Karakol -> Bokonbaevo – Bulls, Fairytale and Water

7. August 2023

 

 

The accommodation in Karakol had set up a yurt in the garden where meals were served. After breakfast, we started our onward journey to the south side of Issyk Kul. This route is not as busy as the north side, where there is more accommodation and holidaymakers. It was overcast and there were even a few raindrops. After a few kilometres we turned off towards the mountains.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First we came across an impressive monument. And it was also interesting that there were zero years mentioned on it.

 

 

 

 

Our first destination was Jeti Ögüz, the place famous for its row of red rocks called the seven bulls. Interestingly, the Kyrgyz numbers are identical to the Turkish ones, so Jeti = 7. There is also a sanatorium there that has been open all year round since 1965. And the rest is village. I had been there the previous year and had done a long hike to a waterfall. It was overcast then and I hoped for pretty sun photos this year. Unfortunately no luck. But we got closer to the bulls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After that, I thought that it didn’t really sweep me off my feet. You can make the detour, but it’s actually more worthwhile if you also do the hike.

 

Then we drove on along the Issyk Kul and from here on everything was new to me.

 

 

The next destination, on the other hand, was a highlight for me! It is the Skazka Canyon. Skazka is Russian and means fairy tale and that fits well with this unique special reddish coloured rock formation landscape only 2.5 km inland from Issyk Kul.

 

 

 

 

 

Even though there were already quite a few people walking around, I still found it bearable. However, I fear too many more visitors in the future, as it lends itself to super (influencer) photos. The lady in the white dress was already doing well and there was also a drone droning overhead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are many trails in the area, some are quite steep and slippery. The core area is not super huge but not small either. Actually, it’s not easy to get lost, but some do. A small group came towards me and shouted desperately “Where is exit???”. I was able to help. And then we were through too. It was definitely fun to tramp around there. And we continued on the long unpaved road. It was torn up 3 years ago, but not built up again. The whole shore was inviting for a swim with beautiful water but few beaches. You saw a few people jumping into the water and rarely beaches.

 

 

 

 

When we arrived at the accommodation, a yurt camp not far from a beach, the sky had closed in. Nevertheless, we went to the beach, where I took some photos. I could look down from the high stand and the few people and many clouds looked quite nice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were people bathing and the water didn’t feel that cold – so we ran back and got the bathing gear and jumped into the water too. And it was wonderful! About as warm as my Bavarian swimming lake, so really pleasant. There were a few round stones and sand underneath and you didn’t have to go far to swim.

 

 

Back in the yurt camp the sun turned it into beautiful light:

 

 

After Altyn Arashan, this was my second yurt accommodation – and I find it quite nice because of the space, but a bit bad because of the lack of windows. You’re not quite as close to nature as in a tent, and in some – like this one – there are even really thick cosy mattresses. However, they were wrapped in their plastic packaging. That made a funny crackling noise when you turned yourself over.

 

So on one side was Lake Issyk Kul and on the other were high mountains, and that’s where we were going the next day, to another yurt camp. But before that there would be an event. What do you think it would be?