Overview
The Ala-Kul lake trek is the best-known hike in Kyrgyzstan, and for good reason. In four days you walk from the spruce forest of the Karakol valley up to a turquoise glacier lake at about 3,530 m, cross the Ala-Kul pass at about 3,860 m, and finish with a soak in the natural hot springs of Altyn-Arashan.
How hard is the Ala-Kul lake trek?
We grade it Challenging. You walk five to seven hours a day, and the day up to the lake climbs steeply beside a waterfall. The pass day starts early, crosses loose scree and, until mid-July, patches of snow. You do not need climbing skills, but you should be fit and used to day hikes of 15 to 20 km. If you have never hiked at altitude, give yourself a day or two in Karakol first.
Camping, food and porters
We camp in tents for two nights and spend the last night at Altyn-Arashan in a guesthouse or tent. Our team carries the group gear, the tents and the kitchen; you carry a daypack with water, snacks and warm layers. A camp cook prepares hot breakfasts and dinners, and packed lunches on the trail. Water comes from streams and is boiled or filtered.
Best time to hike to Ala-Kul
The season runs from July to mid-September. Early July can still have deep snow on the pass; August is the most settled month. Snow can fall at any time of year at the top, so warm clothes are not optional.
Safety on the trail
Your guide knows the route well, carries a first-aid kit and turns the group back if the weather on the pass is unsafe. There is no mobile signal for most of the trek. The trail lies inside the Karakol national park, and the entry fee is included.
Before and after the trek
Karakol is about six to seven hours from Bishkek along the north shore of Issyk-Kul. Many travelers add a few easy days on the south shore afterwards, such as our Skazka canyon and Jeti-Oguz trip. More background: Ala-Köl on Wikipedia.
Booking the Ala-Kul lake trek
There are three ways to join the Ala-Kul lake trek: pick an open date on this page, propose your own dates and let other travelers join you, or book the Ala-Kul lake trek privately for your own group. On a shared date the price per person drops as the group grows. Nothing is paid on this website: a manager confirms the dates, the price and every detail of the Ala-Kul lake trek with you first. See all open group departures.
