Konorchek canyon

Konorchek canyon. There is a fabulous place that is very close to Bishkek, it is located in 135 km from the capital, in the Boom gorge. Konorchek Canyon is also called Eolian castles.

Such a beautiful name is a combination of the usual geological term "Aeolian deposits" and a poetic attitude to nature when, seeing something beautiful, we want to give it a fantastic, sublime form. Every traveler feels while walking in the canyons, as if they  were on the narrow streets of a medieval city. You can get the canyons only through the labyrinth of rocks along the watercourse of a dried river. Rocky columns of red sandstone long for many kilometers.

The time here seems to stop, and the traveler falls into captivity of these picturesque landscapes, which you cannot admire. The climate in the canyons of Konorchek is rather unusual and peculiar: in summer it is very hot and dry, in winter it is cold, but practically without precipitation.

Canyons were created by erosion forces for several million years. Where the movements of the earth's crust opened up cracks and fractures, rains and winds immediately destroyed the sandstone underlying it, decorating the landscape with bizarre columns. So, step by step, time, water and wind created a magnificent fairy-tale world of Aeolian castles.

Aeolian castles are located on the way from Bishkek to the lake Issyk-Kul. From Bishkek to the beginning of the journey, we drive to the Boom Gorge up to 135 kilometers by road. Then we need to turn into the adjacent gorge. The further way is to go on foot. The path lies along the bottom of a narrow rock canyon, the vertical walls of which sometimes converge to several meters. After another turn suddenly opens a wide valley with a stunning view of the Aeolian castles a sight that will not leave anyone indifferent.

Clothing and Equipment

Sunscreen (at least 20SPF)
Chapstik or equivalent lip balm
Sunglasses with UV protection
Telescopic trekking sticks poles (optional)
Fleece jacket or pullover 
Fleece Wind-Stopper jacket (optional) 
Down vest and/or jacket (optional) 
Waterproof jacket (Gore-Tex) with hood
Waterproof pants (Gore-Tex)
Warm fleece hat or light balaclava 
Trekking/Hiking boots with spare laces