Ala-Kul Lake Trek Guide: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re planning a trip to Kyrgyzstan, you must be a mountain lover. Around 94% of this country is blanketed in stunning mountains, offering breathtaking natural beauty at every turn.

By planning what to visit in Kyrgyzstan you simply can’t miss one of the most famous treks here which is obviously Ala Kul Trek. 

Despite its popularity, don’t  worry about crowded trails, there are still few people on this path and when you meet someone from time to time, it will likely bring a smile to your place. 

In this article, we share how to plan the Ala Kul 3-day trek, our top tips, recommendations, and everything you need to know before heading into the mountains. If you want to see how the trek actually looks day by day, you can check our full experience here.

Let’s make your journey begin!

What is Ala Kul Lake trek and is it worth visiting? 

Ala Kul Lake is located about 20 kilometers from Karakol and has an altitude around 3500 meters above sea level. The still surface of the lake with shades of turquoise shines in the sunlight while the mountains surrounding it are absolutely breathtaking and of course worth visiting. My opinion is that Ala Kul Lake was the most beautiful lake we have ever seen. 

The trek is very interesting because as you go up the terrain changes a lot so you can see different mountain types and landscape variety. It is incredible that in 3 days you can see beautiful green valleys, rocky hills, waterfalls, rivers, mountain passes, glaciers, slippery sandy roads (unfortunately) and even more!

The Ala Kul hike is relatively straightforward. This trail is well-known among both locals and tourists, so you’re unlikely to be completely alone if you need any help. The path is clearly marked in nature and on maps, making navigation quite easy and reassuring. 

There are yurt camps on the way where you can fill your bottles and overnight if needed, so you don’t have to carry camping gear.

To the start of Ala Kul trek is also a good transport connection, you can simply go by marshrutka or taxi. 

With good planning, the Ala Kul trek shouldn’t be a problem for you. However, be mindful of your physical limits because this trek is sometimes quite challenging, and the altitude reaches up to 3,900 meters above sea level.

In short, if you want to see the best of Kyrgyzstan and its mountain landscapes, Ala Kul trek is absolutely worth it.

How to get to the start of Ala-Kul Lake trek from Karakol 

From Karakol, you have a few options for reaching the starting point of the trek. We decided to try hitchhiking, which is quite common in Kyrgyzstan. If you’re curious about how hitchhiking in Kyrgyzstan works, take a look at our previous post for more details.

While hitchhiking, a kind local gave us a lift to the nearest marshrutka station. You can easily ask locals or your accommodation about the nearest marshrutka stop. Look for marshrutka #101, which costs 20 SOM/0.24 USD per person.

Once you reach the final stop, you’ll still have around 7 kilometers to go until the official starting point of the trek, known as “the first bridge.” However, if you are lucky enough you can make your way shorter by hitchhiking to the first bridge. Crossing this bridge marks the beginning of your adventure. 

I have to admit, we missed the starting point on our first try! But if you follow the map carefully, there’s no reason to miss it. The start isn’t marked by any official entrance or signposts, so keep an eye on your map. Here’s a map to guide you from the final marshrutka stop to the true beginning of your adventure.

Another option is to take a taxi from Karakol to the start. It should be possible to go all the way to the bridge, as there are cars parked right before it.

How to Do Ala Kul Trek with a Tour

If you’re not a fan of organizing every detail yourself or simply want to enjoy the mountains stress-free, booking a guided tour to Ala-Kul can be a great option. You still get to experience all the beauty of the Tian Shan Mountains, but without the worry of logistics, routes, or accommodation.

This 3-day adventure includes a professional English-speaking mountain guide, meals, gear, and overnights in tents and huts. You’ll pass through Altyn Arashan, cross the high mountain pass, and of course, witness the stunning turquoise Ala-Kul Lake up close.

Don’t worry, no one force you to join a tour that is just an option. If you’re confident in your hiking abilities and prefer going solo or with friends, that’s totally doable. Here you can check how we made Ala Kul Trek day by day without a tour!

Where to Stay in Karakol before the Trek 

The ideal way to start your Ala Kul trek is by staying overnight in Karakol. Here you can prepare for your trip, get some sleep and leave some of your belongings at your accommodation. Most guesthouses and hotels are accustomed to this, and some even offer lockers, so you can set off knowing your things are safe. Traveling lighter for the 3 day journey will make your trip better.

So if you are interested in where to stay in Karakol which I highly recommend, here are some tips to help you get oriented.

Accommodation On Budget

Guest House Emir

If you want to stay on budget, we recommend the Guest House Emir. Here you can immerse yourself in the local atmosphere, enjoy Kyrgyz local food and stay in clean rooms with private showers. 

Middle Range Accommodation 

Caravan Hotel 

For a more comfortable and calm stay, Caravan Hotel is an excellent choice. It features cozy rooms with comfortable beds, private bathrooms, and balconies. The hotel also provides convenient services like airport transfer, 24-hour reception, and a complimentary breakfast to start your day right.

If you are looking for something else, let’s check Karakol’s interactive map:

What do you need to know before going to Ala Kul Lake trek 

Before you start an Ala Kul trek, you should know some essential information which can help you manage the trek. Some of them we would wish to know before our adventure so read them carefully.

What to pack for Ala Kul Trek

Before heading out on Ala Kul hike you should think carefully about what to pack. You don’t want to forget anything and you also don’t want to overload your backpack.

We did the Ala Kul trek in the third week of August. The weather was around 20°C during the day and around 5°C at night. Even with such conditions you can’t forget waterproof and warm clothing to stay comfortable.

Clothes and Camping Gear 

We packed short pants, long pants, a T-shirt with long sleeves, a T-shirt with short sleeves, sweatshirts, waterproof down jackets, mountain boots for women and men, raincoat, hats, and trekking poles. You’ll just need to be prepared for both hot and cold weather and don’t underestimate it. 

For those who wish to camp there it is also essential to have proper camping gear with you. If you don’t have any, don’t worry. There are yurts where you can overnight without it. 

From the other essentials you can’t forget sunscreen, in the high altitude there is pretty strong sunshine even if it’s cloudy. 

Food and Drink 

Regarding food, we didn’t bring a camping stove, so we stocked up on supplies from a supermarket in Karakol before starting the trek. We also ate at the second yurt camp where we stayed.

You can buy food at some yurt camps, although it tends to be a bit pricey.

As for water, we bought bottles before the trek and then refilled or bought more at the camps. Some camps provide fresh water, though often only utility water, which you’ll need to filter before drinking.
This way, you can access water from streams along the trail and stay hydrated.

Best time to go on Ala Kul Lake trek  

Ala Kul lake has a high altitude and the weather in mountains is unpredictable so you have to be prepared for sudden weather changes.

The best time to visit Ala Kul lake is between July and August. Outside of these months, the conditions for hiking and camping can be more challenging.

Is it possible to go to Ala Kul Trek without camping gear? 

Absolutely! As mentioned, there are yurt camps along the trail where you can stay overnight.

The key is to plan your route carefully so you reach each camp in time, ideally before dark.

Having a sleeping bag is a great idea because in yurts you usually get only one blanket and nights can be cold.

Is it possible to go to Ala Kul Trek without a guide? 

I would say yes! Ala Kul trek is one of the best marked trails in the whole Kyrgyzstan so if you have some experiences with previous trails, good physical condition which help you manage high altitude and a downloaded map, you can feel free to go alone. We can recommend maps which we use all the time: https://en.mapy.cz/ where you can download the whole map of Kyrgyzstan for free and have it offline. 

If you are interested in our step by step guide you can check our new article!

Is Ala Kul Trek safe? 

Counting the high altitude where only a few kilometers could take much more time than normally do, yes. You just should consider your physical ability and be honest to yourself. You should have required equipment to climb the high mountains and some parts of the trek are quite challenging – especially the slippery road when you go down the Ala Kul pass.

Perfect thing at Ala Kul trek is that you don’t have any dangerous animals there – only wild nature safari in the form of horses, cows, cute marmots and big eagles. On the way up to Ala Kul pass you have warning signs of falling rocks but we didn’t have any problems. 

What could be a problem is an absence of signal! You should note that you won’t be able to have a signal during the whole trek which can be very dangerous and you should be prepared for that and be cautious. 

Where to Stay during Ala-Kul Lake Trek 

If you don’t know where to stay during your trip you have two options. 

Staying in your own Tent

Option one is to take your own camping gear and set up your tent wherever you want to. In Kyrgyzstan you can set up your tent on many spots (it’s totally up to you) and there is no exception for national parks also. 

Along the trail, there are marked campsites on the map, allowing you to choose the best spot to rest. These campsites offer some basic facilities.

The great thing is that if you have your own tent, you’re free to plan your days at your own pace without worrying about time constraints or reservations.

Staying in Yurt Camp 

Another option is to stay in an iconic traditional yurts which you may know from some documentaries, pictures or maybe from some neighboring countries. There are some yurt camps on the way where you can stay. There is also a possibility to set up the tent in every camp. 

The First one – Karakol Yurt Camp 

The Second one – Sirota Yurt Camp 

 The Third one – Yurt Camp 

After Ala Kul trek, you go through Altyn Arashan where you also find yurt camps and even homestays if you like. 

On your way you can find a bit more camps but they don’t have good locations. They are either on the start or at the end of the trek. Please note, that directly by the Ala Kul lake there are no yurt camps at all, only campsites for your tent. So if you want to stay by Ala Kul you have to bring your own tent. 

If you want to book your place in yurt camps in advance the best option is to ask in your guesthouse in Karakol.

That said, booking in advance isn’t strictly necessary; we didn’t pre-book any of our stays and were able to find accommodation each time. However, for peace of mind, it’s wise to reserve ahead or arrive early to secure a spot.

In case you want to stay in Altyn Arashan – which is the last station on your way, here you have options to book your accommodation in advance. 

Accommodation booking in advance

Ala-Kul Guesthouse 

At Ala-Kul Guesthouse, you have the option of staying in a private room with a real bed—a great way to relax after nights spent in a yurt or on the ground in a tent! The guesthouse also offers a shower, toilet, hearty breakfast, and has excellent reviews. Plus, nearby in Altyn Arashan, you’ll find hot springs—perfect for rejuvenating sore muscles after the trek.

Ethno Yurt Camp Arashan 

If you want to continue in an authentic way of living in yurts, the perfect option is Ethno Yurt Camp Arashan.

The Ethno Yurt Camp offers yurts with beds, nice surroundings and toilets in the camp. You also have a good breakfast included in your stay. 

Summary & tips for Ala Kul trek

As a summary, we would definitely recommend this trip. When we take all the factors that Ala Kul lake trek offers, it is definitely worth it! 

But if you want to learn a bit from our mistakes which are described here in our article, you should note some points. 

First one is of course that you should be aware of your time in case you don’t want to get dark as we did. 

Second one is that you should be prepared for any type of weather, so take waterproof equipment because you don’t want to be wet during the night. 

Third one is that you should plan your day well and take enough time to prepare for high altitude. 

Fourth one be prepared that you won’t have signal during most of the trek.

Fifth one is that instead of going the last day to Altyn Arashan and from there going by expensive marshrutka it is better to stay in the yurt or guest house if you don’t have your own camping gear. Moreover, you can book it in advance on booking.com (we have also link in the article below) and the other day continue to Ak-Suu where you can easily and much cheaper find a car to Karakol or to another city. 

Last one is to think about your own camping gear – we didn’t take ours and maybe I would change it for the next trip. Yurts were kinda expensive if you compare it with other accommodation and sometimes you didn’t get the service which you should.