The "Kyzyl-Unkyur" Zone is located 15 km northeast of the village of Arslanbap in the valley of the Kara-Unkyur River in the Jalal-Abad region. It is accessible via an asphalt road from the city of Osh. The zone occupies the territory of one of the most picturesque areas of these places — Kyzyl-Unkyur and also includes the ridge part of the Fergana Range.
The Kyzyl-Unkyur area is in the same belt of nut-fruit forests of the Fergana Range as Arslanbap, but it has its own characteristics. While the forested areas of Arslanbap feature an equal representation of nut and fruit trees, Kyzyl-Unkyur is significantly dominated by relict nut trees. Being further away from the densely populated Fergana Valley, they have better preserved and are almost untouched by human activity. It can be confidently stated that currently, this is the largest nut repository in the republic.
The attractions of the zone are not only the mighty nut forests. The very name of the area hides a rather clear meaning. Kyzyl-Unkyur translates to "red cave." The slopes surrounding the valley are abundant with outcrops of red-colored sandstones, which are also found within the namesake village. These sandstone formations are densely dotted with small whimsical cavities resembling caves and grottos; however, no large caves have been discovered. In some areas, one can find bizarre figures sculpted by the skilled "sculptors" of eternal nature — water, wind, and sun.
The Kara-Unkyur River in its upper reaches (at an altitude of about 3000 m) has a very extensive watershed area of 250 sq. km. It is formed by the confluence of two rivers — Sary-Tash and Kara-Unkyur. Within the zone, its riverbed is narrow, and the water rushes through the valley in a turbulent flow. The river is home to valuable fish — trout. At the upper reaches of Kara-Unkyur, there is the Tegerik waterfall, which is 20 m high and has been declared a natural monument.
Magnificent forest thickets, numerous streams, and waterfalls are located in the Kuramesa area — a tributary of Kara-Unkyur. Approximately 18–20 km from the village of Kyzyl-Unkyur, in a cozy gorge, lies the glacial lake Ken-Kel, which appears to be a bottomless blue well filled with fresh "living" water. It is surrounded by groves of birch and maple, as well as thickets of berry bushes. From Lake Ken-Kel, a narrow wooded gorge sharply ascends to the northeast, along the bottom of which a turbulent river carries glacial waters. At the end of the gorge, among snowy peaks and glaciers, is the Kumysh pass, leading to a mysterious high-altitude plateau. About twenty karst funnels have been found here, among which it is presumed there is an entrance to the deepest caves.
At the upper reaches of the Kara-Unkyur River, in the Karon-Djar area, at the foot of a cliff, there is a high-altitude "dead" lake Kara-Kel, where no fish, ducks, or geese inhabit, and nothing alive can coexist.
On the northeastern slopes of the Fergana Range, beyond the watershed ridge, at an altitude of 1998 m, there is an interesting double high-altitude dam lake Kara-Suu. The surroundings of the lake are covered with spruce forests and cozy green meadows.
