Besh-Tash National Park

Besh-Tash, five stones, is a national park in the Talas Ala-Too covering a river valley that climbs from around 1,700 metres to peaks over 4,000, with juniper woodland on the lower slopes, meadow above, and a small lake near the head. It is the main protected area of the Talas region, which is itself one of the least travelled parts of Kyrgyzstan because it connects more easily to Kazakhstan than to the rest of the country. Walking and horse riding up the valley are the activities, with shepherd camps in the upper pastures in summer. Deer, boar and marmots live in the park and there are bears in the higher forest. Infrastructure amounts to a gate, a few picnic spots and a track that deteriorates as it climbs.

What you actually see

• Juniper woodland - the lower slopes above the river.
• Upper meadows - summer pasture with shepherd camps.
• The valley lake - small water near the head of the park.
• Empty trails - a park that sees very few visitors.

When to go

June to September for the valley; July and August for the pastures at their fullest. Snow closes the upper valley from October. The Talas region is cut off from the rest of the country by passes that close in winter.

Honest expectations

There is almost no infrastructure: no marked trails, no accommodation inside, minimal signage. Talas town has limited beds and food. Getting to the region at all takes a long drive over a pass or a detour through Kazakhstan. Bears are present and food should be stored accordingly.

Nearby

Manas Ordo lies northeast; the Kirov reservoir is west of Talas.