The Jety-Oguz Gorge is located on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, 25 kilometers southwest of Karakol and 400 kilometers from Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.
The gorge's name, Jety-Oguz (translated from Kyrgyz as "Seven Bulls"), comes from the mass of red sandstone cliffs that resemble enormous bulls lying on the ground. Another of the gorge's enormous cliffs bears a striking resemblance to a cracked heart.
The gorge is home to a spa resort, located 2,200 meters above sea level. Its hot hydrogen sulfide springs, rich in radon, are beneficial for rheumatism, nervous system disorders, skin conditions, and stomach problems.
The Jety-Oguz Gorge is one of the most beautiful corners of Kyrgyzstan. A swift mountain river of the same name flows through the gorge. Enormous Tien Shan spruce trees grow along both banks. In the middle section of the gorge lies the picturesque "Maiden's Braids" waterfall and the famous "flower meadow." In its upper reaches, the gorge widens and merges into the wide Kek-Dzhayik Valley, with magnificent alpine meadows and jailoo pastures. The gorge is capped by the imposing Oguz Bashi ("Bull's Head") peak, 5,170 meters high.
The gorge is the starting point for many hiking trails and mountaineering expeditions.
