Shamsi gorge

Shamsi gorge
Shamsi gorge
Country:	Kyrgyzstan
Region:	Chui region
Mountain range:	Kyrgyz range
Coordinates:	Latitude: 42°39'17" Longitude: 75°23'20"
Length:	≈ 30 km.
Waterfall:	Shamsi waterfall
Rating:
Shamsi Shamsi gorge on Kyrgyzstan map Thematic Portals • Kyrgyzstan • Sights •

Shamsi is a picturesque and popular gorge to visit located 80 km east of the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek City. The gorge is part of the Kyrgyz Range, and a river and waterfall with the same name flow along it.

Gorge Geography

The Shamsi Gorge is part of the Kyrgyz Range, located approximately 80 km east of Bishkek city. The height of the gorge at the entrance is around 1300 meters, and the highest point along the mouth of the river of the same name is approximately 3200 meters, resulting in a total drop of 1900 meters. In the depths of the valley, it is divided into three separate gorges, which can be accessed via a dirt road.

Shamsi is renowned for its forests: powerful firs and tall pines, mushrooms, and various berries such as strawberries. Forbs attract beekeepers to this ravine, and during the season, honey can be purchased directly from the apiary. All sorts of herbs, such as oregano, thyme, sage, Ivan tea, yarrow, and many others, make the honey unique in composition.

Wild animals such as martens, Turkestan lynxes, hares, and stoats also inhabit Shamsy. In the upper part of the gorge, at an altitude of more than 3500 m, lies the Shamsinsky Pass, which connects the Chui and Kochkor valleys. The gorge also holds the secrets of past epochs: a mask of pure gold was once found here, which, according to local elders, belonged to an ancient queen named Shamsi, after whom this place was named.

How to get to the gorge

You can go to the gorge from Bishkek along A365 highway in the direction of Bishkek to Tokmak to Kalinovka village. The journey may take about 1.5-2 hours. In Tokmak, you should go to Ibraimova Street and turn towards the mountains; right along the route, there will be a gorge. The tour to the gorge is located near another sightseeing - the Burana Tower.

Gorge tours

The tours in the gorge are very diverse, because there are several ways from the main gorge to the valley. One of the most interesting routes is the direction towards the waterfalls, which are located in the depths of the gorge on the Chon-Keltor River, which is the right tributary of the Shamsi River. You can get to these waterfalls in 2-3 hours by walk, but it requires your good physical condition.

Numerous travel agencies carry out a tour in the Shamsi gorge, which includes transportation, meals (lunch in a yurt), a guide, for those who wish it is possible to rent horses and tour them along the entire gorge.

Gorge images

• Photos of Shamsi gorge
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