Arabel Valley

The Arabel Plateau is a highland valley, located at an altitude of 3800 meters above sea level. This is an amazing place in the southern part of the Issyk-Kul region. It is situated near the Barskoon Gorge and the gold mine Kumtor.
High-mountain valleys (also called syrt) are a rare and very surprising phenomenon, especially at this altitude. The average annual temperature in these places is only 5-7 degrees and the earth is almost completely devoid of vegetation. In such places, only grass, mosses and lichens survive. Due to abundant precipitation and melting of glaciers, there is a lot of water in the valley. This water is used to form rivers, lakes and marshes. The Arabel Plateau is a peculiar high mountain tundra where you can find more than 50 lakes.
The valley has such an interesting relief and a large number of lakes due to a very old glacier. It leveled the valley and left so many lacustrine basins.
There are many tourist routes to the Arabel Valley. It is possible to get to the valley through the Barskoon and Dzhuuku Gorges, as well as through the Arabel Pass, which leads to the Bolgart River Valley.

How to get to the Arabel Valley

The Arabel Valley is located in the southern part of the Issyk-Kul region, on the southern side of the Terskey-Ala-Too Range. You can get there by car through the Barskoon Gorge. In the valley, you can also get through the Jiuku Canyon by bicycle, on foot or by horse.

Useful Information