The majestic Tien Shan, six-thousander peaks and glacial lakes – 94% of the area of Kyrgyzstan is occupied by mountains. Prepare durable boots and a roomy backpack: after reading the article, you will definitely want to go to Kyrgyzstan for excellent hiking.
Getting to the country is not difficult now. Direct flights from Aeroflot, Pobeda, Ural Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Smartavia and Avia Traffic Company fly to Bishkek from Moscow; the flight takes about 5 hours.
Issyk-Kul
It is impossible to come to Kyrgyzstan and not visit 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 a tectonic depression. Issyk-Kul is surrounded by the Kungoy-Ala-Too and Terskey-Ala-Too ridges. It is believed that in terms of water transparency, the reservoir is second only to Baikal; visibility here reaches 20 m in depth. Mostly people come here in the summer for a beach holiday, but in winter Issyk-Kul delights with its beauty.
The northern shore of the lake has a large number of resorts and public beaches, while the southern shore is famous for its nature. The most popular places in Issyk-Kul are the cities of Cholpon-Ata and Karakol, the resort villages of Bosteri, Sary-Oy, Chok-Tal, Bulan-Sögettyu, Chon-Sary-Oy, Tamchy, as well as the gorges of Barskoon, Dzhety-Oguz, Grigorievskoe and Semyonovskoe. Beach tourism is concentrated mainly on the northern coast from the village of Tamchy to the village of Korumdu. They swim in the lake from mid-June to the end of August.
Regular buses run from Bishkek to popular tourist cities and villages.
Semenovskoe 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 explore the surrounding area, it is better to start from the village of Semyonovka: from there an asphalt road leads to the mountains along the Chon-Ak-Suu River. Heading along it, you will come to a summer pasture (jailoo) at an altitude of 2,010 m above sea level, where Chon-Ak-Suu meets Kichi-Ak-Suu: this is a historical meeting place for elders. This is what the heads of the clan and elders are called in the Turkic peoples. There are many trekking routes of varying difficulty around, allowing you to fully enjoy the beauty of the gorge.
From June to the end of September, a yurt camp is open in the gorge; Although it does not compare in terms of amenities with usual hotels, staying here gives you an authentic experience like no other – you can feel like a real nomad. Along with travelers, Kyrgyz families live here, who will talk about the history and culture of their people, prepare traditional dishes, and also teach crafts and horse riding.
Grigorievskoe Gorge
Located 60 km from the city of Cholpon-Ata. Here you will find a mountain river, coniferous tracts and endless meadows. As a rule, people come here on a one-day excursion, but if you wish, you can stay longer by staying in one of the yurt camps. There is a good quality gravel road leading to the gorge; you can drive along it even in a small car. Horseback riding to alpine lakes, forests or poppy fields is also popular here.
Where to stay to visit Issyk-Kul and gorges:
At the Azimut hotel in Balykchy (rating 9.2) — from 2,100 rubles per night*.
In the apartments Paris Resort Issyk-Kul in Choktal (score 10) —from 7,200 rubles per day*.
In the holiday home “Cottage on Issyk-Kul” in Choktal (score 10) – from 10,800 rubles per day*.
Tian Shan and high mountain lakes
A mountain system of 88 ridges runs through the whole of Kyrgyzstan and divides the country into northern and southern parts. There are many nature reserves on their territory. The Tien Shan is one of the highest mountains on the planet: more than 30 peaks here exceed the 6,000 m mark, and in Kyrgyzstan they are called the “Heavenly Mountains”.
Climbers and athletes strive to conquer Pobeda Peak, the highest point of the Tien Shan at 7,439 m. Climbing requires good physical fitness, high-quality equipment and experience: this adventure is not suitable for beginners. Another majestic peak, Khan Tengri, stands on the borders of three states – Kyrgyzstan, China and Kazakhstan. Those who just want to start conquering the mountains can go on a hike to the base camps on the South Inylchek or North Inylchek glaciers. 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 Tien Shan Mountains are also famous for their unique picturesque lakes. At the junction of two ice branches of the Southern and Northern Inylcheks there is an unusual “disappearing” body of water – Merzbacher. Twice a year, in winter and summer, it discharges all the water in a week through under-ice channels into flowing rivers. After this, ice blocks similar to icebergs can be seen on the exposed bottom.
Song-Kol Lake
The largest natural freshwater reservoir in Kyrgyzstan, surrounded by alpine meadows. It is located at an altitude of about 3,016 m and can only be reached in summer. Translated from 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 the bar-headed goose, black stork and demoiselle crane; Snow leopards, foxes and wolves live in the coastal forests, edelweiss and medicinal herbs grow in the green meadows near the lake, horses and sheep graze. Ancient rock paintings were discovered in the surrounding area, depicting scenes from the life of primitive shepherds, and on the northern shore stands the mausoleum of the national hero Tailak Baatyr, erected at the end of the 19th century. The road to Sonkel from Bishkek will take about 6-7 hours, it is better to choose an SUV for the trip.
Sary-Chelek
One of the most beautiful high-mountain lakes of the Tien Shan, part of the biosphere reserve of the same name. Around there are gorges with a dozen clear streams, the slopes of the northern shore are covered with dense forests of fragrant spruce and fir, and the southern shore is covered with hazel. The surrounding expanses are a combination of mountain taiga and alpine meadows. Rare ibex animals live here, and local residents are sure that meeting them will bring great happiness and quick success. On the south-eastern side of Sary-Chelek there are several more not very large, but no less picturesque lakes: Kyla-Kol, Iri-Kol, Chocha-Kol and Krugloye. In most of them, fishing is prohibited, but those who like to sit with a fishing rod can always go fishing on Sary-Chelek itself.
Karakol
The fourth largest city in Kyrgyzstan is convenient to use as a starting point for hikes to the 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 summer, fans of jeeping and horseback riding come here.
There are many interesting places in the immediate vicinity of Karakol: this is the gorge-canyon of the same name, and the glacial lake Kashka-Suu, and the ice Aksu wall, and the “Forty Braids” waterfall. You can stop in Karakol to explore the many natural attractions by car or with excursions.
Where to stay in Karakol:
At the Interhouse Karakol hostel (rating 9.4) — from 2,900 rubles per day*.
At the Hotel 78 Cafe (rating 9.6) — from 5,000 rubles per day*.
In the three-star hotel My hotel Karakol (rating 9.7) – from 5,000 rubles per day*.
Jety-Oguz (Seven Oxen Rocks)
The gorge is located 28 km from Karakol, on the northern slope of the Terskey 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 to the American Grand -Canyon. As local legend says, the rocks were stained with blood: the evil khan stole a bride from his enemy, but instead of marrying, he killed her. The most interesting locations of Jety-Oguz are the mountain lake Ak-Jailoo and the Kok-Jailoo waterfall, 20 m high, as well as the “Broken Heart” rock, which is visited by couples in love.
The gorge is very picturesque: in summer poppies, mountain edelweiss and alpine daisies bloom here, and in the surrounding area live vultures, eagles, pheasants, black grouse, snow leopards, bears, mountain argali sheep and roe deer. You can relax after an active day in nature in the health resort of the same name, built in 1932.
Kel-Suu
An alpine lake of glacial origin at an altitude of 3,500 m in the heart of the Aksakai Valley, near the border with China. It is interesting that this reservoir is very young: it appeared after a landslide in the 1980s. The landscapes are amazing: bright emerald water, mountain pastures with grazing herds of yaks, fast rivers and glacier peaks on the horizon. Nearby there is a spacious cave, which from the outside looks like a small gap in the rock.
It’s difficult to get to Kel-Suu on your own (even navigators don’t build the route), so it’s better to join a tourist group on SUVs leaving Karakol. The final part of the path is very swampy, you will have to overcome it on foot or on horseback.
Altyn-Arashan
The gorge, whose name translates as “golden spring”, is located just 10 km from Karakol. It is widely known for its hot mineral baths, where you can bathe all year round. The first resort appeared here in 1963, but some springs still remain wild and can boast only man-made stone baths. As local residents say, people come here to treat diseases of the joints, digestive organs, liver, kidneys and heart.
Altyn-Arashan also offers amazing landscapes: one slope of the gorge is covered with a dense spruce forest, and the other with a carpet of mountain herbs and flowers. Deer, bears, marmots, mountain goats and wild boars live here. Go on a hike to the Kashka-Suu and Ala-Kol lakes or to the Sharkyratma, Tash-Tektir and Kuldurek waterfalls. This place is also convenient to use as a base camp and transit point on the way to Lake Ala-Kul, to the Ak-Suu gorge or the Jety-Oguz valley.
Barskaun
The gorge is known for its high waterfalls cutting through dense coniferous forests. There are four waterfalls with very romantic folk names: “Tears of a Leopard”, “Beard of an Elder”, “Splash of Champagne” and “Bowl of Manas”. It is interesting that tourists, while exploring the gorge, may stumble upon a monument to the first cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin: it turns out that he loved this place very much and once rested in the Tamga military sanatorium, located nearby. Many of the small rivers that run through the valley are gold-bearing, and on sunny days the bright reflections of the precious sand are visible.
There is a good asphalt road through the gorge, so Barskaun is one of the few natural beauties of Kyrgyzstan that is easily accessible by car.
Where to stay:
In the guest house Kөөkөp Guest House – from 2,900 rubles per day*.
In camping yurts Jurten Camp Almaluu (rating 8.7) — from 2,800 rubles per day*.
At the Aktan guesthouse and camping (rating 9.5) – from 2,900 rubles per day*.
Naryn River
This is the largest waterway in Kyrgyzstan, 807 km long, crossing the entire country from east to west. Its stormy waters flow through gorges and mountain valleys. For example, along the left bank, almost parallel to the current, stretches the Naryntau ridge. Of course, it is quite difficult to travel around the entire river valley, but some places are definitely worth seeing. Stunning views open up on the road to Lake Sary-Chelek. On the banks of the river stand the cities of Naryn, Tash-Kumyr and Uchkurgan.
Where to stay:
In the guest house Guest House Jamal (rating 9.2) – from 1,100 rubles per day*.
At the Zheenkan 1 Hotel (rating 9.0) — from 2,200 rubles per day*.
At the Aska Hotel (rating 7.9) – from 3,900 rubles per night*.
*Prices are current at the time of publication.
