Ala-Kul Lake & Altyn-Arashan Trek

The Ala-Kul circuit is the definitive short trek in Kyrgyzstan — four days that take you from pine forest to glacial lake to hot springs, crossing one of the most dramatic mountain passes in Central Asia. Starting from Karakol, the route ascends through the Karakol Gorge to a high camp, then crosses the Ala-Kul Pass at 3,906m on day two before descending to the extraordinary turquoise lake at 3,550m. Day three brings a descent through pine forest to the natural hot springs of Altyn-Arashan, where the hot mineral pools are a well-earned reward. Day four completes the circuit back to Karakol. The trek is classified moderate-to-strenuous. No technical mountaineering experience required, but you should be comfortable hiking 6–8 hours with a day pack and be prepared for the significant elevation gain on day two.