Arslanbob to Holy Lake Trek
Enjoy this moderately difficult 4-day trek over Friendship (Dostuk) (3,670 m) and Ontomo (3262 m) mountain passes. This multi-day trek features a diversity of stunning landscapes — alpine lakes, glaciers, the dramatic Babash Ata Mountains, lush meadows and valleys. You’ll have a chance to meet local shepherds tending to their livestock along the way.
Destination: Arslanbob village, Jalal – Abad Region, southern Kyrgyzstan
Season: June – early September
Duration: 4 days, 3 nights
Trekking Distance: 46 km
Maximum/Minimum Elevation: 3,670 meters / 1,485 meters
Total Elevation Gain/Loss: 3129m+ / 3390m-
Difficulty: Medium-Difficult
Starting/Ending Point: Arslanbob village
Day 1. Holy Rock with panoramic views
This day we start the tour at 10 am. After breakfast, we are transferred to the starting point of the hike, 20 minutes. We start the hike right after the end of the village and walk on unpaved road about an hour along the stream to get to the area called Toguz Bulak meaning Nine Springs gushing from the earth. We break for a lunch here along the river. After a steep climb through high pastures filled with grazing animals, enjoy camping the first night near Holy Rock with panoramic views of Arslanbob valley and the walnut forest.
Trekking distance / time: 7km / 6 hours Max/Min Elevation: 3130 m / 1765 m Total Gain/Loss: 1365 m
Day 2. Friendship (Dostuk) Pass and Kolkupan Lake
After a challenging climb up scree to reach Friendship Pass (3,600 meters) enjoy a relaxing lunch at the pass with panoramic views of dramatic glaciers and Arslanbob valley below. As you descend from the pass you begin to see turquoise Kolkupan Lake below, the location of the campsite for the 2nd night. This is a holy lake for locals to visit and pray so you may meet local families as you walk around and explore the lake.
Trekking distance / time: 9km / 7 hours Max / Min Elevation: 3676 m Total Gain/Loss: +696 m / – 990 m
Day 3. Ontomo Pass, Tash Korgon and Tulpar Tash Gorge
Pass by a crystal-clear alpine lake on the way to Tash Korgon, a deep gorge that ends with a shepherd’s hut and dramatic views of the Babash Ata Mountains and green valleys. Climb up to Onotomo and Chakmak Tash mountan passes before descending into Tulpar Tash gorge where the campsite is located for the night.
Trekking distance / time: 17km / 7-8 hours Max / Min Elevation: 3262 m / 2570 m Total Gain/Loss: +970 m – 910 m
Day 4. Chaar Archa Gorge and Arslanbob Valley
Start your morning walking through dense and fragrant juniper trees in Chaar Archa Gorge on the way to Arslanbob Valley. The scenery in the valley will switch to walnut trees and lush grasslands. After lunch near a shepherd’s hut, enjoy an easy walk towards Arslanbob village, passing shepherds and beehives along the way.
Trekking distance / time: 15km / 7 hours Max / Min Elevation: 2895 m / 1484 m Total Gain/Loss: +1493 m
Price in USD
| # of people | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| price per person | 1100 | 750 | 550 | 450 | 400 |
Included: Transfers to/from Arslanbob Guide Cook Luggage horses Horsemen Meals Accommodation Tents, mats Entrance tickets
Not included: Alcoholic beverages Sleeping bags Other costs out of the itinerary
