Juuku gorge
Longitude: 77°57′10″
Juuku gorge (Kyrgyz: Жууку) is a scenic gorge in Kyrgyzstan, on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, about 45 km from Karakol, the administrative center of the Issyk-Kul region. It is located near the villages of Darkhan and Saruu. The gorge is known for its red rock massif, which resembles the rocks of the "Seven Bulls" in Jeti-Oguz Gorge.
Gorge geography
Juuku gorge is located on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, about 45 km from Karakol and roughly 10 km from the lake shore to the entrance of the gorge. The gorge is about 30 km long, and in the deeper part of the valley it splits into two branches. The Juukuchak River flows through the gorge.
The entrance to the gorge is located at an elevation of about 1,800 meters above sea level. In the upper part of Juuku gorge there are several alpine lakes, including Juukuchak, Juuku, Chokoly-Kol, Nizhnee, and Maloe Kashka-Suu. There is also a waterfall in the upper reaches of the gorge.
The fauna of Juuku gorge is richer and more numerous than in many other gorges. Visitors may see herds of ibex; argali, stone martens, roe deer, snowcocks, chukars, and bearded partridges also inhabit the area.
How to get there
If you are already staying in the central part of the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, the easiest route to Juuku gorge is through Cholpon-Ata and Karakol. From Karakol, take the southern-shore road toward Bishkek and continue to the village of Saruu, after which there is a turn toward the gorge.
Tourists arriving from abroad through Bishkek should travel along the Bishkek - Balykchy - Karakol route, but at Balykchy turn onto the southern-shore road along Lake Issyk-Kul.
Tourist route
A trip to Juuku gorge can be planned in a varied and interesting way, as visitors can see several different places within the gorge: hot springs, a waterfall, alpine lakes, and the long valley route itself.
The gorge may also be attractive for mountaineering enthusiasts, since Mount It-Tash, with an elevation of 4,808 meters, rises on one of the mountain slopes.
There are also several ancient monuments in the area, including rock carvings from the 6th-1st centuries BC, ancient Turkic burials, and stone statues.[1]
Gorge photo gallery
- Photos of Juuku gorge
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At the entrance to the gorge -
Near the red rocks -
A unique rock massif -
Rocks of Juuku gorge -
Spruce forests in the gorge -
Juukuchak River -
River near the rocks -
In Juuku gorge -
River and spruce forest -
Near the red rocks -
Panorama of the rocks -
At the entrance to the gorge
Note
When visiting this beautiful part of the southern shore of Issyk-Kul, Juuku gorge is worth a trip. The area can offer a full day of recreation, from bathing in hot springs to a long route through the entire gorge with a visit to the waterfall or a picnic stop.
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