Unfortunately, we've only got one free day before heading back to Bishkek.
We're staying on the south shore of Issyk-Kul and can either visit Jeti-Ögüz Gorge or Skazka Canyon. Both look amazing in photos, but we don't have time for both.
If you had to choose just one, which would it be?
I'd vote for Jeti-Ögüz without hesitation.
The scenery changes constantly as you drive into the valley. First the famous red cliffs, then forests, rivers, horses grazing in the meadows and finally the higher mountain landscapes if you keep going.
It feels like a full day out rather than a quick sightseeing stop.
We ended up hiking much farther than we'd planned because every bend revealed another beautiful view.
Funny...I'd recommend exactly the opposite.
Skazka completely surprised me.
I'd seen plenty of mountain scenery during our trip, but nothing remotely like those red sandstone formations.
The colours changed every hour depending on the sunlight.
I must have spent two hours wandering around with my camera.
If you're interested in photography, Skazka is difficult to beat.
Our driver settled this argument quite nicely.
He asked us a simple question.
"Do you want to walk through mountains or walk through another planet?"
That pretty much sums it up.
'd say tourists often underestimate Jeti-Ögüz because they stop at the "Broken Heart" rock, take a few pictures of the Seven Bulls cliffs and leave.
That's only the entrance to the valley.
If you continue deeper, especially on foot, it becomes a completely different experience
On the other hand...
Skazka doesn't really require a full day.
We arrived around 4 pm, when most tour buses had already left, and almost had the place to ourselves.
Late afternoon was perfect for the light as well.
That freed up the morning for swimming in Issyk-Kul.
If you're driving yourself, it's quite an easy combination.
We actually did both on the same day.
Would I recommend it?
Not really.
By the time we reached Jeti-Ögüz we found ourselves checking the time instead of enjoying the walk.
Looking back, we'd have been happier choosing one place and slowing down.