Grigorievka: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Grigorievskoye Gorge, also known as Chon-Ak-Suu, is located directly next to Grigorievka on the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Grigorievka can then continue searching for accommodation.

Nature

The gorge known as Grigorevsky Gorge, also called the Chon-Ak-Suu Valley, descends from the Kungey Ala-Too Range near Grigor’yevka. Its 35-kilometre-long valley includes dense fir forests, glacial water, high snow-covered peaks and three mountain lakes. In the Chon-Ak-Suu area, these three lakes are located on the western side of the valley; the middle lake lies between the jailoo summer pastures, and all three lakes contain high-mountain trout.

The upper lake is described as being at an altitude of around 3,500 metres and is surrounded by alpine meadows. At an altitude of around 3,500 metres, beyond the last lake, the forest gives way to alpine meadows.

Culture

In the nearby gorge, yurts offer opportunities from late June to late September to learn about Kyrgyz nomadic traditions, with craft and horse-riding demonstrations, folk music, kumis and the opportunity to help set up a yurt. Visitors can walk or ride horses in the gorge.

At-Jailoo is an actively used grazing area; a yurt by the roadside is not necessarily a café or a guest facility. Permission should be requested before photographing or entering yurts in At-Jailoo.

The house locally known as the Brezhnev dacha is described as a local legend from the Soviet era, not as a documented museum. No one should enter the grounds without express permission; an open museum is not to be expected there. Archaeological finds in the gorge include ancient graves dating from the fifth to the third century BC. The name of the gorge is associated with Grigory Lytikov, who was involved in the founding of Grigorievka at the beginning of the 20th century.

Getting Around

A properly prepared vehicle can use the Kok-Bel route without returning to Lake Issyk-Kul on the same road. Cyclists need working brakes and reserve water. A shared taxi from Cholpon-Ata can reach Grigorievskoye Gorge. Those travelling on the northern Balykchy–Karakol highway turn north towards Grigorievka after Cholpon-Ata.

Food

In the lower part of the gorge, seasonal yurts and simple cafés operate in summer. Menus, hygienic conditions and payment options vary at these seasonal yurts and simple cafés. Traditional yurts in the gorge are associated with the opportunity to try trout and Kyrgyz dishes. Kumis and other national beverages are available to try in the gorge.

Other places in the same area: Tamchy, Teploklyuchenka, Ananyevo, Barskoon, Tamga, Dolinka, Chong-Sary-Oy, Kaji-Say

To the higher-level travel overview: Yssykköl Region.