Issyk Kul region

At a high altitude reaching the glaciers of southeastern Kyrgyzstan "hides" one of the main pillars of the economy of that country.

A geophysical expedition of the Geological Committee of the Kyrgyz State discovered the Kumtor deposit in 1978. Then the USSR Ministry of Geology published the results of the detailed exploration of the Kumtor deposit in 1989.

Today, Kumtor's production accounts for more than a third of the country's exports of goods and services, and its mission goes beyond production alone.

All 6 lakes are located on the south side on the plateau of Kashkasuu pass at 3890 meters above sea level. They are surrounded by mountain peaks and glaciers located at more than 4,500 meters. 

The caravans coming from the north, who had crossed this difficult pass, probably had to stop at the shore of the lakes to let grazing camels and horses.

An old church in the village of Kyzyl Suu. ​

The church is quite beautiful, but a bit difficult to access. There is no sign at all and you have to knock on the blue garden gate to get in.

But it is certainly open, if they have church service, which is on saturdays at 4 o'clock pm and on sundays at 8 o'clock am.

About 20 Kurgans (old tombs) in a field near Kyzyl Suu village.

The museum is housed in a pretty chocolate-box cottage in central Karakol, and it was the pre-revolutionary summer home of the Iliana merchant family. From 1918-1920 the building earned its socialist stripes as headquarters of the Regional Revolutionary Committee, and was subsequently transformed into a museum by order of the Soviet Council of Ministers in 1948.

The Orgochor Historical Museum is a unique place where the memory and spirit of the region's past are preserved. The museum is a cultural centre where exhibits reflecting the history, traditions and everyday life of the local people are collected. You can see artefacts dating back to different historical periods, as well as learn about the development of Orgochor and its surroundings.

Ruins of ancient Gumbez is the only memory in the valley of Djuuku gorge. If you look around it’s hard to believe that long time ago a lot of things were going on here.

According to the history this gumbez belonged to one rich man called Balchak. Balchak was famous and powerful leader since he owned nomadic tribes in Yssyk-Kul, Kashgar and Central Tian Shan. Balchak built has gumbez in all regions where he owned nomads.

Campsite at the Weet Meadow, a gorge part of the Karakol valley and the Natural park of Karakol.

Gorge and campsite on the foot of the peak It-Tish (4808 m.)

The Djetimter camp is not a permanent camp, but in summer it is a good location between the Juku valley and the Taragaï valley. In spring, some agencies set up a tent or yurt camp for ski touring, depending on demand.

It lies to the south of the road leading to the Kumtor gold mine and to the north of the Djetimbel pass, at an altitude of 3,994 metres, which crosses the Soek mountains.

This route is probably known from the time of the Silk Road caravans, the terrain is rocky and the path lies on the right bank of the Djetimter river.