Ski Safari Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan, the place where it all started for us. In addition to our celebrated Ski Adventure trip, we will also be offering a Ski Safari. As always, a combination of winter sports and culture, for the adventurous, autonomous and curious winter sports enthusiast.
Ski Adventure Kyrgyzstan
The Kyrgyzstan Ski Adventure is our most famous ski tour. In 8 days we will explore the remarkable highlights of skiing in Kyrgyzstan. Don’t expect any comfortable chairlifts, groovy after ski pubs or ceasar salads. Get yourself ready for adventure, yurts and shashliks.
Cat Ski Kyrgyzstan
Cat ski Kyrgyzstan? An abnormal amount of dry Central Asian snow is falling in Kyrgalan valley of Kyrgyzstan. The giant Issyk Kul Lake provides a micro-climate with significantly more snowfall than elsewhere in Central Asia. That’s why we offer organized cat ski trips to Jyrgalan. Complete with overnight stay in traditional yurt and Russian sauna.
The valley of fairy tales, Skazka valley
The so-called fairy tale valley, also called Skazka valley, has not stolen its name: the sandstone rock formations capture the imagination of the visitor. Skazka in Russian means “fairy tale” and with a little imagination, is a place full of mystery. For example, go in search of dragons, a rhinoceros, a sleeping giant or the Great Wall of China. And don’t forget your camera: the rocks come in an infinite variety from red to orange and are quite photogenic. The valley is somewhat reminiscent of Cappadocia in Turkey, minus the hot air balloons. But that’s a good thing: little can beat that infinitely empty and blue Kyrgyz sky.
The legend
Like Jeti Oguz, the fairy valley also has its legends. This legend is about the time when Lake Issyk Kul was not a lake. Several cities are said to lie at the bottom of the Great Lake, according to legends. Some of this is true, as remains of several cities have indeed been found here.
Long ago in one of the cities there lived a very beautiful girl. The girl fell in love with a seven-headed dragon, who then asked her to marry him. Unfortunately for him, the girl said she was in love with someone else and refused him to marry her. The dragon was banished to a well in the Skazka Valley and said that in revenge, at full moon, he would drown the city. Out of anger, he fell into a deep sleep.
The town’s residents came up with a solution. They would put a lid of gold over the well every night, at the full moon. Everything went completely smoothly until it was the girl’s turn to put the lid on the well. She had “forgotten” and water spewed from the well. Startled, the dragon awoke to its own power and looked at the giant lake that was forming. Standing at the site of Skazka Valley, he was in shock and turned to stone.
Today, the dragon as well as other petrified bodies and figures are said to be seen in the fairy valley. These figures would have been formed by the scene told above. In the valley, it is not clear where the dragon’s head begins and the beast’s tail ends. So good search!
Fun and practical facts about the fairy tale valley
- Entrance to the valley costs 50 som. You can pay for these at the barrier.
- If you go by private transportation, a car that can go off-road is recommended.
- The rocks are so photogenic that locals from surrounding villages go there early in the morning to take pictures for their weddings, for example.
- Sleeping is best in the surrounding towns. Of course, you can also pitch your own tent there in the parking lot. However, I can assure you that, the parking lot doesn’t sleep as nicely.
- From the barrier, it is a 2-kilometer walk or drive to the valley.