Altyn-Arashan Adventure Trek

Private tour

Price

On request

Availability

June – September

Duration

5 days

Difficulty

Middle

Tour type

Trekking

Overview

Embark on a thrilling 5-day trekking adventure in Kyrgyzstan, starting with a scenic drive from Bishkek to Karakol, including a stop at Kok-Moynok Canyon. Trek from Ak-Suu Village to Altyn-Arashan, where you’ll relax in hot springs. Explore Ala-Kul Lake by horseback, then return to Altyn-Arashan for another night. Transfer to Karakol, tour the town’s landmarks, and spend the night. On the final day, journey back to Bishkek with a stop at Fairy Tale Canyon for a scenic hike, concluding with a traditional Kyrgyz meal before departure.

Highlights

Visit famous Ala-Kul lake
Visit hot springs in Altyn-Arashan valley
Visit canyons
Horseback riding during the trip
Hiking during the trip
Try local traditional cuisine
Stay in traditional Kyrgyz yurts (optional)

Itinerary

Day 1: Bishkek City - Karakol Town

Today, we’ll meet you at the airport or pick you up from Bishkek if you’re already there. Then, we’ll head to Karakol. On the way, we’ll stop at Kok-Moynok Canyon for a short hour-long hike, take photos, and then continue to Karakol. Once in Karakol, we’ll rest and prepare for our trekking adventure the next day. Dinner and overnight stay will be at a hotel and a traditional café.

Meal: Lunch/Dinner, Accommodation: Hotel/Guesthouse, Total Drive: 400 km / 5 hours

Day 2: Karakol Town - Ak-Suu Village - Altyn-Arashan Valley

Trekking distance/time: 10 km / 5-6 hours, Ascent: 450m

After breakfast, we’ll travel to Ak-Suu Village to start our trek to Altyn-Arashan. We’ll hike for about 5-6 hours, enjoying fascinating views along the way. Upon reaching Altyn-Arashan, we’ll relax in the hot springs nestled among the mountains to soothe our muscles. Dinner and overnight stay will be at a guesthouse or yurtcamp.

Meal: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner, Accommodation: Guesthouse/Yurtcamp

Day 3: Altyn-Arashan valley - Ala-Kul Lake - Altyn-Arashan valley

Horseback riding distance: 20 km, Trekking: 1 hour

Today, after breakfast, we’ll journey to the famous Ala-Kul Lake by horseback riding. We’ll ride horses until the last hill before hiking up to the lake, which takes about 30 minutes. We’ll admire the stunning lake view, have lunch, and then return to Altyn-Arashan on horseback. We’ll enjoy the hot springs again, have dinner, and stay overnight at the guesthouse.

Meal: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner, Accommodation: Guesthouse/Yurtcamp

Day 4: Altyn-Arashan valley - Karakol town

Today, we’ll be transported to Karakol by off-road trucks. Once in Karakol, we’ll sample local cuisine and then explore the town, visiting landmarks like explorer Prjevalsky’s memorial, a Dungan mosque, and a Russian Orthodox church. We’ll spend the night at a hotel.

Meal: Breaksat/Lunch/Dinner, Accommodation: Hotel/Guesthouse, Total Drive: 35 km

Day 5: Karakol town - Fairy Tale Canyon - Bishkek city

After breakfast, we’ll travel back to Bishkek. On the way, we’ll stop at Fairy Tale Canyon for a short hike to the panorama, taking about an hour. We’ll capture photos, enjoy the scenery, and then continue to Bishkek.

Later, we’ll visit a local café to savor traditional Kyrgyz Kattama with sour cream, a delightful puff pastry. Upon reaching Bishkek, we’ll have our final dinner at a traditional local restaurant, ending our journey with goodbyes and hopes for a future reunion.

Meal: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner, Total Drive: 400 km/5 hours

Prices

To get prices for this tour, please Request the Tour or Get in Touch with Us.

Included / Excluded

Accommodation – as per program
English speaking driver/guide
Meals – as per program
Entrance fees
Transport services during all the tour
Drinking water
All activities

Single supplement
Personal expenses
Alcohol and soft drinks
International airfares
Tips for driver and guide (optional)

Map

Gallery

Additional info

Clothes & Equipment

You can bring everything you need. Remember that in the summer, Bishkek can get as hot as 40 degrees Celsius, and it can be as cold as minus 5 degrees Celsius in the mountains. Be ready for sudden changes in the weather.

Recommended:

Rain-coat
Waterproof pants
Sweater/fleece
Wind-stopper
Enough t-shirts and other underwear (think of taking smth with long sleeves to avoid sunburns)
Power bank (to charge devices)
Hat (remember – the sun can be violent)
Sun-screen cream (30 or higher)
Insect repellent (skin + clothes)
Good, waterproof trekking boots for easy hikes in the mountains.
Walking shoes (don’t need heavy ones) for the city walks
Personal first aid kit (most likely problems: blisters, sunburns, allergy, diarrhoea, sore muscles after hikes. Take painkillers, anti-histaminic, antibiotics of general action, and anything you need for your usual medical conditions).
Personal hygiene kit (disinfection gel is highly recommended) + some toilet paper.
A small towel
Swimming suit (for Issyk-Kul)
Sunglasses
A smaller backpack, except for your normal suitcase.
Flash light (torch)
Walking poles if needed