Secrets of Terskey Ala-Too

Bishkek is one of the greenest cities in Central Asia. About 150 different kinds of trees and bushes are planted in the streets of the city. There are many cinemas, Opera House, Kyrgyz and Russian Drama Theater, Mosques and Orthodox churches, historical complex of the national hero - Manas- “The Manas Ailly”, zoological, geological art and other museums, exhibitions of decorative and applied art, colorful oriental bazaars are others interesting places you are invited to visit.

On bazaar one can see really traditional handiwork of Kyrgyz land and goods from all around the world at reasonable prices. There are remarkable parks and shadowy boulevards Erkindik and Molodaya Gvardia, pensioners like to walk there, sportsmen run along its alleys, kids play and young people date here.

Bishkek - capital, heart of the Kyrgyz Republic, its political, economic, scientific and cultural center, the main transport unit. Bishkek - the location of the supreme bodies of the government of republic, embassies and representations of the foreign states. Bishkek is located in the center of the Chuy valley, at bottom of snow-white mountains of Kyrgyz Ala-Too, at height of 750 m. above sea level.

The area of territory - 160 sq. km, the population - about 1 million person. The city residential areas which have arisen at various times, differ on the planning structure and a degree of an accomplishment. Last years are characterized by occurrence on adjoining to city of territory of some new buildings with the microstructure. The city on administrative-territorial division is broken into 4 areas: Leninsky, Pervomajsky, Sverdlovsky, Oktjabrsky.

In Bishkek the most part of all industry of Kyrghyzstan is located. Feature of planning structure of the city of Bishkek is development of industrial zones along the railway. In city two industrial zones are allocated: east and western. The system of transport and foot ways connects industrial and administrative areas among themselves. Gardening is submitted by squares, parkways, parks, adjoining to city the territory is planted by forest plantations, there are lakes and water pools.

The science and education are submitted by the National academy of sciences and a plenty of average special and higher educational institutions. Bishkek - the center of national culture of Kyrghyzstan. Here there are theatres, a philharmonic society, libraries, museums.

Intensively the information infrastructure of city develops: some Internet providers already work, a plenty of local, global, corporate computer networks is created. Two operators of cellular communication, some operators of a paging and trunk radio communication work.
 

One of the side valleys of Juku Valley.

Popular for its local hot spring and the cave of the 300 sheep.

The Swiss journalist and traveller Ella Maillart passed by this valley in 1932 during her trip to Central Asia.

The Jukkuchak valley is really well described in her book, Turkestan Solo, you can walk up the valley while reading the book and identify the places she wrote about.

Nowadays, the natural hot springs are famous among locals. Entrance fee is 100 soms.

It is recommended to not stay more than 30min in the baths, as there is natural radioactivity in the water. If you are courageous enough, after the hot springs, soak your body in the cold water of the mountain river nearby.

Discover the captivating Kichi-Kyzyl-Suu valley in Kyrgyzstan, named after the little red river that meanders through this 35-kilometre route. The valley is home to the Kichi-Kyzyl-Suu glacier and boasts peaks as high as 4,200 metres. Numerous small rivers, such as Kalya-Bulak and Chong Djaidektor, join the main river, adding to the valley's charm. While the highest peak bears the same name as the river, there are still 15 peaks over 4,000 metres awaiting their official names, the highest of which stands at 4,365 metres.

For adventurers, the Kichi-Kyzyl-Suu valley offers challenging treks over passes such as Karatakya and Savator, which lead to the neighbouring Chong Kyzyl Suu valley. The Kashtor and Djumatay passes lead to the western Jukutchak valley.

The flora of the valley changes with altitude, from juniper forests at higher altitudes to fir trees between 2,800 and 2,150 metres. At 1,800 metres, the valley becomes fertile and flows into the great Issyk Kul lake, the second largest alpine lake in the world.

The Kichi-Kyzyl-Suu valley enchants visitors with its unspoilt beauty, majestic peaks and vibrant flora. Whether you're looking for adventure or serenity, this hidden paradise offers an unforgettable experience on horseback or on foot.

400 km from Bishkek or 60 km from Karakol, the old physical and geological station is situated in the gorge of Chong Kyzyl Suu at 2600 meter alt. It’s very good place for acclimatation or BC before to climb surrounding peaks of the Terskey Alatoo.

How to get there: if you come from lake side, you should arrive by bus or taxi to the little town of Pakrovka (actual Kyzyl Suu), then you follow the Chong Kyzyl Suu river up to 25km, the hot spring water complex is 4km before the refuge. If you arrive from Jeti Oguz valley, you can reach through Archa Toer pass. If you arrive from Kichi Kyzyl Suu valley or Jukku valley, you should cross the Savatar or Karatakkya pass. If you arrive from Kumtor side or Syrthe, you should cross the glacier of Ashu-Toer.

You can also sleep in our refuge and enjoy walks in the middle of edelweiss. The refuge is situated at 2500 meter altitude on the crossroad of the two gorge of Karabatkak and Ashuu Toer. 

Curiosities of the valley are : Jeli Suu hot water springs, refuge of the Geo-physical station, Savator lake, waterfall in Ashuu Toer gorge, Shatali lake, Karabatkak glacier and its lake, peak Kyzyl Suu.

Good place for observing wild nature : wide range of flowers and birds, snow leopard, gypaeth, Tien Shan bear, Ibex, marmott, wolf and ohter more rare species.

Our service:

1 room with four beds, 1 kyrgyz-style sleeping room on the floor, russian sauna, camping, horseback riding program, trekking program, guide, horse-guide, fauna observation, flora observation, glacier observation.

For any reservation or booking, please send an email at office@nomadsland.ch

The geophysical station in the valley of Chong Kyzyl-Suu was built in 1948 by Germans, who have been captured in Kyrgyzstan. At that time, there was no way for cars to get to the station, so they had to transport all building materials on camels. 

The purpose of the station was already then to observe the glaciers, mountains and the animal world. There worked hydrologists and geomorphologists from many different nations.

During the Sowjetunion many students from Moscow and St. Petersburg came here to get some practice and to write their graduation work. A lot of people got their doctor title due to this station.

Until 1991 there were many geographical expeditions, but for example also expeditions to observe the life of snow leopards.

From 1991 to 2003 it was a kind of a geological institute. In 2007 it got an institute for water problems as well as a hydro-energetic institute.

Until the year 2007 it was being named physical-geographical station, but then it got a new name: tien-shan high-alpine scientific center.

Today they work together with Chinese, American and French scientists. Its current director is Satilkanov Risbek Ablaievic.

Since 2003 they started to work with tourists as well. But even earlier, there have been tourist visiting the station. For tourists it’s got interesting things to see in a wonderful environment, where you do beautiful hikes to lovely lakes. The station has places for 18 people at a time. The inhabitants are very kind, but the life there is without luxury. (No current water, no electricity, outdoor toilet)

Transports can be organized from Jeti Oguz, Bishkek, Karakol, Siutuu Bulak or Djukku.

At the eastern tip of Lake Issyk-Kul, Karakol is a fertile garden town of wooden chocolate-box cottages and shady, poplar-lined avenues. Fringed to the east by the Terskey Ala-Too Mountains, which tower dramatically over its low-rise skyline, Issyk-Kul ripples 10 km to the west.

Karakol is the best base from which to explore the lakeshore and Central Asia's prime trekking and mountaineering routes. With the most spectacular parts of the Central Tien-Shan right on its doorstep and newly open to foreign visitors, the town attracts trekkers, hikers and climbers from all over the world.

Karakol and its surroundings have just as much to offer their less energetic visitors. Besides one of Kyrgyzstan's largest and most colorful bazaars, a nomadic livestock market and several good museums, its spectacular environs boast an endless array of truly unique day trips. Blood-red cliffs, hot springs, Scythian burial mounds, nomad camps and sandy beaches thousands of miles from the sea are all within easy reach.

The town was build since 1869, one year after Teplokluchenka (actually name Ak-Suu). There is a unique building in the center of Karakol - ancient wooden orthodox church. But you may visit also the zoo, the regional museum, the wooden mosque, the Panfilov park, the Park Victory, the museum and memorial Prejwalski.

Despite Karakol's status as the administrative center of the Issyk-Kul region, it has only 75,000 residents and a gentle, small-town atmosphere.