Arashan Gorge is a picturesque area that stretches 5 km from its beginning. Initially narrow, flanked by towering cliffs and shrubs, it widens and becomes more accessible for travelers. The slopes of the gorge are covered in coniferous forests, and visitors can find green meadows, springs with clear water, and waterfalls along its length.
At an altitude of about 2,600 meters, nestled in a valley surrounded by coniferous forests and green meadows, lies the Arashan Resort, established in 1963, which is known for its hot mineral springs. Just below the resort, amidst the spruces, there is an unregulated thermal spring.
Further up the gorge, the floor expands nearly 10 km until the confluence of the Tash-Tektir and Chon-Uzen rivers. The slopes are dotted with solitary fir trees and grass, and clean streams flow into the Arashan River. The right bank of the gorge forms the picturesque Tash-Tektir Gorge, where a river flows until it merges with the left tributary.
Attractions in the gorge include Kashka-Suu Lake near the northern glacier, the Sharkyritma and Kuldurek Waterfalls, the Archaly-Tor Waterfall, and the lake and waterfall of Taqyr-Tor. Above the Arashan Resort, a tributary called Anyyr-Tor flows into a beautiful glacial lake.
Jeti-Oguz Gorge, located 30 km from Karakol, stretches over 40 km along the northern slopes of the Terskey Alatoo range. It is one of the most scenic locations in Kyrgyzstan, with Tien Shan spruces growing for 25 km.
At an altitude of 2,200 meters lies the Jeti-Oguz Resort, famous for its hot springs that aid in the treatment of rheumatism and other ailments.
The gorge opens up into the Kek-Dzhaik Valley, covered in coniferous forests. Above 3,000 meters, there are subalpine and alpine meadows filled with beautiful flowers. The Jeti-Oguz River is formed by the Archa-Tor and Ailynash rivers.
On the left bank, the peaks Kok-Debe (2,700 m) and Podkova (3,500 m) rise, while the right side features the Kashka-Suu Pass, leading to the upper reaches of the Yrdyk Gorge.
The fauna of the gorge includes snow leopards and vultures. The upper part of the gorge culminates in the Jeti-Oguz Wall, crowned by the peak Oguz-Bashi (5,170 m). Visitors should also explore At-Dzhailoo Lake and the Kek-Dzhailoo Waterfall.
Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country characterized by its significant elevation, with 94.2% of its territory located above 1,000 meters above sea level and 40.8% above 3,000 meters. The average height of the country is 2,750 meters, with a maximum elevation of 7,439 meters and a minimum of 401 meters. Such considerable variations in elevation, along with the complex terrain and prolonged geological processes, contribute to the diversity of natural conditions and the richness of resources. All natural zones of the Northern Hemisphere can be found here, except for the tropical zone.
At the eastern edge of the country lies the highest region, home to the tallest peaks of the Tien Shan mountains: Pik Pobedy (7,439 m) and Khan Tengri (6,995 m). From this mountainous hub, ridges fan out westward and southwestward, forming parallel chains that stretch 300-400 km in a latitudinal direction. The heights gradually decrease from 7,000 meters to 2,000-1,000 meters.
The highest ridges, reaching elevations of 4,500-7,000 meters, are found on the periphery of the Tien Shan: Kashkaal-Tuu in the southeast, Alaï and Turkestan in the southwest, Talass and Kyrgyz in the northwest, and Kungey Ala-Tuu in the northeast. On the southern border with Tajikistan lies the Chon-Alai (Zaalai) ridge, which is home to the second-highest peak in Kyrgyzstan—Pik Lenina (7,134 m).