Suusamyr Valley

Suusamyr is a vast high valley of summer pastures 2,200–2,600 m up, on the road between Bishkek and Osh — one of the most famous jailoo of Kyrgyzstan, where herders’ yurts, horses and kymyz line the road all summer.

The valley stretches for about 155 km between the Kyrgyz Ala-Too in the north and the Suusamyr-Too and Jumgal-Too ranges in the south, with peaks up to 4,500 m. Two rivers, the Western Karakol and the Suusamyr, meet here to form the Kokomeren. In Soviet times up to four million sheep were driven over the passes every summer to graze on its rich grass. In winter the valley lies under snow for four to five months.

What to do

• Stop at a roadside yurt for kymyz, fresh bread and kaimak — see Kyrgyz food.
• Horse riding and hikes from herders’ camps into the side valleys.
• Stay in a yurt camp under a huge sky.
• Visit Kojomkul village, with a small museum of the legendary strongman Kojomkul (2.3 m tall), and the stones he is said to have lifted.
• Continue through the narrow Kokomeren gorge towards Kochkor and Song-Kol on a rough but beautiful road.

Wildlife is rich: ibex, argali, roe deer, marmots and, higher up, bears, lynx and snow leopards.

• Distance: about 3 hours from Bishkek over the Too-Ashuu pass
• Altitude: 2,200–2,600 m
• Best time: June to September
• Good for: yurt stays, horse riding, a stop on the Bishkek–Osh road