Aeolian Rocks (Burana-Tash)

The Burana-Tash sandstone formations are located on the bank of the Kara-Suu River and are clearly visible from the opposite side, from the road leading from Tash-Kumyr to the Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve. Although the access road to the formations is not marked on maps, it does exist and is even partially passable with a regular passenger car. However, as is often the case, the further you move away from the main road, the worse the surface becomes, so it is important to choose the right place to leave your car in time. Even if you walk directly from the highway (which is unnecessary), the route is about three and a half kilometers one way, with no elevation gain, and can easily be completed in less than an hour.

The turnoff to the formations is located in the village of Syny, almost immediately after the bridge over the Kara-Suu (if you are driving from Tash-Kumyr towards Arkyt). The main difficulty is that the access road is not shown on maps. We have tried to indicate an approximate track on our interactive map, but it is probably better to rely on satellite imagery in Google Maps, where the dirt road running along the left bank of the Kara-Suu is clearly visible. About half of the distance from the turnoff to Burana-Tash can be driven without problems in any car, and with an SUV you can reach the formations themselves. However, if you have the time, we recommend walking the last kilometer or one and a half: the surroundings are very scenic, and after (or before) a long drive, a short walk is definitely beneficial.

As in other sandstone canyons, remember the risk of rockfalls and landslides, especially in rainy or unstable weather.

The aeolian formations stretch along the Kara-Suu River for more than one kilometer. The continuous wall of rocks is interrupted in several places by dry streambeds (wadis) that carry water into the Kara-Suu during heavy rainfall. You can explore any of them, but the most interesting is the third channel, leading east from a bend in the river.