Kok Kiya canyon

The Kök-Kyya Valley is nestled in the border zone of the Naryn region, about 550 kilometers from the city of Bishkek. The valley is carved by the winding Kök-Kyya River, which flows through the serpentine canyons, painting an unforgettable picture of nature’s untamed beauty. Towering cliffs stand sentinel over the landscape, their immense presence captivating any observer with their majestic and enigmatic aura.

The valley feels so pristine and untouched that one might believe no human has ever set foot here. Although there are a few small settlements scattered throughout, the people who live here are warm, welcoming, and always ready to host travelers passing by. The primary livelihood of these residents is the breeding of yaks, a tradition passed down through generations.

If you’re heading toward the famous Kel Suu Lake, you will pass by the picturesque Kök-Kyya canyons after crossing the Aksai River. For precise directions to these canyons, it’s best to consult the border guards as you go through border control, given the valley’s location near the frontier.

The scenery within the canyons is absolutely mesmerizing. Towering vertical walls rise between 300 to 400 meters, with dark, mysterious openings dotting their heights, hinting at hidden caves that lie beyond. The canyon is adorned with dense thickets of shrubs and tall grass, contributing to an atmosphere of unspoiled wilderness. At the canyon’s base, the landscape remains untouched and pristine, a rare sanctuary of nature’s raw beauty. The river weaves through the canyon floor in sinuous bends, forming large meanders. As it flows downstream, the river alternately hugs the rocky walls and creates low, grassy terraces, which offer ideal spots for setting up temporary camps.

There are also a few routes that allow you to descend into the canyon from above via valleys that feed into it from the left. Standing at the edge of the left ridge of the canyon, you’re rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views that stretch across this majestic natural wonder.