Ala-Kul Trek: Getting In and Out

Ala-Kul is the most popular trek around Karakol: a turquoise lake at about 3,532 m under a pass at about 3,860 m. Most routes connect the Karakol gorge on one side and Altyn Arashan on the other. That makes transport the awkward part. You start in one valley and finish in another.

Our seat solves the Altyn Arashan end, in either direction.

Karakol → Altyn Arashan

A seat one way: up at 08:00 or down at 16:00.

• Out08:00
• Back16:00

2 750 somper seat, one way

Pick a date

Book one way

What we offer

The seats are on the daily jeep: 07:50 meeting, 08:00 departure from Giraffe Coffee, Zhusaeva St; about 10:30 in the valley; 16:00 back from the valley; about 18:00 in Karakol. Licensed carriers drive; we are the booking agent.

Two directions

Altyn Arashan first

• Day 1. One-way seat up to Altyn Arashan (2,750 som). Sleep at about 2,500 m, soak in the springs.
• Day 2. Climb to the pass (about 3,860 m), descend to Ala-Kul (about 3,532 m). Camp at the lake, or continue down towards the Karakol gorge.
• Day 3. Walk out through the Karakol gorge. Pick-up on request, or walk to the road.

Why many people prefer it: you get a night at 2,500 m before the pass, and the jeep saves you 16–17 km and around 700 m of climbing on a dirt road with a full pack. The climb from Altyn Arashan to the pass is steep; one published track from Altyn Arashan over the pass to the Karakol valley side gives about 17 km with roughly 1,400 m up and the same down.

Karakol gorge first (the classic loop)

• Day 1. From the Karakol gorge trailhead up towards the lake side. Published guides give 6–7 hours for this stage.
• Day 2. Ala-Kul and over the pass.
• Day 3. Down to Altyn Arashan; about 4–5 hours from the lake. Hot bath at the end.
• Out. One-way seat down at 16:00 (2,750 som), or stay a night and ride down the next day.

If you come down this way, book the seat down before you start. There is no signal in Altyn Arashan. If you think you might be a day late, book the later date: it is easier to move a booking forward while you still have signal on the gorge side than to fix it from the valley.

Altitudes and season

• Altyn Arashan: about 2,500 m.
• Ala-Kul lake: about 3,532 m.
• Ala-Kul pass: about 3,860 m.
• Season: July to September. June may still have snow on the pass. In May the lake is often still frozen.

Altitude is real here. Spend a night in Karakol or Altyn Arashan before the pass, walk slowly, drink water.

Practical

• Cash. Park fees are collected in cash at the checkpoints. There is no ATM in Altyn Arashan.
• Signal. None in Altyn Arashan. Download the route and an offline map in Karakol.
• Water. Plenty of streams, but treat or boil river water.
• Weather. Snow can fall on the pass in any month. Don't cross in fog or fresh snow without experience.
• Guide. Not needed in summer for fit hikers on the main route. Recommended outside July–September.

Groups and own timing

For 4–8 trekkers, a whole car can be easier: UAZ-469 for up to 4 at 25,000 som, UAZ-452 for up to 8 at 31,000 som, at the time you choose. See private.

Related

• Getting back from Altyn Arashan — all the ways down.
• Staying overnight — guesthouses and yurts before or after the pass.
• Walks from the valley — if you want shorter routes.