Map
A line of red rocks above a village and road in the valley
23 September 2023 · Seven Bulls above the resort

Karakol → Jeti-Oguz → Kok-Jaiyk → Maiden Braids, 1 day

Red rocks, Kok-Jaiyk meadows, a waterfall and a view of Oguz-Bashi – by car from Karakol and back before evening.

Place: Jeti-Oguz

  • 1 day09:00–16:30, no overnight stay
  • ≈90 km4×4, 6–7 h in the car
  • For everyonefamilies too
  • May–Octoberwhen the programme runs
  • 1,753 → 2,488 mfrom Karakol to the waterfall
Kyrgyz SeasonsPlanning a trip?Ask about a trip

The day in order

Eight stops between 09:00 and 16:30

The map on the left follows your progress: the day’s road, the clock hand and your current stop. Tap a number to open a photo.

  1. Red sandstone ridges and gullies covered with grass28.09.2009

    10:001 / 8

    Red canyons

    stop

    The first stop is the red sandstone canyons of Kyzyl-Jar, on the way through the Yrdik valley.

    The driver will tell you where the car stops.

    Next: Seven Bulls →
  2. A line of red rocks above a village and road in the valley23.09.2023

    11:002 / 8

    Seven Bulls rocks

    Jeti-Oguz

    stop2,079 m

    A ridge of red rocks above Jeti-Oguz resort. View it from the road and viewpoint; the programme includes no climbing.

    Next Broken Heart →
  3. A red rock split in two, behind spruce trees and autumn shrubs23.09.2023

    same place3 / 8

    Broken Heart rock

    Jeti-Oguz

    stop2,060 m

    A red rock split in two, beside the Seven Bulls, at the same stop.

    Next Kok-Jaiyk meadows →
  4. A green valley with a river between spruce-covered slopes, snowy peaks in the distance22.07.2017

    12:004 / 8

    Kok-Jaiyk meadows

    Kok-Jaiyk

    by car2,240 m

    The car climbs up the gorge past the resort to the meadows: spruce trees, river and herders’ yurts. The walk starts here.

    Next: Maiden Braids Waterfall →
  5. A rushing river among rocks and spruce trees in a mountain valley22.07.2017

    12:00–13:305 / 8

    Maiden Braids Waterfall

    on foot2,488 m

    Walk ≈2.4 km one way, uphill from the meadows to the waterfall. The schedule allows an hour and a half for the walk there and back.

    Next: Lunch in a yurt →
  6. Yurts in a meadow by a spruce forest, with a mountain above them in the sunset light01.09.2022

    13:306 / 8

    Lunch in a yurt

    Kok-Jaiyk

    lunch2,240 m

    Lunch in a yurt camp is optional and not included in the price. Order a packed lunch in advance or bring your own food.

    Next: View of Oguz-Bashi →
  7. The snowy wall of a peak at the end of the valley, with a rushing river and spruce trees in front07.07.2012

    15:007 / 8

    View of Oguz-Bashi

    stop

    Next: up the valley to the foot of Oguz-Bashi, 5,168 m. A walk and photos; there is no ascent to the summit.

    Next: Back to Karakol →
  8. A valley with a road and village among red hills, with a lake in the distance28.09.2009

    16:308 / 8

    Back to Karakol

    Karakol

    by car

    Down the gorge, past the resort and village of Jeti-Oguz. Confirm the return time to Karakol with the driver.

    Next: One gorge – four seasons ↓

In order

Variant: Karakol → Jeti-Oguz → Kok-Jaiyk, 1 day

The map shows separate sections, rather than the entire trip. Numbers mark known landmarks; agree exact stops before travelling.

  1. A broad town street with pavements and low houses, with a snowy mountain range in the distance.28.04.2023

    Day trip1 / 5

    Depart from Karakol

    Karakol

    The trip starts in Karakol.

    Next: Jeti-Oguz rocks →
  2. Split red rocks above the trees of a mountain valley, with shrubs turning yellow on the slopes.23.09.2023

    Day trip2 / 5

    Jeti-Oguz rocks

    Jeti-Oguz

    Visit the red rocks and Broken Heart.

    Next: Kok-Jaiyk →
  3. Green meadows and spruce-covered slopes in a mountain valley beneath low, thick clouds.13.05.2024

    Day trip3 / 5

    Kok-Jaiyk

    Kok-Jaiyk

    Continue to the valley of flowers.

    Next: Walk by the waterfall →
  4. White yurts on a green mountain meadow, with conifer forest and a rocky ridge behind them.

    Day trip4 / 5

    Walk by the waterfall

    Visit the waterfall and walk in the surrounding area.

    Next Return to Karakol →
  5. A carved wooden church facade, with green roofs and golden domes above a lawn.

    Day trip5 / 5

    Return to Karakol

    Karakol

    Return journey to Karakol.

    Next: Jeti-Oguz and the valley of flowers: four seasons ↓

Seasons

Jeti-Oguz and the valley of flowers: four seasons

Season: May–September.

  1. Spring

    March–May
    • Marchout of season
    • Aprilpossible
    • Mayseason

  2. Summer

    June–August
    • Juneseason
    • Julyseason
    • Augustseason

  3. Autumn

    September–November
    • Septemberseason
    • Octoberpossible
    • Novemberout of season

  4. Winter

    December–February
    • Decemberout of season
    • Januaryout of season
    • Februaryout of season

In order

Variant: Karakol panorama → temples → Jeti-Oguz, 1 day

The map shows separate sections, rather than the entire trip. Numbers mark known landmarks; agree exact stops before travelling.

  1. A snowy mountain slope under a clear sky, with snow-covered ranges stretching into the distance.28.02.2024

    Day 31 / 10

    To the ski resort

    by car

    In the morning, travel from Karakol to the ski resort.

    Next: Scenic ascent →
  2. Snow-covered mountainsides beneath a blue sky, with dark spruce trees visible in the valleys.28.02.2024

    Day 32 / 10

    Scenic ascent

    Take the cable car up to the high plateau.

    Next: Walk on the plateau →
  3. Snow-covered mountainsides beneath a blue sky, with dark spruce trees visible in the valleys.28.02.2024

    Day 33 / 10

    Walk on the plateau

    on foot

    From the plateau, view the mountain peaks, Issyk-Kul and alpine meadows.

    Next: Back to Karakol →
  4. A broad town street with pavements and low houses, with a snowy mountain range in the distance.28.04.2023

    Day 34 / 10

    Back to Karakol

    Karakol

    After the panoramic view, return to Karakol.

    Next Dungan Mosque →
  5. The mosque’s multicoloured roof above yellow columns, with a pale path in front of the building.07.07.2019

    Day 35 / 10

    Dungan Mosque

    Dungan mosque

    on foot

    The short city tour starts at Dungan Mosque.

    Next: Cathedral and lunch →
  6. A wooden church with green roofs and golden domes behind a flower garden.01.08.2019

    Day 36 / 10

    Cathedral and lunch

    Holy Trinity Cathedral

    on foot

    Visit the Orthodox cathedral, then have lunch at a restaurant.

    Next: Jeti-Oguz and jailoo →
  7. Rounded red rock summits above dry grass beneath blue sky and clouds.24.08.2018

    Day 37 / 10

    Jeti-Oguz and jailoo

    Jeti-Oguz · Kok-Jaiyk

    by car

    Drive to the red rocks of the Seven Bulls. Then cross the bridges deeper into the valley to the pasture.

    Next: Horse ride →
  8. A row of red rock towers rises above trees and small houses in the valley.23.09.2023

    Day 38 / 10

    Horse ride

    ≈1.5 h

    Ride from the pasture up to Maiden Braids waterfall and back.

    Next: Return to Karakol →
  9. A carved wooden church facade, with green roofs and golden domes above a lawn.

    Day 39 / 10

    Return to Karakol

    Karakol

    by car

    After free time outdoors, return to Karakol.

    Next: Rest and dinner →
  10. A carved wooden church facade, with green roofs and golden domes above a lawn.

    Day 310 / 10

    Rest and dinner

    Rest at the hotel, dinner at a restaurant and free time.

    Next: Panorama, Karakol and Jeti-Oguz: four seasons ↓

Seasons

Panorama, Karakol and Jeti-Oguz: four seasons

Season: June–October.

  1. Spring

    March–May
    • Marchout of season
    • Aprilout of season
    • Mayout of season

  2. Summer

    June–August
    • Juneseason
    • Julyseason
    • Augustseason

  3. Autumn

    September–November
    • Septemberseason
    • Octoberseason
    • Novemberout of season

  4. Winter

    December–February
    • Decemberout of season
    • Januaryout of season
    • Februaryout of season

Seasons

One gorge – four seasons

The programme runs from May to October; the rocks are visible all year. Monthly temperatures by the rocks at 2,079 m: averages for 2016–2025, not a forecast.

  1. A valley with spruce-covered slopes and meadows beneath a cloudy sky

    Spring

    March–May

    The programme starts in May: the meadows turn green, with snow still on the slopes. Photo of Kok-Jaiyk: 13 May 2024.

    • Marchoutside the programmeby the rocks +2° / −6°
    • Apriloutside the programmeby the rocks +7° / −2°
    • Mayprogramme runningby the rocks +12° / +2°
  2. From above: a ridge of red rocks, a village, fields and a river in the valley

    Summer

    June–August

    The warmest time, with yurts in the meadows. The rocks, village and river seen from above: 17 June 2024.

    • Juneprogramme runningby the rocks +15° / +6°
    • Julyprogramme runningby the rocks +18° / +9°
    • Augustprogramme runningby the rocks +17° / +8°
  3. A resort with a red roof among yellowing trees beneath spruce-covered slopes

    Autumn

    September–November

    In September, trees around the resort turn yellow; October is the programme’s last month, with frost already at night.

    • Septemberprogramme runningby the rocks +14° / +4°
    • Octoberprogramme runningby the rocks +7° / −2°
    • Novemberoutside the programmeby the rocks 0° / −8°
  4. A frozen waterfall – an ice cascade in a forest ravine

    Winter

    December–February

    The programme does not run; the rocks can be seen from the road all year. The gorge’s waterfalls freeze in winter.

    • Decemberoutside the programmeby the rocks −4° / −11°
    • Januaryoutside the programmeby the rocks −5° / −13°
    • Februaryoutside the programmeby the rocks −3° / −11°

Where it is

Location
Issyk-Kul Region
From the base
≈27 km from Karakol as the crow flies
Coordinates
42.52° N, 78.07° E

Included in these guides

Open in Maps

Before you go

With a tour or independently: money, mountains and packing

How to get there

  • With a tour · 4×4

    The same car all day

    Driver-guide, meeting in Karakol at an agreed place. 2–10 people

  • Independently · marshrutka (fixed-route minibus)

    From Ak-Tilek Market

    No. 372 (also called No. 371): around 40 som to the village, 80–120 som to the resort. Before boarding, ask about the terminus and fare check for your date

  • Independently · taxi

    1,500–2,000 som

    per car one way check for your date

  • Village ≠ resort

    Ask for the terminus

    Some vehicles stop at the village; the rocks and resort are further up the gorge. Return from the resort around 16:00

Money

Day tour
on requestthe organiser will quote the price
National park fee
included in the tourtravelling independently: ask at the entrance
Lunch in a yurt
≈400 somnot included in the tour
Marshrutka
≈40 som to the village80–120 som to the resort

check for your date Prices change – ask before your trip. Bring cash in som.

In the mountains

  • Altitude. From 1,753 m in Karakol to ≈2,490 m at the waterfall. Higher up it is colder than in town: by the rocks, July daytime temperatures are ≈+18°, October ≈+7°.
  • Trail to the waterfall. ≈2.4 km one way, with ≈210 m of ascent. Muddy after rain; horses share the trail.
  • Mudflows. Check Emergency Ministry warnings before leaving: when mudflows threaten, the advice is to avoid gorges and resting beside rivers.
  • Bridges and fords. Rain can wash them out – ask your guesthouse or driver about the road.
  • Reception. Reception may disappear in the gorge: download an offline map and save the driver’s number beforehand.

112single emergency number, free and available around the clock

What to bring

Clothing
Sun protection
Food and water
Other

Ticks are saved in this browser only.

Check before you leave

  • Meeting time and placeorganiser
  • Price and what it includesorganiser
  • Lunch or packed lunchorder in advance
  • Road access to Oguz-Bashi for your datedriver
  • Mudflow warningsEmergency Ministry, the day before

Ask along the way

  • Where to stop at Kyzyl-Jar canyonsdriver
  • How far to walk by the rocks and Oguz-Bashiorganiser
  • When you will return to Karakolorganiser
  • Whether there is mobile reception in the upper valleydriver
Kyrgyz SeasonsPlanning a trip?Ask about a trip

Keep planning

Guides and ready-made itineraries

Pages that include this place in a guide or itinerary.

Included in guides

Routes and programmes

All photos

The gorge in photos since 2007

Real photos, each with the date it was taken. Tap or click to enlarge.

  1. 28.09.2009
  2. 22.07.2017
  3. 22.07.2017
  4. 23.09.2023
  5. 24.08.2018
  6. 27.07.2007
  7. 07.07.2019
  8. 23.09.2023
  9. 06.08.2012
  10. 31.05.2008
  11. 17.06.2024
  12. 23.09.2023
  13. 10.11.2007
  14. 13.05.2024
  15. 22.07.2017
  16. 22.06.2026
  17. 02.09.2022
  18. 22.07.2017
  19. 01.09.2022
  20. 22.07.2017
  21. 01.09.2022
  22. 07.07.2012
  23. 22.07.2017
  24. 28.09.2009
  25. 10.11.2007

Places on the route

Jeti-Oguz on the map

≈94 km by road · 8 stops

© OpenStreetMap

Each number marks a stop and its photo. The day’s line is approximate: the tour’s route may differ.