One of many high locations to go to in Kyrgyzstan is Fairytale Canyon, a stunning panorama showcasing multi-colored rock formations and strikingly eroded sandstone cliffs that create an otherworldly ambiance.
Additionally referred to as Skazka Canyon, the surreal setting is how Fairytale Canyon will get its identify, because the rock formations typically resemble mythological creatures and castles. Taking it in, you’re feeling such as you’re on one other planet!
Personally, it was one in all my favourite locations I visited. And as one in all Kyrgyzstan’s high sights, I extremely advocate including this to your itinerary.
Prepared to go to probably the most stunning locations in Central Asia? Proceed studying to be taught concerning the historical past and legends surrounding Fairytale Canyon, plus essential ideas for visiting!
Brief on time? Listed here are some high Kyrgyzstan suggestions:
Resort: Bell Tam Seaside Yurt Camp is a snug and classy camp on Issyk-Kul Lake that’s about 40 minutes away
Multi-Day Kyrgyzstan Tour Operator: Go to Alay
Beneficial Fairytale Canyon Excursions from Bishkek:
–2-Day Tour to Issyk-Kul Lake with Canyons & Waterfalls
–5-Day Pure Wonders of Issyk-Kul, Son-Kul & Chon-Kemin Tour
–10-Day Nomads, Legacy & Nature Tour of Kyrgyzstan
Journey Insurance coverage: SafetyWing (budget-friendly) & World Nomads (strong); if you happen to’re trekking, take into account World Rescue, which affords air evacuation providers in addition to a journey insurance coverage add-on.
Staying Linked: Saily eSIM (get 5% off with code jessie5)
Fairytale Canyon Location
Fairytale Canyon is positioned on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan and is well accessible from the principle freeway, simply 125 kilometers (78 miles) east of Balykchy and 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from Tosor village.
Moreover, it’s a preferred cease for these touring between Karakol Metropolis and Bokonbaevo Village or Track Kul Lake, that are additionally a few of Kyrgyzstan high sights to not miss.
Visiting Fairytale Canyon Logistics:
- Entry: 50 som per individual
- Hours: Daybreak till nightfall
- Attending to Fairytale Canyon: Click on right here for a Google Map location, although you may as well merely put “Fairytale Canyon” into Google Maps and it’ll populate
- Path Map: Here’s a map showcasing the path by Fairytale Canyon and the assorted viewpoints you would possibly wish to take a look at. You’ll additionally see this sign up individual once you go to Fairytale Canyon:
Highlights Of Fairytale Canyon Skazka
Love mountaineering? As you may see on the map on the high, there’s a mountaineering path inside the canyon that connects a lot of viewpoints. These embrace:
Fortress. This placing rock formation resembles the turrets and battlements of an historic fortress.
Colourful Hills. Right here you’ll see a sequence of vividly hued slopes that show a shocking array of reds, yellows, and oranges, due to the mineral-rich soils and sediments.
Panorama. This Fairytale Canyon viewpoint affords a sweeping and unobstructed view of your entire Fairytale Canyon, permitting you to totally admire the great thing about the layered rock formations and colourful hills surrounding you.
Chinese language Wall. This can be a lengthy, slender rock formation that stretches throughout a part of the canyon and is paying homage to the long-lasting Nice Wall of China.
How Fairytale Canyon Skazka Was Shaped
No Kyrgyzstan itinerary can be full with out visiting. Why? Properly, the principle cause Fairytale Canyon is among the high Kyrgyzstan vacationer sights is because of its distinctive panorama.
Formed by wind, water, solar, and tectonic uplifts, it’s made up of distinctive purple Neogene sediments reworked right into a fairytale-like atmosphere shrouded in thriller and delusion.
The landforms, consisting of clay and sand, are simply reshaped by pure erosion and are continually evolving. Which means that if you happen to go to Fairytale Canyon at present, it might look very completely different if you happen to return in 10 years!
Legend Of Fairytale Canyon Skazka
With such a fairytale-like ambiance, it’s no shock that this Kyrgyzstan attraction additionally has a legend hooked up.
Archeological proof means that the Issyk Kul basin was as soon as house to a couple highly effective cities.
In response to the legend, in one in all these cities lived a fantastic younger lady. An enormous purple dragon fell in love together with her, however she didn’t reciprocate his emotions.
Angered, the dragon vowed to drown the cities within the valley. Each evening, he tried to attract water from the native wells utilizing his magic. The locals, nonetheless, lined the wells with golden lids to dam his spells.
One evening, the younger lady forgot to cowl her effectively, permitting the dragon to flood your entire valley and create the lake.
Enchanted by the lake’s magnificence, the dragon lay down on the southern shore, turning into rocks—which, based on the legend, is how Fairytale Canyon got here to be!
As a nod to this folklore, close to the car parking zone, there’s a present store space the place you may take images in warrior apparel and sit in a Recreation of Thrones-esque chair for a small price (100 som).
Suggestions For Visiting Fairytale Canyon Skazka
In an effort to have the very best expertise attainable exploring Fairytale Canyon Kyrgyzstan, there are some essential ideas to bear in mind:
Put on mountaineering boots. It’s advisable to put on mountaineering boots with treads, because the terrain could be very slippery. Even if you happen to’re simply going to 1 vantage level, such because the gorgeous Colourful Hills Viewpoint, you’ll must go up and down a really slippery and rocky path. Whereas there, I noticed a number of folks try to get to the highest and quit as it may be a bit scary.
Carry trekking poles. For a similar cause that you just’ll wish to put on mountaineering boots, trekking poles might help preserve you sturdy.
You don’t should hike excessive for wonderful views. Should you’re fearful about how slippery the canyon is, be aware that you just don’t should hike to an official viewpoint to benefit from the wonderful surroundings. Even simply strolling a bit up from the car parking zone will get you nice views!
Think about visiting Fairytale Canyon at sundown. To kick the epic views up a notch, go to at sundown to see your entire panorama forged in an array of colours.
Carry rest room paper and a face masks. The onsite bathrooms are smelly pit bathrooms, so that you’ll wish to carry your individual rest room paper and hand sanitizer. I additionally advocate having a masks with a drop of important oil or spray on it to masks the odor.
Mix your go to with close by sights. My high choose can be Barskoon Waterfall. You’ll be able to merely hike to the primary degree for a brief and scenic hike, or go all the way in which to the highest for one thing more difficult.
Discover Fairytale Canyon Skazka Via 360* Video
Need a extra immersive have a look at what Fairytale Canyon in Kyrgyzstan truly appears like? Take a look at this video shot with the Insta360 x4: