Altyn-Arashan, Karakol
Sample tour: On Horseback to Altyn-Arashan: Hot Springs and a Night in the Mountains
- Duration
- 2 days
- Group size
- 2 to 8 people
- Format
- Group
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Age
- 12+
- Starts in
- Каракол
- Ends in
- Каракол
Two days in the saddle up the Arashan gorge: pine forest, river crossings, a night at a guesthouse and a soak in the hot springs.
Altyn-Arashan is a gorge 30 km from Karakol that an ordinary car cannot reach: only a horse or an old GAZ-66 truck can make it up the rough road. That is why it is quiet here, and the hot springs in the middle of the forest remain the main reward for the journey. On day one we ride out of Ak-Suu village and spend 5–6 hours climbing the gorge along the river to a guesthouse at 2,600 m. In the evening — hot springs and dinner. On day two we ride to a viewpoint facing Palatka Peak and return to Ak-Suu. The horses are calm and used to mountain trails; the instructor helps those who are in the saddle for the first time. A separate pack horse carries the luggage.
Itinerary
Day 1
Ak-Suu — Altyn-Arashan
20-minute transfer from Karakol, 5–6 hours on horseback, hot springs, dinner and a night at the guesthouse.
Day 2
Viewpoint and descent
In the morning, a ride to the viewpoint facing Palatka Peak, lunch, descent to Ak-Suu and transfer to Karakol by 18:00.
Included
- Transfer Karakol — Ak-Suu — Karakol
- Horses, saddles and an instructor
- A pack horse for luggage
- A night at a guesthouse
- Meals on the route
- Hot springs
Not included
- Insurance
- Sleeping bag (rental 300 KGS)
What to bring
- Long sturdy trousers
- Closed shoes with a heel
- A warm jacket for the evening
- Swimsuit for the springs
Requirements
No riding experience needed. Rider weight up to 100 kg.
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