Ak-Sai or Aksay Canyon is definitely a must-see in Kyrgyzstan, but it's often skipped by those who don't have their own transport. The sandstone canyon on the southern shore of Issyk Kul Lake is characterised by its dramatic rock formations with dried riverbeds carving out veins in the land, making it one of the most interesting landscapes you'll ever see. Plus, the breathtaking backdrop of the snow-capped Tian Shan mountains and glistening blue lake, add an extra layer of magic.
There is a small village at the stat of the dirt road that goes into the canyon, which is called Ak-Sai village. Otherwise, the nearest major town is Bokonbaevo.
How to get there? You can take a marshrutka to Ak-Sai village, which is on the main road between Bishkek and Karakol. From there, the canyon is an 11km walk or drive along a dirt road to the shore of Issyk Kul. The road goes through the canyon. You can find a taxi in Ak-Sai Village to take you to the canyon and back (a guesthouse there will be able to arrange a driver). Otherwise, you can also walk the 11km, but be aware that it’s very exposed to the sun, so allow plenty of time and carry water. If you have your own vehicle, then you can simply drive yourself.
Best viewpoint? Just walking or driving through the canyon will not provide the most awe-inspiring view or the appropriate scale of the landscape. At the end of the dirt road, just as it reaches the shore of the lake, there is a small carpark and trailhead on the left. From here, you can hike up a dirt trail for about 10-minutes to reach the panorama viewpoint. From here, you'll really grasp the incredible canyon and be able to take in the panorama of Kygryzstan's stunning landscape.
When to visit? Sunset or sunrise is undoubtedly the best time to visit the viewpoint as the light will create incredible shadows and golden colours for the best photos. However, this is difficult to do unless you have your own vehicle and are staying somewhere not too far away.
Where to stay? There is a yurt camp (Feel Nomad Yurt Camp) at the end of the canyon on Issyk Kul shoreline where you can stay or you can also wild camp nearby if you have a camping setup. Another option is to stay in Ak-Sai village, where there's a few basic guesthouses (this is what we did, I have included a separate pin for where we stayed, ABATAY Guesthouse). It's also possible to stay in Bokonbaevo and just do a day trip out to the canyon and back.
