Destinations

Ysyk-Kol is the largest lake in Kyrgyzstan and the second largest among mountain lakes in the world. It is located in the central part of the country, within the Ala-Too, at an altitude of 1,609 meters above sea level. The lake is about 182 kilometers long and up to 60 kilometers wide, its area is about 1,750 square kilometers. The maximum depth of Ysyk-Kol reaches 668 meters, which makes it one of the deepest lakes in the world. Ysyk- Kol is famous not only for its size, but also for its beautiful natural landscapes, unique flora and fauna, as well as thermal springs, which attract tourists from all over the world.

Lenin Peak is the mountain peak of the Chon-Alai Range on the border of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. One of the "seven-thousandths" - the highest peaks of Central Asia, located in the Pamir mountain system (7134 m). Lenin peak is considered relatively easy, and therefore is one of the most popular peak climbers among the climbers.

The Song Kol Lake is located in the southwestern part of the Naryn province, within a basin between the Song Kol Too and Moldo Too mountain ridges, at an altitude of 3016 meters. It is the second largest lake, after Issyk-Kul, with a surface area of 278 km2 and a maximum depth of 14 meters. The lake is fed by several mountain rivers. The spacious meadows around the lake have been used as summer pastures by nomadic shepherds since the ancient times

Fairy Tale Canyon is one of the most interesting places in Kyrgyzstan, filled with fantastic sandy forms, thanks to which the canyon got its sonorous name. Over the millennia of erosion, red sandstone has taken shape, resembling the outlines of fabulous monsters and ancient castles from ancient legends. Some of the natural sculptures in the canyon have their own names. The most recognizable is the “Chinese wall”, very reminiscent of the famous monument of architecture of China. It is worth adding that in winter there is almost no snow, and therefore you can see the Tale in all its glory at any time of the year. The canyon is located very close to the road and the lake shore, and therefore it is an excellent option for resting.

The natural treasure of the Inner Tien-Shan Mountains, the valley located between the ridges of Kyrgyz and Talas Ala-Too is called Suusamyr. The valley is situated at the altitude of 2000-3200 m and has an extension about 155 km. In winter there are deep drifts of snow, and in summer almost the whole of the valley, like an alpine meadow, is covered with a carpet of tall green grass.

Sary Chelek Lake is located on the territory of the Sary Chelek State Biosphere Reserve, at an altitude of 1940 meters. The lake covers an area of 507 hectares, has a length of 7.5 km, and a depth of 234 meters. It is the second and third deepest lake in Kyrgyzstan. The coastline is covered with dense forests and rocky places in some areas. Sary Chelek is fed by several mountain rivers. The water temperature in summer does not exceed 19 °C and in winter ranges from 0 °C to 4 °C. The Sary Chelek State Biosphere Reserve (area 23,8 ha) is included in UNESCO’s international network of nature reserves. It was established to preserve the flora and fauna of the walnut forests and alpine landscapes.

The walnut forests of Arslanbob are a rare masterpiece of nature with their beauty and diversity of plant species. This picturesque area is located 50 kilometers north of the city of Jalal Abad. The territory, with an overall area of 608,500 hectares is home to 130 different tree and shrub species. The most common plants are walnut trees, providing 200-400 kg of fruit per year. A common legend says that Alexander the Great came to these lands in 329 BC and was so delighted by the taste of the nuts, he brought them back home and cultivated them, later spreading them all throughout Greece.

Köl-Kogur Lake is located in Chon-Kemin National Park, among the picturesque mountains of Küngei Ala-Too. Access to the lake is possible only on foot or on horseback, this gives lovers of horseback riding and hiking enjoy the amazing landscapes of the area.

Köl Kogur is located at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level. The landscapes around the lake are virgin and incredibly beautiful, there are dense coniferous forests where various wild animals live, such as deer, Turkestan lynx, golden eagles and others.

The Kegety Gorge is located 75 km from the city of Bishkek on the northern slope of Kyrgyz Ala-Too, and has rich flora. Tall grasslands, barberry, rowan, wild rose, and fir forests largely contribute to the beauty of the gorge. The Kegety river, which flows through the gorge, has many tributaries. The largest of them is the the Kel-Tor river (the right tributary) which flows down through a smaller gorge with beautiful landscape. The main source of the Kel-Tor river flows through moraine passes under the ground and breaks out roaring at a certain point in a forested area. Natural and climatic features of the Kegety Gorge are favorable for hiking and trekking, as well as picnics.

Jyrgalan Valley is an amazing mountain valley located in the eastern part of the Issyk-Kul region. This is a rare example of a mountain valley in this part of the Tien Shan, teeming with steep slopes and peaked peaks. “Jyrgal” - translated from Kyrgyz - “pleasure”. An - "Valley". The Jyrgalan Valley is 2,300 meters above sea level, making it an ideal place for adventure regardless of season. The valley has a unique microclimate, a hike along the gorges of the Terskey Ala-Too ridge - this is a magnificent combination of the brightest and richest mountain landscapes and the romance of tourist adventures, it is never too hot in the summer, it is never too cold in the winter.

Located at an altitude of 1500-4895 meters above sea level, 41 km from Bishkek, and occupying an area of ​​approximately 20 hectares, the Ala-Archa National Park includes all landscape and climatic zones. A river with the same name flows through the gorge. The beautiful landscape and richness of flora and fauna in the park allows it to be used for hiking, recreation, and leisure all year round.

There is an amazingly beautiful valley called Chong-Kemin between Kungey Ala-Too and Ile Alatau ranges that stretches more than 100 km from east to west. The river in the valley is also called Chong Kemin and it flows into the Chu river where the Boom Gorge starts. It is a well known destination among white water rafting and kayaking enthusiasts. The valley covers the territory of the Chong-Kemin State Nature Park. The park is the habitat of animals such as alpine ibex, argalis, martens, ermines, rock partridges, snow leopards, deer, Turkestan lynxex, golden eagles, saker falcons, and bearded vultures. In the park, there is also the mausoleum of Shabdan Baatyr, a Kyrgyz historic figure who took active role in accession of Kyrgyz people to the Russian Empire in the 19th century.

Lake Kol-Tor, one of the most beautiful lakes of Kyrgyzstan, it is located in the homonymous gorge. The lake itself and the colour of the lake is very fascinating. The weather determines colour of the lake. When you look at the lake in cloudy weather, it has milky kind of colour, but in sunny day, it has turguosish colour. Flora of the gorge is very rich and beautiful: spruce forest and different kind of flowers.

Tash-Rabat (also Tashrabat) is an ancient caravanserai located in the territory of Naryn region, not far from the border with China. It was one of the key parts of the ancient Great Silk Road. The caravanserai is located at an impressive altitude of 3100 meters in the southern part of the At-Bashi ridge. Numerous caravans laden with oriental goods from China had been founding shelter for centuries here. The history of Tash-Rabat goes back to ancient times. Back in the 2th-1th centuries. BC. e. and in the 1th-2th centuries. AD Caravans of merchants used to go around this area. Later the main route of the Silk Road had changed but still, the place was used by trade caravans. In the 10th-11th centuries, a monastery was founded here. According to different versions, either Buddhist or Christian, which fell into decay. On its remains in the 14th-15th centuries, a caravanserai was built, one of the four most important in Central Asia. This is a splendidly preserved cultural and historical monument, unique in its kind in Kyrgyzstan and one of the most important remnants of the Great Silk Road.

Ala-Kol Lake is a large high- mountain glacial lake, located in the eastern part of the Terskey Ala-Too Range on the southern shore of Lake Ysyk-Kol, near the city of Karakol. The lake is located in a vast basin between the Karakol and Altyn-Arashan Canyons and has no runoff. The name of the lake from Kyrgyz translates as “a motley lake” which fits perfectly to this place. Ala- Kol really amazes with its colors: bright turquoise water adjoins with mountains, snow, green grass and flowers. In addition to the lake, tourists are also attracted by the trekking route that leads to the lake. There are two routes to the lake: through the picturesque Karakol Gorge or the amazing Altyn-Arashan Gorge, but in this case it is necessary to overcome the Ala-Kol pass (altitude 3900 meters). Many tourists use the circular route with an entrance to one gorge and an exit from another.

Chunkurchak is a picturesque mountain gorge located just 40 km from Bishkek. This place attracts tourists all year round due to its variety of activities. In winter, there is a popular ski resort with slopes for skiing, and in the warm season, guests can enjoy rest in cozy yurts, glampings and get acquainted with the culture of nomads in the ethno-complex. Magnificent landscapes, clean mountain air and convenient infrastructure make Chunkurchak a great place for rest and adventure in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan.

The Kel-Suu Lake is located in the Naryn province, in the Kakshaal Too range of Inner Tien Shan, situated at an altitude of 3400 meters above sea level. It is quite close to the Chinese border. Surrounded by high rocky cliffs, it was formed as a result of large rockfall that blocked the narrow channel of the river. Kel-Suu stretches for more than 12 km and is 2 km wide. The depth varies, depending on the season of the year - reaching the maximum depth towards the end of summer as a result of the melting snow and ice in the mountains. The water in the lake is fresh and exhibits a greenish color. One can experience the lake in its full beauty by going for a ride on a motorboat.

The Sulaiman Too mountain is located in the center of Osh city. It is the first UNESCO World Heritage Site listed from Kyrgyzstan. Some historical and theological works, written sources, and ancient manuscripts mention that 366 of the 124 thousand prophets sent down by God in human history had visited this mountain. The mountain has has been considered a sacred place as evidenced by the paintings in the caves on the slopes of the mountain. Sulaiman Too is a historical and architectural complex at the top and on the slopes of the mountain, where many historical monuments of different eras - such as caves with ancient petroglyphs, the Takht-i Suleiman Mosque, Ravat Abdulla Mosque, the Asaf ibn Burhiya Mausoleum, and the historical museum with a rich collection of archaeological, ethnographic, and zoological exhibits - can be found. Almost every one of these places is a unique ritual object, surrounded by a veil of mystery and legend.

Highland Alai Valley is located in the southernmost area of Kyrgyzstan. This tectonic depression is bounded on the north and south by Alai and Trans-Alai ranges, respectively. It is located 2240-3536 meters above sea level, the average height is 3000 meters. The valley stretches 174 km from west to east. The width varies between 3 to 40 km. The area is 8400 km2 . Despite its cold and dry climate, the valley is rich in succulent summer pastures. It is home to various wildlife, including rock partridge, ular, foxes, Alai red marmots, bears and mountain goats.

The tract Saimaluu-Tash (Saimaly Tash) is one of the largest rock art galleries - petroglyphs in the world. More than one hundred thousand drawings are marked here. Saimaluu Tash is located south of the village Kazarman of the Jalalabad region of Kyrgyzstan in the mountains of the Fergana Range at an altitude of 3000-3200 m. Saimaluu-Tash in Kyrgyz means a patterned, painted stone.
Petroglyphs of Saimaluu-Tash belong to different epochs: from deep antiquity (II millennium BC) to the Middle Ages. They are applied to more than 10,000 large basalt stones randomly scattered over the area. Such a vast time range is fully consistent with the richness of plots, images and signs.

It is located at an altitude of 2300 m above sea level, on the slopes of Kungei Ala-Too, among the majestic coniferous forests. A mild climate due to the influence of the ice-free highland lake Issyk-Kul, will allow you to get the maximum pleasure from riding. In winter, the air temperature during the day rarely drops below - 5 degrees, and a large number of sunny days allows you to skate and sunbathe simultaneously.
The length of the descents: from 800 meters to 4.5 kilometers.
The highest point of skiing: 3040 meters.
Height difference: 740 meters.
Minimum gradient: 7%.
Maximum bias: 53%.
The duration of the winter season: from November to April.

Burana Tower is one of the oldest structures of this kind in Central Asia, located 12 km south-west of the Kyrgyz city of Tokmok on the way to the Kegety gorge of the Kyrgyz range, on the left bank of the Chu River.
Its construction dates back to the 10th-11th centuries. To date, the height is 21, 7 meters. Burana Tower is part of the archaeological and architectural Kyrgyz museum and is protected by the state as a first-class monument of cultural heritage.
Near the tower there is a "garden of stones" in which are collected: the so-called "balbals" - ancient tombstones, ancient millstones, and stones with rock paintings.

Konorchek Canyon is an amazing tourist destination. It looks like a miniature Grand Canyon in the middle of the Tian-Shan Mountains! Thousands of years of soil erosion have made this place incredible. The remains of volcanoes for Kyrgyzstan are an exceptional phenomenon due to the fact that Central Asia has almost no traces of volcanoes. Despite the fact that the canyon is in the middle of the mountains, the temperature here is on average warmer than in the Chui Valley. There is practically no snow in the winter and the temperature hardly drops below 40 degrees Celsius in summer. The way to the canyon passes along the canal of a long dried up river. At times, the rocks are so close that there is a passage about a meter and a half wide. A very unusual phenomenon for the Tien Shan. The hiking path to the canyon is 5 kilometers, but for fans of long hikes, there are many places to go because the canyon area is 200 km.

Altyn-Arashan (translation «Golden Spring») is a high mountain gorge in the eastern part of the Terskey-Ala-Too mountain range, located near the city of Karakol. This gorge is one of the most popular tourist places in Kyrgyzstan due to its unique nature, hot springs, spruce forests and stunning views. The territory of the gorge was recognized as a specially protected reserve zone due to the great natural diversity.The hot springs are located at an altitude of 2600 meters and have a curative effect due to the content of radon and hydrogen sulfide in the water. All the year round, the water temperature is 35 degrees for the radon source and 41 degrees for hydrogen sulfide. From the gorge it is possible to see famous Aksu Wall, also called Palatka Peak. In Altyn-Arashan there is a huge number of tourist routes. This place is used as a base camp for radial exit and as a starting point on the way to Ala-Kul lake, Ak-Suu gorge, Karakol and Jeti-Oguz valleys.

Chong Ak-Suu Gorge (also Semenov) is one of the most famous gorges on the northern shore of Lake Issyk Kul. It is located on the Küngey Ala-Too Ridge and has a length of 30 kilometers. In the depths of the gorge lies a small lake, which is called the Sacred because of its purity and transparency. The upper part of the gorge joins with the Grigoryev Gorge. The name of the gorge is in honor of the famous traveler Semenov-Tian-Shansky, who explored these places in the middle of the XIX century.

Kichi Ak-Suu Gorge is one of the most famous gorges on the northern shore of Lake Issyk Kul. It is located on the Küngey Ala-Too Ridge and has a length of 30 kilometers. In the depths of the gorge lies a small lake, which is called the Sacred because of its purity and transparency. The stormy mountain river Ak-Suu flows along the bottom of the gorge with the purest glacial water, and majestic Tien Shan firs rise on the slopes. In spring and summer, clean mountain air is filled with the aromas of alpine herbs. The spectacular World Nomad Games were held in the valley.

Barskoon Gorge is one of the most beautiful gorges on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul, famous for high waterfalls (Tears of the Leopard, Bowl of Manas, Sparkling Champagne and Beard Ak-Sakal) and dense spruce forests. The gorge is famous because it was visited by the first man who flew into space – Yuri Gagarin. The length of the Barskoon Gorge is about 30 kilometers. It stretches deep into the mountains of Terskey Ala-Too, reaching the high plateau (syrta) Arabel, which is separated from the gorge by a cascade of passes. The height of the passes in the Barskoon Gorge are very high and reach 4000 meters.

The Shamsi Gorge is in the eastern part of the Kyrgyz ridge, located near the town of Tokmok. This gorge is famous for its large number of forests and trees. There is also the so-called “Shah’s House”, which was built in 1968 for the Iranian Shah, who visited Kyrgyzstan. The gorge has a rich cultural history: for a long time, the Shamsi Pass and the Gorge were a connecting route between Kochkor and Chui Valleys. Next to the gorge is the famous Burana Tower. Nowadays the Shamsi Gorge is very popular as a connecting link for many tourist routes. From the gorge it is possible to get to the Kochkor Valley and then to Song Kol, in addition to the canyons of Konorchek and the Boom Gorge.

The picturesque Jeti Oguz gorge is located 28 km southwest of the town of Karakol. Its name in Kyrgyz means 'seven bulls,' referring to the seven large red-brown cliffs, reminiscent of seven fierce bulls. The Jaralangan Jurok (Broken Heart Rock), located at the entrance to the gorge, is especially aesthetically romantic. The Jeti Oguz Health Resort, located in the gorge, is well known for its geothermal springs. Another must-visit destination is Kyzdyn Koz Jashy (Maidens' Tears Waterfall), standing at 2500 meters high. Brooks running down along a 40 meter steep rock wall and forming hundreds of thousands of small streams and drops, truly captivating to the eye, resembles tears, giving the waterfall its name.

The Besh-Tash Nature Reserve is a large natural park located in the mountains of the Talas Range. It is located south of the city of Talas and includes the Besh-Tash, Kolba, Kumush-Tag and Urmaral Gorges. The height of the reserve varies from 1100 to 3500 meters above sea level. Besh-Tash translated from Kyrgyz means “five stones”. Such a specific name was given to the reserve because of the five stones standing in the Besh-Tash Gorge. There is an interesting legend about five thieves, who turned into stones due to their atrocities. The slopes of the gorges of the reserve are densely covered with Archa forests and are practically untouched by man. In addition to Archa, Tien-Shan spruce and fir occur here. The reserve includes eight mountain lakes, the largest is the Besh-Tash Lake, located in the same gorge.

Kol-Ukok Lake is nestled between two steep slopes in the Terskei Ala-Too Mountains. The steep surrounding slopes give Kol-Ukok its name, which means “lake in a chest”. The water is sweet and cold and reaches a maximum depth of 17m. Around the lake, the diversity and uniqueness of the flowers – from forget-me-not to the legendary edelweiss – will enchant you.

The Shaar waterfall at an altitude of 3200 meters is located in the Bash-Kaindy gorge in the Nyryn region. The height of the waterfall is 220 m, including cascades - 400 m. It is noted that Shaar is in the TOP-5 of the largest waterfalls in Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan is a country of waterfalls. Each waterfall in Kyrgyzstan should be written separately, as it is a true and unique masterpiece of a unique nature.

Inylchek (Engilchek) Ghost town - built at the end of the Soviet Union and abandoned after its collapse. To get to it, you need to go through a long and difficult path. It starts at Karakol and ends at the valley of the Sary-Jaz River. In this case, you will need to go through several small settlements and one gorge. This road is dominated by alpine meadows. They are spacious and lovely. You absolutely must see them. After their completion, the road will lead in a serpentine. It is breathtaking and captivates with its beautiful view. The Inylchek Glacier is about 50 km east of the town. The Inylchek Glacier is the largest glacier in the Tien Shan, in the upper reaches of the Inylchek River. It is located in the most inaccessible part of the Central Tien Shan - the Khan Tengri massif. The glacier stretches for 60.5 km, and the total area of glaciation exceeds 657 km². The thickness of the ice cover in the lower parts of Inylchek reaches 150-200 m, so the ice giant stores huge reserves of fresh water.

Kyzyl-Asker Peak (5842m) is the second highest summit after Dankova peak ( 5982 m ) in the western part of Kokshaal-Too range. The peak is situated at the SE border with China. Still few ascent on incredible red rocks between two enormous glaciers. The areas of Kyzyl -Asker and Dankova peak, spaced some tens kilometers apart, are the main centers of glaciation of Western Kokshaal-Too.

This is a valley of wild flowers and a waterfall called "Maiden Braids", located at an altitude of 2050 meters above sea level. Kok-Jaiyk is a "paradise place". This combination of natural attractions makes the valley an ideal place for hiking, as there are many options for travelers for a short or multi-day hike.

Kyrgyz-Ata is a nature reserve, 40 kilometers south of the city of Osh on the northern slope of the Alay Range. Most of the reserve is a botanical reserve, created to preserve the juniper forests, mountain tulips and saffron, which grows on the territory. Kyrgyz-Ata includes several gorges, including the Karagoy, Kaldai and Mazar tracts. In the highland part of the park there is the Pervomaisky Pass leading to the Kichi-Alai valley. Nookat mountain drawings are widely known, located in the canyon of Aravan Dangi, pierced by the Aravan-Say river. On the steep walls of the canyon with height 500 meters, it is possible to see images of animals, as well as various signs of religious significance left by primitive people. In addition, there are several mineral springs on the territory of the reserve. The most famous of them are the source of Tuya-Moyun and Eski-Nookat.

Manas-Ordo is a cultural and historical complex, housing the story of the famous epic hero of Kyrgyzstan, Manas. Manas is the hero of the epos, the biggest in the world, surpassing the famous Indian Mahabharata and Homer’s Illiad. The epos narrates about the Kyrgyz hero Manas, who returned the Kyrgyz from Altai to the Tien Shan and later defended them against Chinese raids. The epic is historical and therefore a significant part of the events described in it actually happened. Complex Manas Ordo was created to preserve the memory of such a significant phenomenon in the Kyrgyz culture. The most important attraction of the complex is the Manas Gumbez, ie its grave.

The Abshyr Ata waterfall is located 70 km from the city of Osh, in the Abshyr Sai valley (sitting 1500-2500 meters above sea level). One has to walk about 3 km along the river and through the gorge to see this unique creation of nature. A powerful water flow breaks out from a hole on a steep cliff (1.5-2 meters in diameter) at a height of 12-15 meters. The low-mineralized water is believed to have healing properties.

The Aigul Tash mountain is located at the entrance of the Kara Bulak village. It is home to an amazingly beautiful flower which red and yellow petals endemic to the area, called aigul, that blooms in April. According to legend, a maiden named Aigul was unable to withstand the news that the man that she loved had died in battle, and threw herself off the cliff of this very mountain. When spring came, wonderful flowers started growing in the places where the maiden’s drops of blood had fallen. People named the flowers Aigul and the mountain Aigul-Tash, after the maiden. The flower is listed in the Red Book.

The Uzgen minaret is located in the town of Uzgen, which became the capital of the Karakhanid Khanate in the 12th century. The minaret is part of The Uzgen Historical and Architectural Complex dating back to 11th-12th centuries. Due to strong earthquakes, the top of the minaret has been destroyed and now sits at a height of 27.5 meters, however the structure of the minaret suggests that it originally stood about 45 meters tall. The walls of the building are made of fired brick and are decorated with patterns. The purpose of the minaret was to call the people to commit the namaz (obligatory prayer of muslims) as well as serve as a watchtower.