One-Day Expedition: Ak Say canyons, Arabel Plateau – Skazka Canyons

We start with an early departure from Bishkek, heading towards the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. Our first stop will be the Ak-Sai Canyons – a picturesque area known as the "Valley of Forgotten Rivers" (covering over 15 km). These yellow-red sandstone cliffs were sculpted by millions of years of erosion. We will climb to a panoramic viewpoint (approx. 1750  m) for breathtaking views. Immediately after, we descend to the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, where you can relax and refresh yourself, perhaps taking a dip in its crystal-clear waters.

Next, we head into the Barskoon Gorge, renowned for its history and strategic importance. We will drive along the road that leads to the largest gold-mining site, Kumtor. In the lower part of the gorge stands a monument dedicated to Yuri Gagarin, who visited these places in August 1964. The culmination of the day is the ascent to the Arabel Plateau (approx. 3850 m), where a picnic will be organized on the "Roof of the Tian Shan." On the way back down, we stop to witness two mighty waterfalls: the legendary "Manas's Bowl" (Chasha Manasa) and the "White Elder’s Beard" (Boroda Aksakala).

The final highlight is a sunset visit to the Fairy Tale Canyon. Located near the village of Tosor, this canyon earned its name thanks to its unique rock formations that truly resemble figures of mythical creatures, castles, and even the famous "Great Wall of China."

The bizarre shapes of the cliffs are the result of weathering (erosion) and denudation processes acting on the clay-sand

 Because these soft rocks are constantly being transformed by wind and water, the canyon's landscape can slightly change after every heavy rain. It is particularly striking at sunset, when the red-orange hues become maximally saturated.

Filled with impressions, we return to Bishkek late in the evening.