Shaar Waterfall
Baš-Kaindy or Shaar
Naryn Region, Baš-Kaindy Gorge. The height of the waterfall is 220 m, considering the cascades – 400 m. Height above sea level: 3200 m.
It is also called Shaar. In Kyrgyz, waterfall is "sharkyratma." Possibly derived from the shortened word "shar."
It is noted that Shaar is among the TOP-5 largest waterfalls in Central Asia.
The nearest settlements: Birlik, At-Bashi, Baš-Kaindy, Taldy-Suu, May 1
Kyrgyzstan is a country of waterfalls. Each waterfall in Kyrgyzstan deserves a separate description, as they are true and unique masterpieces of nature. They can be seen in almost every gorge. But the king of the central Tien Shan is Baš-Kaindy - "the top of the birch." Another name for Shaar is "the falling one." Many mistakenly believe that the largest waterfall in Kyrgyzstan is located in Arstanbap, but its height is about 80 meters. Baš-Kaindy is 4.5 times longer (320 meters). It can be found in the At-Bashi district, in the village of the same name. The best time to visit is in summer. It can be spotted from afar, about 50 kilometers from the Naryn - Torugart road, at the entrance to the valley. From the village of Baš-Kaindy to the waterfall is 20 km. The waterfall is little known. From the point where cars (passenger cars) can reach in the gorge, it takes about half a day to walk along the trail to the stone bowl-circus of the waterfall.
The name of the village and gorge comes from the Kyrgyz "baš" – "beginning," "head," and "kaiyn" – "birch," which literally means "the beginning of the birches." The gorge is very picturesque - the mountains are special, gentle, and beautiful, immersed in a solid carpet of coniferous forest. With their soft half-tones layering over each other, the pointed ridges and floating in the haze of light mist, they possess immense attractive power. Even on the hottest day, a comfortable temperature and humidity prevail here. The spruces and Asian junipers growing on the slopes exude a gentle aroma of needles. This place is a true natural phytotherapy center. The flora around the waterfall includes more than 270 species of plants, including relics and endemics. Many plants are listed in the "Red Book of Kyrgyzstan."
On the way to the waterfall, it is necessary to cross a river and streams flowing down from the mountains. During high water, these crossings can be difficult, especially in spring when some of the logs in the river, which groups of tourists used to cross last summer, may be washed away. Therefore, when hiking to the waterfall, it is essential to take safety ropes for crossing the river and a guide, as there are many side paths in the gorge, and it is quite easy to get lost by turning the wrong way. But all the difficulties of the journey are richly compensated by the breathtaking spectacle and the feeling of the energy of the untamed Element of Water...
The height of the waterfall reaches approximately 400 meters, consisting of several cascades, and is fully visible only about two kilometers away from it. The roar of the falling water near the lower cascade drowns out any shout. Next to the waterfall, one cannot hear the voice of a conversation partner, even if they shout. But there is no need to talk, as it is practically impossible for an ordinary person to simultaneously experience deep emotions and share them on a verbal level — to describe them in words. Let the words wait; their turn will come...
The waterfall is mesmerizing. It is not only about the purely aesthetic perception of an unusual picture or the peculiar sound – from the thunderous roar and crash of millions of tons of water to the gentle murmuring of small streams. One can stand for hours at the Baš-Kaindy waterfall, motionless, gazing in fascination at the soaring water.
Few people know about the balloelectric effect of waterfalls – hydroaeroionization. The impact of water on stone creates tiny particles of a mixture of water and air, carrying an electric charge – hydroaeroions. Particles carrying a negative charge, combined with phytoncides from blooming alpine meadows or medicinal substances, can cure hypertension and bronchial asthma. A walking excursion to the waterfall takes a whole day. But one can also spend two days on a radial hike with an overnight stay under the waterfall; it is worth it.
