The Seven Bulls of Jeti-Oguz, Kyrgyzstan

One of the most famous valleys around Issyk Kul Lake is the magnificient Jeti-Oguz. Its fame comes from the 'Seven bulls' red sandstone formation, but the gorge has actually much more to offer. Let me show you around...

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INFO & PLANNING TIPS - Jeti-Oguz

Jeti-Oguz is the name of a famous sandstone formation South east of the Issyk Kul lake and parrallel to the Karakol valley. However it is also the name of its river and of the valley it stands in.

It is one of my favorite destinations in Kyrgyzstan.​

The Broken Heart

On the way to the end of the Jeti-Oguz valley, the red sandtone will start appearing here and there on each side of the road. And at one point you will notice this huge rock in front of you that kind of ressemble a heart that has splintered down. I am not totally convinced but it is still nice (although the sun was not as a good place when I visited to take a good shot).

Of course different legends surrond the Broken Heart, all involving a beautiful girl and 2 men desiring her. Why are those legends never about a handsome man and 2 women pursuing him?

In summer, the places attracts sme nomads with their yurts and bees:

Then the road continues on the side of the sandsone formation. We stopped because it is quite nice to get a closer look at the rock and the work of erosion:

The 7 Bulls

I thought we had to drive further to see the Seven Bulls and I was getting excited because I love weird geological formations and red is my favorite color. But we stopped at the few shops nearby and there my guide Masha said 'turn around'. Yeahhhhh!!!!!

There was the incredible 7 bulls ​formation where erosion created more than 7 bluffs. Some say 8 others 10. Does it matter? It is relly stunning and unexpected.

To get a better view I recommend climbing the path that starts between the shops next to the public 'toilets' accross from the rock formation​. See the photo on the right, there is the car track and a smaller trail both leading you to the top with some extraordinary views.

Walking extremely slow and taking lots of pictures, it took me 25 minutes to reach the top which was a soft climb. Before I show what I discovered on the other side (and you could not imagine from the valley), here are 2 pictures of the Jeti-Oguz from the top of the hill:

Dragon Gorge

This is where the car tracks arrive:

And there it is, I reach the top and when WOW WOW WOW:

When I had planned my trip (in a lot of details, as usual), Jeti-Oguz had made it on the top of the my list of the things that I was the most excited about. But nowhere in my research had I discovered there was much more to it. The Bradt Guide to Kyrgyzstan does mention the Dragon gorge but very briefly and without any pictures.

So here you have it. The sandstone cliffs actually continue on the other side. And it gets really surpriseing with the red rocks on one side and the snow capped mountains on the other:

Plus on that side you can get really close to the edge of the cliff and admire the work of erosion. These big red walls are very impressive!

I walked further on the path and took this funny shot of more than 180 degrees (which shows you the path twice, I find it funny).

At the top, I also found a beautiful horse enjoying its surroundings:

Unplanned adventures always lead you to incredible moments. I am so happy that I climbed that path!

Jeti-Oguz valley of flowers

So it is with a smile on my face that I climbed back on board the minibus and we drove futher into the valley, which widens into a beautiful alpine landscape called the valley of Flowers. There I experienced my first night in a yurt! But that is for another post...

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KARAKOL AND ANIMAL MARKET

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VALLEY OF FLOWERS

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