Ala Kul Lake Trek

DAY 1: KARAKOL CITY – KARAKOL GORGE – RADIAL HIKE TO THE FOOT OF KARAKOL PEAK

Trekking distance/time: 10km / 5-6 hours (radial hike)
Ascent: 440 meters    

After breakfast, transfer from Karakol city to the Karakol Gorge (1-1,5 hours drive). The road follows the winding valley surrounded by lush forests and a fast-flowing mountain river. Upon arrival at the campsite (2,550 meters), take a short rest before starting your hike.

Begin your radial hike toward the foot of the impressive Karakol Peak, one of the most iconic mountains in the Terskey Ala-Too Range. The trail passes through alpine meadows and spruce forests, gradually ascending with stunning views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks. Enjoy your lunch overlooking the magnificent Karakol Peak before returning to the campsite.

Spend the evening relaxing in the peaceful atmosphere of the gorge, listening to the sound of the river, and enjoying dinner under the starry sky. Overnight in tents surrounded by spruce trees.

Accommodation: tents (2 people in a tent)
Meals included: picnic lunch, dinner
Facilities: Wi-Fi (available at an additional cost for 100 KGS), solar panels (you can charge your phones until 9:00 p.m.), no hot shower, outdoor toilets

DAY 2: TO ALA KUL LAKE VIA SIROTA HUT

Trekking distance/time: 10 km, 6-7 hours
Ascent: +1030m 

This day challenges you with strenuous walking through screws and boulders before you get to the lake, 3 hours. After a few hours of demanding ascent, be rewarded with the jewel of Ala Kul Lake, standing at 3500 meters and fed by glaciers around. The view of this turquoise alpine lake takes your breath away. Arrival at the campsite. Be accommodated in tents. Free stroll around the lake. Dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: tents (2 people in a tent)
Meals included: breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Facilities: Wi-Fi (available at an additional cost for 100 KGS), solar panels (you can charge your phones until 9:00 p.m.), no hot shower, outdoor toilets

DAY 3: TO ALTYN ARASHAN VALLEY AND HOT SPRINGS OVER ALA KUL PASS

Trekking distance/time: 13 km, 6-7 hours
Ascent: – 340m,  Descent: – 1400m

After breakfast, we head on to Ala Kul Pass, standing at 3950 meters. Craggy and glaciated peaks of Terskey Ala-Too open on top of the pass. Give a time to gaze at these towering peaks of the great Tian Shan Range. Descend the steep path towards the campsite at beautiful Keldyke Valley at (3200m). Have some lunch. Then we head on to our yurt camp along lush green pastures with gently flowing rivers of Altyn Arashan Valley, 3-4 hours. At some point, you will cross one of the streams, but the level is low. Arrival at our yurt camp, standing at 2450 meters. In fact, Altyn-Arashan means ‘Golden Spa’ and this valley is famous for its hot sulfur springs. We take a bath in hot spring pools after three long days of hiking to relieve muscle pains.

Accommodation: shared yurt camp (3-4 people in a yurt)
Meals included: breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Facilities: Wi-Fi (free of charge), solar panels (you can charge your phones until 9:00 p.m.), hot shower, hot spring pools, and western-style toilets

DAY 4: TO AK SUU VILLAGE – KARAKOL CITY

Trekking distance/time: 15 km / 4-5 hours
Descent: – 850m

After breakfast, begin your final day’s hike through the scenic Altyn Arashan Valley. The trail follows the river downstream, passing through pine forests, open meadows, and clusters of traditional wooden cabins used by local shepherds in summer. Enjoy the peaceful rhythm of nature as you walk along the gently descending path, with the sound of rushing water and birds echoing through the valley.
Take short breaks to admire the panoramic views of snow-covered peaks, including the striking Palatka (Tent) Peak, before arriving in Ak-Suu village (1,700 m) around midday. Here, your vehicle will be waiting for you.
Drive to Karakol City and enjoy a well-deserved lunch at one of the cozy local cafés or restaurants. Accommodation at your hotel.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch

Price for the Ala Kul Lake Trek

Included:

English-speaking guide with intermediate level
Meals: B, L, D

Meals of personal

Transport to the trailhead and back to Karakol City after the trek

Entrance tickets

Comfortable pre-arranged camps – 2 nights (Two person tents + sleeping mats are provided)

Shared yurt camp – 1 night 

Not included:

Accommodation and meals in Karakol City before and after the trek

Transport from/to Bishkek-Karakol

Services out of the program

Tips

Bottled water

Insurance

International/country tickets

Sleeping bags (Available at 6 USD per day/person)

Tablets to purify the water

Porter to carry your personal items like clothes, camera, and sleeping bags (Available at 50 USD per day/person). Please note one porter can carry a maximum of 15 kg.

*Please let us know in advance if you are vegetarian/vegan or if you have food allergies.

Summer 2026 Group Tours are open for booking!

Lock in your trip with a $100 deposit now. Terms and conditions

If the following dates do not suit your travel plans, please contact us by email or WhatsApp. We will post a new tour with your dates and try to collect more people to join you to share the costs. Or you can check out our other Kyrgyzstan trekking group tours. 

Difficulty

The trek is quite challenging in parts: climbing up rocks/gravel before and after Ala Kul Pass at 3950 meters. You have to be reasonably fit. It can be a moderate trek for experienced and physically fit trekkers. Consider it a difficult trek for those who are not physically fit and have not done a trek for a long period.

Ala Kul Trek Guide

You always have a guide if you join a group. It can be nice to have a guide especially if you are trying to do this with limited time, as they will know where the better trails are and can point out other sites along the way that you might not know the name for or are looking for. There will likely be places where you run into snow this year as it’s been a much colder, snowier year than last year.

Ala Kul Lake Weather

You should take warm jackets and good trekking shoes. The weather changes frequently.

What you need

The hike is steep and the altitude might impact you. If you are in a group, your group will have porters who carry all food and tents. You should bring with you backpack to carry sleeping bags that can keep between 0 and -5 comfortable temperature, proper hiking boots, hiking trousers + rain cover for them, rain cover for bags and yourself, wind stopper jacket, and many thermal layers – NO cotton as if you sweat you remain wet.

Water for Ala Kul Lake Trek

There are springs and streams throughout the journey. We recommend bringing some water purification. Water coming from springs is pure and cold, you can drink if your stomach is not sensitive. In the worst case, you can ask your guide to boil water for a drink.