Karakulja
The Chatkal River in its upper reaches is called Karakulja (translated - Black Ram), which is formed by the confluence of Kara-su and Ak-su. It flows through the territory of the Osh region of Kyrgyzstan. The two main sources of Kara-su originate from small glacial lakes at the foot of the ridge connecting the Chatkal Range with the Uzun-Akhmat and Talas ranges.
The more water-rich Ak-su River originates from a valley-type glacier flowing down from the Chatkal Range. This glacier, discovered by expedition members, is about 3-4 km long and is the largest in the Chatkal Range.
Below the confluence of Ak-su and Kara-su, the Kukuysu River flows into Karakulja from the left. Several minor tributaries from the slopes of the Talas Range flow into Karakulja from the right.
The length of the river is 104 km.
The valley of the Karakulja River at the confluence of the Kara-kasmak, Kara-toku, and Kukuysu rivers has a character typical of the middle reaches of the Chatkal. On the left bank of the valley, three terraces are clearly visible, the upper one gradually transitions into the foothills and then into table mountains; below the first terrace is the river's floodplain, covered with sparse deciduous forest and bushes. On the right bank of Karakulja, terraces are poorly developed. Essentially, there is only one distinctly expressed terrace opposite the Kara-toku River, corresponding in height to the first terrace of the left bank. There are no terraces on the right bank opposite the Kukuysu River, and a powerful spur of the Talas Ala-Too approaches directly to the river.
A few kilometers upstream from the mouth of the Kukuysu River (about 3-4 km), the forest ends, and the valley of the Karakulja River sharply narrows, forming a wild gorge surrounded by dark cliffs. It is possible that the name Karakulja ("Black Wild Goat") comes from these dark cliffs. About 2-3 km later, the gorge noticeably widens, especially at the confluence of the Ak-su and Kara-su valleys, where a large glacier once ended. From this point, the Kara-su valley has an eastern direction, while the Ak-su valley has a southeastern direction.
The upper reaches of the Karakulja valley and its sources are rich in pastures used by the Kyrgyz in the summer.
Therefore, there are many well-trodden paths in the valleys. Good paths lead through the side spurs of the ridge, connecting the valleys of the tributaries of Karakulja in the shortest way.
All these paths can be successfully used by climbing groups and expeditions.
In the river basin, there is the village of Kara-Kulja.
