Issyk Kul - Chon Kemin Gorge

The Chon Kemin Gorge and the valley of the same name are a unique nature reserve, not far from Issyk Kul and in the northern part of Kyrgyzstan. The valley is home to a national park. The Chon-Kemin is characterised by its length: In the eastern part it is a narrow gorge, in the middle part it gradually widens into a wide valley and closes again at the exit. The valley has an altitude of 1,400 metres in the lower part and rises to 2,800 metres in the upper part. The turbulent and raging river that flows through the gorge is 116 kilometres long and a popular destination for rafting fans. Overall, there is plenty to do for every hiker and cyclist and the area has much to offer for both hikers and cyclists.

Chon-Kemin lies between the largest mountain ranges of the northern Tien-Shan: Zailiisky Alatau on Kazakh territory and Kyungey Ala-Too on the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. The gorge is surrounded on both sides by high mountains, glaciers and Tyan-Shan coniferous forests. Chon-Kemin is also rich in lakes: there are seven lakes in the catchment area of the Chon-Kemin River, including the large Kel-Kogur (also called Kel-Tor by the locals) and the Jashil-Kel. There are numerous hiking trails in the gorge to the many mountain passes that connect Chon-Kemin with Issyk-Kul, including the most famous Kek-Airyk, hiking and horseback riding trails to the lakes, and a long bicycle route.