Sary-Chelek Reserve

The Sary-Chelek State Biosphere Nature Reserve, situated approximately 500 km (310 miles) from Bishkek and 300 km (185 miles) from Osh, is nestled in the Arkit Gorge within the Chatkal Mountains. Established in 1959, this reserve is dedicated to preserving and studying its pristine landscapes, which include lowland steppes, snow-capped peaks, swift rivers, mountain lakes, and lush valleys adorned with alpine meadows and diverse flora and fauna.

This compact yet ecologically rich park is home to over a thousand plant species, 160 bird species, and 34 mammal species, including deer, bears, lynx, wolves, foxes, badgers, porcupines, and even elusive snow leopards. Additionally, the reserve is a haven for entomologists, offering a wide array of insect species.

The park encompasses the river valleys and settlements of Kara Suu, Hodzha-Ata, Avletim, It Agar, and Pacha Ata. The Hodzha-Ata River meanders through much of the reserve, its path occasionally flanked by steep, boulder-strewn banks that form waterfalls reaching up to 3 meters (10 feet) in height. The reserve is characterized by glaciers, permanent ice fields, and high mountain lakes on its north-facing slopes. Steep, forested valleys carved by fast-flowing streams contrast with the gentle plains of the Fergana Valley, where the villages of Kyzyl-Tuu, Avletim, and Kashka Suu are located.