Getting back after the Ala-Kul trek

The classic Ala-Kul loop starts in Karakol Gorge, crosses the pass and comes down into Altyn Arashan. The last day is 12–15 km of rough track down to Ak-Suu. After three days in the mountains, many people would rather not walk it. That is what the one-way seat is for.

Option 1: your trek ends in Altyn Arashan

• One-way seat: 2,750 som.
• Leaves the valley at 16:00. Reaches central Karakol around 18:00.
• It is the same 4x4 that brings day-trippers up in the morning, so there are seats on the way down.
• Licensed carriers do the driving. We are the booking agent: we sell the seat and keep you informed.

The descent from the lake to the valley takes 4–5 hours. Leave the lake in the morning and you reach the valley well before 16:00, with time for the hot springs.

Option 2: your trek ends in Karakol Gorge

If you walk the loop the other way, or go to the lake and back from Karakol Gorge, you finish in the gorge. There is no shared 4x4 from there.

Message us on WhatsApp with the date, your rough exit time and group size. We find a car and quote a price. We do not promise a price in advance, because it depends on the day and the group.

For reference, central-asia.live lists a taxi from Karakol to the gorge trailhead at 1,500–2,000 som one way.

Ask in WhatsApp

Option 3: ride up, walk down

You can also reverse the loop. Ride up to Altyn Arashan for 2,750 som, start the trek there and come down through Karakol Gorge. This saves the 12–15 km climb on the track. The morning car leaves at 08:00 from Giraffe Coffee, Zhusaeva St, and reaches the valley around 10:30. Read more in our Ala-Kul transfer guide.

Groups and custom times

For four to eight people, or a different time, take a whole car: UAZ-469 for up to 4 people is 25,000 som, UAZ-452 for up to 8 is 31,000 som. Private cars can be booked any time, including for today. See private transfer.

Terms

• The car runs with 2 paid seats. If not, another date or a 100% refund.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
• Pay by card online or by card or cash on the spot.
• National park fee (about 300 som) and bath house (about 250 som) are not included.

Season

The best months for Ala-Kul are July to September. In June the pass can still hold snow; from October to May it is snowbound. Check departures on the schedule.