Kyrgyzstan Mountain Trek Tour to Ala Kul Lake
Accommodation, guides, transport included.
Kyrgyzstan Mountain Trek Tour to Ala Kul Lake Highlights
Trek from Jeti-Oguz over the Telety Pass to the colorful Ala-Kul Lake and the hot springs of Altyn-Arashan on this 5-day group trek. Starting and ending in Karakol near the eastern end of Issyk-Kul, the route crosses the Terskey Ala-Too range of the Tien Shan mountains through narrow wooded gorges, alpine meadows full of wildflowers and old juniper and spruce forests.
From the Jeti-Oguz gorge the trail follows the wooded Bay-Tor gorge up to a camp at the foot of the Telety Pass, crosses the pass (3,800 m) into the Karakol Gorge and then climbs past the fairy-tale Sirota log hut with its wooden carvings and a waterfall to Ala-Kul Lake (3,600 m), the highest night of the trek. Depending on the light, the water of this glacial lake turns emerald, turquoise or dark grey. On the fourth day you cross the Ala-Kul Pass, the highest point of the trip, and descend through the wide Keldike Valley to Altyn-Arashan, where natural hot springs of up to 50 °C wait after the trek. A short walk and a ride in a military truck take you back to Karakol on the last morning.
You stay in comfortable fixed tent camps with communal dining and warm showers, and spend the last night in a guesthouse. Porters carry up to 12 kg of your luggage from camp to camp, and a cook prepares the meals on the trek. The tour suits trekkers with some hiking experience above 3,000 m who are in good physical condition and health.
Difficulty: Challenging Four trekking days of 10–18 km (6–8 hours) with up to 1,100 m of ascent and 1,300 m of descent a day, over the Telety Pass (3,800 m) and the higher Ala-Kul Pass, with one river crossing without a bridge. Three nights in fixed tent camps at 2,500–3,600 m; porters carry up to 12 kg per person. For trekkers with hiking experience above 3,000 m and good fitness.
Tour Itinerary
In the morning, meet the porters and leave Karakol after breakfast for the Jeti-Oguz gorge, where the trek begins. The trail follows the riverbank through the narrow, wooded Bay-Tor gorge up to alpine meadows. Here, on a carpet of flowers, the air is sweet and clear, the views are amazing and you quickly feel close to nature. After a rest, continue to the tent camp at the foot of the Telety Pass. Shortly before the camp you cross a big river on a bridge, and a few hundred meters later you reach the camp. The meadows along the West Telety River are lovely, and an easy walk from the camp leads to a nameless waterfall. Dinner and overnight at the tent camp. Pack everything you need on the trek into the special rucksack provided by us and hand it to the porters in the morning. They carry the luggage from one tent camp to the next, and you get it back when you arrive at the camp after the day’s trek (up to 12 kg per person; extra weight is charged). Drive about 45 km. Trek: 16 km, 6–8 hours, +450 m. Overnight altitude: 3,050 m.
Jeti Oguz, Kok-Zhaiyk
- Karakol → Kok-Zhaiyk (45 km)
- Kok-Zhaiyk → Telety Pass (16 km)
Overnight: Tent camping
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Shared (indoor)
- Internet: None
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, leave the camp and begin the ascent to the Telety Pass. For the first kilometer the trail is hidden among juniper bushes; then a narrow path climbs gently. From the top of the pass at 3,800 m you enjoy a wonderful panoramic view. The descent is rather easy: down a wide scree slope and across alpine meadows full of herbs and flowers along the East Telety River. At one point you wade across the river – there is no bridge, so sandals are recommended. Later the trail winds through the forest on a path crossed by roots and descends into the Karakol Gorge. The last kilometer follows an old dirt road to the tent camp in the forest, where you can make a campfire after dinner. Dinner and overnight at the tent camp. Trek: 18 km, 6–8 hours, +750 m / -1,300 m. Overnight altitude: 2,500 m.
Telety Pass
Overnight: Tent camping
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Shared (indoor)
- Internet: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, walk about 1 km down the gorge, cross the river on a bridge and follow the trail into the forest. A rather long ascent ends at a steep grassy slope, where the trail zigzags up past a river overflow to an unusual place called the “Sirota” log hut. Inside are a table, benches and a fireplace, and around the hut stand wooden carvings of animals and idols – a fairy-tale spot for a rest and a snack. Higher up, the trail leaves the forest behind and follows the river to a beautiful waterfall flowing down from Ala-Kul Lake. Pass the waterfall and climb onto a natural dam with the first view of the lake; the last kilometer to the tent camp runs along the shore. Dinner and overnight at the tent camp – the highest night of the trip. Trek: 10 km, 6–7 hours, about +1,100 m. Overnight altitude: 3,600 m.
Ala Kul Lake
Overnight: Ala Kul Lake (Tent camping)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Shared (indoor)
- Internet: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The moraine lake Ala-Kul stretches 2.8 km from east to west; it is 500 m wide and 70 m deep. Ala-Kul means “Colorful Lake” in Kyrgyz: depending on the light, the water can be emerald green, turquoise with white clouds reflected, light green, dark grey or even black. After breakfast, start the ascent to the Ala-Kul Pass, the highest pass of the trip, with wonderful views of the lake and of the main range of the Terskey Ala-Too with peaks such as Ak-Suu, Djigit, Karakol and Oguz-Bashi. From the lake shore it takes about an hour and a half to reach the pass. Descend from the pass along a scree slope and cross the wide Keldike Valley with its picturesque landscapes, grazing cattle and flocks of sheep. In Altyn-Arashan you can relax in the natural hot springs – the thermal baths in the valley reach up to 50 °C. Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse. Trek: 18 km, 6–7 hours, +200 m / -1,200 m. Overnight altitude: 2,600 m.
Ala Kul Lake, Altyn Arashan
- Ala Kul Lake → Altyn Arashan (18 km)
Overnight: Altyn Arashan (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, hike about 5 km down the gorge on a mountain road through the spruce forest. Then a special military truck takes you out of the gorge and back to Karakol, where the tour ends. Hike: 5 km, -1,000 m. Drive: 15 km.
Altyn Arashan, Karakol
- Altyn Arashan → Karakol (20 km)
Meals: Breakfast
What's included
Included
- Accommodation for 4 nights: 3 nights in twin/double tents in fixed tent camps and 1 night in a guesthouse in Altyn-Arashan
- Full board from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 5 (4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners), with cook services on the trekking days
- English-speaking trekking guide (French- or German-speaking on some departures)
- All transport during the program, from the start to the end of the tour in Karakol
- Special military truck for the descent from the Altyn-Arashan gorge
- Porter services for up to 12 kg of personal belongings per person
- Drinking water on the trekking days (1 liter per person per day, boiled water – please bring your own bottles)
- Entrance and ecological fees during the whole tour
Not included
- Single supplement in the tent camps: 70 USD
- Porter luggage above 12 kg: 20 USD per extra kg for the whole trek
- Sleeping bags
- Flights
- Visa and visa support fee (if needed)
- Insurance
- Meals not listed in the program
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tips and personal expenses
Nargiza is the office manager of Central Asia Guide and mostly responsible for multi country "Stan" tours.
Where you'll stay
-
Night 3
Ala Kul Lake
Fixed tent camp at Ala-Kul Lake (3,600 m) or similar
-
Night 4
Altyn Arashan
Guesthouse in Altyn-Arashan or similar
Good to know
- Luggage on the trek: Porters carry your trek bag from camp to camp in a special rucksack provided by us. Its packed weight should be no more than 12 kg of personal belongings; each extra kilogram costs 20 USD for the whole trek. Travel clothes and other items you don’t need on the trek can be left with us during the trek.
- Sleeping bag: Sleeping bags are not included – bring one with a comfort rating of about -5 °C.
- Health: If you have specific health conditions, bring your own first aid kit with the necessary medication.
- Booking documents: When you book, please send us a copy of your travel insurance and your passport.
What to bring
- Essential on the trek: waterproof trekking boots with ankle support; a waterproof jacket or rain cape; a sun hat or cap with ear and neck flap; a 30–40 liter daypack with rain cover; a warm hat; a sleeping bag (comfort rating -5 °C – ask us about the expected temperatures); trekking poles (highly recommended for stream crossings and steep ascents or descents); a fleece jacket or warm jumper; warm gloves; trekking trousers; thermal underwear; good sunglasses; sun protection (including total block for ears and nose) and lip balm; two 1-liter water bottles (we encourage refilling them rather than buying single-use plastic) and water purification tablets; dry bags to keep your trek bag contents and electronics dry; a head torch with spare batteries
- First aid kit: antiseptic and antihistamine cream, throat lozenges, diarrhea treatment, painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, insect repellent and rehydration salts
- Optional: tennis shoes or shoes for walking in town; trainers or sandals for river crossings; enough socks (1 pair for every 2–3 days of trekking); waterproof over-trousers; shorts and swimwear for the hot springs; a buff or scarf against dust and cold; washbag and toiletries; antibacterial hand gel; a small quick-dry towel; a sleeping mat; a pocket knife (pack sharp objects in your hold baggage); a repair kit (needle, thread, duct tape); ear plugs against river noise and snoring neighbors
Kyrgyzstan travel information
Practical essentials for travelling in Kyrgyzstan. Open a topic to read more.
Visa policy
Find your country from the list and check possible visa requirements for Kyrgyzstan before booking.
The official currency is the Kyrgyz som (KGS). Bishkek has plenty of ATMs, but outside the larger towns and the northern shore of Issyk-Kul cash is how almost everything is paid.
ATMs and cards
Some ATMs in Bishkek dispense US dollars as well as som. Beyond the capital, ATMs are found in the few largest towns but mostly not in smaller ones, except on the northern shore of Issyk-Kul. Mastercard works in all ATMs, but Visa is still the more widely accepted card. Demirbank's red ATMs have lately been the best option for foreign cards, with moderate fees.
Exchanging money
Exchange offices in the major cities change US dollars, euros and roubles into som. Notes must be clean, fresh and without any signs of wear. Exchange offices prefer larger notes from 50 USD and 50 EUR, and sometimes give a better rate for them.
Paying by card
Cards are accepted in major hotels, restaurants, large supermarkets and some museums in Bishkek and Osh, and occasionally even in taxis. Elsewhere, apart from the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, paying by card is not practical.
Kyrgyzstan is generally safe for travellers and tourism is growing fast, but the usual precautions matter.
Documents
Always carry your passport or a notarised copy. Without proper identification you can be detained by the police.
In towns
- Robberies, some of them violent, and thefts happen especially in crowded places such as the bazaars. Take care after dark.
- Sexual harassment has been reported on public transport. Avoid walking or travelling alone, especially at night.
- Book taxis in advance from established services.
- Stay away from crowds and demonstrations.
- Watch where you step: some streets have large holes and pavements are often uneven.
Laws and customs
- Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religious practices.
- Possessing or using narcotics is strictly prohibited.
- Do not photograph anything related to the armed forces or security services.
- Same-sex relationships are legal but not widely discussed or publicly recognised.
Border areas
Smuggling makes the southern border zones with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan unstable and best avoided.
Kyrgyzstan is visa-free for travellers from many countries. Others can apply for an electronic visa or through an embassy.
Visas
For a tourist visa, most passport holders need an invitation letter from a tourism company. Kyrgyzstan has had an electronic visa system since 1 September 2017.
Border regions
Visiting border regions requires a special permit.
The best times to visit Kyrgyzstan's lower areas are May–June and September. In the high mountains, July and August are best.
Lower areas: May–June and September
In late spring and early autumn the valleys, Issyk-Kul's shores and the towns are green or golden, days are pleasant rather than hot and there are fewer visitors.
High mountains: July and August
This is when the high pastures, yurt camps and mountain passes are open, and trekking and horse-riding routes that are under snow the rest of the year can be reached. Days in the valleys can reach about 30°C, and nights at altitude can still be close to freezing. Summer is also the time of festivals celebrating Kyrgyz traditions.
Winter
Winters in the highlands are long and close the high passes, but it is still a captivating season. Hiking, horse riding and skiing are all possible, and yurt stays are available too.
Healthcare in Kyrgyzstan is basic and medical facilities are scarce, so comprehensive medical and travel insurance is essential.
Medicines
If you rely on regular medication, bring enough for the whole trip: it can be hard or expensive to find locally.
Insurance
Arrange comprehensive medical and travel insurance before you arrive. A serious accident or illness may mean emergency air evacuation to a neighbouring country.
Food and water
Treat tap water and other local water as contaminated and boil it before drinking; bottled water is the safest choice throughout your stay. Be careful with unpasteurised dairy and other animal products.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations against polio and tuberculosis are recommended before entering the country, and others may also be advisable. Ask your doctor or travel clinic.
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