Overview
Skazka canyon (“fairy tale” in Russian) is a maze of red, orange and yellow clay towers on the south shore of Issyk-Kul, shaped by wind and rain into walls, dragons and castles. On this private two-day trip we pair it with the red sandstone of Jeti-Oguz, with a night by the lake in between.
Day one: Jeti-Oguz
From Karakol it is about 30 minutes to the Jeti-Oguz valley. The name means “seven bulls”, after the row of red cliffs at the entrance; next to them stands the Broken Heart rock. We walk up the valley along the river, an easy two to three hours, with the option to continue to the meadows of the Valley of Flowers. In the afternoon we drive west along the south shore, with a stop at the Barskoon waterfalls if time and road allow.
Day two: Skazka canyon
We visit Skazka canyon in the morning, before the heat and the day visitors. Paths are short and easy, but the ground is loose and there is no shade, so good shoes and a hat matter. Afterwards there is time to swim at a quiet beach on the south shore before the drive back to Karakol, or on to Bishkek if you prefer.
A private trip, your way
This trip runs only as a private tour for your own party, from one traveler up. You choose the date, and we adjust the pace, the stops and the night: a guesthouse, or a yurt camp by the lake on request. It works well after the Ala-Kul lake trek, or as part of a longer route around the lake.
Best time
May to October. Skazka canyon is hottest in July and August, so we start early; spring and autumn light is best for photos. Read more about the area: Issyk-Kul on Wikipedia.
Booking a Skazka canyon trip
This Skazka canyon trip runs privately, for your own party, on the dates you choose. Tell us when you want to visit Skazka canyon and Jeti-Oguz, how many people are traveling and where you want to start, and a manager replies with the route and a price. Nothing is paid on this website. You can also plan a longer trip that includes Skazka canyon.
