Where is Mars Canyon

While images of the otherworldly landscape tend to make it look as if it requires some serious space travel to get here, Mars Canyon is, luckily, more conveniently located in the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan, about a 2-hour drive from the popular city of Karakol.

Perched between the iconic Issyk Kul Lake and the Terksey Alatau mountain range, this stunning canyon area is criminally underrated, and should always be part of the conversation when planning an adventurous Kyrgyzstan itinerary.

Mars Canyon Entrance Fee

At the moment of writing – September 2024, Mars Canyon is still relatively unexplored, and surprisingly so, many locals aren’t even aware of its existence.

As a result, there’s no official entrance point to Mars Canyon, meaning the area is merely a stretch of rugged nature, free to visit by anyone who feels inclined to do so.

However, given the substantial increase in visibility of Mars Canyon on Instagram, this will likely change sooner rather than later.

Where to stay near Mars Canyon

While most travellers spend only little time exploring this part of Kyrgyzstan, and stop here briefly before continuing their drive from Karakol to Song Kul, or vice versa, I can’t stress it enough to spend at least one night in an authentic yurt camp nestled on the shores of Issyk Kul.

You see, choosing the right base from which to explore Mars Canyon will have a significant impact on your experience here, and I believe visiting solely on a short stop will make it quite a limited one, especially if you’re keen to take some amazing photographs – which is why most travellers plan to visit Mars Canyon in the first place.

I chose to base myself in Tong, from which it took only 20 minutes to reach Mars Canyon, which made my visit during sunset super easy and stress-free.

Bel Tam Yurt Camp | My pick if you’re looking for an authentic Yurt experience close to Mars Canyon. The yurts are spacious and comfortable, and the open-air common areas are pretty cosy and welcoming.

Yurt Camp Sonun | Nestled on the shores of the pristine Issyk Kul Lake, Yurt Camp Sonun is an authentic yurt camp that provides a unique and unforgettable travel experience. Run by a lovely family, it’s the warm and welcoming atmosphere that makes this camp even more special.

Curious to find alternatives, make sure you see the available options on booking.com.

How to get to Mars Canyon

Mars Canyon is situated in the Issyk-Kul region, which is considered one of the most popular areas in Kyrgyzstan and is well connected by an excellent road in the A363.

However, since Mars Canyon itself is relatively unknown, getting there will come with a few extra challenges, especially if you don’t have a rental car at your disposal.

You see, while public transportation in Kyrgyzstan is making huge steps in the right direction, it remains relatively limited, with trustworthy connectivity solely between the larger cities.

That’s not to say that it’s impossible to get to Mars Canyon without a car. Taking a taxi, having a private driver – Beks is an amazing option, or a hitchhiking adventure, combined with some strategic planning will still work out perfectly fine, it just needs some extra effort.

If you do have your own wheels, those challenges are significantly reduced, and the only thing you have to worry about is the final part of the journey, where you have to drive a dusty road with zero signs for a short bit. 

Below I’ve listed a few common driving routes to Mars Canyon:  

• Karakol to Mars Canyon: 2 hours
• Barskoon to Mars Canyon: 1 hour
• Tosor to Mars Canyon: 45 minutes
• Tong to Mars Canyon: 20 minutes

I visited Mars Canyon from my yurt camp in Tong; Bel Tam Yurt Camp, where I arranged a taxi that took me to the edge of the canyon, before bringing me back after an hour of explorations, which set me back 1200 SOM (€12,75).

If you’re curious to find out how to fit the Mars Canyon into your own adventures, make sure you read my ‘2-week Kyrgyzstan itinerary’ (coming soon) too.

Exploring Mars Canyon

Made up of eroded sandstone walls and dried-up rivers, Mars Canyon is a stunning valley that precisely resembles the distinctive characteristics of the landscapes found on Mars.

Since Mars Canyon is still largely unknown to locals and travellers alike, you will notice that there are no official trails, signs or other guidelines to navigate you through the canyon.

This means that you’re wandering around a wild stretch of nature, which is quite exceptional, and to me, significantly deepens the level of adventure as well as your overall experience here.

While it’s always possible to get lost between the narrow, naturally shaped valleys of the canyon, I found it quite easy to navigate and wandered around the canyon without any hassle.

If you’re planning to visit Mars Canyon at sunset, it is wise to head back well before dusk, as it will be a completely different mission to find your way around in the dark.

Sunrise or sunset at Mars Canyon

Mars Canyon owes its name to incredible rock formations and a distinctive burnt-orange colour palette, similar to that found on Mars, hence the name.

These characteristics get amplified when visiting during sunrise or sunset, when the shifting light turns the incredible landscape into a somewhat surreal scenery.

When I travelled to Kyrgyzstan in July, I visited Mars Canyon during sunset, which despite a short period of rainfall, offered me the most incredible photo opportunities.

While I didn’t visit Mars Canyon during sunrise, I’m pretty sure it is good too, as I visit Skazka Canyon in the early morning, which is situated only a short drive from Mars Canyon and is characterized by a pretty similar landscape.

Due to their proximate position close to each other, and the fact that both sunrise and sunset are equally as mesmerizing, you can easily pick Skazka for sunrise and Mars Canyon for sunset, or vice versa according to your personal plan of attack.

Bonus – Traditional Eagle hunting

While making my way back along the dusty roads that connect Mars Canyon with my yurt camp in Tong, I stumbled upon a small group of patiently waiting tourists.

At first, I didn’t know why, but I was rather convinced something exciting was bound to happen.

Only a few moments later, when a large silhouette rapidly approached the group, I realised what was going on here; it was a traditional Kyrgyzstan Eagle Hunting show.

Apparently, the area surrounding Mars Canyon is a famous spot for tours that focus on eagle shows, which makes sense given how stunning and extensive the landscape is here.

Eagle hunting (Berkutchi) has been around for ages in the vast steppe and mountain terrains of Central Asia and still plays a huge role in the ever-present Nomadic lifestyle.

Though I always have some inner conflict when it comes to tourism based around animals, Falconry has been practised for centuries, and with Kyrgyzstan’s deeply rooted traditions, the physical and psychological welfare of eagles has always been of the utmost importance.

Keen to learn about eagle hunting in Central Asia, have a more thorough read here.

The best time of day to visit Mars Canyon

In short, given Mars Canyon is made up of distinctive burned-orange rock formations, it is best visited during sunrise or sunset, when the sun amplifies the natural feats of the canyon.

While you could opt for a visit to Mars Canyon at any time of day, I’d recommend avoiding a visit during noon, when the light is often too harsh for good photography, the temperature unbearable, and zero to no shade to be found. 

I visited Mars Canyon from late afternoon to sunset and had excellent light conditions to photograph the incredible mountain ridges – which, as you can imagine, happened to be the main goal of my visit here.

The best time of year to visit Mars Canyon

Given the remoteness of Mars Canyon and the complexity of its terrain, it is best to visit during the summer months of June to September, when the temperature is comfortable and stable.

These peak months generally provide the perfect conditions for explorations around Kyrgyzstan’s exceptional nature, as you can expect days filled with sunshine, minimal rainfall, and an average temperature of around 25 degrees Celsius.

While it’s totally possible to visit during the winter months, you will most likely stumble on a few challenges in terms of weather conditions and accessibility in the colder months. 

However, this doesn’t instantly mean that a winter visit should be off the table just yet.

No, you just have to plan your visit a little more strategically, and be more aware of the weather, while also being mentally aware that there might be a chance you have to skip it due to the circumstances.

What to pack for Mars Canyon

Cash | First things first, anytime you plan to visit a place outside of the bigger cities of Bishkek and Karakol, you do wise to carry enough cash to pay for transportation or accommodation when needed. With limited internet reception in most of Kyrgyzstan’s remote locations, cash is king here, so I’d advise bringing at least 8.000 SOM (€95,-) to be safe.

Water Purifier | One travel essential that I carry with me at all times is the Grayl Geopress. This reusable water purification bottle allows me to fill up water from nearly every water source, making it super convenient and one of my absolute best investments to date.

An extra layer | We all know the saying; there’s nothing more unpredictable than the weather, and this also applies to Kyrgyzstan’s climate. For that reason, I believe it’s essential to bring an extra layer to keep you warm when needed. I recently got the Cortazu AR Active Softshell Jacket, which is a perfect piece for moments when the temperature drops.

Hiking boots or a sturdy pair of trail runners | While hiking boots naturally provide more stability to the ankles, a good pair of trail runners with Vibram soles will also get the job done these days. For the last 3 years, I have been using the New Balance Hierro v7, a trail runner that offers all the features of a hiking boot, while still providing the looks of a trendy sneaker.

Lunch box and snacks | Since you’re going to a seriously remote place, there will be a finite amount of food and drink options here. For that reason, I advise bringing sufficient amounts of food and snacks to stay fueled during your visit, including fruits, nuts and a few protein bars, which are generally lightweight and very rich in nutrients.

Sun protection | Given Mars Canyon is wide and open, with zero shelter from the sun, I believe it’s essential to bring sun protection; think sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and perhaps even a breathable long-sleeve shirt. Even when the sun disguises behind the clouds, it is still very likely that you’ll get sunburned.

Camera | Like most natural places in Kyrgyzstan, Mars Canyon is absolutely stunning, and I’d highly recommend taking out your camera gear, so you can capture loads of photos while there. If you’re curious to learn about my photography gear, make sure you give my ‘What’s in my Camera Bag’ guide a read too.