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Altyn-Arashan, Karakol

Sample tour: Trek Karakol — Ala-Kul — Altyn-Arashan

Айгерим Токтосунова
Duration
3 days
Group size
2 to 8 people
Format
Group
Difficulty
Challenging
Age
14+
Starts in
Каракол
Ends in
Каракол

The most beautiful trek in the Tian Shan: turquoise Ala-Kul lake at 3,500 m, a 3,900 m pass and the hot springs of Altyn-Arashan.

I have walked this trek more than a hundred times, and every time I stop on the ridge above Ala-Kul just to be silent for a while. We climb the Karakol gorge through spruce forest, spend the night by the Sirkiregen waterfall, and on the second day reach a lake of an incredible turquoise colour. The hardest section is the Ala-Kul pass at 3,860 metres. After it comes a long descent into the Altyn-Arashan valley, where hot radon springs and a night at a guesthouse await us. A soak in hot water after the pass is the best reward. The route is for experienced hikers: 45 km in three days, with scree and steep sections. I take groups of up to eight people only.

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Karakol — Sirkiregen waterfall

    Transfer to the trailhead, 6 hours of climbing up the gorge, camp by the waterfall.

  2. Day 2

    Ala-Kul — the pass

    Climb to the lake, crossing of the 3,860 m pass, descent to camp.

  3. Day 3

    Altyn-Arashan — Karakol

    A morning at the hot springs, descent and transfer to Karakol.

Included

  • Mountain guide
  • Tents and cooking equipment
  • Meals on the trek
  • National park entrance tickets
  • Hot springs
  • Transfers

Not included

  • Porter (on request)
  • Sleeping bag
  • Insurance

What to bring

  • Trekking boots
  • Sleeping bag rated to −5 °C
  • 40 L backpack
  • Trekking poles
  • Swimsuit
  • Warm hat

Reviews

4.5· 2 reviews
  • Анна

    Маршрут сложный, это правда. Перевал на 3860 шли почти три часа. Организация чёткая, еда в походе вкусная, но спальник берите теплее — ночью было около нуля.

    Review in Russian

  • Emma

    Hardest and most beautiful trek I've ever done. The first sight of Ala-Kul made me cry a little. Aigerim is a fantastic guide: patient, funny and very safety-minded on the scree before the pass. Hot springs at the end were pure bliss.

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