Discovery
The red canyon of Boom valley and the Burana Tower
For whom seeks an active and cultural adventure: Discover Kurgan Terek Canyon and Balasagun on a day trip from Bishkek
- Duration
- 1 day
- Countries
- Kyrgyzstan
- Activities
- Hiking , Historical Sites
Sustainability
Road travel metric
250 km/day · 250 km total
The story
The journey
Embark on a hike through the picturesque Kurgan Terek Canyon, where the Kurgan Terek River has sculpted stunning red rock formations. Navigate narrow paths along the river, occasionally wading through its waters, to experience the canyon's natural beauty up close.
After the hike, explore the remnants of the ancient city of Balasagun, established by the Karakhanids in the 9th century. Highlights include the iconic Burana Tower, grave markers, earthworks, and remnants of a castle and three mausoleums. Visitors can climb the tower using an external staircase and winding stairway to reach its top, once towering at 45 meters (148 feet) but reduced to 25 meters (82 feet) after earthquakes in the 15th century. A 1970s restoration project stabilized the tower and preserved its historical significance, with the entire site now serving as a museum displaying artifacts and providing historical insights into Balasagun's cultural heritage.
Route map
The route
Day by day
The journey, day by day
1 chapters
- Day 01
A Day of Adventure: Kurgan Terek Canyon and Balasagun from Bishkek
Embark on an exciting day trip from Bishkek that combines natural wonders and historical treasures. Begin your adventure with a visit to the stunning Kurgan Terek Canyon. Start from the "Red Bridge" and hike through narrow passages and along the Kurgan Terek River, marveling at the sculpted red rock towers. After soaking in the breathtaking beauty of the canyon, continue your journey to the ancient city of Balasagun.
Explore the historic ruins and learn about the rich cultural heritage of this once-thriving city. Don't miss the iconic Burana Tower, an ancient minaret that offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. After a day filled with exploration and discovery, return to Bishkek with unforgettable memories of Kyrgyzstan's natural and historical gems.
Meals Lunch
Photography
Along the way
Further reading
More from this journey
Practical information
Prepare for the journey
- All transportation in a private vehicle
- All airport transfers
- Accommodation as described in the program
- Meals (3 per day)
- Bottled water (when possible) & tea
- English-speaking trekking guide
- Pack horses with saddle bags & horsemen
- Camping & cooking equipment (tents, mats, gas, stove, etc)
- All the activities listed in the program
- Entry fees at national parks and/or border zones listed in the program
- Entry fees at museums and historical sites listed in the program
- Domestic flights mentioned in the program
- A contribution to our sustainable development projects
- Organisation of the trip & local taxes
- International flights
- International banking fees (PayPal, ...)
- Travel & repatriation insurance
- Visas / LOI (if applicable)
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Personal expenses
- Personal equipment (sleeping bag, headlight, personal medication, etc)
- Additional costs due to unexpected personal events (health, loss of luggage, ...)
- Tips for guide & driver (always optional, always appreciated)
Reviews of Nomad's Land
Travelers, in their own words
Published reviews of our team and service.
Nous tenions à vous remercier pour l’organisation de notre voyage au Kirghizistan. Ce pays est magnifique avec des personnes très accueillantes. Grâce à l’énergie positive de notre guide Baktygul, nous avons pu entrer en contact avec la population locale, aidée par quelques vodka bien sûr.
Nomadsland organized a 5 days 4 nights winter tour from Bishkek to Issyk Kol lake via Chom Keming (horse riding), Jyrgalan (snow shoeing), Karakol (museums) and Bokanbaevo (fairy canyon, 7 bulls, eagle hunting), then back to Bishkek. Nikita, our guide, picked us up from the airport and drove us round the snowy roads in his excellent v8 4wd.
4 Day Hike through Archa Tor pass It’s my first trip to Kyrgyzstan! My wife and I are independent travelers and prefer the solitude of traveling without guide or porters. I found Aibek Nomad's Land online as we were on a short 5 day trip, 3 or which were full day hikes so transport to and from the exact start and end points were essential.
Private travel, made personal
Plan this private tour
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Your quotation depends on dates, party size, transport, guide needs and overnight arrangements. Agree inclusions and requested changes with the team. An enquiry is not a confirmed booking.