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Ala-Kul · 11 days

On Horseback to Lake Ala-Kul – 11 Days across Kyrgyzstan

Altyn-Arashan, the “Golden Spa” among four-thousanders, a horse trek to turquoise Ala-Kul (3,530 m) – and the whole classic loop: canyons, folklore and yurts on Son-Kul.

11 days · June–September from 3 people up to 3,920 m
Season
June–September · your dates
Length
11 days
Price from
€1,170 / person
Group
from 3 people
Guide
Beka · Czech, Russian, English on request
Difficulty
Comfort3/5Activity3/5
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Eleven days for people who want to get into the mountains. To the classic loop we add a mountain section: the Altyn-Arashan valley with its natural thermal springs, a horse trek to Lake Ala-Kul (3,530 m) and a crossing of the pass at almost 3,920 metres. Riding lets you take in all that beauty without great physical effort. Then come the canyons, Son-Kul and Bishkek.

Why go

  • Altyn-Arashan (2,500 m) – the “Golden Spa” ringed by four-thousanders, with the Palatka glacier in view
  • A long soak in the natural thermal springs, whose hot water flows straight out of the heart of the mountains
  • A horse trek to Lake Ala-Kul (3,530 m above sea level) and the crossing of the pass at almost 3,920 m
  • A night in a mountain camp under the stars and dinner cooked over a fire
  • Karakol – the starting point for high-mountain treks, a mix of Kyrgyz, Russian and Dungan culture
  • The red rocks of Jeti-Oguz, the Jomok and Ak-Sai canyons, an evening of folklore and a night in a yurt on Son-Kul

Is it for you? Honestly

  • Days 3–5 are the mountain days: off-road vehicles take you up to Altyn-Arashan and from there you continue on horseback. You don't need to know how to ride – on the first day there is a short ride with a local guide so you can get used to the horses.
  • The highest point is the Ala-Kul pass (almost 3,920 m); the night before you sleep at 2,500 m in Altyn-Arashan, and the night after the trek in a mountain camp at 2,500 m.
  • For the mountain days we shop together for lunches and snacks – there are no shops up in the mountains.
  • The price includes 11 breakfasts and 8 dinners; lunches are not included, and full board can be added for €250.
  • The night in a yurt on Son-Kul: 2–4 people per yurt, shared facilities outside the yurt.
  • Flights to Bishkek are not included; from Prague you usually fly via Istanbul.

Who will guide you

Guide Beka pointing at the turquoise Ala-Kul lake below snow-capped peaks

Bekmyrza “Beka” Abidinov

founder and guide, Elimtour

Beka was born in Kyrgyzstan and lived in Czechia for several years, which is why he can explain the mountains in Czech. He runs small groups only, you eat with local families, and the money from the trips stays with the people in the valleys you pass through. He is with you the whole way, from Manas airport to your flight home.

Message Beka +420 773 627 002

Altitude profile

  1. Day 1800 m↑ 2,100
  2. Day 21,750 m
  3. Day 32,500 m
  4. Day 42,500 m↑ 3,920
  5. Day 51,750 m
  6. Day 61,650 m↑ 2,200
  7. Day 71,650 m↑ 2,650
  8. Day 83,000 m
  9. Day 9800 m↑ 1,900
  10. Day 10800 m
  11. Day 11800 m

Overnight altitude; peaks mark the day's highest point.

Altitude profile
Day 1800 m a.s.l.2,100 m a.s.l.
Day 21,750 m a.s.l.
Day 32,500 m a.s.l.
Day 42,500 m a.s.l.3,920 m a.s.l.
Day 51,750 m a.s.l.
Day 61,650 m a.s.l.2,200 m a.s.l.
Day 71,650 m a.s.l.2,650 m a.s.l.
Day 83,000 m a.s.l.
Day 9800 m a.s.l.1,900 m a.s.l.
Day 10800 m a.s.l.
Day 11800 m a.s.l.

Route

Issyk-KulKazakhstan12345679101112131415171819
  1. 1Manas Airport
  2. 2Bishkek
  3. 3Ala-Archa
  4. 4Cholpon-Ata
  5. 5Karakol
  6. 6Altyn-Arashan
  7. 7Ala-Kul
  8. 8Karakol
  9. 9Ak-Suu hot springs
  10. 10Jeti-Oguz
  11. 11Barskoon
  12. 12south shore
  13. 13Jomok canyon
  14. 14Shatyly panorama
  15. 15Ak-Sai canyon
  16. 16south shore
  17. 17Son-Kul
  18. 18Kok-Moinok
  19. 19Burana tower
  20. 20Bishkek
  21. 21Manas Airport

Day by day

  1. Day 1Welcome to Bishkek, gateway to the Celestial Mountains
    • Morning: your adventure begins when you land at Manas international airport. Our local guide, who speaks Czech, will be waiting for you, welcome you and take care of the transfer to your hotel in the centre of Bishkek. After the long journey there is time to settle in and recover during a short rest.
    • Your first Kyrgyz meal is waiting – a late breakfast or an early lunch, over which you get to know your guide and the rest of the group.
    • Then we dive into the pulsing life of the capital. We visit one of the traditional city markets, where the smells of spices, fresh fruit and baked bread mingle. It is the perfect place for your first souvenirs.
    • Time for the first big experience! By car (or bus) we drive out to Ala-Archa National Park (2,100 m), only 40 kilometres from the city. This magnificent piece of nature in the foothills of the Tian Shan will astonish you with its wild beauty – mountain rivers, steep peaks and alpine meadows. We walk the main trail along the river and take in our first proper lungful of mountain air.
    • We round the day off with a genuinely authentic experience – dinner in the home of a traditional Kyrgyz family. You sit down to a laid table, taste home-made specialities (lamb with noodles), manty (steamed dumplings) and, in an informal atmosphere, discover the famous Kyrgyz hospitality.
    800 m a.s.l. (↑ 2,100) Stay: hotelminibus / car, on foot
  2. Day 2To the legendary Lake Issyk-Kul and a first taste of Karakol
    • 9:00: after a hearty breakfast and unpacking we set off east. One of the most scenic drives of the trip lies ahead.
    • The road suddenly opens up and Lake Issyk-Kul appears in front of you like a giant blue mirror. It is the second-largest mountain lake in the world and never freezes, thanks to its salty water and the thermal springs on its bed. We take our first photographs and let the sheer scale of it sink in.
    • Our next stop is the little town of Cholpon-Ata (1,650 m), famous for its open-air museum. Here, on flat stone boulders, you will see petroglyphs – ancient rock carvings depicting hunting scenes, goats, lions and the everyday life of people from thousands of years ago.
    • Next comes a visit to the spiritual and cultural complex of Rukh Ordo. This unique place, whose name means “Order of the Soul”, was built as an ecumenical centre and symbolises the unity of the five world religions. Walking among its chapels with the lake in view is a powerful experience.
    • Lunch in a local restaurant, where you taste fish from Issyk-Kul for the first time.
    • We continue along the northern shore of the lake. The drive is an attraction in itself – snow-capped mountains rising on the left, the blue surface of the lake on the right.
    • Arrival in Karakol (1,750 m), the largest town on the eastern shore. Karakol is the starting point for high-mountain treks and a mix of Kyrgyz, Russian and Dungan culture. We check in and top up our energy with a late dinner.
    • You can use the free evening for a walk around the peaceful town or to rest before the adventure ahead.
    1,750 m a.s.l. Stay: hotelminibus / car
  3. Day 3Up into the high-mountain paradise of Altyn-Arashan
    • 9:00: today we enter the realm of the mountains. After breakfast comes a practical step – shopping together for lunches and snacks for the next two days, because there are no shops up in the mountains.
    • We climb into off-road vehicles that carry us comfortably (if a little wildly) up to Altyn-Arashan National Park (2,500 m). The drive up the river valley offers better and better views.
    • Arrival in the Altyn-Arashan valley (2,500 m), whose name translates as “Golden Spa”. The place is ringed by majestic four-thousanders and famous for its thermal springs. We settle into a simple but cosy mountain hut.
    • Time to saddle up! Our first encounter with the mountain horses awaits. These tireless, peaceable little horses are an inseparable part of Kyrgyz history. A short ride with a local guide will help you get used to this traditional means of transport.
    • Lunch on your own from the supplies we bought. Everyone can enjoy their own picnic with a view of the mountains.
    • Afternoon: free time to acclimatise and walk around. You can admire the mighty Palatka glacier or simply take in the landscape.
    • The real reward after a day spent in the saddle – a long soak in the natural thermal springs. Hot water flowing straight out of the heart of the mountains releases tired muscles perfectly.
    • Dinner and evening conversation by candlelight or beside the stove. Overnight in the mountain hut.
    2,500 m a.s.l. Stay: mountain hut4x4, horse
  4. Day 4An expedition to the turquoise of Lake Ala-Kul
    • 8:30: today you experience one of the absolute highlights of the tour. After breakfast and packing rucksacks for two days, we set off on horseback on the trek to Lake Ala-Kul (3,530 m). The trail climbs through dense forest, then dwarf pine and finally high-mountain tundra. Every switchback reveals a new and more breathtaking panorama of the surrounding peaks. Riding lets us take in all that beauty without great physical effort.
    • Lunch as a picnic on a picturesque meadow or by a mountain stream. We rest and gather strength for the final climb.
    • After the last ascent we stand on the shore of the high-mountain Lake Ala-Kul (3,530 m above sea level). Its turquoise surface, ringed by harsh rock walls and glaciers, will literally take your breath away. It is one of those moments you never forget.
    • After a long photo break we set off back. We cross the Ala-Kul pass at an altitude of almost 3,920 metres and begin descending into the valley on the far side.
    • We reach our overnight stop (2,500 m). Simple but welcome shelter awaits – a night in a mountain camp (in tents or a cabin). Dinner cooked over a fire under stars that shine unbelievably brightly here will be the perfect end to this unforgettable day.
    2,500 m a.s.l. (↑ 3,920) Stay: camphorse
  5. Day 5Back to civilisation and spa comfort
    • 9:00: breakfast in the mountains with fresh mountain air. We pack and get ready for the final part of the trek.
    • We finish the descent to where the off-road vehicles are already waiting for us. They take us back to Karakol.
    • Back in Karakol (1,750 m). There is time for a shower and a rest.
    • Lunch in a restaurant in town, where once again you will appreciate the wide choice of dishes.
    • The reward for a demanding trek! We visit the traditional thermal baths. The water from the local springs is rich in minerals and warms and relaxes the whole body perfectly. It is the ideal way to recover.
    • Evening: free time to explore Karakol. You can visit the local wooden Orthodox church or the Dungan mosque. Dinner and a night at the hotel.
    1,750 m a.s.l. Stay: hotel4x4
  6. Day 6In the realm of red rocks and rushing waterfalls
    • 9:00: breakfast, check-out from the hotel and departure from Karakol.
    • We head for Jeti-Oguz National Park (2,200 m). The place is famous for its fantastic red sandstone formations. The best known is called the “Seven Bulls” and looks like the backs of a herd of them. We will not miss the “Broken Heart” rock either, which has a romantic legend attached to it.
    • A walk among these majestic rocks and photographs in the best morning light.
    • Lunch in a restaurant with a view over breathtaking scenery.
    • On to the Barskoon waterfalls (1,800 m). An hour or so of climbing along the river brings us to a powerful waterfall dropping from a height of more than 20 metres. You feel the force of the falling water in your whole body.
    • Back on the bus and off to our accommodation on the southern, less touristy shore of Lake Issyk-Kul.
    • Arrival, check-in and dinner. The southern shore has an atmosphere of its own – quieter and wilder.
    1,650 m a.s.l. (↑ 2,200) Stay: hotelminibus / car, on foot
  7. Day 7Canyons that look like another planet
    • 9:00: after breakfast, a free morning and a rest.
    • Lunch at the hotel with a view of the lake, and then we head inland, where fascinating geological formations await us.
    • The first stop is Jomok canyon (1,900 m). This canyon is made of soft clay and sandstone rock that erosion has modelled into remarkable shapes resembling castles, towers and statues. The colours change with the angle of the sun.
    • On the way we visit the beautiful Shatyly panorama (2,650 m), from which the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul is clearly visible.
    • The road takes us into Ak-Sai canyon (2,500 m), rightly considered one of the most beautiful in Kyrgyzstan. Its steep, many-coloured walls and a crystal-clear mountain river create a perfect, almost mystical atmosphere. Walking its floor is like visiting a natural gallery, with plenty of time for photographs and for taking this beauty in quietly.
    • Back to our accommodation by the lake.
    • This evening belongs to Kyrgyz culture. A traditional folklore show awaits us. You will see energetic dances in beautiful costumes, hear melancholy and cheerful songs played on traditional instruments such as the komuz, and over dinner you can let yourself be carried away by the rhythm of this ancient country.
    1,650 m a.s.l. (↑ 2,650) Stay: hotelminibus / car, on foot
  8. Day 8A day with the Kyrgyz nomads – life in a yurt
    • 9:00: breakfast, packing and goodbye to the southern shore. Today we travel hundreds of years back in time.
    • The road takes us up to the high pastures that are typical of the summer life of Kyrgyz herders. Our destination is an authentic yurt camp (it may be in the Son-Kul area (3,000 m)).
    • Lunch on the way in a simple “chaikhana”.
    • Arrival at the yurt camp. We are in the heart of Kyrgyz nature, surrounded by nothing but mountains, pastures and herds of horses and sheep. A welcome tea with bread and home-made cream is the traditional expression of hospitality.
    • We get into the saddle and set off on an afternoon horse ride. The point is not to cover as many kilometres as possible, but to savour the feeling of freedom and endless panoramas.
    • Back from the ride, a yurt demonstration awaits us. You will learn all about its symbolism, how the space inside is divided and how a whole family used to live in it. Dinner in the yurt often consists of freshly made kumys (fermented mare's milk) and home-made specialities. Storytelling by the light of a paraffin lamp or a fire is an unforgettable experience.
    • Night: we sleep in traditional yurts on mattresses and under warm woollen blankets. The silence and the starry sky overhead will be your reward.
    3,000 m a.s.l. Stay: yurtminibus / car, horse
  9. Day 9Back to Bishkek with stops in history and a lunar landscape
    • 9:00: breakfast at the hotel, goodbye to nomadic life and departure towards Bishkek.
    • On the way we stop at Kok-Moinok canyon (1,900 m). This “lunar canyon” will astonish you with its surreal beauty. White and grey clay cliffs, eroded into bizarre shapes, make you feel you have landed on another planet.
    • Lunch in a restaurant along the route.
    • Our last big stop is at the roots of Kyrgyz history. We visit the archaeological complex of the Burana Tower, what remains of the ancient city of Balasagun from the 11th century. We climb the reconstructed minaret and look over the collection of old gravestones – the balbals.
    • On towards Bishkek.
    • Arrival in Bishkek, check-in at the hotel and dinner. You can enjoy one last Kyrgyz speciality or have something international.
    800 m a.s.l. (↑ 1,900) Stay: hotelminibus / car
  10. Day 10Bishkek – the soul of the city and the last shopping
    • 8:30: the last breakfast of the tour.
    • We head into the heart of everyday Bishkek – the famous Osh bazaar. This vast covered market is a place where you can buy absolutely everything: from heaps of spices, dried fruit and nuts through traditional hats, carpets and woodcarving to household goods. It is an experience for all the senses.
    • Lunch today is optional. You can go back to the bazaar and taste something from the local street-food specialities, or choose from the many restaurants in the city centre.
    • The afternoon is given over to a walk through the centre of Bishkek. We stroll the green avenues, see the main Independence Square (Ala-Too), the philharmonic hall, and admire the mighty statue of the hero Manas, around whom the whole Kyrgyz national epic revolves.
    • Free time for your own plans. Last purchases, sitting in a pleasant café with excellent local coffee, or simply a rest in the park – the choice is yours.
    • A final farewell dinner, where in a relaxed atmosphere we look back on all the adventures we have shared.
    800 m a.s.l. Stay: hotelon foot
  11. Day 11Home, with a treasure of memories
    • Depending on your departure time we drive you to Manas airport. We help you with check-in and say goodbye at the airport.
    • End of the tour.
    minibus / car

What's included

  • Transport by minibus as per the programme (min. 8–10 people) or by car (min. 3 people)
  • 7 nights in a 3–4* hotel
  • 1 night in a guesthouse (twin rooms with their own bathroom)
  • 2 nights in yurts (2–4 people per yurt, shared facilities outside the yurt)
  • 11 breakfasts, 8 dinners
  • Entry fees as per the programme
  • The horse ride, the folklore show and the Berkut show
  • The services of a local guide who speaks Czech

Not included – budget for these

  • Lunches – or full board for a supplement
  • Flights to Bishkek and back (from Prague usually via Istanbul)
  • Travel insurance including medical cover
  • Drinks outside meals, tips and personal spending
  • Single room (see extras)

Optional extras

  • Full board: +€250
  • Single room (except the yurt): 7,100 CZK
  • Horse ride outside the programme: €25–30, paid locally

Where you stay

Seven nights in a 3–4* hotel, one night in a guesthouse (twin rooms with their own bathroom), and in the mountains a simple but cosy hut in Altyn-Arashan (2,500 m) and a mountain camp in tents or a cabin after the descent from Ala-Kul, plus one night in a traditional yurt in the Son-Kul area.

Price by group size

The more of you, the cheaper it gets: from 8 people we travel by minibus, up to 7 by car. You choose the dates within the June–September season.

8 or more · by minibus
€1,170per person
3–7 people · by car
€1,490per person

Extras

  • Full board (lunches throughout the trip)+€250
  • Single room (except yurt and mountain nights)CZK 7,100
  • Extra horse ride outside the programme (paid locally)25–30 €

You choose the dates: June–September. Flights to Bishkek aren't included; we're happy to help with connections.

Full board: +€250 Single room (except the yurt): 7,100 CZK Horse ride outside the programme: €25–30, paid locally

Common questions

Do I need to know how to ride?

No. These tireless, peaceable Kyrgyz horses are an inseparable part of Kyrgyz history, and on the first day in Altyn-Arashan there is a short ride with a local guide so you can get used to this traditional means of transport. The trek to Ala-Kul goes at a calm pace.

What about the altitude?

The highest point is the Ala-Kul pass at almost 3,920 metres. The night before you sleep at 2,500 m in Altyn-Arashan, where the afternoon is free for acclimatisation and walks, and you climb to the lake on horseback – without great physical effort. If you have any health conditions, talk to your doctor and let us know in advance.

What should I bring for the mountains?

We recommend sturdy boots, a waterproof jacket and trousers, a hat and gloves, sunglasses and sun cream, a head torch, a small daypack and a water bottle. You sleep in a simple mountain hut and in a camp in tents or a cabin, so warm layers for the night are worth packing too.

How many of us need to sign up for the trip to run?

Depending on the programme we travel by car from 3 people, or by minibus from 8–10 people – the price per person depends on which. You agree the dates directly with Beka. If there are fewer of you, write anyway: he may be able to put you together with other travellers.

I'm travelling alone. Can I join?

Yes. You join the group that comes together for those dates. Rooms are usually shared as doubles by arrangement; if you would rather have your own, the single supplement is 7,100 CZK. It does not apply to the yurt and the mountain nights, where 2–4 people sleep together.

Do I need a visa for Kyrgyzstan?

Citizens of the Czech Republic and most EU countries can enter Kyrgyzstan without a visa for a short stay, and your passport should stay valid for several months after you return. The rules change, so check them before you fly with your own ministry of foreign affairs.

What travel insurance do I need?

Insurance is not included and we do not recommend travelling without it. It should cover medical expenses and time spent hiking at high altitude – the highest point of these programmes is the Ala-Kul pass at almost 3,920 m – and, on the tours with horses, riding as well. Cancellation cover is worth having. Elimtour is a Kyrgyz tour operator, not a Czech travel agency under Czech Act No. 159/1999 Coll.; see the Terms page for the details.

Is Kyrgyzstan safe?

Kyrgyzstan is a calm and hospitable country. The usual common sense applies, as anywhere: documents on you, valuables in the safe, an eye on your pockets at the bazaar. A local guide who speaks Czech and knows the local customs is with you the whole time, and in the mountains local guides accompany you on horseback.

What are the yurts like – comfort and hygiene?

A yurt is shared by 2–4 people: you sleep on mattresses under warm woollen blankets. The facilities are shared and are outside the yurt. On the nine-day programme this is one night; the longer programmes add a mountain hut and a camp. Every other night you sleep in a 3–4* hotel. We recommend bringing a head torch, wet wipes and warm layers for the night.

How do I get to Bishkek?

From central Europe you fly to Bishkek with a change, most often via Istanbul. Flights are not included; we are happy to help you choose connections that fit the start and end of the programme.

What's the food like in Kyrgyzstan?

Traditional cooking is meat-heavy – lamb with noodles, manty (steamed dumplings), fresh bread, fruit and vegetables from the bazaar and dairy products; kumys is served in the yurt. By the lake you eat fish from Issyk-Kul. Vegetarian food can be arranged – just tell us when you enquire.

How and when do I pay?

Prices are set in euros; the koruna amounts on this site are only an indicative conversion. You agree the deposit and the balance directly with Beka; you get the exact deadlines and the cancellation terms in writing and they are on the Terms page – you pay nothing until you have them.

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