SOME OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST

 
Ak Chunkur : Issyk Kul : A cave near the Sary Jaz valley with early ochre wall paintings. Above the village is the Ak Bulak Canyon — where gold and silver were mined. There are a number of small canyons and trekking routes over the mountains to Almaty.

Ak Shyrak : Issyk Kul : The furthest up the A364 that it is possible to reach following the A364 from Barskoon. Achaeologists have discovered evidence here of early ore excavations in the canyon here.

Ak Suu : Issyk Kul : (= «White water»)

The Ak Suu Canyon — also known as Semyenovka after the village on the main road where the valley emerges. The canyon is some 25 kilometers long and an asphalt road leads some 15 kilometers into the mountains from the village of Semyenovka, (named after the Russian explorer, Pyotr Semyenov «Tianshansky»), following the valley of the Chong Ak-Suu («Big White Water»), past the Kyrchyn tourbaza which used to have a 240-bed hotel, and other facilities. The road leads to a jailoo (mountain pasture) at 2010 metres above sea level and the connurbation with the Kichi Ak-Suu («Little White Water») river. The river flows some 34 kilometers from the glaciers in the mountain peaks down into Lake Issyk Kul, through three small lakes, including Sutuu Bulak (which means «milky spring»). The jailoo was historically used as a meeting place for congresses of Kyrgyz elders. The Djel Karagey canyon is home to a Forest Reserve — with meadows and multi-cascade waterfalls. Here, from the end of June until the end of September there is a collection of yurts which offer a wide range of services. The «yurt village» is marketed as an ethnological experience. Half of the twenty yurts are reserved for guests — and in the other half live several local families which provide the services, entertainment, etc. — so guests have a chance to experience authentic, traditional, elements of the Kyrgyz nomadic lifestyle. The yurts are all traditional — not like most of the yurt inns in Kyrgyzstan — for example, here you will end up sleeping on the floor under adiella — a sort of «duvet» — not in beds. Unfortunately, this also means that things like toitels, washing facilities and so on are also traditional. The of lack in modern conveniences, however, is more than made up for by the thoughtful programme — which explores the history, culture, crafts, food and games of the Kyrgyz people. It is possible to walk or take horses into the surrounding countryside; encounter half-wild yaks; watch demonstrations of crafts and horsemanship by masters; listen to traditional music; listen to a «manaschi» recite excerpts from the epic poem «Manas»; eat traditional foods; drink khoumis and even participate in putting up a yurt — an all round, authentic, Kyrgyz experience.

A valley 12 kilometers East of Karakol — sometimes known as Teplokluenchka (Russian for «hot springs») and a village of that name lies at the foot of the valley.

South of the village, past the derelict orthodox church, the road crosses the river and forks — to the right is the road to Altyn Arashan, and to the left it follows the valley of the Ak Suu river and at the head of the valley are some sanatoria, including one for Children, which operate hot baths.

It is possibl;e to trek from Ak Suu across to the neighbouring valley of Altyn Arashan. It needs a minimum of three nights. 
Ala Kul Lake : Issyk Kul : A mountain lake (3523 m. asl)on the trail between the Altyn Arashan and Karakol lakes, beneath the Ala Kul Pass (3670 m. asl).

Ananyevo : Issyk Kul : Some 52 kilometers east of Chalpon Ata, lies the village of Ananyevo, which is named after one of the Heroes of the Soviet Union, who as one of the 28 Panfilov Heroes died defending a small village outside Moscow against invading German tanks in 1941. He was born in the village and there is a memorial to him with a small park just off the main street.

The village was originally a small Cossak settlement, founded in the 1890s and retains much of it's Slav identity, and there is a small Orthodox Church.

It is the home to the Issyk Kul State Nature reserve, founded in 1948 and the home of water-fowl.

To the North of the village, at the foot of an 18 kilometer canyon, lies the hamlet of Chet Baisoorun. There area couple of other small canyons nearby, (Tegirmenty — at 13kilometers long, and Orto Baisoorun — at 17 kilometers long). The area is forested and the glades and rivers make attractive countryside.

A little to the East, archaeologists have discovered the remains of an ancient settlement.

There are legends about incalculable wealth concealed in caves near the Burgan Suu waterfall.

The next village, to the East, Zharkinbaevo, is also named after a local Hero of the Soviet Union who fought in the Second World War.

Balykchi : Issyk Kul : At the extreme Western end of Lake Issyk Kul.

Once known as Kutmaldy, the Russians named the town Riybachiye — after the fishing industry that was based here — Ryba is Russian for fish. After independence it was renamed Issyk Kul — but this caused confusion and the name was changed in 1992 to Balykchi (which is the Kyrgyz equivalent of Riybachiye — balyk is Kyrgyz for fish). It is mainly important now as a terminus for the railroad from Bishkek and junction of the road to China and those going along the Northern and Southern shores.

To the west archaeologists have discovered an «ore yard» indicating ancient metal working was conducting in the area, and to the South there is evidence of a Stone age settlement, at Bozbarmak.

There is a statue of Semyenovka (Tianshanski) on the outskirts of town, on the road from Bishkek.

Bedel Pass : Issyk Kul : The road from Barskoon which passes up the Barskoon valley, (the A364) used to be one of the routes of the Silk Road, passing over the Bedel Pass (4284 m) into China.

Bokonbaeva : Issyk Kul : The town of Bokonbaeva is about half way between Balykchi and Karakol on the Southern shore of the lake. It is named after a famous Kyrgyz poet.

Once a thriving town — it has suffered from the economic downturn after independence, but many people are returning to traditional farming, hunting (e. g. with birds) and crafts — and it is now a local centre for these. There is also a local museum with a collection of paintings by local artists. To the west is the gumbez (mausoleum) of Tara Suu.

It lies at the foot of several valleys, including the Kongur Olun valley — which runs for some distance parallel to the road on the other side of the mountain ridge. Nearby are some radon hot water springs, the ancient settlement of Khan Debe and the Tuuara Suu barrows (burial mounds) dating from the 6th to the 5th centuries BC.
 
Boom Gorge : Issyk Kul : At the eastern end of the Kyrgyz Range — converging together through this narrow canyon are a highway, a railway, and the Chu River. Most people simply drive through and don«t stop — passing over «Red Bridge», which crosses the Chu river at the mid-point of the Gorge and onto Issyk Kul. To the west from here you can see the Konorchak canyons.

The road is lined with statues of Snow Leopards Eagles and Stags and an occasional «pioneer». The Bishkek Balykchi railway also travels through the gorge — rising high above the road, There are walls designed to prevent landslides cascading down onto the road below — but despite these, occasionally landslips do manage to close the road for a time.

The gorge offers plenty of opportunities for rafting, camping and trekking. It also offers possibilities for White Water Rafting.

   
 
Bosteri : Issyk Kul : A village to the East of Chalpon Ata — center for a number of Sanatroia and resorts.

Bozuchuk : Issyk Kul : A village, South of Novovoznesenevoka, (on the road from Karakol to Enilchek), which has springs which are supposed to have curative properties.

Chelpek : Issyk Kul : A village South of Karakol where a number of artifacts (the «Chelpek treasure»), dating from the time of the Saks (including an altar table in the shape of a woman (a priestess?).

Chet Baisoorun Canyon : Issyk Kul : Just above the village of Ananyevo, at the foot of an 18 kilometer canyon, lies the hamlet of Chet Baisoorun.

Chigu : Issyk Kul : To the West of Tyup, on the peninsular jutting out into the lake archaeologists have found the site of the ancient settlement of Chigu, dating to the 2nd century.

Choktal : Issyk Kul : Asmall village on the Northern shore of the lake. There are some ancient barrows (burial mounds) behind the village, and many petroglyphs have been found in the area. Under the lake there are sites of ancient settlements.

The road into the mountain leads to the wooded valleys of the Choktal, Chet Koi Suu, and Orto Koi Suu rivers.

Chon Ak Suu Canyon : Issyk Kul : The Chon Ak Suu canyon is also known as Grigorievka — which is the name of the village on the main road at the foot of the valley.

This canyon is 32 kilometers long with a road the first 15 kilometers from Grigorievka. The slopes are covered with dense fir groves and littered with waterfalls. There are glacial lakes, and spectacular views of peaks and glaciers on the various trails over the mountains to Almaty, as well as a trail to Chin Kemin.

Chon Kizil Suu : Issyk Kul : One of the terminal points of a standard trek from Altyn Arashan — Goskartophica, in Bishkek, sell maps of the route — unfortunately only in Russian. There are warm springs up the valley, for example, at Svetlaya Polyana. The valley stretches some 34 km, and leads to other valleys, such as Djuuku-Chuk.

   
 
Chon Sary Oi : Issyk Kul : A village about 12 kilometers to the West Chalpon Ata — with a site containing some petroplyphs.

Nearby is a site identified by archaeologists as Timur's palace.

Darhan : Issyk Kul : A village to the west of Kyzyl Suu. In the valley above the village is the 18th century Barlchak Gumbez (mausoleum).

Djergalanskiy Zaiiv Canyon : Issyk Kul : To the south of San Tash, just inside the border from Kazakhstan. Different layers of rock are easily made out in the canyons cut out by the rivers. Skeletons of a varity of animals (ranging from rhinoceros, bison, and mammoth) have been found here.

Djuuku Canyon : Issyk Kul : About 20 km east of Tamga — there are warm mineral water springs here.

Dolina Svetov : Issyk Kul : (= Valley of Flowers«)

About 5 km south of the Jety Orguz sanatoria, a valley opens out which is ablaze with colour from May — when there are multitudes of poppies — thoughout early summer. Apparently there are repted to be petroglyphs here — but no-one seems to know exactly where.

There are often yurts here which can offer accommodation.

Enilchek : Issyk Kul : The end of the road — the public road that is, before you enter the restricted zone on the way to the Engilchek lacier, the Metsbaakher Lakes, Khan Tengi and Peak Pobieda (Victory Peak).

Nearby is a Yak farm where it is possible to arrange accommodation.

Grigorievka : Issyk Kul : A village to the east of Chalpon Ata, on the main road, at the foot of the Chon Ak Suu valley.

This canyon is 32 kilometers long with a road the first 15 kilometers from Grigorievka. The slopes are covered with dense fir groves and littered with waterfalls. There are glacial lakes, and spectacular views of peaks and glaciers on the various trails over the mountains to Almaty, as well as a trail to Chin Kemin.

Jele Debe : Issyk Kul : A small village near to Djety Orguz — unremarkable, except for thefactthatit is the home of Tenti, who has been hunting with eagles since he was 12 years old, and is one of the few remaining master practioners of the art.

Jengish Chokosu : Issyk Kul : The name recently given to Peak Pobeda.

Kaji Sai : Issyk Kul : On the Southern shore — between Tamga and Bokanbaeva. The site of several archaelogical digs in Soviet times. To the east is the site of an ancient caravan sarai dating from the 10th to 12th centuries. Pipes bring mineral water from the hot springs above the village down to the lake shore.

Kara Oi : Issyk Kul : A village just to the West of Chalpon Ata. There were some petroglyphs discovered here.

Karakara : Issyk Kul : (= «Black Crane»)

A high mountain valley at the exteme Eastern end of the Issyk Kul plain, on the border with Kazakhstan. Herders from both sides of the border bring their livestock here to graze on the fine pastures — and every summer there is a «cahbana» or horse festival held in the valley — but the time and place varies each year — apparently depending upon such things a s the harvest.

There is a helipad here from which flights depart for ascents of Khan Tengri and Peak Pobeda.

Karakol : Issyk Kul : (= «Black Hand») There are several places in Kyrgyzstan called Karakol

The most important is the administrative center for the Issyk Kul Region. See the main section 
There is a small village just inside the border between the Issyk Kul and Naryn oblasts, just off the Naryn River. 
It is reached by the road from Barskoon which passes up the Barskoon valley, (the A364) used to be one of the routes of the Silk Road, passing over the Bedel Pass (4284 m) into China. In Soviet times the road turned East along the upper Naryn River and looped round over the Yshtyk Pass (3689 m) to Ak Shyrak, Enilchek and eventually back to the city of Karakol. Unfortunately, some of the bridges are now down and the road, (never an easy route), is no longer passable. 
Khan Debe : Issyk Kul : An ancient 8th century settlement — abandoned in the 12th century — the remains near the village of Tora Suu, about 20 km to the south of Bokonbaeva, on the southern shore of the lake. Basically all that remains is a stretch of fortifications and a gateway

   
 
Khan Tengri : Issyk Kul : (= «Prince of Spirits» or «Ruler of the Sky»)

At 6995 m., (it was recently resurveyed and it was announced that it is, in fact, 7010m — but some people treat this figure with an element of suspicion), on the border with Kazakhstan, this one of the highest peaks in the Tian Shan. There was some confusion between Khan Tengri and Peak Pobeda — Semyenov, «Tianshansky», mistakenly identified the latteras Khan Tengri when he first reached the region in 1857

The local name for the mountain is Kau Tau (= «Blood mountain») — perhaps because of the burning red colour it adopts at sunset, or perhaps because of the numbers of climbers that have died in attempting to climb the peak. It was first climdeb successfully only in 1931 by a Ukranian team.

In a sensitive border zone, special permits are required. In the Soviet period, even local mountainjeers needed special permissions and foreigners were totally prohibited access until 1989.

The mountain makes for spectacular photos with its pyramid peak — and there are photos which appear to show a face in the snow on the mountain sides — The spirit of the mountain?

At the foot of the mountain lies the Engilchek Glacier and the mysterious Merchbazer lakes which appear each year in summer only to drain away in August when the ice bank breaks.

Kolkogor : Issyk Kul : High in the Kungey Ala Too mountains between Issyk Kul lake and the Kemen valley is the Kolkogor mountain lake.

Kongur Olun : Issyk Kul : A 40 km. long valley of meadows and swamps which runs parallel to the main road, the other side of the mountain range between the Western end of the lake and Bokonbaeva, on the Southern Shore. It lies at an altitude of about 2200 m. a. s. l. and offers scope for walking. There is a yurt camp at Temir Kanat, near to Bokanbaeva.

The Kyrgyz film «Beshkempir» (= «Five Old Women»), which one an award at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival, was shot here.

There is a legend that an 18th century battir (local Khan) won the valley with a band of 40 warriors — for each of which was built an elaborate gumbez (mausoleum) when they died and some of these can still be seen in the village of Kongur Olun. At the Western end of the Kongur Olun valley archaeologists have discovered a complex of ancient ruins — Bar Bulak — dating from the 10th to the 12th century.

There is a road — 4WD vehicle necessary — over the mountains to Ece Naryn.

Korumdu : Issyk Kul : A village to the East of Chalpon Ata. There is an Ethnographical park here and petroglyphs were discovered here.

Koy Sary : Issyk Kul : At the extreme Eastern end of the lake, North west of Karakol, is the site of this ancient settlement, dating from the 8th to the 12th centuries.

Kyzyl Suu : Issyk Kul : Known as Pokrovka in Soviet times, about 40 km west of Karakol, at the foot of the Chong Kyzyl Suu valley which is one of the terminal points of a standard trek from Altyn Arashan — Goskartophica, in Bishkek, sell maps of the route — unfortunately only in Russian. There are warm springs up the valley, for example, at Svetlaya Polyana and the Zhuku gorge.

To the North is the site of a medieval settlement of Torktol, and to the West in the village of Saru there are some ancient barrows (burial mounds). In the hills above the village there is a Tibetan Buddhist inscription on a stone.

The peninsula to the North is the winter home to a variety of ducks and wildfowl — some of which appear int «Red Book» of endangered species.

Mayda Aydar : Issyk Kul : A mining town in the border zone, int the Sary Jaz valley. Important as a Helicopter base used for ascents of Khan Tengri and Peak Pobeda.

Merzbacher Lakes : Issyk Kul : The Merzbacher lakes form every summer in the North Enilchek Glacier, and sometime in August burst the ice banks and the waters flow into the Enchilek river. They are named after the Austrian explorer, Gottfried Merzbacher, who in 1902/3 explored the area and approached the foot of Khan Tengri.

Muztag : Issyk Kul : (= «Ice Mountain»)

The valley descending from the Enilchek glacier at the foot of the high peaks of the Tian Shan, Khan Tengri and Peak Pobeda.

There is a tour camp about halfway up the valley which can serve as the base for trekking, horse riding and other activities — but as it is in the border zone — special permits are necessary.

Oi Tal : Issyk Kul : A small hamlet about 100 kilometers East of Chalpon Ata, with a ruin by the lakeside known as the «Castle Dungeon».

Orgorochor : Issyk Kul : A small village about 30 km West of Karakol. The Historical Museum of Jety Orguz is here, started in 1990 to record the local history from a distinctly Kyrgyz viewpoint.

It was the birthplace of Telekmat Sartikiev (1799—1863) who served as ambassador to China, Russia and the Kokand Khanate. The first Kyrgyz ambassador to Russia was dispatched to Ekaterinburg as early as 1787, and others followed in 1814/15 and 1824/25. Trade relationships with their neighbours having been a source of conflict throught the previous century.

Apparently, the village housed Japanese prisoners of war in World War II — although the USSR did not declare war on Japan until the very end of the war.

It is possible to organize homestays and yurts in the mountains South of here.

Ottuk : Issyk Kul : a small village at the south west corner of the lake - In 2003, a new yurt camp opens here operated by the tour company Neman.

Peak Pobeda : Issyk Kul : At 7439 m. Peak Pobeda, sitting astride the border with China, was the second highest mountain in the former Soviet Union. It is also the most northerly 7000-meter mountain in the world. It was first climber in 1938 by a Soviet team that were surprised — they thought it was a lot smaller.

The Chinese name of the mountain is Tomur Peak. Originally it was called Khan Tengri by locals but when Semyenov first saw the peak Kan Too, he was struck by the distinctive pyramid shape and mistakenly thought that it was Khan Tengri. Peak Pobeda does not have a pyramid profile. Some People think that, in fact both peaks were known by the name Khan Tengri to different peoples at different times. Anyway, the matter was settled in 1946 when it was renamed in hounour of the victory at the end of the Second World War.

Prezhervalsk : Issyk Kul : The old name for Karakol. Originally named Karakol — then in 1886 renamed Prezhervalsk — Lenin gave it back it's original name in 1926 only to have Stalin renamne it Prezhevalsk again in 1935 — Finaly in 1991 it was renamed Karakol once more.

Pristan Prezhervalsk : Issyk Kul : Just outside the town of Karakol. («Pristan» is Russian for pier).

There is a museum dedicated to Prezhevalsk on the site of the house that he had built overlooking an inlet from the lake. He was a Russian explorer who made several journeys into Central Asia and almost reached the gates of Lhasa in Tibet, but who contracted an illness — TB (Consumption) or Typhoid, there seems to be some confusion — and settled in the area over looking the lake to die.

There are a number of dachas in the area taking advantage of the beaches on the lake shore. However, there is also a restricted military zone here — it used to be a center for torpedo testing.

San Tash : Issyk Kul : Just inside the Kyrgyz border with Kazakhstan on the road between Tyup and Kegen, lies San Tash, where there are a number of barrows (burial mounds) dating from the 7th to the 3rd century BC.

When the renowned Russian explorer Semmyenov («Tian Shansky») first visited the region, he found here a large barrow of smooth stones. Legend has it that it was constructed by the army of Timur. They found their way into the basin and he gave an order that every soldier was to pick up a stone from the shore of the lake and take it to the pass … when the campaign was over they would return it to the shore. Very few of the soldiers survived and so the army effectively constructed its own memorial.

To the South lies the Djergalanskiy Zaiiv Canyon and the Tyup State Zoological Reserve.

Sari Jaz : Issyk Kul : The valley swings west from the north eastern foot of Khan Tengri to the town of Enilchek.

At an altitude of about 3600m, surrounded by 5000m peaks like Semyenov (5816m) and Karakol (5280m). There are the Uch Kol petroglyphs, the Ak Chunkur caves with early ochre wall paintings, hot springs and evidence of early mining activities including an early ore smelting furnace.

Saru : Issyk Kul : A village to the west of Kyzyl Suu where there are some ancient barrows (burial mounds)

Skazka Valley : Issyk Kul : (Skazka = «fairy tale» in Russian.)

Off the road between Tamga and Kaji Sai — after the village of Tossor — sandstone cliffs have been shaped and eroded into a variety of crags and pillars varying in colour from red to orange.

Tamchi : Issyk Kul : A small village on the Northern shore of the lake. There is a rather plush hotel, (The Old Castle) some small hotels and a narrow beach, and a CBT group which can arrange services.

Tamga : Issyk Kul : Barskoon and Tamga are twin Kyrgyz and Russian villages at the mouth of the Barskoon valley — which has an impressive waterfall and is a good centre for trekking and horse riding. The beach of red sand at the foot of the steep cove is one of the few on the Southern shore.

There is an old Soviet military sanatoria here, where Yuri Gagarin stayed after his historic first manned space flight. There is also a well appointed guest house, run by a local tourist company which can arrange tour services for those interested in exploring the Barskoon valley, and another similar guesthouse..

Tamga Tash (= «letter stone») is a stone inscribed with ancient Tibetan runes in the Tamga gorge a few kilometers above the village. The rock is high above the water — quite difficult to find — and nobody knows how or why the inscription (some of which has worn away) comes to be here. Apparently it is an ancient mantra — still chanted by Buddhist monks today.

In the mountains 20 km to the east of the village is the Djuuku Canyon. — with warm mineral water springs

Temir Kanat : Issyk Kul : A village at the Eastern end of the Kongur Olun valley — which runs parallel to the main road, the other side of the mountain range between the Western end of the lake and Bokonbaeva, on the Southern Shore. There is a yurt camp here.

Temirovka : Issyk Kul : A village to the East of Chalpon Ata, with a number of ancient barrows (burial mounds).

Teplokluchenkainsk : Issyk Kul : (= «Warm Springs»)

A village,12 kilometers to the East of Karakol, at the foot of the Ak Suu and Altyn Arashan valleys.

Ton : Issyk Kul : A village on the shore of the lake, near to Bokonmbaeva. Nearby are radon mineral water springs — Ton is the home of Bar Bulak mineral water. The site of a medieval town — dating from between the 6th and 12th centuries.

Toru Aigur : Issyk Kul : Toru Aigur is a village about 20 kilometers East of Balykchi. Near the village, archaeologists have discovered the remains of an ancient settlement where petroglyps and stone statues were discovered. Near the lakeside a potter's workshop has been unearthed and from time to time ceramics, coins and oter artifacts are found washed up after storms.

The road into the mopuntains leads to the canyons of Kalmak Suu, Taldy Bulak, Dure Suu, Kabyrga and Toru Aigur. There are routes over the mountains to Lake Kel Kogur, the Chon Kemin valley and also onto Almaty.

Tosor : Issyk Kul : Tosor is a village, a short distance to the West of Tamga on the Southern shore of the lake. It marks the site of an ancient settlement — said to date from 50,000 BC (!). Above the village is the Tosor Canyon. A new yurt camp operated by Dostuk Trekking is opening here. 

Tuuara Suu : Issyk Kul : A little to the south of Bokonbaeva — there are barrows (burial mounds) dating from the 6th to the 5th centuries BC.

Tyup : Issyk Kul : A town at the extreme eastern end of lake Issyk Kul. This is the junction of the road between Bishkek and Karakol, and that which sweeps round the Eastern end of the Ala Too range through Kegen to Almaty.

This was the site of a crushing defeat in the Kyrgyz uprising in 1919.

There are monuments to the Hero of the Soviet Union — Kaikina, the fallen of the Civil war. To the West, on the peninsular jutting out into the lake archaeologists have found the site of the ancient settlement of Chigu, dating to the 2nd century.

Nearby is the 19th century Balbay Gumbex (mausoleum).

To the West, on the peninsular jutting out into the lake archaeologists have found the site of the ancient settlement of Chigu, dating to the 2nd century.

Yshtyk Pass : Issyk Kul : On the A364 from Barskoon to Ak Shyrak. This road used to be one of the routes of the Silk Road, passing over the Bedel Pass (4284 m) into China. In Soviet times the road turned East along the upper Naryn River and looped round over the Yshtyk Pass (3689 m) to Ak Shyrak, Enilchek and eventually back to the city of Karakol. Unfortunately, some of the bridges are now down and the road, (never an easy route), is no longer passable.

Zharkinbaevo : Issyk Kul : To the East of Ananyevo — named in honour of a local boy who became a Hero of the Soviet Union in the Second World War.

Bar Bulak : IssykKul : At the Western end of the Kongur Olun valley archaeologists have discovered a complex of ancient ruins dating from the 10th to the 12th century. Bar Bulak isalso the name of a mineral water from the village of Ton.