Overview
Distance
46km
Duration
8 Days
Difficulty
Grade II
Price
From £1,015
Type of Trek
Guided
Accommodation
Hotels, Guesthouses, Yurt Camps, Tents
Food
Full Board
What is the Ala-Kul Lake Trek Kyrgyzstan?
The north of Kyrgyzstan is defined by the technical scale of the Terskei Ala-Too mountains. This 8-day, 7-night expedition is engineered for endurance, escalating from the cultural hub of Karakol (1,790m) to a challenging mountain pass at 3,900m.
This mission offers a diverse logistical landscape, combining steep alpine trekking with unique cultural immersion. You will navigate rocky trails through ancient forests, witness the bright turquoise waters of Ala-Kul Lake (3,533m), and recover in the thermal springs of the Altyn Arashan valley. Beyond the trail, the deployment includes tactical reconnaissance of ‘Fairy Tale’ Skazka Canyon and a live demonstration of ancient Kyrgyz hunting culture with local eagle hunters.
The mission culminates with a southern shore transit of Lake Issyk-Kul, offering high-fidelity views of the deep blue water and surrounding peaks. This is a comprehensive high-altitude experience for those who demand both technical mountain movement and deep immersion in Kyrgyz tradition.
Price Information
Itinerary
Arrival: Bishkek
You will be picked up from the airport, check in at your hotel, have a meal, and then enjoy a free evening to rest and acclimatize.
Accommodation: Hotel in Bishkek (800m)
Meals included: L or D
Day 1: Bishkek (800m) → Karakol (1,790m)
Drive: 400km (long drive)
You arrive in Karakol, the gateway to the Terskei Ala-Too mountains. Karakol is a small city with Russian Orthodox and Dungan Muslim heritage. Your guide meets you at your guesthouse. You have dinner and prepare for the trek. Check your gear. Buy snacks and cash – there are no ATMs on the trail.
Accommodation: Guesthouse or hotel (1,790m)
Meals included: (B, L, D)
Day 2: Karakol (1,790m) → Trailhead (1,900m) → Sirota Hut (2,500m)
Trek: 11 km | Trekking level: Moderate | Gain: +600m
Your driver takes you 20 minutes from Karakol to the Karakol Gorge trailhead. You cross the first wooden bridge and begin walking. The trail follows the Karakol River through forest and open meadows. You see the peaks of the Terskei Ala-Too ahead. You arrive at the Sirota Hut camping area (2,500m). This spot is named after a famous Soviet mountaineer. Set up tents here.
Accommodation: Tent camp (2,500m)
Meals included: (B, L, D)
Day 3: Sirota Hut (2,500m) → Ala-Köl Lake (3,533m) → Ala-Köl Pass (3,860–3,900m) → Keldike Valley (3,200m)
Trek: 9 km | Trekking level: Challenging
Gain: +850m | Loss: -330m | Max: 3,533m
You wake early. The climb to Ala-Köl Lake is steep and steady. You gain 850 meters over 3–4 hours. The trail is rocky but clear. You reach Ala-Köl Lake (3,533m). The water is bright turquoise. Glaciers and peaks surround the lake. You stop for lunch. You walk along the east shore of the lake and pass a waterfall flowing out of the lake. You descend slightly to Keldike Valley (3,200m) and set up camp. The view is worth it.
Accommodation: Tent camp (3,200m)
Meals included: (B, L, D)
Day 4: Keldike Valley (3,200m) → Altyn Arashan (2,500m)
Trek: 11 km | Trekking level: Very challenging
Gain: +700m | Loss: -1,400m | Max: 3,900m
This is the hardest day. You climb from camp to the Ala-Köl Pass. The trail is steep. Take your time. Use poles. At the top (3,900m), you look back at the turquoise lake and forward to the Altyn Arashan valley. The descent is long and steady. You walk down through alpine meadows and forest. You arrive at Altyn Arashan (2,500m). There are several yurt camps and guesthouses here. Check in to your guest house.
Accommodation: Guesthouse (2,500m)
Meals included: (B, L, D)
Day 5: Rest Day - Altyn Arashan Exploration (2,500m)
Trek: Optional day hikes | Trekking level: Easy / Optional
Wake up in the valley. No early start. You have breakfast. You can do many things today: soak in the hot springs, go for a walk to the wild hot springs upstream.
Accommodation: Guesthouse (2,500m)
Meals included: (B, L, D)
Day 6: Altyn Arashan (2,500m) → Ak-Suu (1,900m) → Karakol (1,790m)
Trek: 15 km | Loss: -600m | Trekking level: Moderate
Drive: Ak-Suu to Karakol (15km)
Last breakfast in the yurt. You walk out of Altyn Arashan valley. The trail follows the river downstream through forest. It is downhill and easy. You see the mountains behind you. After 4–5 hours you reach the village of Ak-Suu (1,900m). Your driver is waiting. You drive 30 minutes back to Karakol. You check into your guesthouse. Hot shower. Dinner at the local ethno restaurant.
Accommodation: Guesthouse (1,790m)
Meals: (B, L, D)
Day 7: Karakol (1,790m) → Skazka Canyon (1,650m) → Bokonbaevo (1,700m)
Drive: 180km
After breakfast, you leave Karakol and drive west along the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. The lake is on your right – deep blue, mountains beyond. You stop at Skazka Canyon (meaning “Fairy Tale Canyon”). This is a red rock formation shaped by wind and water. You walk through the canyon for 1–2 hours. Strange rock shapes. Quiet. Good photos. You continue to Bokonbaevo, a village on the south shore. You stay in a guesthouse or yurt camp. Dinner with a local family.
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Bokonbaevo (1,700m)
Meals included: (B, L, D)
Day 8: Bokonbaevo (1,700m) → Bishkek (800m)
Drive: 280km
After breakfast, visit a local berkutchi (eagle hunters) who will demonstrate the ancient tradition of hunting with golden eagles. You see the birds up close. They fly from the hunter’s arm. You learn about Kyrgyz hunting culture. After the show, you drive back to Bishkek. Lunch on the way. Arrive in Bishkek in the late afternoon. Drop at the airport or hotel. End of service.
Accommodation: Hotel in Bishkek (800m)
Meals included: (B, L, D)
Departure Day
Drive: 40km
You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the airport. We hope your memories of this trip will be truly wonderful!
What is included?
- Accommodation: Hotel, guesthouses, yurt camps and tents
- Full board meals
- Transportation with professional driver
- English-speaking guide during the tour
- Entrance fees and shows
- 0.5 L of water per day
- Activities mentioned in the itinerary
What isn't included?
- International air fares
- Hotel charges for additional services
- Insurance (required)
- Personal expenses, e.g. souvenirs
- Gratuity (to guides and drivers)
- Single supplement: extra £20
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Simply fill out the form, and I will be in touch with the full details and next steps. If you’d like to talk things through or ask any questions, a call can easily be arranged at any point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Arrival: Bishkek
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Day 1: Bishkek to Karakol
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Day 2: Karakol - Karakol Gorge - Sirota Hut Camp
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Day 3: Sirota Hut - Ala-Kol Lake - Keldike Valley
Day 4: Keldike Valley - Altyn Arashan
Day 5: Resy Day - Altyn Arashan Exploration
Day 6: Altyn Arashan - Ak-Suu - Karakol
Day 7: Karakol - Bokonbaevo
Day 8: Bokonbaevo - Bishkek
Departure Day
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