and alpine daisies bloom here, and vultures, eagles, pheasants, grouse, snow leopards, bears, mountain barans-arhara and roe deer live in the vicinity. You can relax after an active day in nature in the 1932 health resort of the same name.
Köl-ah
Highland Lake of glacial origin at an altitude of 3,500 m in the heart of the Aksakai Valley, not far from the border with China. Interestingly, this reservoir is very young: it appeared after the landslide gathering in the 1980s. Landscapes are striking: bright emergency water, mountain pastures with grazing herds of yaks, fast rivers and peaks of glaciers on the horizon. Nearby there is a spacious cave that looks like a small gap in a rock outside.
It’s hard to drive to Köl-Suu with their own strokes (even navigators are not building a route), so it is better to join the tourist group on SUVs leaving Karakol. The final part of the path is very swampy, it will have to overcome it on foot or riding on horses.
Altyn-Arashan
The gorge, the name of which translates as a “golden source”, is only 10 km from Karakol. It is widely known thanks to its hot mineral terms, in which you can swim all year round. The first resort appeared here in 1963, but some sources still remain wild and can boast of only man -made stone baths. As the locals say, the diseases of the joints, digestive organs, liver, kidneys and heart are going here.
Altyn-Arashan is also amazing landscapes: one slope of the gorge with a thick spruce forest, and the other with a carpet of mountain herbs and flowers. Marals, bears, groundhogs, mountain goats and wild boars live here. Go on a hiking campaign to the lakes of Kashka-Suu and Ala-Köl or to the Sharkyratma, Tash-Tektir and Kuldurek waterfalls. It is also convenient to use this place as a basic camp and a transshipment point on the way to Lake Ala-Kul, to the Ak-Suu gorge or the Jeta-Oguz valley.
Barskun
The gorge is known for its high waterfalls, cutting out thick coniferous forests. There are four waterfalls with very romantic folk names: “Bars Tears”, “Aksakala beard”, “Champagne spray” and “Manas Cup”. It is interesting that tourists, exploring the gorge, can stumble upon the monument to the first astronaut Yuri Gagarin: it turns out that he loved this place very much and once rested in the Tamga military sanatorium, which is nearby. Many of small rivers running along the valley are gold -bearing, and on sunny days bright glare of precious sand are visible.
A good asphalt road passes along the gorge, so Barskown is one of the few natural beauties of Kyrgyzstan, where it is easy to get by a car.
Where to stop:
- In the guest house kөөkөp guest house – from 2,900 rubles per day*.
- In the camping lawyers Jurten Camp Almalu (estimate 8.7)-from 2,800 rubles per day*.
- In the guesthus and camping Aktan (score 9.5) – from 2,900 rubles per day*.
River Naryn
This is the largest water artery of Kyrgyzstan 807 km long, crossing the whole country from east to west. Her stormy waters flow through gorges and mountain valleys. For example, along the left bank, almost parallel to the flow, the Naryntau Range spread. Of course, it is quite difficult to go around the entire valley of the river, but some places should definitely see. Stunning views open on the way to Lake Sarah-Chelek. On the banks of the river are the cities of Naryn, Tash-Kumyr and Uchkurgan.
Where to stop:
- In the Guest House House Jamal (rating 9.2) – from 1,100 rubles per day*.
- In the Hotel Rzheenkan 1 (rating 9.0) – from 2,200 rubles per day*.
- At the ASKA Hotel hotel (rating 7.9) – from 3,900 rubles per day*.
*Prices are relevant at the time of publication.
Convenient site search site – OneTwotrip.
