Best camping trails in Ysyk-Köl, Kyrgyzstan

A peak adventure experience encompassing the entire Ak-Suu region. Begin near the Kazakh border in Jyrgalan and finish just beyond Karakol amidst the red rock canyons of Jeti-Oguz. En route, enjoy a host of mountain panoramas, including several glaciers, mountain lakes and pristine alpine valleys. The crown jewel of Eastern Kyrgyzstan’s trekking offerings.Show more

The Ak-Suu trek is much better hiked east to west than the reverse. When you approach from the east you cross a series of passes, glaciers, and lakes, that are seem to be almost intentionally ordered so that you start off stunned by the beauty of the Boz-Uchuk lakes, but are then incrementally more awed by the view from the first pass with the yawning valley below, and after that surprised repeatedly that each pass and valley is measurably grander than the one before it. You're genuinely surprised with each pass you crest until you get here. After dragging yourself up the last 200m of loose scree, breathless in the thin 3900m air, you lurch over this pass and are assaulted by the spectacle of this massive emerald lake cradled beneath a raw spine of peaks, and fed by a colossal glacier that seems to be lazily oozing down the mountain into the comfort of its pristine azure bath. Show more

A multi-day alpine journey through some of the most colorful and varied landscapes of the Ak-Suu trekking corridor. Alpine gorges, rock walls, Ala-Kol lake, and the red rock canyons of Jeti-Oguz are just a few of the features which define this memorable trek. Show more

Day 1/5 Jeti-Ögüz to Altyn-Arashan / Ak-Suu tripShow more

This tack guides you from Altyn Arashan via Ala Kol Pass (ca. 3900m) and Ala Kul lake and to Karakol Valley. We did it in two days and camped at the lake. But you can also do it in three or even four days. In summer there are several camps where you can get food and shelter. The Ala Kul pass is technically easy. In summer you don't need crampons or anything like that. Nevertheless, as the area south east of Issyk Kul is quite wet, you can have snow also in summer. July and August are usually the best months to do the track. As it is one of the most popular tracks in Kyrgyzstan there will be many other hikers. Show more

Day 2/5 Jeti-Ögüz to Altyn-Arashan / Ak-Suu tripShow more

Day 4/5 Jeti-Ögüz to Altyn-Arashan / Ak-Suu tripShow more

Day 3/5 Jeti-Ögüz to Altyn-Arashan / Ak-Suu tripShow more

An off-the-path experience which crosses the Archa-Tor Pass en route to the gorge at Jeti-Oguz. Showcases a range of natural landscapes, from meadows and juniper groves to snow-capped jagged peaks. This trek also features a suspension cable footbridge and, season-depending, offers snow cornice navigation and river fording opportunities.Show more