Sights

Ala Kul lake (or Ala Koel in Kyrgyz) is located in the upper part of the river Kurgaktor at an altitude of 3523 meters. The lake is 70 meters deep. Its origin is glacial and some glaciers are still visible, especially in the north of the lake. There is no island and the name in Kyrgyz means "colorfull". The lake can be reach by foot only in one day, from Altyn Arashan refuge or from Karakol valley.

In the Abshir-Say valley, 40 km southwest of the town of Nookat is the unique Abshir-Ata waterfall, 1,800 meters above sea level.

The waterfall is unique because the water escapes from a hole with a diameter of 1.5 m, and its fall has a height of 12 to 15 m from the ground. The water contains mineral salts. It is considered sacred, and so are many local visitors.

According to a legend, once upon a time there was a pilgrim who hit the rock with his stick and milk began to flow from it.

The Abshir-Say valley is located 30km southwest of Nookat. Its river has its source in the Kichik-Alay chain. There is the unique waterfall of Abshir-Ata and several caves.

Lake Aï-Kel is located in Batken Oblast, in the Turkestan mountain range, at the source of the Ak-Suu river. The lake was formed by the retreat of the glacier, and blocked by its morraine. It is 2km long for a width of 600 meters.

The Ak-Say glacier (means "white valley") is situated in the Ala Archa valley and surrounded by popular peaks like Teketor (4441m.); Aktoo (4620m.); peak Korona (4860m.); peak Iziskatel (4400m.); peak Svobodnaya Korea (Free Korea, 4740m.); peak Box (4240m.).

South of the At-Bashi mountain range, lies the upper Ak-Say valley, which stretches for a hundred kilometers, and up to 40 km in width. It is mainly yak breeders who come for the summer season. Some shepherds stay in the winter with their herd of yaks, but the temperatures are harsh and can drop to -40 degrees Celsius in winter.

The valley of vertical cliffs including the peak Ak-Suu (5355 m), the peak Blok (5229m), the Dostoevskogo (4974m) and the peak Iskander (5120m).

Some 10 km from Karakol, on the top of the village of Ak-Suu (anc. Teplokluchenka), wellknown for curatives mineral water and its sanatorium.

Ak-Bura is a very long valley which has its source in the Kitchi Alay range. The city of Osh was founded at the bottom of the valley. The very important basin fills the Papan dam. One of the sights of the valley is the Red Mountains around the village of Kodjo-Kelen.

Issyk Ata valley, with its thermal baths, is located 80 km east of Bishkek. Sanatorium and outdoor swimming pools are the altitude of 1775m. An ideal destination on weekends.

The Issyk Ata  valley also offers many opportunities of hiking routes for enthusiasts, routes of mountaineering  to the highest peaks of the Kyrgyz Alatoo, start point for trekking to nearby valleys or to Lake Song Kul.