Some 25 km southwest of Karakol, the Jety-Oguz valley stretches between red cliffs, pine forests and glacial torrents. Its name means "valley of the seven bulls" and refers to an ancient Kyrgyz legend, still told locally. A national nature reserve, archaeological site and thermal station founded during the Soviet era: the valley brings together several layers of landscape history in a single excursion from Karakol.

Why visit Jety-Oguz Valley

• The Seven Bulls, an alignment of red sandstone rocks that dominates the valley entrance.
• The Broken Heart, a split rock formation that embodies the founding legend of the place.
• A national nature reserve home to mammals and birds from the Tian Shan mountains.
• Burial mounds from the Iron Age still visible on the ground.
• A thermal station fed by natural geothermal springs.
• A starting point for hiking and horseback riding toward alpine pastures.

History and legend

The legend of the seven bulls

The name Jety-Oguz comes from a story recorded by Russian writer Ivan Sokolov-Mikitov, who heard it from nomadic herders during his time in Kyrgyz territory. The legend features two rival Khans. One had abducted the wife of the other, triggering a prolonged war. Unable to return her, yet unable to keep her in peace, the abductor Khan organized a reconciliation feast in the valley. Seven bulls were slaughtered for the banquet. As the seventh fell, he stabbed the young woman through the heart. According to the tale, her blood flowed into the valley's springs and poisoned the guests of the abductor's clan. Since then, the valley has borne the name of "seven bulls." The landscape preserves this memory: on one side a heart-shaped rock, on the other seven rocks in alignment.

Iron Age burial mounds

The valley is home to an ancient Scythian cemetery with several burial mounds dated from the 7th to 5th century BCE. Their current dimensions vary from 16 to 28 meters in diameter and 1.7 to 3 meters in height, compressed by erosion. Originally, these mounds were significantly taller.

The thermal station and the 1991 meeting

A bathhouse resort was built in 1932 in the heart of the valley to exploit the geothermal springs, near the red cliffs. The site remained active during the Soviet period. It was here that, in 1991, the first official meeting took place between Askar Akaev, the first president of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Boris Yeltsin, his Russian counterpart.

What to see

The Seven Bulls and the Broken Heart

Both rock formations are located at the valley entrance and are visible from the road. A viewing platform on the left as you drive up offers the best overall view of the red alignment of seven ridges.

Devichyi Slezy waterfall ("tears of a maiden")

About 8 km beyond the thermal station, a waterfall of several dozen meters can be reached via a short trail from the parking area. The flow is most impressive in June-July.

The Kok-Jaïyk plateau

Higher up the valley, the "flower field" is a broad alpine meadow where herders set up their yurts in summer. This is the launching point for multi-day treks to Lake Ala-Köl.

Practical information

• Visit duration: allow half a day for the viewpoints and waterfall; a full day if you hike up to Kok-Jaïyk plateau.
• Entrance: a modest entrance fee is charged at the entrance to the protected area.
• Equipment: hiking boots, windproof jacket and water. Temperatures drop quickly at altitude, even in summer.
• Accommodation: seasonal yurts in the valley, guesthouse at the thermal station, hotels in Karakol.
• Activities: hiking, horseback rides (offered by local herders), thermal baths at the station.

When to go

The valley is accessible year-round, but conditions vary greatly by season.

• June to September: best time. Green pastures, yurts installed, trails clear, waterfall at peak flow.
• May and October: cool shoulder seasons but practicable for the lower valley.
• November to April: snow possible at altitude, access limited to the upper plateau. The thermal station and Seven Bulls remain visitable.

How to get there

The valley is reached from Karakol, about 25 km to the southwest. Three options are available:

• Marshrutka (shared minibus) from Karakol's bus station to Jety-Oguz village, then local taxi or hitchhike further into the valley.
• Private taxi for the day from Karakol, the most flexible option for visiting the Seven Bulls, the waterfall and the plateau.
• Organized tour including driver, guide and sometimes horseback riding.

What to combine in the region

• Karakol and its wooden Dungan mosque, the logical base for the valley.
• The Cholpon Ata petroglyphs, on the north shore of Lake Issyk-Kul.
• The Big Almaty Lake, in the Tian Shan range on the Kazakh side, accessible via the Karkara border crossing in season.

Frequently asked questions

Include Jety-Oguz in your journey

The valley fits naturally into a circuit around Lake Issyk-Kul, complementing Karakol and the alpine pastures of the Tian Shan. To build a custom itinerary, explore our trips to Kyrgyzstan.