Chances are, you will go outside Bishkek and move around to see more. And if Karakol is your chosen destination as your next base, you are in for a treat! Albeit a little far from Karakol, there's a not-so-secret canyon on the Southern Shore of Issyk Kul which is reachable by the public transportation. Wanted to visit as a day trip? Let me help you how to go to Skazka Canyon by Marshrutka!
What is the Skazka Canyon?
Skazka Canyon (known as Fairytale Canyon) is a beautiful natural landscape in Kyrgyzstan. The word Skazka means 'fairytale' in the Russian language which is a great fit to describe the 'magical' feeling when you see the place. Rock formations, wall-like structures, and a striking mixture of colors (red/brown/pink/yellow/orange), it's a sight to see.
Tales and legends are circulating on how Skazka Canyon was formed but I will not dive deeper into that. Rather, I will leave it as part of 'Science' and the fact that Kyrgyzstan (in general) is a blessed country with myriad landscapes - green meadows, blue alpine lakes, snow-capped mountains, and now a terrain of sandstones.
Why Visit?
Whether your Kyrgyzstan trip is about hiking or joining the nomad culture, it's not bad to do some sightseeing in between. Not only Skazka Canyon is beautiful (the word beautiful is an understatement, to be honest) but there's more about it than meets the eye. So what's in it for you?
- It is reachable by public transportation aka the marshrutka. It's not the most comfortable form of transport but you will get a first-hand experience of how the locals commute (outside Bishkek) without glitz and glamour.
- Since the canyon is located on the Southern Shore of Issyk Kul, you are in for a drive along a scenic route. A view of the plains where the farmers are tending to the crops, kids happily walking on their way to school in the next towns, and the majestic Issyk Kul with its clear blue color.
So even before reaching Skazka, your heart will be probably full of all the sights and the experience itself. At least that's what I felt. But of course, we save the best for last. Let me tease you on what awaits you...
I know the image of Kyrgyzstan in your mind is not like this. But true enough, the photo above is just one of the many sections of Skazka Canyon. So shall we continue?
How to go by Marshrutka from Karakol?
Okay, enough of the teasing, and let's get down on how to go from Karakol to Skazka Canyon by Marshrutka.
If you're staying in Karakol that's a good start. In my case, I stayed in DUET HOSTEL so I just walked up to the South Bus Station. South Bus Station's pin location can be searched both on Google Maps and Maps.Me.
The bus station is next to a gas station called Bishkek Petroleum and Stadium Entrance Gate. If you are standing in front of these two landmarks, the bus station is on your right by now.
Tell the driver you will go to Skazka Canyon and they will point the right marshrutka easily. Pay the driver the transportation fee and wait until the marshrutka gets full. The marshrutka may or may not have a fixed schedule but as far as I observed (in all of my public transport experience), marshrutka only leaves when they are full.
Sit comfortably in the marshrutka while passengers get on and off along the way. Enjoy the drive and eventually, you will reach Skazka Canyon after around 1 hour and a half. Be mindful during the journey so that you won't miss the signpost. The driver may forget where you are heading so watch out for it.
From this signpost, cross to the other side of the road to enter the canyon. It will be a short walk but it's a single road (no forks) so just follow the road. You will come across a ticket booth/entrance gate where you need to pay the entrance fee. After the ticket booth, continue your walk until you reach the foot of the valley.
Going back to Karakol from Skazka Canyon
Going back to Karakol is easy (they said), wait for the marshrutka going back to Karakol and take that whether it is empty or full. But what time it'll pass, no one knows.
So before I even decided to wait for the marshrutka, the Russian traveler I met raised his hand to signal the passing cars for a hitchride (for me) like an instinct. I guess, when they say hitchhiking is common in Central Asia, it's an understatement.
And so, my means to go back to Karakol was none other hitch hiking. In the end, I've become one of the blogs that says, hitch hike to go back to Karakol. Oops!
Costs:
As a budget traveler, I know how every cost matters. So let me share the costs that I spent during my visit to the Skazka Canyon by Marshrutka back in Spring 2022:
- Marshrutka from Karakol to Skazka Canyon - SOM 150.00. Other blogs say it's SOM 120.00 but I was asked for SOM 150.00. There could be a price increase but I'm not sure.
- Entrance Fee at the Entrance Gate - SOM 50.00
- Hitch-hiking cost* going back to Karakol - SOM 200.00. Artemy, the Russian traveler I've met, told me multiple times to give SOM 100.00 only. But I didn't have a change and the language barrier held me back from asking for a change hehe.
*While hitchhiking is known to be a *free ride*, it's not like that in Central Asia (so I heard). Every passing car instantly becomes a taxi as you ask them for a ride. You are expected to *pay* some amount but if you are not paying, inform the driver in advance to avoid misunderstandings.
Highlights of Skazka Canyon
At first, you won't see much from the highway until you walk further inside. A few meters after the entrance gate, the scenery will start to change but you might think is this it?
Walk for a few more meters and you will reach a small open space at the bottom of the valley. In the photo below, the open space is where the cars are. There is one small hut to rest if you need one but there's no water source nearby.
There are no tour guides available as well. Unless you book an official tour where a tour guide may be included. Or if you can speak the language (Kyrgyz or Russian), befriend locals who know the place and you can ask around. But if not, everything is up to your imagination (and assumption) - like what I did.
At the very top of the only viewpoint that we've been to, it was breathtaking. I know it was beautiful when I was planning the trip, but seeing it in front of me is a state of euphoria. I couldn't hold back from exclaiming 'Wow!' here and there.
Want a panoramic view frame by frame? let me show you from left to right when facing inside.
You can go deeper inside the canyon to reach other viewpoints (coordinates are available in Maps.me). Follow the trails easily which are visible (flat clear pathways). Here is a photo of other travelers walking along the trail on the ridge.
When you think that the photos above are an amazing bunch already, I'm telling you that my photos CANNOT justify the beauty of the place. Let me show you some more photos from my humble gallery.
After feasting my eyes on the panoramic view that I have, unfortunately, it's time for me to go down.
Despite the long travel time and short time spent here (and coming at the wrong time again for photos - noon), I have no regrets about coming here at all. Nature once again proved its healing magic by showing me a different side of Kyrgyzstan. This is when I realized, there's more to Kyrgyzstan than just hiking and the nomad culture. There's so much more, and that's for me to explore next time around.
Looking for another day trip idea from Karakol? Check out my next post - Jeti Oguz!
