Small Naryn
Small Naryn encompasses the valley of the river of the same name, located between the ridges of Jetim-Bel, Kapkatash, Karadjorgo, Jetim-Too, Uch-Emchek, and Terskey Ala-Too. Approximately 25 km from its mouth, Small Naryn flows into the Naryn; the valley of the river, transforming into the southern slopes of the Kapkatash ridge, makes a sharp turn at a right angle and continues to stretch almost 100 km to the east. On the right bank of the river, in the area of the bend and on the northern slopes of the small ridge of Nura (length 45 km), park-type spruce forests can be found. Further upstream, about 45 km from the bend, the left tributary Archalu flows into Small Naryn.
Small Naryn is known in its upper reaches as Buurkan. It changes its name after the confluence with the river Uch-Emchek (a right tributary of Jyluu-Suu). The valley of the Buurkan River, surrounded by the ridges of Uch-Emchek and Jetim-Bel, crosses vast areas of gravel plains. The Buurkan River originates from a lake of the same name, located to the west of the Arabel Pass at an altitude of 3820 m. The lake is 1.5 km long, 550 m wide, and 10 m deep. The outflow from the lake into the valley of the river occurs through a rocky threshold in a cascade of spectacular waterfalls. Strictly to the north, winding around the rocks, the road snakes its way. Soft, rounded peaks accompany the road to the Dolon Pass (3030 m). Along the floodplain of the Naryn, dense thickets of tugai forests are located. The composition of these forests is very rich and includes: poplar, birch, Dzhungarian willow, and numerous shrubs, among which myrcaria and sea buckthorn stand out.
50 km from the confluence of the Small and Big Naryn, the ridges of Naryn-Too and Jetim-Too converge, enclosing the valley. The river roars through the gorge for several kilometers.
Above the Naryn, on the more humid northern slopes of the Naryn-Too ridge facing the river valley, at altitudes from 1800 to 3000 meters, forests of Tien Shan spruce can be found. In the areas of Uch-Bulak, Kashka-Su, and Baibiche, the spruce forest resembles a true taiga.
