Three days from Karakol to turquoise Ala-Kul and the hot springs of Altyn-Arashan — with porters, pack horses, a private chef and your own guide by xtravel.
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See allAsk the mountain guides in Karakol which route best explains why people travel to the Tien Shan, and most will give the same answer: Ala-Kul via Altyn-Arashan. In three days the trail climbs through spruce forest to a turquoise lake at roughly 3,500 m, crosses a ridge close to 3,900 m and drops down to natural hot springs. It is a classic — but there is more than one way to walk a classic.
Day 1 — Karakol Gorge. You set off a short drive from Karakol, at the entrance to the national park. The morning is a gentle walk along the river under Tien Shan spruce; the afternoon steepens towards a camp near the tree line, at around 2,800–3,000 m — a sensible height for your body to adjust.
Day 2 — Ala-Kul and the pass. The big day. The path climbs past the Kul-Tor waterfall to Ala-Kul itself, a long, milky-turquoise basin beneath the glaciers. Take your time here; the light on the water shifts every half hour. Then it is up over moraine to the Ala-Kul Pass, with views across the Arashan valley to Palatka Peak. The descent is steep and loose, so your guide sets the pace. By evening you are in Altyn-Arashan, sinking into your first hot pool.
Day 3 — Altyn-Arashan. No alarm clock, another soak in the radon springs at about 2,600 m, a stroll through the valley and a walk-out to Ak-Suu village, where your vehicle is waiting. Many guests ask us to add a rest day here — few places around Issyk-Kul are better for doing absolutely nothing.
You don't need mountaineering skills, but this isn't a stroll either. Think of a confident hiker comfortable with 6–8 hours on foot and around 1,000 m of ascent a day. Altitude is the real challenge, with the pass above 3,800 m, so we build in a night or two in Karakol or on the lake shore before you start. The season runs from early July to mid-September: snow often lingers on the pass in June, and late September weather can turn quickly. For a month-by-month picture, see our guide to the best time to visit Kyrgyzstan.
The difference between a backpacking trip and travelling with xtravel is simple: you carry a light daypack with water and a camera. The team handles everything else:
pack horses move tents, sleeping gear, the kitchen and your luggage ahead to camp;
porters take over where horses can't go, mainly on the pass;
a camp with its own chef — roomy tents with proper mattresses, a dining tent, fresh hot dinners and coffee before you hit the trail;
a private certified guide for your party only, with satellite communication and a full first-aid kit;
4x4 transfers and, if you like, horseback options for selected sections.
The trek slots neatly into a longer journey. It pairs naturally with our six-day Issyk-Kul circuit, which already passes through Altyn-Arashan, or with the culture-focused Nomad's Path journey that stops in Karakol. Curious how the east compares with Son-Kul and the Alay? Read our piece on Karakol, Son-Kul and the Alay.
The highlight isn't the pass — it's the evening in Altyn-Arashan: hot water, stars above the spruce, and a dinner someone else has taken care of.
The 2026 high-mountain season has closed, and the best guides and camp chefs for July and August 2027 are booked from the autumn onwards. If you'd like to walk to Ala-Kul at your own pace without compromising on comfort, get in touch with our team and we'll shape the route around your dates, fitness and group.
Want to see it with your own eyes?
We'll build a route around your dates, pace and budget — guide, transfers and stays included. We reply within a day.
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