Everyone who finds themselves in Kyrgyzstan should at least once see its gorges – breathtaking picturesque landscapes, one of the most beautiful natural attractions of the country.
1. Alamedin:
– Distance from Bishkek: About 30 km to the southeast.
– District: Alamedinsky district, Chui region.
– Description: It is known for its natural beauty, a variety of vegetation, including pine forests. It is popular for hiking and horseback riding. The Alamedin Gorge is one of the most famous in Kyrgyzstan. It is located near Bishkek. The river of the same name passes through Alamedin, which crosses the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The most convenient way to get into the gorge is through the village of Koi-Tash.
Alamedin Gorge is located at an altitude of 1800-2000 meters above sea level. There are waterfalls, many trees and shrubs, a birch grove, as well as stunning panoramas of the mountain peaks. The most famous are Aitmatov Peak and Kyrgyzstan Peak. Hundreds of animals and birds live in the gorge. In summer, horses and sheep graze on the green meadows, which are driven by shepherds. There are also dozens of medicinal plants growing here, which are usually collected, dried and added to tea.
2. The Boomsky gorge:
– Distance from Bishkek: Approximately 125 km to the northeast.
– District: Tokmoksky district, Chui region.
– Description: Here you will find mountain meadows, rock formations and diverse flora. Great for hiking and horseback riding tours.
125 kilometers from Bishkek towards Issyk-Kul, the road leads to the Boomsky Gorge, which is located in the eastern part of the Kyrgyz ridge and is the only corridor between Issyk-Kul and Bishkek.
The name Boom, literally meaning “evil spirit”, was given to the gorge for the fact that crossing it brought many difficulties and trials. The first to experience the complexity of crossing the Boomsky Gorge was the Russian researcher Pyotr Semenov Tian-Shan in 1850.
3. Issyk-Ata:
– Distance from Bishkek: Approximately 80 km to the east.
– District: Issyk-Kul region.
– Description: Surrounded by mountains, this place is famous for its beautiful lakes and wonderful hiking trails. There are two beautiful waterfalls in the gorge, located five kilometers from each other. Please note that special shoes are needed to go to the waterfalls, as there are very slippery stones there. Issyk-Ata is also surrounded by trees and alpine meadows. In summer, shepherds bring horses and sheep here. There is the Issyk-Ata River, which is rich in trout. Fishing is prohibited.
There is a large stone with the image of Buddha in Issyk-Ata, which dates back to the 10th century. People come to him to ask for his health. In the 19th century, local residents sprinkled water on the stone in gratitude for healing. Above the image of the Buddha there is an inscription in Tibetan, and above it there is an image of an eagle. The fact is that in the XII-XIV centuries, many residents of this area professed Buddhism.
4. Skazka Canyon:
– Distance from Bishkek : About 350 km to the southwest.
– District: Jalal-Abad region.
– Description: Amazing colored rocks that create a magical atmosphere. A great place for hiking tours. The Skazka Canyon, located on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, is one of the most interesting and frequently visited natural places in Kyrgyzstan. 120 kilometers from Balykchi and not far from the village of Tosor.
The canyon is located in the gorge of the same name and is famous for its red clay rocks. The wind has been polishing natural and fabulous sculptures here for years. One of the most famous rocks is the “Chinese Wall”. This is how it was popularly nicknamed due to its similarity to the famous architectural monument of China. Walking through the labyrinths of the canyon, you will feel like you are in a real fairy tale. No wonder the gorge is named that way. The rocks resemble castles, towers, monsters, giants, people and animals. And all this is created by nature, not by human hands.
5. Konorchak Canyons:
– Distance from Bishkek: Approximately 150 km to the southeast.
– District: Toktogul district, Jalal-Abad region.
– Description: Unique geological formations, including deep canyons, ideal for hiking. The canyons stretch for 200 km and a full inspection of them can take a long time, but a few days are enough to admire the impressive scenery. They have sonorous poetic names: “Grand Canyon”, “Bobsleigh” and “Skyscraper”. The Konorchak canyons were formed from one and a half to two million years ago: wind and water eventually turned the plateau into giant stone columns, some of which reach up to 400-500 meters in height. The light clay in these places indicates that once the waters of Lake Issyk-Kul extended here.
One of the attractions of the canyons is the “dry waterfall” – these are the remains of a waterfall that flowed here many years ago and, as evidenced by local folklore, emits a “black tear” every year. Another interesting attraction of these places is the extinct volcano Segizkhan Shokny, 2.5-3 million years old. Its slopes are covered with fossilized seashells and lava remnants.
6. Kegete:
– Distance from Bishkek: About 230 km to the south.
– District: Suusamyrsky district, Chui region.
– Description: It offers excellent conditions for horseback riding, hiking and wildlife watching. The length of the gorge is about 27 kilometers. There are many trees here, both coniferous and fruit. Kegety is the most wooded gorge of the Chui Valley. The gorge is also famous for its alpine meadows, medicinal plants and berries. Kegety is home to dozens of species of animals and birds.
There are two other small gorges on the territory of the gorge – At-Jailoo and Kel-Tor, which are part of the Kegets. In the gorge there is a beautiful lake Kel-Tor, the Kegety River, as well as a high-altitude pass, which is located at an altitude of 4000 meters above sea level. One of the waterfalls of the gorge attracts the attention of photo lovers. This waterfall is 30 meters high and looks very picturesque.
7. Semenovskoe and Grigorievskoe gorges:
– Distance from Bishkek: About 70-80 km to the north.
– District: Chui region.
– Description: Alpine meadows, glaciers and scenic views make this place ideal for tourism. The Semenov and Grigoriev Gorges are the largest and most famous gorges on the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, located on the Kungei Ala-Too mountain range. They are located about 30 km from the city of Cholpon Ata in Issyk-Kul region, on the road from Bishkek. The area is dotted with track routes, some of which run through the mountains towards the city of Almaty in Kazakhstan.
A 15-kilometer asphalt road leads from the village of Semenovka, named after the Russian researcher Pyotr Semenov Tien Shan, to the mountains. It runs along the Chon Ak-Suu River, past the Kirchin campsite. The road leads to a summer pasture located at an altitude of 2010 meters above sea level, where Chong Ak-Suu meets Kichi Ak-Suu. The river flows from glaciers about 34 kilometers down to Lake Issyk-Kul through three other small lakes. This pasture or jailoo is the historical site of the congress of Kyrgyz elders.
8. Suusamyr valley:
– Distance from Bishkek: Approximately 120 km to the south.
– District: Suusamyrsky district, Chui region.
– Description: Spacious valleys surrounded by high mountains provide opportunities for various types of tourism. Susamyrskaya (Susamyrskaya) valley is an intermountain depression located at an altitude of 2200 meters above sea level. It is surrounded by mountain peaks, some of which reach a height of 4,500 meters. In ancient times, caravans of the Great Silk Road passed through here. The distance from Bishkek to the Suusamyr Valley is 160 kilometers.
In fact, it is a green plain that stretches for 155 kilometers, and in some places reaches 40 kilometers wide. There are more than 300 species of plants growing in the valley, including medicinal ones. At the same time, there are practically no trees. Some plant species are listed in the Red Book. The red Book snow leopard lives in Suusamyr.Two mountain rivers flow here – Suusamyr and Western Karakol, and there is also a mountain spring.
9. Ferghana Valley:
– Distance from Bishkek: Approximately 450 km to the southeast.
– District: Batken region.
– Description: A culturally and historically rich place with beautiful nature. It is recommended for hiking and exploring the local culture. The Ferghana Valley is an important corner of the world, located on trade routes between empires. The Naryn and Kara Darya rivers merge in the center of the Ferghana Valley, forming the Syr Darya, which irrigates the valley and supports agriculture. Moving through this region is complicated by the overlapping borders and enclaves of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, which sometimes divide roads and routes in half.
The city of Khujand, located on the territory of modern Tajikistan, was founded in 329 BC by Alexander the Great, who made Fergana the Far Eastern border of his empire. This area has long been famous for the special breed of Ferghana horses bred here. They were called heavenly horses and appreciated for their speed and strength, China participated more than other countries in the purchase and sale of these horses. The Ferghana Valley served as a vibrant and diverse center of trade on caravan routes across Eurasia.
10. Chunkurchak:
– Distance from Bishkek: Approximately 120 km to the north.
– District: Chui region.
– Description: It is known for its mountain landscapes and tourist routes suitable for various types of tourism. Chunkurchak Gorge is located at an altitude of 2,400 meters above sea level. “chunkurchak” is translated from Kyrgyz as “hollow”.
Chunkurchak is considered one of the most beautiful gorges in Kyrgyzstan. Here you can observe a colorful symbiosis of snowy mountain peaks, green alpine meadows, coniferous forests and reddish soil.
At the entrance to Chunkurchak, stunning panoramas open up, which are the hallmark of the Chui Valley.
