Ala Kul Trek hiking guide: route map, stages & where to stay

The Ala Kul trek is the best-known multi-day hike in Kyrgyzstan. It starts at the Karakol park entrance, a few kilometres south of the town of Karakol at the east end of Lake Issyk-Kul. It climbs the forested Karakol valley in the Terskey Ala-Too range to Ala-Kul, a turquoise glacial lake at about 3,550 m, crosses the Ala-Kul pass at about 3,900 m and descends to the hot springs of Altyn Arashan. The last day follows the Arashan river down to the village of Ak-Suu (Teploklyuchenka). Guides quote 53 to 55 km and 3 to 4 days. There is no permit system and no guide is required, only a park fee. You sleep in small seasonal yurt camps, in guesthouses at Altyn Arashan or in your own tent.

The route

Day 1 follows a dirt track up the Karakol valley through spruce forest and meadows to the second bridge (about 2,550 m), where the Ala-Kul path turns east. It then climbs steeply for 3 km to Sirota, the "second camp" at about 2,900 m. Day 2 is the hard one. A steep, rocky path climbs past a waterfall to the outflow of Ala-Kul. The path follows the north shore of the lake and climbs to the pass on scree. On the east side, a long descent on loose scree leads into the Keldike valley and down to Altyn Arashan. Day 3 is an easy walk on the 4x4 track down the Arashan valley, past free hot pools and pine forest, to Ak-Suu.

This guide follows the route mapped on OpenStreetMap, 49 km from the park entrance to the trail end in Ak-Suu, and splits it into 3 stages, about 16.3 km each. The quoted 55 km comes from GPS watches and rounded daily figures, which add up to anything from 52 to 60 km. The total climb is about 2,250 m and the descent about 2,300 m. Almost all of the climbing comes on the first two days.

Highlights

• Ala-Kul lake: a turquoise lake about 2.8 km long below glaciers and 4,000 m peaks, best in the morning light
• The Ala-Kul pass: the high point at about 3,900 m, with views back over the lake and its glaciers
• Altyn Arashan: a high valley with hot-spring pools at about 2,550 m. Most guesthouses have a private pool you can book by the half hour, and there are free open pools a short walk down the valley
• The Karakol valley: a wide valley of Tian Shan spruce with glaciated peaks at its head

When to go

The season is July to mid-September. In June there can still be snow and ice on the pass, and from mid-September the first snow often falls. Most yurt camps open from late May or June to September. July and August are the busiest months, so book the Sirota camp ahead then. The weather changes fast. Expect afternoon storms with hail or snow on the pass, even in August, and nights near or below freezing at the lake.

How many days?

The 3 stages here follow the usual 3-day plan. Day 1 is the Karakol park entrance to Sirota, day 2 is Sirota over the pass to Altyn Arashan, and day 3 is Altyn Arashan to Ak-Suu. Day 2 is a long day of 8 to 10 hours for most people, so start by 7 am. In 4 days the trek is easier. Camp on the lake shore (bring a warm tent), or stay at one of the yurt camps below the pass on the Altyn Arashan side. You can also take a 4x4 from Karakol to the second bridge, which saves 16 km, or a 4x4 from Altyn Arashan down to Ak-Suu.

Fees, booking and money

The Karakol valley is part of Karakol State Nature Park, often called Karakol National Park. In 2026 the fee is about 300 som per person; older guides say 250 som, and some add about 100 som per tent. You pay at the park entrance or at the ranger post near the second bridge. Keep the receipt, because rangers check it, and some hikers are asked for a second fee on the way out through the Arashan valley. No permit or guide is needed. Carry your passport.

The yurt camps at Sirota are small: the main camp has six yurts. In 2026 it charges about 4,500 som per person with dinner and breakfast. Guesthouses and yurt camps at Altyn Arashan cost roughly 1,500 to 3,500 som with meals, and a private hot-pool slot costs about 200 to 250 som. Pay in cash in Kyrgyz som. The only ATMs are in Karakol and Ak-Suu.

Getting there and away

Karakol is about 400 km from Bishkek, 6 to 7 hours by marshrutka or shared taxi. Asman Airlines has flown Bishkek to Karakol four times a week since January 2026. In Karakol, marshrutka 101 runs to the park entrance, and taxis and shared 4x4s run to the second bridge. From the trail end, marshrutka 350 runs from Ak-Suu back to Karakol (about 40 to 50 som). Duet Hostel in Karakol keeps a board where hikers share 4x4s, and stores spare luggage.

Phone signal

There is mobile signal in Karakol and the lower Karakol valley, and in Ak-Suu. On most of the trek there is none, including at the lake and on the pass. Tell your hostel when you expect to finish, and carry a satellite messenger if you walk alone.

Difficulty and safety

The trek is rated moderate to hard. The paths are clear but steep. Day 2 climbs about 1,050 m and descends about 1,500 m, mostly above 3,000 m. The descent from the pass is loose scree with rockfall, so trekking poles are a big help. Keep a distance from the people below you, and shout if you knock a stone loose. There are river crossings, and the meadows below Sirota and on day 3 can be deep in mud after rain. Altitude sickness is possible on the pass, especially if you arrive straight from Bishkek. Spend a night or two in Karakol first, and go down if you get a bad headache, vomiting or confusion. In an emergency call 112 (ambulance 103). The camp hosts are the nearest help, and rescue is slow and mostly on horseback. The nearest hospital is in Karakol. The security risk is low: Kyrgyz travel warnings concern the Tajik border in Batken, more than 600 km to the west.

What to pack

Pack a warm sleeping bag (comfort about -5 °C if you camp), a down jacket, a hat and gloves, and a waterproof jacket and trousers. You also need sturdy boots with good grip, trekking poles, sun cream and sunglasses for the pass. Carry a water filter or tablets and a headlamp. Bring snacks for 3 days, because there are no shops on the trail. Yurt camps sell lunch boxes. Bring an offline map or GPS track, as the paths split near Altyn Arashan, and a swimsuit for the hot springs. If you camp, you need a tent, a stove and all your food.