ALA-KUL TREK - KYRGYZSTAN
Experience Kyrgyzstan’s Pristine Glacial Lake
Wondering if this is the right trek for you?Fill this form to schedule a call with our experts.
Trek Difficulty
Moderate - Difficult
Trek Duration
6 Days
Highest Altitude
12,750 ft
SUITABLE FOR
13 to 62 years
Trek to Kyrgyzstan’s Pristine Glacial Lake
The Ala-Kul or the Ala-Kol trek in Kyrgyzstan is a grand crossover trek that takes you close to the most beautiful glacial lake we have seen outside India, the Ala-Kul. Kul or Kol in Kyrgyz means a ‘lake’, hence the name means the ‘Ala Lake’ trek.
The milky-blue Ala-Kul lies at approximately 11,580 ft in the Tien Shan mountain ranges of Central Asia. You’ll have to cross the thrilling Ala-Kul Pass at 12,750 ft to get to this lake.
This challenging trek takes you through the most beautiful coniferous forests and grasslands of the Altyn Arashan and Karakol Valleys, where the landscape is dotted with wildflowers of varying colours and gushing rivers.
As you gain altitude, the lush green valley opens up to alpine meadows sprinkled with juniper shrubs, moraine and scree. This combination of scenery is rarely seen elsewhere. It’s like a combination of our treks from Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand, where you get to walk on the green carpet of meadows lined with coniferous trees, and see snow-capped mountains, witness a glacier, and camp next to a glacier-fed lake.
Kyrgyzstan also has a striking resemblance to India. So much so that when our founders and the rest of the team landed in Bishkek, they felt like they were in a city that is much like Srinagar in India. They felt welcomed in a land that is so far away from home.
Not just the city, it has a rich culture and tradition, and the people are very approachable. Just like shared taxis here in India, Kyrgyzstan has ‘marshrutkas’ (maxi-van type shared taxis) and buses that keep you well connected across cities. Whether it is stays, food or travel, everything is pocket-friendly.
The Ala-Kul trek is suitable for trekkers who have experienced high-altitude treks before. And if you are a beginner, you’ll have to be in the best of fitness to do this ‘moderate-difficult’ level trek.
Please note that the experience of this trek will be different from a typical Indiahikes experience:
- The trek will be run in an assisted Do-It-Yourself (DIY) style: This means we are going to be doing the trek all by ourselves, without the regular Indiahikes support team. In terms of safety, our highly trained Trek Leaders will be with you. You will not have to carry any tents or sleeping bags but you have to help with cooking meals and pitching tents, including toilet tents.
- The food will be different: You may not find your usual Indiahikes food. Instead, you will be served good local cuisine. On camp days, the food will be Indian.
- Apart from these, you can expect to see our own tents, our toilet tents and our Green Trails practices.
The Ala-Kul or the Ala-Kol trek in Kyrgyzstan is a grand crossover trek that takes you close to the most beautiful glacial lake we have seen outside India, the Ala-Kul. Kul or Kol in Kyrgyz means a ‘lake’, hence the name means the ‘Ala Lake’ trek.
The milky-blue Ala-Kul lies at approximately 11,580 ft in the Tien Shan mountain ranges of Central Asia. You’ll have to cross the thrilling Ala-Kul Pass at 12,750 ft to get to this lake.
Watch these videos to get a glimpse of the trek
Photo Gallery
Ala-Kul - Complete Trek Information
We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a high altitude trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.
Use this section to learn about the Ala-Kul trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.
A route map of the Ala-Kul trek
Day 1
Reach Karakol
Drive Distance: 403 km | Duration: 6.5 hours
Take a Marshrutka (shared taxi) from Bishkek and reach Karakol on your first day.
Day 2
Drive from Karakol to Ak-Suu. Trek from Ak-Suu to Altyn Arashan
Trek Distance: 13.50 km | Duration: 6-7 hours | Altitude Gain: 6,410 ft to 8,275 ft
Moderate. Gradually ascending, a few small sections of long switchback climbs.
Day 3
Trek from Altyn Arashan to Ala-Kul Base Camp
Trek Distance: 8.50 km | Duration: 6-7 hours | Altitude Gain: 8,275 ft to 11,840 ft
Moderate - Difficult. Gentle ascending walk in the beginning, until the first stream, followed by a steep ascent through coniferous forest. After the forest it is a continuous gradual ascent until the base camp.
Day 4
Trek from Ala-Kul Base Camp to Ala-Kul via Ala-Kul Pass
Trek Distance: 3.20 km | Duration: 4 hours | Altitude Gain and Loss: 11,840 ft to 11,675 ft via 12,750 ft
Difficult. Steep climb to the Pass over loose scree followed by descent over scree and boulders.
Day 5
Trek from Ala-Kul to Karakol Base Camp
Trek Distance: 6 km | Duration: 5-6 hours | Altitude Loss: 11,675 ft to ft 8,370 ft
Moderate - Difficult. Loose stone, scree, and gravely steep descending trail followed by a trail through thick undergrowth for a large part, towards the end of the coniferous trees.
Day 6
Trek from Karakol Base Camp to Karakol Village
Trek Distance: 12.50 km | Duration: 5-6 hours | Altitude Loss: 8,370 ft to 6,600 ft
Easy. Very gradually descending trail down the Karakol river.
A route map of the Ala-Kul trek
IMPORTANT POINTS
This trek will be run in a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) style. This means we are going to be doing the trek all by ourselves, without the regular Indiahikes support team. You have to help with cooking meals, pitching tents, including toilet tents. You will not have to carry any tents or sleeping bags, but you will have to help with other things and work together with the team.
Expect the experience to be different from a typical Indiahikes experience. In terms of safety, our highly trained Trek Leaders will be with you. You can expect to see our own tents, our toilet tents (much better than the current system there!) and our Green Trails practices.
In terms of food, you may not find your usual Indiahikes food. However, on camp days, the food will be Indian.
Day 1
Reach Karakol
Drive Distance: 403 km | Duration: 6.5 hours
Take a Marshrutka (shared taxi) from Bishkek and reach Karakol on your first day.
Day 2
Drive from Karakol to Ak-Suu. Trek from Ak-Suu to Altyn Arashan
Trek Distance: 13.50 km | Duration: 6-7 hours | Altitude Gain: 6,410 ft to 8,275 ft
Moderate. Gradually ascending, a few small sections of long switchback climbs.
Day 3
Trek from Altyn Arashan to Ala-Kul Base Camp
Trek Distance: 8.50 km | Duration: 6-7 hours | Altitude Gain: 8,275 ft to 11,840 ft
Moderate - Difficult. Gentle ascending walk in the beginning, until the first stream, followed by a steep ascent through coniferous forest. After the forest it is a continuous gradual ascent until the base camp.
Day 4
Trek from Ala-Kul Base Camp to Ala-Kul via Ala-Kul Pass
Trek Distance: 3.20 km | Duration: 4 hours | Altitude Gain and Loss: 11,840 ft to 11,675 ft via 12,750 ft
Difficult. Steep climb to the Pass over loose scree followed by descent over scree and boulders.
Day 5
Trek from Ala-Kul to Karakol Base Camp
Trek Distance: 6 km | Duration: 5-6 hours | Altitude Loss: 11,675 ft to ft 8,370 ft
Moderate - Difficult. Loose stone, scree, and gravely steep descending trail followed by a trail through thick undergrowth for a large part, towards the end of the coniferous trees.
Day 6
Trek from Karakol Base Camp to Karakol Village
Trek Distance: 12.50 km | Duration: 5-6 hours | Altitude Loss: 8,370 ft to 6,600 ft
Easy. Very gradually descending trail down the Karakol river.
IMPORTANT POINTS
This trek will be run in a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) style. This means we are going to be doing the trek all by ourselves, without the regular Indiahikes support team. You have to help with cooking meals, pitching tents, including toilet tents. You will not have to carry any tents or sleeping bags, but you will have to help with other things and work together with the team. Expect the experience to be different from a typical Indiahikes experience. In terms of safety, our highly trained Trek Leaders will be with you. You can expect to see our own tents, our toilet tents (much better than the current system there!) and our Green Trails practices. In terms of food, you may not find your usual Indiahikes food. However, on camp days, the food will be Indian.
Day 1: Reach Karakol
Duration: 6.5 hours
Driving Distance: 403 km
Karakol is a little more than 400 km away from Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.
Once you land in Manas International Airport in Bishkek, take a marshrutka from the Western Bus Stand of Bishkek to Karakol.
Marshrutkas tend to fill up quickly, so go at least half an hour early to get a good spot. The best wing side view is of course next to the driver. If you don’t get one of the two seats, try to take the window seat on the right.
That’s because the famous Issyk Kul will fall on your right and you don’t want to miss the glorious views of the blue waters of the lake that will stay with you for almost 3.5-4 hours of the journey.
It takes about 6.5 hours to get to Karakol, with a rest break of about half hour in between. At the rest break, you can use the bathroom and buy a few things to eat as well.
The marshrutka will drop you at the bus stand of Karakol, which is conveniently located. If your map is on [on (Android) Map.Me, (iOS) Map.Me], your place of stay is not going to be more than 10-15 minutes away by walk. Do not take a taxi.
Outside the bus stand, on the main road, you have city buses leaving every few minutes. You can take a city bus close to your destination as well.
Karakol is a small town with a market very close to the city center. Any last minute purchase can be made at the market.
You get almost everything at the Karakol market. You really do not need to get anything from Bishkek.
Karakol is a little more than 400 km away from Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.
Once you land in Manas International Airport in Bishkek, take a marshrutka from the Western Bus Stand of Bishkek to Karakol.
Marshrutkas tend to fill up quickly, so go at least half an hour early to get a good spot. The best wing side view is of course next to the driver. If you don’t get one of the two seats, try to take the window seat on the right.
That’s because the famous Issyk Kul will fall on your right and you don’t want to miss the glorious views of the blue waters of the lake that will stay with you for almost 3.5-4 hours of the journey.
It takes about 6.5 hours to get to Karakol, with a rest break of about half hour in between. At the rest break, you can use the bathroom and buy a few things to eat as well.
The marshrutka will drop you at the bus stand of Karakol, which is conveniently located. If your map is on [on (Android) Map.Me, (iOS) Map.Me], your place of stay is not going to be more than 10-15 minutes away by walk. Do not take a taxi.
Outside the bus stand, on the main road, you have city buses leaving every few minutes. You can take a city bus close to your destination as well.
Karakol is a small town with a market very close to the city center. Any last minute purchase can be made at the market.
You get almost everything at the Karakol market. You really do not need to get anything from Bishkek.
Day 2: Drive from Karakol to Ak-Suu. Trek from Ak-Suu to Altyn Arashan
Duration: 6-7 hours
Altitude Gain: ⇗ 1,865 ft (6,410 ft to 8,275 ft)
Difficulty: Gradually ascending, a few small sections of long switchback climbs.
Water Source: A small stream that flows at the entrance of the Karakol Nature Park. There are plenty of water sources along the way, as the Arashan river flows next to you.
Your vehicle will drop you off the dirt track that rears to your right from the village of Ak-Suu. If you have a brave driver, then he may attempt to get inside the dirt track for another km or so.
The first day’s trek is likely to start at the first twist that you see on your left.
There really is no difficulty in navigation. It is a motorable road all the way to Altyn Arashan. So chances of getting lost are slim.
The motorable road climbs over boulders and stones cutting through lovely swatches of coniferous trees, and open grounds. You are immensely taken in by the scenery. As you climb through the narrow valley, cross the first metal bridge that shifts the gushing stream to your right. It takes about 20 minutes to get to the bridge.
There are plenty of shady spots on the way where you can stop and take a break and take in the views. It takes about an hour to get to the first natural springs that flow into the road from where you can fill water. The spring waters are cold, clear and very good to drink.
From there on, you get these springs in about frequencies of 40 minutes, sometimes sooner. There is really no necessity to fill more than a litre of water from Ak-Suu for your hike to Altyn Arashan.
About halfway through there are small shepherd houses in open clearings about half way down.
After the shepherd’s hut (you’ll see a wooden bridge across the river), the road climbs rapidly in the first of its climb. You can avoid the switchback of the motorable road by forcing a trail that diagonally traverses the switchback.
After the climb it is another flatish walk for a kilometer or so, until you get to another small climb. The climb opens up to your first views of the snow covered mountains of the trek.
Sitting in the grassy meadows, taking in the view is a good spot for a break.
Further, the trail dips for a while, almost for a kilometer or more, before making the final ascent towards Altyn Arashan.
It is a fairly long, but not difficult climb to the mound just above Altyn Arashan.
From the top of the mound, you get great views of the Altyn Arashan meadows that are peppered with Yurt huts, guest houses, and hot springs.
Trivia: Yurt Huts are known to be portable. They are round with a wooden framework covered with a layer of felt, usually made of wool.
In front is a massive snow covered summit of Mt. Palatka (Tent Peak). The views take away the tiredness of the long day’s trek.
Staying at Altyn Arashan
You can stay at any of the Yurt camps or guest houses.
The hot springs of Altyn Arashan are overrated. You can give them a miss. However, a dip will cost you about 228 Kyrgyz Som.
If you camp at any of the premises of the guest house, you do not have to pay any money. However for any services there is a fee. For example, if you wish to use their kitchen to prepare a meal, they may charge you approx. 114 Som.
You can also camp anywhere in the open meadows. Look for a spot where you get water flowing. In fact, there are not too many such spots.
A make-do arrangement is to camp anywhere and cross the river on a permanent wooden bridge to collect your drinking and washing water.
Your vehicle will drop you off the dirt track that rears to your right from the village of Ak-Suu. If you have a brave driver, then he may attempt to get inside the dirt track for another km or so.
The first day’s trek is likely to start at the first twist that you see on your left.
There really is no difficulty in navigation. It is a motorable road all the way to Altyn Arashan. So chances of getting lost are slim.
The motorable road climbs over boulders and stones cutting through lovely swatches of coniferous trees, and open grounds. You are immensely taken in by the scenery. As you climb through the narrow valley, cross the first metal bridge that shifts the gushing stream to your right. It takes about 20 minutes to get to the bridge.
There are plenty of shady spots on the way where you can stop and take a break and take in the views. It takes about an hour to get to the first natural springs that flow into the road from where you can fill water. The spring waters are cold, clear and very good to drink.
From there on, you get these springs in about frequencies of 40 minutes, sometimes sooner. There is really no necessity to fill more than a litre of water from Ak-Suu for your hike to Altyn Arashan.
About halfway through there are small shepherd houses in open clearings about half way down.
After the shepherd’s hut (you’ll see a wooden bridge across the river), the road climbs rapidly in the first of its climb. You can avoid the switchback of the motorable road by forcing a trail that diagonally traverses the switchback.
After the climb it is another flatish walk for a kilometer or so, until you get to another small climb. The climb opens up to your first views of the snow covered mountains of the trek.
Sitting in the grassy meadows, taking in the view is a good spot for a break.
Further, the trail dips for a while, almost for a kilometer or more, before making the final ascent towards Altyn Arashan.
It is a fairly long, but not difficult climb to the mound just above Altyn Arashan.
From the top of the mound, you get great views of the Altyn Arashan meadows that are peppered with Yurt huts, guest houses, and hot springs.
Trivia: Yurt Huts are known to be portable. They are round with a wooden framework covered with a layer of felt, usually made of wool.
In front is a massive snow covered summit of Mt. Palatka (Tent Peak). The views take away the tiredness of the long day’s trek.
Staying at Altyn Arashan
You can stay at any of the Yurt camps or guest houses.
The hot springs of Altyn Arashan are overrated. You can give them a miss. However, a dip will cost you about 228 Kyrgyz Som.
If you camp at any of the premises of the guest house, you do not have to pay any money. However for any services there is a fee. For example, if you wish to use their kitchen to prepare a meal, they may charge you approx. 114 Som.
You can also camp anywhere in the open meadows. Look for a spot where you get water flowing. In fact, there are not too many such spots.
A make-do arrangement is to camp anywhere and cross the river on a permanent wooden bridge to collect your drinking and washing water.
Day 3: Trek from Altyn Arashan to Ala-Kul Base Camp
Duration: 6-7 hours
Altitude Gain: ⇗ 3,565 ft (8,275 ft to 11,840 ft)
Difficulty: Gentle ascending walk in the beginning, until the first stream, followed by a steep ascent through coniferous forest. After the forest it is a continuous gradual ascent until the base camp.
Water Source: Arashan river is your water source, up to 3 kilometers before reaching Ala-Kul base camp.
Start the day early as it is a long walk to the Ala Kul Base Camp.
From Altyn Arashan, cross the wooden bridge in front of the Elza Guest House to get to the other side of the Arashan river. Once across, take the trail that follows the river upstream (to your left).
You’ll pass a few clear water streams as you gradually leave Altyn Arashan behind.
There are good places to fill water. There are no water spots on the entire stretch to the Ala Kul base camp. It would be wise to carry 2 litres of water with you that day.
There are two stream crossings on this day. But none of the stream water has good, clear water to drink from.
Continue to walk on the well-marked trail as it snakes through the coniferous forest, getting to a beautiful, wide clearing in half an hour.
While the trail continues on the other side, there is an upward trail that takes you on a short hike, climbing quickly through the forest to get to the Arashan stream in about 10 minutes. A fallen log over the stream helps you to cross the stream easily, getting you to the left of the stream. You’ve also entered a different valley that faces east-west direction.
The trail climbs rapidly though the beautiful coniferous forest — a section that you will end up loving a lot. The trail is steep but extremely beautiful.
In about 40 minutes of climb, the trail jumps out of the tree line to get to the start of the meadows. The steep climb gradually stops as a gradually ascending climb until you get to the the meadows.
As you climb into the meadows, the beauty of the meadows will show up.
Spread through the entire width of the valley, climbing on the flanks of the mountain sides with streams flowing on either side of the meadows, the greenery is astounding, a sight we have not seen on many of our treks.
The trail continues to be a grassy path on the meadows, sometimes merging with the grass, to eventually drop down to the Arashan stream in about 40 minutes. The stream needs to be crossed over, and you need to take off your shoes. The stream is not deep, usually not more than ankle or calf deep at any point.
Cross the stream, put on your boots and climb to the meadows on the other side. The trail continues to climb through the meadows with junipers dotting the trail all along.
The scenery continues to astound as the grasslands spread out on the entire valley, and you get a vantage point from your position high above the trail. The trail is clearly marked and is peppered with lots of trekkers from various countries making their way to Ala Kul or descending from it.
The relentless gradual climb can take its toll as it continues to make its pass and travels to the base of the Ala Kul Pass. The Ala-Kul Pass is now clearly visible from the trail in the far distance. Target a spot that is directly below the pass to camp.
The meadows are gradually left behind, as the trail moves towards a narrower valley towards the Ala-Kul Pass. Moraines and rock dot the landscape, though it's mostly grasslands that you walk on.
Continue to climb out of the grasslands in short bursts of steeper sections until you begin to find Ala kul Pass getting closer to you.
Your camp is across a small stream. Not until you get to your first stream can you think of camping. You are now on the last ledge of the grassland, directly below the Ala-Kul Pass. Find a good spot to pitch your tent to end a spectacular but tiring day of trekking.
Tip: Avoid going all the way to the wide riverbed to pitch your camp. It may be at the foot of the pass, but the setting is not as great as the grasslands around the defunct yurt camp where we pitched our tents.
Start the day early as it is a long walk to the Ala Kul Base Camp.
From Altyn Arashan, cross the wooden bridge in front of the Elza Guest House to get to the other side of the Arashan river. Once across, take the trail that follows the river upstream (to your left).
You’ll pass a few clear water streams as you gradually leave Altyn Arashan behind.
There are good places to fill water. There are no water spots on the entire stretch to the Ala Kul base camp. It would be wise to carry 2 litres of water with you that day.
There are two stream crossings on this day. But none of the stream water has good, clear water to drink from.
Continue to walk on the well-marked trail as it snakes through the coniferous forest, getting to a beautiful, wide clearing in half an hour.
While the trail continues on the other side, there is an upward trail that takes you on a short hike, climbing quickly through the forest to get to the Arashan stream in about 10 minutes. A fallen log over the stream helps you to cross the stream easily, getting you to the left of the stream. You’ve also entered a different valley that faces east-west direction.
The trail climbs rapidly though the beautiful coniferous forest — a section that you will end up loving a lot. The trail is steep but extremely beautiful.
In about 40 minutes of climb, the trail jumps out of the tree line to get to the start of the meadows. The steep climb gradually stops as a gradually ascending climb until you get to the the meadows.
As you climb into the meadows, the beauty of the meadows will show up.
Spread through the entire width of the valley, climbing on the flanks of the mountain sides with streams flowing on either side of the meadows, the greenery is astounding, a sight we have not seen on many of our treks.
The trail continues to be a grassy path on the meadows, sometimes merging with the grass, to eventually drop down to the Arashan stream in about 40 minutes. The stream needs to be crossed over, and you need to take off your shoes. The stream is not deep, usually not more than ankle or calf deep at any point.
Cross the stream, put on your boots and climb to the meadows on the other side. The trail continues to climb through the meadows with junipers dotting the trail all along.
The scenery continues to astound as the grasslands spread out on the entire valley, and you get a vantage point from your position high above the trail. The trail is clearly marked and is peppered with lots of trekkers from various countries making their way to Ala Kul or descending from it.
The relentless gradual climb can take its toll as it continues to make its pass and travels to the base of the Ala Kul Pass. The Ala-Kul Pass is now clearly visible from the trail in the far distance. Target a spot that is directly below the pass to camp.
The meadows are gradually left behind, as the trail moves towards a narrower valley towards the Ala-Kul Pass. Moraines and rock dot the landscape, though it's mostly grasslands that you walk on.
Continue to climb out of the grasslands in short bursts of steeper sections until you begin to find Ala kul Pass getting closer to you.
Your camp is across a small stream. Not until you get to your first stream can you think of camping. You are now on the last ledge of the grassland, directly below the Ala-Kul Pass. Find a good spot to pitch your tent to end a spectacular but tiring day of trekking.
Tip: Avoid going all the way to the wide riverbed to pitch your camp. It may be at the foot of the pass, but the setting is not as great as the grasslands around the defunct yurt camp where we pitched our tents.
Day 4: Trek from Ala-Kul Base Camp to Ala-Kul
Duration: 4 hours
Altitude Gain: ⇗ 910 ft; ⇘ 1,075 (11,840 ft to 11,675 ft via 12,750 ft)
Difficulty: Steep climb to the Pass over loose scree followed by descent over scree and boulders.
Water Source: Ala-Kul lake is your only water source for the day.
Begin your day early, preferably by 8.00 AM as you want to be ready for any eventuality.
While camping at Ala Kul is lovely, there are not many spots. If all camping spots are taken then you must have enough time to move to the next camp at Sirota. Get to the foot of the Pass by crossing the wide, stony stream bed that comes down the fang of the mountain side.
It takes about 20-30 minutes to get to the base of the Pass. From the base, the trail turns extremely scree laden and loose with no firm grip. Using your trekking pole, in a series of micro-steps, make your way up what flank, leading the pass.
The trail is very steep, and the ground beneath you is shaky. Yet, it is not a long climb to the pass. In about 40 minutes, you must be on the top of the Pass, to get your first amazing views of Ala Kul and surrounding snow-capped mountains and the Palatka glacier.
Tip: On your climb to the pass, there are small flats on the side of the trail or a stony outcrop where you can take a moment’s breather.
Away from the summit, you can see the grand views of Mt. Palatka (Tent Peak) and its glacier that leads almost all the way to the waters of Ala Kul. The most prominent summit is Mt Karakol, slightly to its right. The rest are moraine covered mountains with snow patches that lead to small streams surrounding the Ala Kul lake in a complete circle of a cauldron.
Our Founder and CEO, Arjun Majumdar says “The light green waters of Ala-Kul are very different from any other alpine lake that I’ve seen. The lake is large, almost 6 kilometers in circumference, and wide, reminding you of the Tarsar lake in India.”
The Pass to climb and descent are different. So continue on the ridge that leads slightly upward towards the north to get to another panoramic viewpoint 5 minutes later. From here, the trail descends down to another point on the Pass that is used to get off on the other side. This is the true Pass.
Look out of a steep descent that porters sometimes take to get down to Altyn Arashan side. It can stop anyone’s heart for a moment. Getting off the pass is not as difficult or steep as the trail you climbed up. Though initially the trail is gravely, before you get down to bouldery ledges.
Continue on the trail that is sometimes lost in the maze of small boulders under your feet but points generally in the north west direction towards the lake. It is a lesser inclined trail sometimes passing over loose scree, but generally safe.
In about 30 minutes, get to a point on the trail which is directly below the cliffs of the mountain sides on your right. A board in yellow signals a rockfall area for the next 300 mts. The trail is flattish with small sections that climb upward.
After the rockfall section, the trail again climbs briefly until you get to a spot where the trail forks. A smallish trail leads you to the Ala-Kul lake, and the main trail continues to Sirota. Take the smaller trail that descends to Ala-Kul, mostly to a large permanent set of camps that is meant for trekkers to stay overnight.
You can choose to stay at the camp, if you are not carrying a tent or do not find a place to pitch your tent. It costs approx. 1600 Som to stay overnight with lunch, dinner and breakfast covered. There are small camping grounds to the right of the permanent camp across the clear spring that flows next to it.
The flat grounds to pitch the tent are not too many and most of them are uneven. Yet, it is possible to pitch around 4-5 tents in this wide area. The spot is grand and gives a spectacular view of the Ala Kul lake, perhaps at the best vantage point to get great views of the lake.
Begin your day early, preferably by 8.00 AM as you want to be ready for any eventuality.
While camping at Ala Kul is lovely, there are not many spots. If all camping spots are taken then you must have enough time to move to the next camp at Sirota. Get to the foot of the Pass by crossing the wide, stony stream bed that comes down the fang of the mountain side.
It takes about 20-30 minutes to get to the base of the Pass. From the base, the trail turns extremely scree laden and loose with no firm grip. Using your trekking pole, in a series of micro-steps, make your way up what flank, leading the pass.
The trail is very steep, and the ground beneath you is shaky. Yet, it is not a long climb to the pass. In about 40 minutes, you must be on the top of the Pass, to get your first amazing views of Ala Kul and surrounding snow-capped mountains and the Palatka glacier.
Tip: On your climb to the pass, there are small flats on the side of the trail or a stony outcrop where you can take a moment’s breather.
Away from the summit, you can see the grand views of Mt. Palatka (Tent Peak) and its glacier that leads almost all the way to the waters of Ala Kul. The most prominent summit is Mt Karakol, slightly to its right. The rest are moraine covered mountains with snow patches that lead to small streams surrounding the Ala Kul lake in a complete circle of a cauldron.
Our Founder and CEO, Arjun Majumdar says “The light green waters of Ala-Kul are very different from any other alpine lake that I’ve seen. The lake is large, almost 6 kilometers in circumference, and wide, reminding you of the Tarsar lake in India.”
The Pass to climb and descent are different. So continue on the ridge that leads slightly upward towards the north to get to another panoramic viewpoint 5 minutes later. From here, the trail descends down to another point on the Pass that is used to get off on the other side. This is the true Pass.
Look out of a steep descent that porters sometimes take to get down to Altyn Arashan side. It can stop anyone’s heart for a moment. Getting off the pass is not as difficult or steep as the trail you climbed up. Though initially the trail is gravely, before you get down to bouldery ledges.
Continue on the trail that is sometimes lost in the maze of small boulders under your feet but points generally in the north west direction towards the lake. It is a lesser inclined trail sometimes passing over loose scree, but generally safe.
In about 30 minutes, get to a point on the trail which is directly below the cliffs of the mountain sides on your right. A board in yellow signals a rockfall area for the next 300 mts. The trail is flattish with small sections that climb upward.
After the rockfall section, the trail again climbs briefly until you get to a spot where the trail forks. A smallish trail leads you to the Ala-Kul lake, and the main trail continues to Sirota. Take the smaller trail that descends to Ala-Kul, mostly to a large permanent set of camps that is meant for trekkers to stay overnight.
You can choose to stay at the camp, if you are not carrying a tent or do not find a place to pitch your tent. It costs approx. 1600 Som to stay overnight with lunch, dinner and breakfast covered. There are small camping grounds to the right of the permanent camp across the clear spring that flows next to it.
The flat grounds to pitch the tent are not too many and most of them are uneven. Yet, it is possible to pitch around 4-5 tents in this wide area. The spot is grand and gives a spectacular view of the Ala Kul lake, perhaps at the best vantage point to get great views of the lake.
Day 5: Trek from Ala-Kul to Karakol Base Camp
Duration: 5-6 hours
Altitude Loss: ⇘ 3,305 ft (11,675 ft to ft 8,370 ft)
Difficulty: Loose stone, scree, and gravely steep descending trail followed by a trail through thick undergrowth for a large part, towards the end of the coniferous trees.
Water Source: The Ala-Kul waterfall is the first water source, followed by many streams throughout the day.
Wake up to a spectacular sunrise over the grassy embankments of the Ala Kul lake. The sunrise and the settings around that time are magical.
The day’s trek is a long descent to the Karakol Base Camp, where you get the entire Karakol Valley view. Traditionally, trekkers are advised to camp at Sirota, but Sirota does not offer any great camping spots. Not only are the spots few, they are cramped, extremely dirty and offer no views.
You will be making your way to the Karakol Base Camp, which has spectacular huge open grassy clearing, easily one of the best camping grounds of the trek.
Take the trail that climbs out of the permanent trekkers camp at Ala-Kul to rejoin the main trail passing over the lake in about 15 minutes. The trail now climbs over loose stones and boulders, making a path towards the mouth of Ala Kul lake, but high over it. In another 15 minutes or so, you lose the last sign of Ala-Kul.
You are now faced with a steep descent over gravel, scree and loose stones. The Ala-Kul stream thunders to your left as it rapidly falls down the steep mountains. The descent is through a narrow valley flanked by steep barren moraine filled mountain sides on both sides.
While the setting is beautiful, you cannot take your eyes off the trail even for a minute. Take watchful steps and keep your first stage to a large, green ledge next to a small roaring waterfall of the Ala-Kul stream. It takes around 40 minutes to get to the ledge.
With a small break at the ledge, continue on your descent through a similar trail to the first grassy sections.
From the ledge, you get the first glimpse of the Sirota camp, a spot where Ala Kul stream turns into a large green pool, surrounded by coniferous trees. The trail continues to be slippery as it rapidly drops altitude before slightly easing out as it gets into the early undergrounds of the trek.
The trail is no longer over loose stones or gravel, but it continues to be a steep descent through the undergrowth, heading towards your first clump of shrubs, short trees and a few coniferous trees. You still need to be watchful of every step.
At this stage, you are likely to meet many trekkers coming upstream and heading towards Ala Kul. Most of them are doing the trek in the reverse direction.
Looking back sometimes to catch the sight behind you at the monstrous mountain flank leading to Ala Kul reminds you of the spectacular descent that you are making.
There is likely to be a section or two of the trail that’s broken off, especially close to the stream. You’ll have to make your way through the undergrowth, sweeping away branches and twigs, forcing your way to join the main trail.
As you approach Sirota, the undergrowth increases, occasionally going beneath the bows of the coniferous trees. It takes about 3-3.5 hours to get to the wooden hut of Sirota Camp.
It is a small nondescript wooden hut with dirty surroundings. There aren’t too many open spaces around it. Take a small break here or at the clearings surrounding the green pools of the Ala Kul stream, about 5-7 minutes ahead.
The clearings are also used for camping by hikers coming upstream. But none of the clearings are great as camping spots, and most of them are littered by trekkers’ garbage.
On your left, Ala Kul stream forms a large pool and then disappears underground to never appear again on your trek.
Continue on the trail that heads towards the bottom of the valley as it snakes its way through the undergrowth.
The undergrowth of this trail is not attractive, but something that needs to be navigated through. In about 15 minutes, the trail opens up and your first view of the Karakol Base Camp is far below at the bottom of the valley. Even from above, the camp looks spectacular and inviting.
Continue on your rapid descent towards Karakol. In about 30-40 minutes, you get to an open clearing before the start of the coniferous forest. Take a break at the clearing before you take the final plunge through the coniferous trees towards the Karakol river.
The trail snakes through the trees before getting to a fork in the trail in the next 10-15 minutes. Leave the trail that goes to the right, and take the trail on the left that hangs close to the left side of the valley.
The Karakol river can be heard clearly now, but not visible as you make your way through the forest. Continue on the descent until the narrow trail bottoms out at the river. The trail moves along the river until you get to the wooden bridge across the Karakol river.
Cross the bridge, turn left and head towards the Karakol Base Camp to your left.
In normal circumstances, it is a straight forward walk, but like in our times, the bridge could be broken. Then the Karakol river needs to be walked across. The river is strong and gushing.
Retrace your steps back on the trail until you get to the section where the trail meets the view. At this spot, there is a faint trail that tunnels through the thick undergrowth but continues to go upstream.
Continue on the trail until you get to a spot that has a natural stream flowing out of the trail. The trail opens out to the wide view of the Karakol river where it branches into smaller rivulets.
This is directly across the wide green pastures of Karakol Base Camp. You have to now get to the water and make your way first to the small clay banks of the river.
The river would be deep in most parts. Strike a path that is slightly upstream and diagonally across. Even though the path is longer, it is safer and offers least risk across the river.
The river water is cold and underneath, full of clay. Often your feet get stuck. Continue to walk across towards the other bank. At places the current would be strong, but the river is unlikely to go over more than your thighs.
On the other side, you are now at the grasslands of the Karakol Base Camp. The views make up for all the trouble that you have taken to cross the river. You’ll have to pay approximately 115 Som per person to pitch your tent at the Karakol Base Camp. If you take up a Yurt hut, it costs around 570 Som per person just for the stay. And it costs about 1368 Som per person, including meals.
There is a pipe that supplies beautiful natural water just behind the kitchen of the Yurt huts. Make your camp at this special camping ground of the trek.
Wake up to a spectacular sunrise over the grassy embankments of the Ala Kul lake. The sunrise and the settings around that time are magical.
The day’s trek is a long descent to the Karakol Base Camp, where you get the entire Karakol Valley view. Traditionally, trekkers are advised to camp at Sirota, but Sirota does not offer any great camping spots. Not only are the spots few, they are cramped, extremely dirty and offer no views.
You will be making your way to the Karakol Base Camp, which has spectacular huge open grassy clearing, easily one of the best camping grounds of the trek.
Take the trail that climbs out of the permanent trekkers camp at Ala-Kul to rejoin the main trail passing over the lake in about 15 minutes. The trail now climbs over loose stones and boulders, making a path towards the mouth of Ala Kul lake, but high over it. In another 15 minutes or so, you lose the last sign of Ala-Kul.
You are now faced with a steep descent over gravel, scree and loose stones. The Ala-Kul stream thunders to your left as it rapidly falls down the steep mountains. The descent is through a narrow valley flanked by steep barren moraine filled mountain sides on both sides.
While the setting is beautiful, you cannot take your eyes off the trail even for a minute. Take watchful steps and keep your first stage to a large, green ledge next to a small roaring waterfall of the Ala-Kul stream. It takes around 40 minutes to get to the ledge.
With a small break at the ledge, continue on your descent through a similar trail to the first grassy sections.
From the ledge, you get the first glimpse of the Sirota camp, a spot where Ala Kul stream turns into a large green pool, surrounded by coniferous trees. The trail continues to be slippery as it rapidly drops altitude before slightly easing out as it gets into the early undergrounds of the trek.
The trail is no longer over loose stones or gravel, but it continues to be a steep descent through the undergrowth, heading towards your first clump of shrubs, short trees and a few coniferous trees. You still need to be watchful of every step.
At this stage, you are likely to meet many trekkers coming upstream and heading towards Ala Kul. Most of them are doing the trek in the reverse direction.
Looking back sometimes to catch the sight behind you at the monstrous mountain flank leading to Ala Kul reminds you of the spectacular descent that you are making.
There is likely to be a section or two of the trail that’s broken off, especially close to the stream. You’ll have to make your way through the undergrowth, sweeping away branches and twigs, forcing your way to join the main trail.
As you approach Sirota, the undergrowth increases, occasionally going beneath the bows of the coniferous trees. It takes about 3-3.5 hours to get to the wooden hut of Sirota Camp.
It is a small nondescript wooden hut with dirty surroundings. There aren’t too many open spaces around it. Take a small break here or at the clearings surrounding the green pools of the Ala Kul stream, about 5-7 minutes ahead.
The clearings are also used for camping by hikers coming upstream. But none of the clearings are great as camping spots, and most of them are littered by trekkers’ garbage.
On your left, Ala Kul stream forms a large pool and then disappears underground to never appear again on your trek.
Continue on the trail that heads towards the bottom of the valley as it snakes its way through the undergrowth.
The undergrowth of this trail is not attractive, but something that needs to be navigated through. In about 15 minutes, the trail opens up and your first view of the Karakol Base Camp is far below at the bottom of the valley. Even from above, the camp looks spectacular and inviting.
Continue on your rapid descent towards Karakol. In about 30-40 minutes, you get to an open clearing before the start of the coniferous forest. Take a break at the clearing before you take the final plunge through the coniferous trees towards the Karakol river.
The trail snakes through the trees before getting to a fork in the trail in the next 10-15 minutes. Leave the trail that goes to the right, and take the trail on the left that hangs close to the left side of the valley.
The Karakol river can be heard clearly now, but not visible as you make your way through the forest. Continue on the descent until the narrow trail bottoms out at the river. The trail moves along the river until you get to the wooden bridge across the Karakol river.
Cross the bridge, turn left and head towards the Karakol Base Camp to your left.
In normal circumstances, it is a straight forward walk, but like in our times, the bridge could be broken. Then the Karakol river needs to be walked across. The river is strong and gushing.
Retrace your steps back on the trail until you get to the section where the trail meets the view. At this spot, there is a faint trail that tunnels through the thick undergrowth but continues to go upstream.
Continue on the trail until you get to a spot that has a natural stream flowing out of the trail. The trail opens out to the wide view of the Karakol river where it branches into smaller rivulets.
This is directly across the wide green pastures of Karakol Base Camp. You have to now get to the water and make your way first to the small clay banks of the river.
The river would be deep in most parts. Strike a path that is slightly upstream and diagonally across. Even though the path is longer, it is safer and offers least risk across the river.
The river water is cold and underneath, full of clay. Often your feet get stuck. Continue to walk across towards the other bank. At places the current would be strong, but the river is unlikely to go over more than your thighs.
On the other side, you are now at the grasslands of the Karakol Base Camp. The views make up for all the trouble that you have taken to cross the river. You’ll have to pay approximately 115 Som per person to pitch your tent at the Karakol Base Camp. If you take up a Yurt hut, it costs around 570 Som per person just for the stay. And it costs about 1368 Som per person, including meals.
There is a pipe that supplies beautiful natural water just behind the kitchen of the Yurt huts. Make your camp at this special camping ground of the trek.
Day 6: Trek from Karakol Base Camp to Karakol Village
Duration: 5-6 hours
Altitude Loss: ⇘ 1,770 ft (8,370 ft to 6,600 ft)
Difficulty: Very gradually descending trail down the Karakol river.
Water Source: Karakol river flows through the trail, providing water sources at multiple places.
Today is the easiest and one of the prettiest days of the trek. The trail is almost a flattish descent all through on a motorable dirt track.
Cut through the green meadows at the Karakol Base Camp and get on the strong river bed of the stream. There is a small wooden log kept over the stream that will help you move across. If the log is missing, there are enough boulders up and down the stream to hop across.
The camping space around the wooden bridge is sufficient for multiple tents. It is not a bad option if you want to avoid paying the fees at the Karakol Base Camp.
The trek now is on a motorable road to Karakol. Unlike the road on Day 1 to Altyn Arashan, this road is well-made and descends gradually.
Around a big curve, the road gives you the first beautiful view of the Karakol river as it flows on the wide river bed. Grassy embankments with coniferous trees on the other bank complete the setting. Such settings of the river come across occasionally on the day’s trek, each one of them very different from each other.
In fact, one of the pleasures of the day’s trek is to look out for the next river bed where the river fans out. When the river does not fan out, the road dives into thick conifers, which contrasts the beautiful setting even more.
Look out for natural springs that spill out on the road. Those are good spots to fill water as you continue to trek downhill.
About 2 hours on the trek, there is a break, where a river bed has eaten on the road. Dive into the undergrowth on your left, forage a trail through the undergrowth until you merge again on the road 5 minutes later.
On a few occasions, small streams run over the road. You need to form a path hopping over stones and boulders to avoid getting your boots wet.
As you continue to walk down, the mountain scenery continues to change in the valley. The lush green starts to fade, leading to brown mountains of the hills facing the Karakol plains. Even though Karakol is not visible, you know the trek is coming to an end soon.
Small signs of civilization start to dot the landscape on either side of the river. Small shepherd huts, few settlements start to appear.
4 hours into the trek, you get into your final big clearing. From here, it is another kilometer to the wooden bridge, the final time you will cross Karakol river. The bridge is broken at the end, but conveniently placed boulders make it easy to cross over to the other side.
On the other bank, few cars are parked. Some of them are waiting to take trekkers to Karakol. However, you don’t get vehicles until you get to the first village another kilometer and half down the road.
If you however ordered a taxi, then it usually arrives at the village to pick you up. It’s not necessary to pre-order a taxi. You start getting phone signals at the last clearing before the bridge. You can order a taxi with your local contact/hotel/hostel when you get to the clearing.
By the time you get to the village, the taxi almost arrives in time to pick you up.
The trek falls under the National Reserve. So on your way out of Karakol, you’ll have to pay a fee of about 285 Som at the check post.
Once out of the check post, your spectacular trek to Ala-Kul in Kyrgyzstan comes to an end.
Today is the easiest and one of the prettiest days of the trek. The trail is almost a flattish descent all through on a motorable dirt track.
Cut through the green meadows at the Karakol Base Camp and get on the strong river bed of the stream. There is a small wooden log kept over the stream that will help you move across. If the log is missing, there are enough boulders up and down the stream to hop across.
The camping space around the wooden bridge is sufficient for multiple tents. It is not a bad option if you want to avoid paying the fees at the Karakol Base Camp.
The trek now is on a motorable road to Karakol. Unlike the road on Day 1 to Altyn Arashan, this road is well-made and descends gradually.
Around a big curve, the road gives you the first beautiful view of the Karakol river as it flows on the wide river bed. Grassy embankments with coniferous trees on the other bank complete the setting. Such settings of the river come across occasionally on the day’s trek, each one of them very different from each other.
In fact, one of the pleasures of the day’s trek is to look out for the next river bed where the river fans out. When the river does not fan out, the road dives into thick conifers, which contrasts the beautiful setting even more.
Look out for natural springs that spill out on the road. Those are good spots to fill water as you continue to trek downhill.
About 2 hours on the trek, there is a break, where a river bed has eaten on the road. Dive into the undergrowth on your left, forage a trail through the undergrowth until you merge again on the road 5 minutes later.
On a few occasions, small streams run over the road. You need to form a path hopping over stones and boulders to avoid getting your boots wet.
As you continue to walk down, the mountain scenery continues to change in the valley. The lush green starts to fade, leading to brown mountains of the hills facing the Karakol plains. Even though Karakol is not visible, you know the trek is coming to an end soon.
Small signs of civilization start to dot the landscape on either side of the river. Small shepherd huts, few settlements start to appear.
4 hours into the trek, you get into your final big clearing. From here, it is another kilometer to the wooden bridge, the final time you will cross Karakol river. The bridge is broken at the end, but conveniently placed boulders make it easy to cross over to the other side.
On the other bank, few cars are parked. Some of them are waiting to take trekkers to Karakol. However, you don’t get vehicles until you get to the first village another kilometer and half down the road.
If you however ordered a taxi, then it usually arrives at the village to pick you up. It’s not necessary to pre-order a taxi. You start getting phone signals at the last clearing before the bridge. You can order a taxi with your local contact/hotel/hostel when you get to the clearing.
By the time you get to the village, the taxi almost arrives in time to pick you up.
The trek falls under the National Reserve. So on your way out of Karakol, you’ll have to pay a fee of about 285 Som at the check post.
Once out of the check post, your spectacular trek to Ala-Kul in Kyrgyzstan comes to an end.
Moderate - Difficult
Suitable for Fit Beginners
At Indiahikes, while rating a trek difficulty we consider a number of factors. These include altitude gained every day, length of trek everyday, highest altitude, nature of the terrain, weather etc. Based on this we rate a trek as easy or difficult or somewhere in between.
Here, we rate Ala-Kul as a ‘moderate-difficult’ trek. It is a high-altitude trek that takes you close to 13,000 ft. The trek climbs rapidly and your safety depends a lot on the preparation you put in for the trek.
The trek is long and strenuous. It also climbs quickly. Having prior experience trekking in the high altitudes helps accustom you to hardship. Having know-how about Acute Mountain Sickness greatly helps in dealing with altitude issues you may face on the trek.
Safety on the Ala-Kul Trek
Amongst our high-altitude treks (treks that go over 12,000 feet), the Ala-Kul trek poses a low risk. The only risky section is the ascent to Ala-Kul Pass as the trail passes through an extremely steep ascent on loose gravel and scree, making it difficult to find a firm footing.
Being a high-altitude trek, the Ala-Kul trek does have some sections you need to be careful about. We discuss them here:
Bouldery descent after Ala-Kul Pass and the Lake: The last of the tricky sections are after the Pass is crossed. The trail is filled with boulders that move around as you step on them. There is a rock fall-prone area as well.
Make your way gingerly across, by being nimble on your feet and hopping over from one boulder to the other quickly. Do not spend too much time standing on one boulder, putting all your weight on it. Chances of falling are more if you do.
Tricky river crossings
While crossing over streams is not risky, there are wide rivers where makeshift bridges are broken or under construction. In such a case, exercise caution while deciding whether to cross over in the river, or to go around it where the river dies down to a shallow stream.
Do not cross over if the flow is high, as a gushing river has strong currents. Many a time, finding a shallow spot to cross over is the wisest decision to make.
The climb to Ala-Kul Pass
This section is undoubtedly the riskiest of the entire trek. What makes it so tricky is the loose gravel and scree that constantly moves under your feet. Add to that an almost vertical wall.
The only way to safely ascend this wall is to adopt the “micro step” technique where you put one foot over the other like an infant, very small and controlled so that you never go out of breath. Find a few flat hard stones that jut out of the ground to take a rest while you climb.
The Tien Shan mountains in the Ala-Kul Trek region climb rapidly. The trek goes to almost 13,000 ft. Given this background, the trek also rises rapidly.
You gain about 5,000 ft in the first two days. This rapid increase in altitude along with the strain of the trek makes trekkers very susceptible to AMS.
In case you feel sick or not at ease, do not ignore it or take it lightly. Attend to your uneasiness and take curative measures. Check oxygen levels, go on a curative course of Diamox, drink water and rest. If you do not feel normal after a few hours or overnight, do not proceed further on the trek.
Safety Advice: As Ala-Kul Trek has a high risk of AMS, understand AMS, its causes, signs and symptoms well before stepping foot on the trek. Go through everything there is to know about Acute Mountain Sickness.
While on the trek if you experience any symptoms of AMS even in the slightest start taking steps to treat the sickness.
Here’s a Complete guide to Acute Mountains Sickness, HAPE and HACE:
Weather plays a big role in your safety on the trek. Here are some of the weather related issues that can play an important role on your Ala-Kul trek.
At altitudes above 12,000 ft, snowfall can happen anytime. A spell of rain on the lower slopes, almost usually leads to a light or heavy snow on the upper regions.
It can rain or snow abruptly at any time at such high altitudes. A rainfall or snowfall that lasts more than four hours can change your trek plans. Rain can flood the trails or make them too slushy to walk safely on. Some normal sections can become very slippery.
Emergency Exits: Medical Emergencies can strike on any trek. The key to dealing with them lies in knowing your exit points. Know how to get out and reach the nearest hospital quickly.
On the Ala-Kul trek, your best bet is to descend to Ak-Suu if you have not crossed Ala-Kul Pass. If you are deep inside the trek, after the Pass, your only option is to descend to Karakol. It easily takes a day.
Closest Hospital: In case of a medical emergency, the closest hospital is at Ak-Suu village, if you’re descending down on the Ak-Suu side, and at Karakol, if you’re descending after crossing the Pass.
The best time to be on this trek is from the beginning of July to the middle of September. In fact, that’s the only time you can trek here. In all the other seasons, The Ala-Kul lake trail is buried under snow.
July to September happens to be peak summer transitioning to Autumn and the best time to trek in Karakol. The landscape comes alive during this window. And even though the window is tight, you notice the landscape changing colour and texture as the months proceed.
Ala-Kul Trek in early July
This is peak summer in Karakol. The upper reaches of the trek starts crawling out of the snow blanket in July. It’s warm and you experience light evening showers during this month.
The trail to Ala-Kul opens in the first week of July. Snow still remains at higher altitudes, at Ala-Kul Pass and at the Ala Kul lake. But the trek is more or less accessible.
Caution: It’s risky to attempt a pass crossing when there’s too much snow. So hold back and exercise safety.
As the snow melts, colourful flowers start appearing on the meadows. You see flowers throughout the Ala-Kul trekking season. But the colours of these flowers vary based on the month.
The landscape has lush green meadows punctuated with the Ala-Kul lake that is still frozen in parts.
Ala-Kul Trek from mid-July to the third week of August
After mid-July, a robust trekking season begins on the Ala-Kul trek. Expect bright sunny mornings with some evening showers.
Most snow has melted by now.
The trail is carpeted with green meadows everywhere. They look dramatic in contrast with the rugged, grey mountains around it. The best part is, these meadows are densely dotted with wildflowers!
Frozen chunks of ice in the Ala-Kul lake, and on the trail would have melted.
Ala-Kul Trek from end-July to mid-September
After the end of August, cold sets in. Rains reduce giving way to one of the best times to do the trek. The clouds part during this time of the year and you witness brilliant blue skies. Their reflection deepens the blue of the Ala-Kul lake.
Photography Point: It's a sight to behold from Ala-Kul Pass. You can catch Mt Palatka with its glacier, Mt Karakol, the rest of the snow-clad mountains, and the Ala-Kul lake in one frame. The lake flashes a milky-blue colour under the clear sky.
Another stark change that happens in early September is the change in colour of the meadows. The grass no longer retains the soft, fresh green tinge. The flowers change. And yet, there’s a beauty to this change of tone.
We usually stop our trek after the second week of September. It turns colder and chances of snowfall increase. That raises the difficulty of the trek and it's highly risky to cross the Pass.
Onward Journey - Bishkek to Karakol
On Day 1, when you arrive at the Manas International Airport at Bishkek, you’ll have to take a marshrutka (a shared taxi) right outside the airport to the Western Bus Station, which is 26 kilometres from the airport.
If you have arrived a day early (on Day 0), you may choose to stay at Bishkek where you get decent rooms or Airbnbs for about 1,140 Kyrgyz Som per night, and head to Western Bus Station the following day.
This will give you enough time to shop for your ration and last minute supplies at the Osh Bazaar, one of the largest markets of Bishkek where you can get anything under the sky!
From the Western Bus Station, take another marshrutka to Karakol. This 400-kilometer ride is one of the most scenic journeys you’ll take. Make sure you take the right side seat to watch the huge Issyk-Kul lake that accompanies you for almost 4.5 hours of the journey.
The journey costs you approx. 400 Som, and the marshrutkas are available every hour.
Note: Since the marshrutka passes through winding roads, be on medication if you are prone to motion sickness.
Return Journey - Karakol to Bishkek
From Karakol, take a marshrutka either to Bishkek or to any other place you wish as the country is well connected by these shared-taxis.
Our recommendation is to visit Issyk Kul, which is the second largest saline lake in the world, before you head back to Bishkek and fly out of Manas International Airport.
These are documents required for legal purposes by Indiahikes and the forest department. Without any of these, you will not be allowed to trek.
- Original and photocopy of government photo identity card. Anything such as a driver’s license, Aadhar card, passport will do. This is required by the forest department for your identification.
- Disclaimer certificate: There are two sections in this. The first part is a personal medical record. The second part is a legal requirement. Download the PDF, read carefully, fill in and sign it. This must be handed over to your Trek Leader during registration at the base camp. – Download disclaimer certificate
- Medical certificate: The medical certificate needs to be filled out by an MBBS doctor, without which the forest department will not issue permissions for your trek. It is also a requirement by Indiahikes – Download medical certificate.
Note: Indiahikes has a panel of doctors who can help you with a medical certificate. They are available for online consultation. To get in touch with them, please write to trekmedicalcertificates@gmail.com. They will respond to you within 24 hours.
Consultation fee: Rs 300
PRO TIPS
Keep important documents in a clear plastic cover and slide them into the inner pocket at the back of your backpack. This keeps them from getting wet.
Here is a list of everything you need for your trek.
Shoes and backpack
- Trekking shoes with ankle support
- Backpack with rain cover (50-60 litre)
Warm Layers and Clothes
- Warm layers: 5 layers - 1 pair of thermals, 1 woollen sweater, 1 fleece, and 1 padded jacket
(Cross Fleece Cap and Crosstrek Neck Warmer are available for purchase) - 3 Full sleeved, dry fit, collared t-shirts (Wear one, carry two)
- 2 quick-dry trek pants (Wear one, carry one)
Accessories
- Sunglasses
- Sun cap, preferably with flaps (Available for purchase)
- Synthetic hand gloves (with waterproofing on the outside and padded lining on the inside). Alternative - wear a tight fitting fleece hand glove inside the synthetic hand gloves. (Waterproof gloves - Available for purchase)
- Balaclava or woollen cap (Cross Fleece Cap and Crosstrek Neck Warmer are available for purchase)
- Woollen socks (2 pairs of Dry fit + 1 pair of woollen) (Available for purchase)
- Headlamp
- A pair of trekking pole
- Rain jacket + pants/poncho (Rain jacket available for purchase)
- Day pack (20 - 30 litre)
Toiletries:
- Sunscreen
- Moisturiser
- Light towel
- Lip balm or vaseline
- Toilet paper (Wet wipes are strictly not allowed on our treks)
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Reusable plastic covers (for used clothes)
Cutlery:
- Steel lunch box, spoon and a coffee mug (coffee mug available for purchase)
- Two water bottles or hydration pack
Once you run through this list, don't miss this ultimate guide on what gear to take on a trek. It contains tips on what gear to choose, where to get it from, and how much to spend on it.
Our only tip: Keep your backpack light. Indiahikes practices low-impact, sustainable trekking in every aspect of the trek. Carrying your backpack reduces your impact on the mountains by 20%. We expect all our trekkers to carry their own backpacks unless they have a justifiable reason not to.
Carry these medicines with you, easily accessible at all times. Do not take any medicine unless you have consulted your trek leader.
- Diamox (1 Strip): Be on a course of a half tablet Diamox starting from Karakol every 12 hours (125 mg). Carry on the medication until you descend down to Karakol. Being on a preventive course of Diamox greatly reduces the chances of Acute Mountain Sickness on the Ala-Kul trek.
- Dexamethasone (1 Strip): This is part of the Live Saving Drugs kit. Do not take this on your own. Your trek leader will inform you in case the need arises.
- Nifedipine (5 tablets): Again part of the Live Saving Drugs kit. Do not take this on your own. Your trek leader will inform you in case the need arises.
- Dolo 650 (5 tablets): This is a paracetamol. It helps to tackle fever, mild pain
- Avomine (4 tablets): Carry this especially if you are prone to motion sickness. Pop one half hour before the start of your road journey.
- Combiflam (5 tablets): Take a Combiflam if you get a sudden twist of the leg or a muscle strain. It is a pain reliever. It also contains paracetamol.
- Digene (4 tablets): Take it if you feel the food that you’ve taken is undigested. Alert your trek leader immediately. It could be a sign of AMS.
- ORS (6 packs): Consume a pack of ORS water at least once a day, usually mid day when you are in the middle of your trek. It replenishes essential salts lost while trekking. Tip: It also makes cold water easier to drink.
- Knee Brace (optional): Carry this if you are prone to knee injury or have known issues of knee pain.
Our trek leaders carry a high altitude medical kit with them which also consist of Life Saving Drugs. If there is an emergency our trek leaders know how to tackle it. Meanwhile, contact your trek leader before consuming any of these medicines listed here.
Pro Tip: We find that these medicines by trekkers are rarely used. But you cannot do away with them. At the end of the trek please donate unused medicines to your trek leader. Some of these medicines get distributed to villages on the trek and some are added to the Indiahikes medical kit.
The Ala Kul trek is located in Kyrgyzstan's Tien Shan mountain ranges. You reach the Ala Kul or Ala Kol (Kul or Kol means lake in Kyrgyz), a milky-blue glacial lake after crossing the coniferous forests and grasslands of Altyn Arashan and Karakol valleys.
The best time to be on this trek is from the beginning of July to the middle of September. In fact, that’s the only time you can trek here. In all the other seasons, The Ala-Kul lake trail is buried under snow.
July to September happens to be peak summer transitioning to Autumn and the best time to trek in Karakol. The landscape comes alive during this window. And even though the window is tight, you notice the landscape changing colour and texture as the months proceed.
We rate Ala-Kul as a ‘moderate-difficult’ trek. It is a high-altitude trek that takes you close to 13,000 ft. The trek climbs rapidly and your safety depends a lot on the preparation you put in for the trek.
Refer to the section called 'How difficult is the Ala Kul trek?' for detailed information.
The Ala Kul trek is about 54 kilometres long and we cover it in 6 days.
Here is a list of everything you need for your trek.
Shoes and backpack
- Trekking shoes with ankle support
- Backpack with rain cover (50-60 litre)
Warm Layers and Clothes
- Warm layers: 5 layers - 1 pair of thermals, 1 woollen sweater, 1 fleece, and 1 padded jacket
(Cross Fleece Cap and Crosstrek Neck Warmer are available for purchase) - 3 Full sleeved, dry fit, collared t-shirts (Wear one, carry two)
- 2 quick-dry trek pants (Wear one, carry one)
Accessories
- Sunglasses
- Sun cap, preferably with flaps (Available for purchase)
- Synthetic hand gloves (with waterproofing on the outside and padded lining on the inside). Alternative - wear a tight fitting fleece hand glove inside the synthetic hand gloves. (Waterproof gloves - Available for purchase)
- Balaclava or woollen cap (Cross Fleece Cap and Crosstrek Neck Warmer are available for purchase)
- Woollen socks (2 pairs of Dry fit + 1 pair of woollen) (Available for purchase)
- Headlamp
- A pair of trekking pole
- Rain jacket + pants/poncho (Rain jacket available for purchase)
- Day pack (20 - 30 litre)
Toiletries:
- Sunscreen
- Moisturiser
- Light towel
- Lip balm or vaseline
- Toilet paper (Wet wipes are strictly not allowed on our treks)
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Reusable plastic covers (for used clothes)
Cutlery:
- Steel lunch box, spoon and a coffee mug (coffee mug available for purchase)
- Two water bottles or hydration pack
Once you run through this list, don't miss this ultimate guide on what gear to take on a trek. It contains tips on what gear to choose, where to get it from, and how much to spend on it.
Our only tip: Keep your backpack light. Indiahikes practices low-impact, sustainable trekking in every aspect of the trek. Carrying your backpack reduces your impact on the mountains by 20%. We expect all our trekkers to carry their own backpacks unless they have a justifiable reason not to.
The Ala Kul lake is at an altitude of 11,580 ft and the Ala Kul pass is at an altitude of 12,750 ft.
Onward Journey - Bishkek to Karakol
On Day 1, when you arrive at the Manas International Airport at Bishkek, you’ll have to take a marshrutka (a shared taxi) right outside the airport to the Western Bus Station, which is 26 kilometres from the airport.
If you have arrived a day early (on Day 0), you may choose to stay at Bishkek where you get decent rooms or Airbnbs for about 1,140 Kyrgyz Som per night, and head to Western Bus Station the following day.
This will give you enough time to shop for your ration and last minute supplies at the Osh Bazaar, one of the largest markets of Bishkek where you can get anything under the sky!
From the Western Bus Station, take another marshrutka to Karakol. This 400-kilometer ride is one of the most scenic journeys you’ll take. Make sure you take the right side seat to watch the huge Issyk-Kul lake that accompanies you for almost 4.5 hours of the journey.
The journey costs you approx. 400 Som, and the marshrutkas are available every hour.
Have questions about the trek? Fill this form to schedule a call
Expert Speak
Head of Digital Content - Marketing Team
Head of Digital Content - Marketing Team
Swathi Chatrapathy heads the digital content - marketing team at Indiahikes. She is also the face behind India's popular trekking video channel, Trek With Swathi. Unknown to many, Swathi also writes a weekly column at Indiahikes which has more than 100,000 followers. A TEDx speaker and a frequent guest at other events, Swathi is a much sought after resource for her expertise in the digital content world.
What We Like About the Ala-Kul Trek
Here, Swathi Chatrapathy is in conversation with Arjun and Sandhya about one of the 'Best Treks for Summit Views in Kyrgyzstan'.
Head of Digital Content - Marketing Team
Swathi Chatrapathy heads the digital content - marketing team at Indiahikes. She is also the face behind India's popular trekking video channel, Trek With Swathi. Unknown to many, Swathi also writes a weekly column at Indiahikes which has more than 100,000 followers. A TEDx speaker and a frequent guest at other events, Swathi is a much sought after resource for her expertise in the digital content world.
1. The mountains and their proximity
“Bishkek, as you know, is the capital city of Kyrgyzstan. It is a busy city with students, people, bazaars, and cars. And yet, it is not as crowded as other European or Asian cities. In the backdrop are these beautiful snow-capped mountains,” Sandhya UC shares her first impression of the capital city.
This is not just in Bishkek. Go almost anywhere in Kyrgyzstan, and the Tian Shan range accompanies you. “We start our trek from Karakol, where again the mountains are by our side,” says Sandhya.
2. The unique setting of the landscape
“This trek was like no other trek I’ve done,” starts Arjun. "You may find some mild resemblance to the mountain scenery of Kashmir, with wide valleys and meadows. Yet, the valleys of Kyrgyzstan are very different,” says Arjun.
When I ask him to elaborate, he says, "See, most valleys we trek in are very narrow. The mountains are almost on you. It makes you feel closed and shut out. But in Kyrgyzstan, the valleys are nearly half a kilometre wide. They gracefully clamber onto a mild height, giving you a sense of openness even though you’re in a valley.
“Rarely do you see such wide valleys, not even while trekking in Kashmir, known for wide valleys. I loved this aspect of trekking in Kyrgyzstan. We could walk endlessly just staring at the scenery. I've never seen such unique settings,” adds Arjun. (You'll find a lovely photo gallery from their trek here.)
3. The milky-blue Ala Kul Lake
“Right from the beginning of the trek, we were anticipating the view of the Ala Kul lake. That’s the biggest attraction; it is what everyone is talking about. And the lake did not disappoint,” shares Sandhya.
When I ask her how it compares to the lakes we see in J&K, she says, “It was much grander than any of the lakes we have seen in Kashmir, because the Ala Kul Lake has a big glacier feeding the lake. You see the whole glacier tumbling down into the lake. You get to camp with this view!" Trekkers don't know that you can also walk on the banks of the lake and touch the water.
Curving alongside the face of the mountain at above 13,000 feet, this is among the most photogenic lakes we have seen. It stands out in a greenish-blue shade any time of the year, giving it its name, “Ala-Kul”, which means “Colourful Lake” in Russian.
4. Meeting Russian, Polish, and many other international trekkers
The Ala Kul lake is among the most popular treks in Kyrgyzstan. While local Kyrgyz people don’t trek, the trail attracts keen European trekkers. “We saw Russian, Polish, Israeli trekkers, and many others from Eastern Europe. Throughout our 4-day trek, we may have seen around 75 trekkers on the trail in total,” recalls Lakshmi.
“You will especially love the liveliness of the Altyn Arashan camp. It’s the penultimate camp before you cross the pass. It is a junction of sorts. Trekkers crossover onto several trails from here. You also see yurt camps and shepherds going from one trail to another. You can spend an entire day just sitting there and observing a different kind of life in the mountains,” shares Arjun.
5. The must-see Issyk Kul Lake that Kyrgyzstan is known for
While Ala Kul is a beauty on its own, there's another lake that you must see in Kyrgyzstan: the Issyk Kul Lake. “Issyk Kul feels like the sea. We drove for over three hours with the lake continuously glimmering by our side, there was still no end in sight. There were waves in the lake like the sea,” shares Arjun.
Issyk Kul is a major attraction in Kyrgyzstan, stretching over 180 km in length and 60 km in width. On the Indiahikes trek to Ala Kul, we start driving on one side of the lake, reach the Karakol base camp, and complete the loop on the other side of the lake once we have finished the trek. “It’s one of the most pleasurable drives I have done,” exclaims Arjun.
“I loved staying for a night at a cottage by the lake. We were in the middle of an orchard of apricots and blueberries. Apricots were on the ground in heaps. You could pluck the tastiest fruits off the trees. And in front of our cottage was Issyk Kul, as far as our eyes could see. We couldn’t see the shore on the other side. You can step into the cool water, dip, or spend time by the shores. It’s a beautiful experience,” he shares.
“Isn’t all this going to be expensive?” I ask our founders, and Sandhya says, “The best part is that none of this is expensive. Kyrgyzstan is easy on the pocket for Indians. It might be a tad more expensive than India, say, by around 15-20%, but you can easily afford these places of stay.”
6. Going back in time, yet with the comforts of the modern world at Bishkek
Bishkek, which is almost representative of the rest of Kyrgyzstan’s city-life, is a place that our team fell in love with. “We were wondering if it would be too religious, but it was nothing like it,” shares Arjun.
“Bishkek is a beautiful blend of history and modernity. You’ll see iconic Russian-style architecture with austere columns and domes. Trams still run on the streets (like in old Kolkata). At the same time, you’ll see Chevrolets ruling the roads, giving the city a swish of modernity. The whole country has a unique blend of Chinese and Russian influences, which give it its unique flavour,” shares Arjun.
“On the other hand, I did not see many multinational chains in the city. The local markets rule the roost. I like that even though there is a good amount of influence from the west, the city has maintained its culture,” says Lakshmi.
Which brings us to another thing that our team absolutely loved about Kyrgyzstan.
7. 7. The vibrant bazaars of Kyrgyzstan!
Interestingly, this is among the first things that all three spoke about in our conversation. Their visit to Osh Bazaar, in the heart of Kyrgyzstan, left a deep impression on them, showing them that Kyrgyzstan was warm, lively, welcoming, budget-friendly, and very much like India!
“These bazaars had everything. From hardware to carpets to crockery to clothes to vegetables and dry fruits, name it, and you’ll find it here,” says Sandhya. They particularly went gaga over the dry fruits, which were locally grown, available in plenty, and at ridiculously low prices. “We saw apricots, walnuts, dates, raisins, and nuts. You can live on just dry fruits here,” shares Sandhya.
Arjun pips in, saying, “Additionally, this is where we got introduced to the real Kyrgyzstan. Talking to the shopkeepers, bargaining with them, tasting things before buying them, we didn't feel like outsiders for a second. The locals are very welcoming and warm to any visitors. You can sense it here."
Trek Trivia
Things Nobody Tells You About Ala-Kul
Did you know how old Russian military trucks can make for the best roller-coasters?
On the first and the last day of this trek, you get a chance to spot old Russian military trucks here. Russia and Kyrgyzstan’s military relations go back to the first world war. What is special about these vehicles though, is their unimaginable ability to traverse difficult terrains. What most other vehicles cannot do, these can. No road is too uneven or too rough for them and that makes these vehicles an incredible sight.
If by chance you can get a lift in one of these, it’s an experience in itself. It is like a free roller coaster ride for you! Even through the roughest roads, it will take you to your destination. The ride is a ‘try not to laugh’ challenge but the thrill of sitting in one of the toughest military vehicles makes it worth it!
Yurt Camps and their Nomadic Roots
On the vast green meadows and in the forests of Ala-Kul, big circular structures can be found. These are the Yurt camps. Belonging to the nomads in early days, they were made out of natural material sourced locally. This nomadic lifestyle can be seen and felt in them. Using animal skin, mud, wooden frames and other such items, the nomads built neat and comfortable shelters for themselves.
Not unlike Indian huts, the space inside used to be cleared out and daily utilities were arranged there. With a small sleeping nook in one corner, a cooking area in another, they made for minimalistic yet warm residences.
Even today, these shelters are used as camps for tourists. We need to remember not to expect our city luxuries in them, but we can definitely find a nice, warm stay. This stay in these cozy Yurt camps will take you to simpler, quieter times.
The Bustling Markets of Kyrgyzstan
The cities of Bishkek and Karakol are a trove of surprises. Despite being the capital city, in Bishkek, you get to spot unexpected snow clad mountains. And nestled among those, you can experience the interesting Bazaars and churches of the city soaked in its western asian culture.
The markets, such as Osh Bazaar among others, are vast expanses of kiosks and shops, all put up one after the other. These are all inside a huge building, and contain a variety of products and eatables. Like our markets in India, they are bustling spaces with a number of sections for different kinds of items.
You have your wet market and dry market, your sections for fruits, for vegetables, for dry fruits (which are a must-buy!), and for meat, spices and what not. Most of the locals shop here and can obtain a majority of things they need on a daily basis - and not just food products, but even essentials like clothes for that matter!
We could compare them to the markets seen at every corner in India, except that the Kyrgyzstani markets would measure up to be about ten times larger in size!