Chunkurchak is the highest mountain gorge closest to Bishkek, which is popular among Bishkek residents and guests of the capital. It is located near Bishkek and stretches for almost 40 kilometres.
Chunkurchak Gorge is located at an altitude of 2400 metres above sea level. From Kyrgyz, “chunkurchak” translates as “depression”.
Chunkurchak is considered one of the most beautiful gorges of Kyrgyzstan. Here you can observe a colourful symbiosis of snowy mountain peaks, green alpine meadows, coniferous forests and reddish soil.
At the entrance to Chunkurchak, stunning panoramas open up, which are the hallmark of the Chui Valley.
If you want to enjoy the coolness of the water, go to the Pigeon Waterfall with a height of about 35 metres. The myriad splashes hitting the rocks are mesmerising.
There are four ski resorts in the gorge, which in summer function as koumiss health resorts and rest homes. In winter, people ski, snowboard and sledge here.
The sharp cliffs of the gorge attract climbers and rock climbers. Some rocks of the gorge are covered with snow and ice even in winter. Every year, there are competitions in dry-tooling – climbing to the top with the help of ice climbing equipment.
Chunkurchak is also often visited by cyclists and lovers of Scandinavian walking.