Chunkurchak Gorge is the highest mountain gorge closest to Bishkek, popular among Bishkek residents and guests of the capital. It is located near Bishkek and stretches for almost 30 km. Chunkurchak Gorge is located at an altitude of 2,400 m . Translated from the Kyrgyz language Chunkurchak means “hollow”. Chunkurchak is considered one of the most beautiful gorges of Kyrgyzstan. Here you can observe a colorful symbiosis of snow-capped peaks, green alpine meadows, coniferous forests and reddened earth. On the approach to Chunkurchak, a beautiful panorama opens – the business card of the Chui Valley. If you want to enjoy the coolness of the water, go to the Pigeon Waterfall, whose height is about 35 m. The countless splashes crashing against the rocks are mesmerizing.
There are four ski resorts located in the valley, which in the summer serve as treatment centers and rest homes. In winter, people ski, snowboard and sledge here.The sharp cliffs of the gorge attract climbers and rock climbers. Some rocks are covered with snow and ice even in winter. Every year there are competitions in gloomy tourism, during which climbers climb to the top using ice-climbing equipment.
Chunkurchak is also visited by cyclists and lovers of Scandinavian walking. The territory of Chunkurchak is part of the national biological reserve. It was created to protect rare species of tulips. For example, a royal tulip grows in this gorge, the flowers of which can reach 18 cm in length. The famous variety of tulip “Zinaida” also grows here. In spring, thousands of tulips can be seen in Chunkurchak, turning green fields into a sea of red.
When visiting the Chunkurchak Gorge, it is recommended to use the services of experienced guides.An ethnic complex is also located in the gorge . Here tourists can taste dishes of national cuisine and stay for a few days in hotels and yurts. Above Chunkurchak there is an exit to the Tatyr Gorge. Not far from Chunkurchak is the Bir-Kulak gorge, famous for its thousands of raspberry bushes.
