Madaniyat
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A village at the mouth of the Urmaral Gorge: a start for hikes, with nights in Talas.
- Talas ≈26 kmAbout 30 min by car
- Urmaral GorgeStart of hikes and horse treks
- 6 places nearby25 to 105 km away
6 places from the centre outwards
Start with places you can walk to, then roads out of town. The map shows the route from the centre to the place you are viewing.
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≈25 km along the road1 / 6
Talas
The regional centre: a bazaar by the bus station and the Aitmatov Monument; minibuses leave from here for the villages, and the road runs to Bishkek.
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July 3, 2024≈37 km along the road2 / 6
Besh-Tash State Nature Park
A nature park in the mountains south of Talas: a valley with a mountain river for walks. Arrange the hike to the lake and an overnight stay separately.
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September 20, 2024≈38 km along the road3 / 6
Manas Ordo
A cultural complex with a 14th-century gumbez, a museum of the Manas epic and a watch hill above the valley.
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August 29, 2022≈58 km along the road4 / 6
Kirov Reservoir
A large reservoir on the Talas River in the Chon-Kapka Gorge, built in 1965–1975.
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≈83 km along the road5 / 6
Sheker
The home village of Chingiz Aitmatov. On 12 September 2026 the “Aitmatov Aalamy” complex opened here, with a museum, an amphitheatre and a monument.
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September 12, 2019≈105 km along the road6 / 6
Kara-Buura Pass
A pass at 3,305 m in the Talas Ala-Too: the road looks over the valley and the hairpin bends below.
Madaniyat: four seasons
Things to do in and around town throughout the year. Monthly temperatures are averages for 2016–2025, not a forecast.
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Spring
March–MayDays from +8 °C in March to +20 °C in May, nights from −3 to +7 °C.
- MarchMadaniyat +8° / −3°
- AprilMadaniyat +15° / +2°
- MayMadaniyat +20° / +7°
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Summer
June–AugustDays +23…+26 °C, nights +10…+13 °C.
- JuneMadaniyat +23° / +10°
- JulyMadaniyat +26° / +13°
- AugustMadaniyat +24° / +12°
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Autumn
September–NovemberDays from +20 °C in September to +6 °C in November, nights from +8 to −6 °C.
- SeptemberMadaniyat +20° / +8°
- OctoberMadaniyat +13° / +1°
- NovemberMadaniyat +6° / −6°
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Winter
December–FebruaryDays around 0…+3 °C, nights down to −12 °C.
- DecemberMadaniyat +1° / −10°
- JanuaryMadaniyat 0° / −12°
- FebruaryMadaniyat +3° / −9°
Getting here and getting around town
How to get there
From Talas
about 30 minAbout 26 km west by road. Check minibuses for your date; a car with a driver is more reliable.
From Bishkek
about 5 hAbout 316 km by road via Talas. Check transport to Talas for your date.
Getting around town
- On foot. The Urmaral Gorge is done on foot or on horseback as part of a trek; Talas and Manas Ordo need a car.
Contact and help
112 single emergency number
- 101 fire and rescue
- 102 police
- 103 ambulance
You can call 112 with a local SIM or without one.
Check in advance
- Lodging in the village itself
- Marshrutka timetables
- Mobile network coverage
Check on site
- Road conditions and transport back At your accommodation
- Price and availability Accommodation host
Madaniyat in photos
Real photos, each with the date it was taken. Tap or click to enlarge.
- August 29, 2022
- July 3, 2024
- September 12, 2019
- September 20, 2024
Guides and ready-made itineraries
Pages that include this place in a guide or itinerary.
Routes and programmes
Nearby and where to go next
- Base · ≈23 km as the crow fliesTalasA town in the Talas Valley, the base for Manas Ordo, Besh-Tash, the reservoir and the Kara-Buura Pass.
- Cultural site · ≈33 km as the crow fliesManas OrdoA 14th-century gumbez (domed mausoleum), a museum of the Manas epic and a lookout hill above the Talas Valley.
- Route · ≈31 km as the crow fliesBesh-Tash State Nature ParkFrom the lower valley to the high mountain lake Besh-Tash
Route · ≈63 km as the crow fliesLake Sary-ChelekOver the pass to lakes and walnut forests