Jalal-Abad Region

The Chatkal valley follows the mountain chain of the same name, to the north-west of this chain, over a length of 160km before flowing into the Charvak dam in Uzbekistan. By road, there are only 2 accesses, either by Talas to the north and the Kara-Bura Ashuu pass located at 3302m. alt .; or from the south, via the Chapchyma Ashuu pass 2841m. alt. when arriving from the town of Kerben.

The capital is the village of Kanysh-Kyya, and the lower part of the valley is in the Besh-Aral nature reserve.

Coordination office of CBT Arslanbob leading by Hayat. Our local partner for trekking, horseback riding and ski touring in the region of the largest nuts forest in the world. With Hayat the coordinator of CBT Arslanbob, we are developing new routes and programs. In partnership with the Swiss NGO "Boule de neige", we are supporting winter sport access to children of Arslanbob village.

Nestled in the western Tien Shan mountains, the Besh-Aral Nature Reserve is one of Kyrgyzstan’s most ecologically rich and scenically dramatic protected areas. Stretching from 1,000 to over 4,000 meters above sea level, it offers a remarkable diversity of landscapes—from dry foothill steppes and dense coniferous forests to alpine meadows and rocky snow-capped peaks. This altitudinal range supports more than 15 distinct ecosystems, and the reserve plays a key role in protecting the headwaters of the Chatkal River, a lifeline for both Kyrgyz and Uzbek communities downstream.