Chon-Ak-Suu is better known to travellers as Grigorievka or Grigoriev Gorge. It starts by Grigorievka village on the north shore of Issyk-Kul and runs into the Kungey Ala-Too range. The Ak-Suu river valley runs for several dozen kilometres from the village towards the Ak-Suu pass area, with spruce slopes and pastures lower down, then alpine meadows and upper viewpoints over Issyk-Kul. Most visitors stay in the lower valley rather than attempting the high pass: the appeal is the river, forested slopes, summer pastures and three small lakes on the western side of the gorge. It is a convenient day trip from the north shore of Issyk-Kul and is commonly paired with nearby Semenov Gorge. In summer, yurt and camping setups appear in the meadows, with local horse rides and simple food usually available on the spot. The turn-off is from the Balykchy-Karakol road in Grigorievka village, east of Cholpon-Ata. The road is still mixed: the lower approach is easier, then dirt sections begin, and road works are reported around Grigorievka and Semenovka in 2025-2026. After rain, or if you plan to go beyond the main visitor meadows, confirm conditions locally before driving in.
Grigorievka Gorge (Chon-Ak-Suu)
Григорьевское ущелье (Чон-Ак-Суу) · Чоң-Ак-Суу
A forested north-shore Issyk-Kul gorge with the Ak-Suu river, three small mountain lakes, summer yurt stops and an easy pairing with neighbouring Kyrchyn/Semenov Gorge.
- road trip
- beginner friendly
- family friendly
- photo spot
- tent camping ok
- yurt camp
- Region
- Issyk-Kul
- Type
- Gorge
- When to go
- spring, summer, autumn
- How long
- one day
- Road
- paved + dirt sections
- 4×4
- recommended
- Guide
- depends on the route
- Permit
- not required — No border permit is needed for a normal visit to the lower gorge; a recreation entry fee applies on forest-fund land. · how to get one
- Mobile signal
- weak signal — Specific operator coverage in the gorge was not confirmed; expect weak or intermittent signal beyond the village and main visitor stops.
- Coordinates
- 42.718, 77.484
Show on the map → Directions: 2GIS · Yandex Maps · Google Maps · OpenStreetMap
Safety
The lower gorge is a popular summer outing, but the road includes dirt sections and sits within a 2025-2026 road-work area: expect construction machinery, temporary restrictions and rough patches after rain. A bridge damaged by heavy rains was reported restored in July 2026, so re-check access before driving in. Upper routes towards Ak-Suu Pass go high into the mountains and should not be treated as a casual drive; they require a separate route plan, weather check, navigation and local advice. Signal may drop in the valley, so leave your return plan with someone.
Fees & prices
Since June 2025, Chon-Ak-Suu/Grigorievka Gorge charges a recreation entry fee: passenger car 80 som, vehicles over seven seats 170 som, minibuses and trucks 300 som; per-person fees are 20 som for Kyrgyz citizens, 100 som for citizens of former USSR countries, and 220 som for other foreign visitors. Payment is by card or QR code, but cash is still useful for yurts and local services. Checked: July 2026.
What to bring
Shoes for wet grass and riverside walking, a warm layer and rain shell, water, snacks, cash for yurt/local services, and an offline map.
Facilities
- lodging
- camping
Nearby
- Semyonovka Gorge — A north-shore Issyk-Kul gorge with paved access, spruce-covered slopes and the wide Kyrchyn valley known from the World Nomad Games.
- Cholpon-Ata — The main resort hub on Issyk-Kul's north shore: beaches, hotels, Rukh Ordo, the petroglyph museum and a useful base for the Kungey Ala-Too gorges.
Sources
- Grigoriev Gorge — Central Asia Guide — Чон-Ак-Суу/Григорьевское ущелье, расположение у Григорьевки, река Ак-Суу, длина долины около 38 км, озёра, летние юрты, связь с Семёновским ущельем
- Grigoriev Gorge — Too.kg — Северный берег Иссык-Куля, близ села Григорьевка, три горных озера, популярность, маршруты к Семёновскому ущелью, описание грунтовой дороги
- Issyk Kul and the Tian Shan — Wikivoyage — Региональный путеводитель; Чолпон-Ата как база северного берега и Grigorievskoe Trail nearby
- Grigor’yevka — GeoNames — Координаты села Григорьевка у въезда в ущелье: N 42°43′5″, E 77°29′2″
- За въезд в пять самых известных ущелий Кыргызстана нужно платить — Kaktus.media — Платный въезд в Чон-Ак-Суу/Григорьевское и Кичи-Ак-Суу/Семёновское ущелья с июня 2025 года, шлагбаумы лесного фонда, тарифы для транспорта и посетителей, оплата картой или QR-кодом
- Парковка на 500 мест и новые дороги — Turmush — Сообщение от 27 апреля 2026 года о работах в Семёновке и Григорьевке: асфальтирование 35 км дорог и туристическая инфраструктура
- В Григорьевском ущелье рубят ели — планируют строить дорогу — 24.kg — Планы строительства дорог Григорьевка — Кол — Кашка-Суу и Семёновка — Ак-Суу, расчёты лесной службы и подготовка участков в 2025 году
- Bridge damaged by heavy rains restored in Grigorievsky Gorge — AKIpress — Новость от 9 июля 2026 года о восстановлении моста в Григорьевском ущелье после повреждения ливнями
- Grigorievka Valley — Kyrgyz'What? — Однодневная поездка от Иссык-Куля, доступность на машине, пешком или на лошади, юрты в долине и связка с Семёновским ущельем
Verified: July 13, 2026 (AI, from open sources).