Kavashan Gorge
Kavashinsky Cliffs and Laylak
Kavashin is a mysterious and enchanting oasis of wild nature, located in the very heart of Pamir-Alai.
It is a unique crossroads of the republics of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.
Kavashinsky Gorge is considered one of the most renowned gorges among climbers in the southern part of Kyrgyzstan. This route is most often preferred by athletes who value technically challenging ascents.
Kavashin is usually regarded as a "master's area," as a large section of the routes has a high degree of difficulty. Most often, those who arrive here are eager to establish new routes through the difficult mountains or want to showcase their skills. The cliffs of Kavashinsky Gorge, with their configuration and structure, remarkably resemble the famed South American Patagonia – with alpine meadows, crystal-clear mountain streams, and an area untouched by civilization, surrounded by five-thousand-meter peaks. However, the Kavashin cliffs are much warmer and longer than those in Patagonia. The height of many rock walls reaches up to 2000 meters! The cliffs are primarily composed of strong, monolithic granite, as well as sandstone and limestone.
Geographically, the gorge is located in the Turkestan Range, situated in the Batken region in the south of Kyrgyzstan.
The most famous peaks surrounding the gorge are the four-thousand-meter peaks Asan and Usan, Slesov Peak, and the peak of 1000 years of the Baptism of Rus, the magnificent Pyramid Peak (5509), as well as Kotov Peak and the Yellow Wall. A significant portion of the road runs directly along the gorge itself – dry, sun-scorched, and thus even more unusual. This area is made unique not only by the rich abundance of peaks and the vast number of fascinating routes but also by the sparsity of people in these zones. Here, you are unlikely to encounter large noisy hordes of wandering travelers who come for picnics on weekends. Kavashinsky Gorge is a route for true specialists in their field, which is why "ordinary mortals" are rarely found in these places.
Chimneys and vertical cracks that literally slice through the granite massifs are the most captivating for tourists. The most attractive aspect is the presence of a huge number of picturesque and difficult-to-navigate routes.
If you ascend along the Dzhaupay River, through a large apricot orchard past abandoned stone sakles, you will find yourself in the lush Laylak Gorge, also known as Aksu. This is a unique spot for those climbers who set their sights on conquering new, highly complex routes. Most directions in this area are assigned a difficulty category of 5-6. Here you will find the remarkable five-thousand-meter peaks Iskander, Petrogradets, Aksu, Admiral, Aktubek, and the peaks of Dostoevsky and A. Blok. The base camp is located at an altitude of 3000 m above sea level, and 2-3 hours from it lies the fascinating Aksu Glacier.
To the west lies the Karasu Gorge with the challenging four-thousand-meter peaks of Vizbor, Dalny, the 50th Anniversary of Moscow Spartak Peak, and others. These places can be reached by both helicopter and car. Some travelers prefer horseback crossings. Goods are often transported on strong, sturdy donkeys, perfectly adapted to the harsh conditions of these areas. Both gorges – Kavashin and Laylak – are ideal not only for climbing and rock ascents but also for photography. Beautiful mountain views, harsh landscapes of glaciers and moraines, magnificent sunsets, and impenetrable coniferous forests will leave a lasting memory in photographs.
Kavashinsky cliffs have been and remain a unique place for active recreation, where you can admire and enjoy the wild nature, as well as survey the panorama of Kyrgyzstan's nature and its neighboring countries.
Gorges
