The multi-day hike to Ala-Kol Lake is one of the most beautiful hikes in Kyrgyzstan. This three-day trek starts in Karakol National Park and takes you up to the breathtaking Ala Kol Lake at an altitude of 3500 meters. You will end in the beautiful Altyn Arashan valley where horses and cows roam freely among the many, winding rivers. This trek is not to be underestimated and good preparation is essential. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know for the hike to Ala-Kol Lake: a day-by-day overview, what to pack, and where to stay along the way.
Where is Lake Ala-Kol located in Kyrgyzstan?
Ala-Kol Lake (or Ala-Kul) is one of the most photographed places in Kyrgyzstan and an absolute must-visit during your Kyrgyzstan itinerary. The lake, located in the Tien Shan and Alay mountains, can only be reached on foot and is a whopping 3500 meters above sea level. The base for the trek to Lake Ala-Kol in Kyrgyzstan is Karakol. The town of Karakol is located in the east of the country, about an 8-hour drive from capital city Bishkek.
How to visit Karakol
Karakol will be your starting point for the multi-day hike to Lake Ala-Kol. This charming town sits on the eastern shore of the vast Issyk-Kul Lake. From the capital Bishkek it’s an 8 to 10 hour drive, depending on road conditions and construction along the way. If the journey feels too long, you can break it up with an overnight stay in Cholpon-Ata, on the lake’s northern shore, or in Bokonbayevo, on the southern shore. However, if you’re short on time, it’s best to drive straight through to Karakol. You’ll likely pass Bokonbayevo again on your way back.
A second option is to reach Karakol by public transportation. In Kyrgyzstan, these are marshrutkas, shared minibuses that run between the main cities. You can take a marshrutka that runs directly from Bishkek to Karakol. It’s a very local and budget-friendly option, though be prepared for tight spaces, no air conditioning, and vehicles that have seen better days. Still, they’ll get you where you need to go, and the ride is an adventure in itself. You can find more details about getting around in our complete Kyrgyzstan travel guide.
Where to stay in Karakol?
Karakol itself is one of the larger cities in Kyrgyzstan, and here you will find numerous guesthouses. Many guesthouses also offer guided hikes to Lake Ala-Kol. We recommend going for a guesthouse where you can leave your big luggage during the three-day hike. Ideally, you should sleep in your accommodation the night before your trek and the night after your trek. This way, you can take only the essentials with you during your trek and you are not overloaded. You can safely leave your luggage at the accommodations listed below:
- Budget (€): Snow Leopard Hostel
- Comfort (€€): Duet Hostel
- Comfort (€€): Ordo Hotel
Before the start of the Ala-Kul trek
You can do the multi-day trek to Ala-Kul in several ways. Officially, this three-day trek is part of a larger hike in the Alay Mountains. This seven-day hike starts in Karakol and ends all the way in Jyrgalan. However, the most common way to visit Lake Ala-Kol is via the 3-day trek from Karakol to the Altyn Arashan Valley.
Where to stay during the trek?
You have two accommodation options on the trek: staying in yurt camps or bringing your own tent. Along the route, you’ll pass several yurt camps where you can spend the night. Inside, you’ll typically find four simple beds or sleeping mats on the floor, along with a very basic toilet (read: a simple hole in the ground). The big advantage of staying in yurt camps is that they usually provide both dinner and breakfast, meaning you don’t have to carry all your own food and cooking gear. We opted for this option ourselves, which made the hike a bit more comfortable. In the day-by-day section, we share details about the specific yurt camps we stayed in. To guarantee a spot, it’s best to book in advance through CBT Karakol.
Everything for your trip to Kyrgyzstan in one place!
Our unique 90+ page travel guide & Google Maps compiles everything you need to know: routes, transportation, lodging, hikes, tips and all locations in one convenient overview!
A second option is with your own tent. If you do not have your own tent with you to Kyrgyzstan, you can also rent one in the CBT of Karakol including sleeping bags, cooking gear and everything you need for a camping trip. Wild camping is allowed in Kyrgyzstan and you may pitch your tent wherever you choose along the hike. Want to wake up at the edge of Lake Ala-Kol and have the lake all to yourself? Then this is a great option! At the edge of Lake Ala Kol there are often already pre-set tents where you can spend the night.
With or without a guide?
You can choose to do the Ala-Kol trek with a guide and/or a luggage carrier. The first two days include some steep, challenging climbs, so hiring a porter can make the journey much easier. We saw several hikers take this option along the way. As for a guide, we personally didn’t find it necessary. The trail is well-marked, and in summer you’ll almost always encounter other hikers, making it hard to get lost.
TRAVEL TIP: Use the app “Maps.me”, here hike are well marked. If you download the map in advance offline, you can consult it at any time, even without internet.
What do I take with me on the trek?
During the trek you will go to a mountain pass that is almost at 4000 meters altitude. The weather in the mountains can also be very unpredictable. In one day, the four seasons can pass by, with sometimes even snow in the summer. So be sure to take plenty of clothes that are also wind and rain resistant. It can also get very cold at night in the yurt camps.
You’ll take all of this on the trek to Lake Ala Kol in Kyrgyzstan:
- Clothes for three days: Dress in thin layers that you can take on and off easily. Consider a thermal sweatshirt or zip-off pants. Also, don’t forget to bring a hat or cap and gloves, as it can be surprisingly cold at times. Don’t forget your much-needed toiletries and towel, your swimwear for the hot springs and a pair of slippers for after hiking.
- Rainproof clothing: Make sure you have a good raincoat that is also windproof. You climb up to 4,000 meters during the hike and it can be very cold at the summit. Also consider a rain cover for your backpack so everything doesn’t get wet when it rains.
- Hiking Shoes: There are some tough climbs and descents waiting over unpaved terrain, so good walking shoes are really a must! Hiking poles are also definitely recommended during this hike.
- Sun Protection: When the sun burns, it burns hard. Therefore, be sure to bring sunscreen and sunglasses.
- Sufficient food and drink: As mentioned above, you can get dinner and breakfast at the yurt camps. For daytime and in between, it is best to provide some snacks and plenty of drinking water yourself. We always take a Lifestraw water bottle with us to filter the mountain water along the way and drink it safely (there are lots of cattle roaming around, so water can contain bacteria). If you go by tent, then you need to provide food and drink for the 3 days. You can do your shopping at the supermarket GLOBUS in Karakol.
- Cash: If you book your yurt stays in advance through CBT, you can pay ahead of time. Still, it’s wise to carry cash, as there are no ATMs on the route and card payments aren’t accepted. Make sure you bring enough to cover all expenses along the way.
Overview of three-day trek to Ala-Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan
This hike starts in Karakol and ends in the village of Ak Suu. You can do this hike in 3 days and 2 nights, which we think is perfectly feasible. Some travelers also do this hike in 4 days and 3 nights. Below is an overview of the Ala-Kol trek in Kyrgyzstan:
- Total distance: 50 – 55 km
- Duration: 3 or 4 days
- Start/end: Karakol to Ak Suu
- Highest point: 3900 m (Ala Kul Pass)
- Difficulty: hard
- Accommodation: staying in yurt camps/hostels or by tent
- Best period: mid-June to mid-September
Day 1: Karakol to Sirota yurt camp
Distance: +/- 16 km ● Duration: 6 – 8 hours ● Altimeters: 888 m
The first day you will leave from Karakol and the final destination will be the Sirota yurt camp (or near it). There are two points where you can start the hike: from the entrance to Karakol National Park or from the “First Bridge”. We started at the First Bridge and recommend you do the same. The road from the park entrance to the first bridge is a long dirt road of 4 km where taxis drive past you constantly. If you do wish to start from the park entrance, you should do this trek in 4 days instead of 3. Then you sleep the first night in the Karakol valley and the second night in the Sirota yurt camp.
Arrange a taxi through your hostel (we did this at Snow Leopard Hostel) or CBT Karakol to take you to the first bridge. ou pay per taxi, so it’s worth finding fellow travelers to share the cost. When entering Karakol National Park, there’s an entrance fee of 300 SOM per person. For a more budget-friendly option, you can take marshrutka 101 to the park entrance and then walk the remaining 4 km to the first bridge.
Part 1: First Bridge to Second Bridge
The hike begins with a slight climb through the Karakol Valley, past green forests and meadows. You continuously follow the river that is on your left until you reach the “Second Bridge”. Along the way you’ll undoubtedly encounter herds of cows and maybe even wild horses. Just before the Second Bridge you will first go up a bit from where you have a beautiful view of the Karakol valley. Then you descend to the “Second Bridge”. In summer there are sometimes yurt camps here if you want to break up the trek. When we were there, there was also a small coffee stand.
TRAVEL TIP: You can also be dropped off at the Second Bridge by 4×4 taxi but we don’t recommend it. The walk from the First Bridge to the Second Bridge is a good warm-up and you’ll have beautiful views along the way.
Part 2: Second Bridge to Sirota Yurt Camp
This is the last stage of the first hiking day and the toughest. In distance it is not so far to the yurt camp anymore, but a tough climb awaits. You first cross the Second Bridge. Then turn right and follow the forest trail, which soon turns into a steep uphill path of about 2 km. Depending on your fitness level, you will reach the yurt camp after about 1 to 2 hours of hiking. Be sure not to forget to look back from time to time, because as you climb higher and higher you will get a better view of the valley.
Day 2: Sirota yurt camp to Altyn Arashan valley
Distance: +/- 18 km ● Duration: 8 – 10 hours ● Altimeters: 1064 m
Today is the toughest hiking day of the three and you will have to get up early. With over 1000 altimeters, some steep climbs and descents and a total of 18 km, this is a challenging day. We recommend that you leave at least before 8 am so that you will reach the next yurt camp before dark.
Part 1: Sirota yurt camp to Ala Kol lake
Make sure you have a hearty breakfast because a tough climb awaits you immediately. From the Sirota yurt camp, it’s a 600-meter ascent over just 3 km to reach Ala-Kol Lake. The trail follows a stream on your left, passing a waterfall along the way, before tackling the final push. This section is tough and will take about 1–2 hours. But the reward is worth it! When you’re nearly out of breath, the brilliant turquoise waters of Ala-Kol Lake suddenly appear before you. Take your time at the shore to soak in the stunning scenery. There are no yurt camps here, but you will find tent camps where you can spend the night. You can even reserve a pre-set tent in advance through CBT Karakol. For more details, check our Kyrgyzstan travel guide.
Part 2: Ala Kol Lake to Ala Kol Pass
We have arrived at the spiciest climb of this three-day trek in Kyrgyzstan. From Ala Kol Lake, you follow a trail on the left that follows the lake. This involves loose stones and gravel so be careful where you hike as you can quickly slip. From the lake to the Ala Kol mountain pass it will again take you about 2 to 3 hours, climbing up to 3900m. You will also notice this in your breathing which becomes more difficult due to the thin air. It is certainly an ordeal physically and mentally, but once you arrive at the Ala Kol Pass you will have a fantastic 360° view of the Tien Shan Mountains!
Part 3: Ala Kol Pass to Altyn Arashan valley
Just after the Ala Kol mountain pass, a steep descent begins which is the most dangerous part of this multi-day trek. Once again, you hike along a steep, loose path of stones. Be sure to use your hiking poles here for extra stability. Once down, you’ll find another yurt camp where you can take a break and have a drink. From here you hike back through open, green valleys and it’s only downhill. At some point you cross the river (without a bridge) and continue walking through the forest towards the Altyn Arashan valley. Here you cross the river again and turn left. You follow the trail with the river on your left until you eventually see the yurt camps appear.
In the Altyn Arashan valley, you have seen several yurt camps and guest houses. Most of these guesthouses also have their own hot spring where you can relax your muscles in after a long day of hiking. We ourselves slept in Eco Yurtcamp Arashan. At Arashan Hotel you can visit the hot spring, and if you stay there overnight, entrance is free. So be sure not to forget your swimwear!
Day 3: Altyn Arashan to Karakol
Distance: +/- 16 km ● Duration: 4 – 6 hours ● Elevation: 92 m
Day three of this multi-day trek to Lake Ala-Kol in Kyrgyzstan is the easiest, so feel free to sleep in a little longer. Today you won’t have to climb anymore but walk through green valleys and along rivers until your final point.
Part 1: Altyn Arashan to Ak Suu
Leaving Altyn Arashan, the trail follows a dirt road used by 4x4s all the way to the village of Ak-Suu. Along the way, you’ll pass wide green meadows dotted with grazing cows and horses. We really enjoyed this part of the trek, though you may occasionally need to step aside for passing vehicles. If you prefer, you can take a 4×4 taxi from Altyn Arashan to Ak-Suu, but it’s not cheap. We recommend walking this stretch, the scenery makes it well worth the effort.
Part 2: Ak Suu back to Karakol
At the end of the hike, you’ll arrive in a small village named Ak Suu. Continue walking past the houses until you come to a larger, paved road. Here you will see a bus stop across the road. At this bus stop you can take marshrutka 350 that will take you back towards Karakol. You can make the marshrutka stop wherever you wish by calling stop in time. Get off, walk back towards your accommodation and enjoy the satisfaction of completing the trek!
Onward travel in Kyrgyzstan
If you have some time to spare before or after your trek, spend some time in Karakol. On an afternoon you can easily visit the wooden Holy Trinity Cathedral and the Dungan Mosque, the two most beautiful sights in Karakol. In the evening, be sure to eat at Duet Coffee Shop. Despite the name, you can also have dinner here, and we found this to be one of the best restaurants in Kyrgyzstan! After your trek, you can explore Kyrgyzstan further: go hiking in Jyrgalan. Discover the Fairytale Canyon or go horseback riding in Tash Rabat.
Do you have any questions about the multi-day trek to Lake Ala-Kol in Kyrgyzstan? Let us know in a comment below. Looking for more information for your next trip? Please do not hesitate to contact us contact or send an email to info@snoezelsontheroad.com.
Did you know...
When you make a purchase through our links, we receive a small fee. What you pay remains the same, and you support us with it too. A win-win for everyone!
Activities
Book here inexpensively via Getyourguide
Support us with coffee
Support us with a virtual cup of coffee
