Ala Kul Lake Hike In Kyrgyzstan Full Guide & Everything You Should Know
The Ala Kol (or Ala Kul) lake trek in Kyrgyzstan changed my life forever and I will explain how.
Yeah, I loved hiking and trekking (and did many..) even before, but I always had this ambivalent feeling of “I like it but also hate it at the same time..” (like many of us I guess).
But in this journey I felt for the first time that I’m falling in love with nature, with those beautiful snowy mountains and those super wild rivers and the huge challenge that a 65 km journey represents. The pain was there, but it didn’t feel as important anymore.
If you are coming to Kyrgyzstan or any country around, do not miss this amazing hike! it is one of the most (if not the most) hikes i did in my life and i’m sure you will fall in love with this beautiful place as well.
In this post I will share with you everything you should know about this beautiful hike, from how to get there, what do you need to bring with you, how long does it take, what’s the best time to go and more.
Table of Contents
Ala-Kul Quick Facts
Distance: 55 kilometers /34.17 miles (the full hike)
Hike Duration: 3 to 5 days
Difficulty Level: 8/10
- Elevation Gain: 1931 meters (6335 feet)
- Top Elevation: 3915 meters (12844 feet)
- Best Season: June to September
- Currency: Kyrgyzstani Som
- Water: Available along the way (rivers and streams, safe to drink)
About Ala-Kol Lake Hike
The Starting Point
The starting point of the Ala Kul trek (and some other hikes around too) is in Karakol town, which is a small town in the south east of Kyrgyzstan.
There is not much to do in the town itself but it has basically everything you need to start the trek, from trekking equipment shops that will sell or rent any kind of gear that you need to supermarket and travel agencies.
So it is recommended to come at least 2-3 days in advance to get everything ready.
Where Ala Kul Lake Is Located
Ala-Kol (or Ala-Kul) lake is located in the Terskey Alatau mountain range in the Ak-Suu District of the Issyk-Kul Region in Kyrgyzstan. It lies at an altitude of 3,532 m (11,588 feet). It is 2.8 kilometers (1.7 miles) long and 600–700 meters (2,000–2,300 feet) wide.
How To Get To Karakol
The easiest way to get to Karakol from Bishkek (the capital of Kyrgyzstan) is by bus or a van.
Those vans/ buses will take around 6-8 hours to reach to Karakol.
The name of this vans (mini buses) with 10-13 people is “marshrutka” in Russian which you will hear a lot around.
Where to stay in Karakol
There are a few great hostels and guesthouses in Karakol that you can stay at before and after the trek. Hostels are a great place to stay 2-3 days before you’re planing to go to the trek for getting more information from people that came back and even to find a partner for the trek if you don’t have any yet.
Recommended Hotels in Karakol
Check below some of the recommended hotels in Karakol from Trip.com
Best Time To Hike Ala-Kol Lake
The best season to go for the Ala-Kol hike is simply the summer time for the simple reason that the climate in the mountains is much more convenient in that time (but still very unpredictable at 3000-4000m). The best months to go for the trek is from June till early September.
Disclaimer: doesn’t matter when exactly you’re coming, always check the weather carefully beforehand, the weather in this altitude is changing every minute (not a joke).
Ala Kol Distance & Time
The classic Ala Kul lake hike is starting at the Karakol national park gate and ends at the Ak Su town, which is almost full a circle.
The classic itinerary (what I personally did) is 55 kilometers in 3 days, but there are a few variations that you can take instead in case you are not capable of the full hike for some reason. There are many optional routes from doing a few sections only in 1-2 days to stretching the hike into 5-6 days.
there are also an option to ride horses in a part the way or take a 4X4 buses/ trucks in some sections too. it’s all comes down to your decision, time and capabilities.
Ala-Kol Hike Difficulty: How Hard Is It?
The hike is in a high difficulty level, especially if you are doing the full itinerary. I will definitely recommend people to take a few shorter hikes before coming to this one if they are not very experienced.
As i mentioned above, in case that you are not capable of doing the full route for some reason, you can ask your host/ hotel/ hostel about the options of getting a ride in some part of the way, it is important to say that trucks and horses are capable of passing mostly the flat areas and the small hills, the big climbs like to the lake itself can’t be done by any of them and should be taken by foot. so if you are interested in seeing the Ala-Kol lake, get ready for the final climb even if you are taking a ride for part of the way.
Where To Sleep During The Hike
There are two main sleeping options during the hike.
First Option: you can take care of everything yourself and getting your tent, food and cooking equipment with you, recommended only for experienced hikers that knows how to deal with cooking and setting a tent in this environment (2500-3000m).
Second Option: thankfully there are a few “Yurt” camps on the way to the peak (on the first day) that you can basically pay for sleeping and for the food as well. “Yurt” is basically the name of the traditional nomadic tent that they use in this region (like in the picture below) there are big and small yurts, some for 10-12 people and some for 2-4 people.
Around the 2nd /3rd day there are actual guest houses with real beds that you can stay at after climbing down from the peak in Altyn Alarashan town.
Disclaimer: Small disclaimer about the guesthouses and camps, those camps are up in the mountains (around 2000-2500m) and they are seasonal businesses, which means they are working only in the season when the climate allows it, always ask the locals about them before going to the trek.
Food In Ala-Kol Hike
In general you’ll have to pack enough food and snacks for your first day since you’ll get to the camp only before dinner time. For the rest of the trek you better still have some canned food with you and some bread to have along the way, the camps will provide dinner and breakfast usually so you’ll be covered for for them. Just don’t forget to take enough cash with you.
Potable Water In The Hike
There are many potable water sources along the path during most of the hike due to the high altitude, once you go up in the mountains (4-6 hours in the first day) the water are very clean from the rivers and safe to drink as long as you see them flowing strongly and nicely, those waters are coming directly from the glaciers up there so they are very clean and you should have no problem with them.
Just get 2 bottles of 1.5L for the first day and then you can just refill them along the way.
What To Bring To Ala-Kol Hike
Footwear: hiking/ trekking shoes with a good grip and waterproof seal will be great since it could be raining and snowing at any point. Get 1-2 spare socks with you in case that you need to change.
Gloves: i wore gloves around the lake itself and while climbing to the Ala-Kol pass since it was snowing there for 20-30 minutes.
Layers: It is important to bringe 2-4 layers with you when the first layer should be a t-shirt for the first day and the last day probably when it is pretty hot. the second layer could be a hoodie or something you feel comfortable with and the last one should be a good jacket for the high altitude when it gets really cold (in my time it was snowing for 30-60 minutes around the lake).
Gas Stove: gas burner/ stove for making coffee/ light fire in the camp if you want, matches will not work in this altitude! (Yeah I tried..) Better to get a torch.
Water: 3 liters of water (in two 1.5 L bottlers) mainly for the first day, once you’re up there the water are very clean and safe to drink directly so you can refill your bottles.
Food/ Snacks: even if you are planning to stay at the Yurt camps and the guesthouses you still need to bring some food for lunch everyday and snacks that you can eat in between. i personally took some vegetables, bread, hard boiled eggs (they will survive in the cold 1-2 days easily), and a few cans of tuna and sardines, just make sure not to take too much cause you have to carry it with you. for snacks i brought peanuts, dates and some other apples.
Power Banks: take 1-2 power banks with you, during the first day and the 2nd day till dinner you won’t have probably where to charge (maybe in the guest house in the 2nd day).
Camera: get your camera with you with at least one wide angle lens for the landscape and the mountains (12-20mm lens can work perfectly) and 30-35mm for closer shots and 50-85mm if you are planning to take some portraits, if you have a zoom lens it could work too.
The Ala Kol Hike Is Worth it?
If the Ala-Kol (or Ala Kul) hike is worth it? As I mentioned above a few times it is one of the best hikes (if not THE best) hike I did in my life. So the simple answer to this question is absolutely YES! It’s worth it.
The nature in this amazing hike is very untouched will make you fall in love with this country, I have no doubt about it. If you are not sure if you should do this hike or even if you should come to Kyrgyzstan at all, just don’t think twice! It is one of the most beautiful countries I’ve seen in my lifetime.
But don’t listen to me, let the pictures below speak for themselves:
Itinerary Of the Full Circle Hike (3-5 days/ 55km)
Side-note: Before we start with the Itinerary, it is important to say that this is the hike I did (55km in 3 days – the classic full hike) but there are a few variations that you can take from doing a few sections only in 1-2 days to stretching the trek into 5-6 days, its all open for your decision and the weather of course.
Day 1: from Karakol to the Yurt camp
1.1 Day one starts at the Karakol National Park Entrance (just search: National Park Entrance on maps.me)
1.2 From the gate of the park we are starting to walk for around an hour till we reach the first bridge and cross it to the other side of the river.
1.3 From the first bridge, we are continuing to walk for another 4 hours (13 kilometers) till we see the 2nd bridge and the first tent camp, at this point we may still see some locals with 4×4 Soviet trucks selling some water and snacks, this is the last point of the flattish path, we are basically starting to climb up from here.
During the long walk between the first and the second bridge you are starting to actually see the real beauty of this place.
Wide and strong rivers with crystal clear waters (good for drink after a few kilometers already). Green mountains and snowy peaks you can already see from a distance. Horses can be seen from time to time (before the real climb up starts) and just mother nature in her best. Just enjoy it!
1.4 Once you cross the 2nd bridge we are starting to climb up till we get to the 2nd camp which is the yurt camp that will be our place for the night.
1.5 Once we started to climb up it will take us around 2 to 2:30 hours and we will gain another 500 meters of elevation till we reach to the Yurt camp which is around 2960 meters.
1.6 Once you reached to the camp just talk to the locals and ask for a yurt for the night, the price I paid was around 40 USD for the night with dinner and breakfast, the meals are pretty basic so don’t expect too much.
That’s the end of the first day! You made it champion!
The Camp For the First Night
The camp i stayed was pretty great and we got a yurt for two people with dinner and breakfast included (pretty basic but not bad at all!), the price was around 40 USD and you pay in cash only so bring enough case with you.
Day 2: from the camp to Altyn Arashan (VIA the lake!)
2.1 The 2nd day starts very early around 5am, it is going to be our longest day so we have a lot to accomplish.
Have your breakfast, make sure you have your lunch packed with you, refill the water in the streams around and start the day.
From the camp we are starting to climb almost right away to the first mountain pass, get ready for a rough a few hours till you finally get to the amazing Ala-Kol lake (good news, you’ll see it today very soon!)
We are starting to climb up for around 3
To 3 and half hours till we reach to the first mountain pass before we finally see the edge of the lake.
2.2 Once we are up there (take a break and enjoy this beautiful view) once you feel ready just continue to the 2nd mountain pass where the bear viewpoint of the lake and the glacier is actually at (check the picture below)
We are starting to walk from the first pass to the famous Ala-Kol pass for another 2-3 hours and gaining another 400 meters of
Elevation till we get to the pass which is the peak of the hike at 3915 meters.
2.3 Once you reach to the Ala-Kol pass be happy – the hard part is behind you! From now most of the way will be easier and downwards.
Pray for a good and bright weather at the pass, take a break there, admire this amazing place! Take the pictures you always wanted before starting to go down.
2.4 Once we are starting to go down, just be careful and don’t be shy to do it while sitting, the way down is very steep!
2.5 From this point we can officially say that the tough part is behind us, from here we have mainly a mild walk down and in a relatively flat surface. We are walking for another 10 kilometers and 4-4.5 hours till we reach the guesthouses in Altyn-Arashan town which we will stay at for the night.
There are a few options there, just go to the one that are open at the time you are there and that looks nice to you. they will offer you a room for the night. the price will be included with dinner and breakfast for the next day.
Day 3: Altyn-Arashan to Ak-Suu and Karakol
We start the 3rd day around 7-8am, thankfully its the last day and the tough parts of this hike are behind us. We are starting the day with a great breakfast from the guesthouse, checking our route for the day and getting ready.
3.1 We are starting the day around 8:00 am after finishing the breakfast, getting our water and other stuff ready and starting to walk. The walk today is around 15km/ 9.3 miles and it should take approximately 5 hours of walk (mostly flat and down).
If you are using maps.me you can navigate to: “Mashrutkas Karakol” or “bus stop 501 to Karakol” which is for the bus (Mashrutkas) to get back to Karakol.
3.2 The first a few kilometers are pretty easy and basically going along the Arashan river most of the way, the terrain is hilly but nothing too crazy, mainly going down.
3.2 After around 5 hours of walk you should see a fork in the river and the suburbs of Ak-Suu town are pretty much there. the bus stop should be a few minutes walk from the river fork.
3.3 Once you get to the bus stop, the way back to Karakol is very easy, around 20 minutes bus to the town. Just please make sure you ask the driver that you are on the right side of the bus (the Karakol side and not Bishkek).
That’s the end of the post guys, I hope you will use it and I have no doubt you will enjoy this beautiful hike and fall in love with this country like me.
If you liked it, please take a moment to leave a comment below, I would be very happy to hear your opinion! In case you like my photography you can check the camera gear I’m using, if you are not sure what you should pack for your next trip you can check my packing list.
Much love guys, Ben.
Check My Other Posts About Kyrgyzstan
Thank you for reading this post, if you liked this one I’m sure you will like my other posts from Kyrgyzstan
Ala Kul Lake Hike In Kyrgyzstan Full Guide
