Trekking to Ala Kul Lake - Best of Tian Shan Mountains

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Hiking to Sirota Campsite⌄

   Trekking distance/time: 11km / 6 hours, Ascent: 600 meters, Accommodation: tents Transfer from Karakol city to the starting point through lush Karakol Valley with gushing rivers along. Hike in this serene environment up to the flat and huge Sirota Campsite standing at 3000 meters. Spot grazing herd of horses beautifying nature. Arrival and lunch. After lunch, take a walk around the area and relax in this solitude area surrounded by spruce trees.

   Meals: Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Overnight in a tent

2. 2Ala Kul Lake to Keldyke Valley over Ala Kul Pass⌄

   Trekking distance/time: 9 km, 7 hours, Ascent: +850m This day challenges you with strenuous walking through screws and boulders before you get to the lake, 3 hours. After few hours of demanding ascent, be rewarded with the jewel of lakes Ala Kul standing at 3500 meters and fed by glaciers around. The view of this turquoise alpine lake takes your breath away. Lunch on the shore of the lake. After lunch, we head on to Ala Kul Pass standing at 3950 meters. Craggy and glaciated peaks of Terskey Ala-Too open on top of the pass. Give time to gaze at these towering peaks of great Tian Shan Range. Descend the steep path towards the campsite at beautiful Keldyke Valley at (3200m).

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Overnight in a tent

3. 3To Altyn Arashan Valley and Hot Springs⌄

   Trekking distance/time: 11 km, 4 hours, Ascent: – 750m, After breakfast, we head on to our yurt camp along lush green pastures and gently flowing rivers of Altyn Arashan Valley, 3-4 hours. At some point, you will cross one of the streams, but the level is low. Arrival at our yurt camp standing at 2450 m. In fact, Altyn-Arashan means ‘Golden Spa’ and this valley is famous for its hot sulfur springs. We take a bath in hot spring pools after three long days of hiking to relieve muscle pains.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Overnight in a yurt camp

4. 4To Ak Suu village – Karakol City⌄

   Trekking distance/time: 10 km / 4 hours, Descent: – 450m, We take a hike around the area to visit wild springs before leaving the campsite at lunchtime. You will never be able to forget the sight of the snow on Peak Palatka at 5260 m or “Swallow’s Nest Pool”, nestling beneath the open sky. Afternoon, we hike to Ak Suu village (4 hours) where we will be picked up by our driver to get to Karakol city (30 minutes). Trail goes most of the time along a beautiful river gushing through the valley. Accommodation at your hotel.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch

   Overnight: The hotel in Karakol is not included.