Sights

Suusamyr is a small valley, 150 kilometers long, which is located between three large ridges of the northern Tien Shan: Kyrgyz, Suusamyr-Too and Jumgal-Too. From ancient times this valley was a very fertile place: it is no coincidence that the Great Silk Road passed through it, and nowadays it has become one of the favorite attractions for tourists in Kyrgyzstan.

The Southern Engilchek Glacier is the largest and most spectacular of the two branches of the Engilchek Glacier system, stretching over 60 kilometers across the central Tien Shan massif. Recognized as the sixth longest non-polar glacier in the world and the largest in Kyrgyzstan, its ice thickness reaches up to 200 meters in some places. Unlike its northern counterpart, known for hosting Lake Merzbacher and its spectacular drainage phenomenon, the southern glacier is distinguished by serving as a unique access route to the highest peaks in the region.

A beautiful gorge full of pine forests. The river is a confluence of the Naryn River.

The canyon was named because of its bizarre rocky landscape, which for many years has been transformed by erosion into amazing sculptures and formations. Some formations look like The Great Wall of China and you can also find other formations that look like snakes, dragons, sleeping giants and even whole castles. From the canyon you can see a majestic panorama of Lake Issyk-Kul and snow caped mountains. It’s an excellent destination for children and adults because it’s an easy hike close to Lake Issyk-Kul.

The northern gorge of Shamsi is located 85 km from Bishkek and allowed caravans to cross the Kyrgyz Alatoo range and thus created a link between the city of Balasagun in Kochkor. Archaeological excavations have also revealed a Buddhist cemetery and a unique golden mask dating from the 4th to the 5th century AD. The Shamsi mask is embellished with three tree patterns created by a series of perforations highlighted with white pigment. Two of the trees cover the cheeks while the third was placed all over the nose and the middle of the forehead.

The Semenov Valley and its gorges (Kichi Ak-Suu), about 35 km long, are located 40 km east of the town of Cholpon-Ata. In the valley flows the Kichi Ak-Suu river, and its main tributaries are the Sut-Bulak, Ashutor, Bel-Bulak, Chong-Kugantyr and Djol-Karagay rivers which meet at a place called "Kyrchyn". Most of the tributaries originate from the glaciers of Kungey Alatoo. The river flows into Issyk Kul Lake.

Campsite at the footsteeps of glaciers and pass Sary Mogol, (South side), where staying many lakes.

The east neighboring valley of the Shamshi gorge.

The Naryn River Canyon is located in Jalal Abad Oblast with a length of 85 km. The river flows from Toktogul Lake to the Tashkomur Dam, which is one of the 4 dams in this canyon. The M41 road, from Bishkek to Osh, runs along the river which in Uzbekistan will become the Syr-Darya river.

Lake Merzbacher is a high mountain lake dammed by the Inelchek Glacier, in the eastern part of the central Tien Shan, between the Tengri-Tag and Sary Jaz ridges. It is located at the confluence of the northern and southern branches of the Inylchek Glacier and feeds on meltwater. Water volume - 0.12-0.25 km³. Area - 4.5 km². Altitude above sea level - 3304 m.