Kyrgyzstan - Hiking in Tian Shan: Experience the Wondrous Alakul Trail in Kyrgyzstan - JoinMyTrip
Kyrgyzstan - Bishkek - Hiking in Tian Shan: Experience the Wondrous Alakul Trail in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan - Karakol - Hiking in Tian Shan: Experience the Wondrous Alakul Trail in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan - Ala-Kul - Hiking in Tian Shan: Experience the Wondrous Alakul Trail in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan - Ala-Kul - Hiking in Tian Shan: Experience the Wondrous Alakul Trail in Kyrgyzstan
About this trip

Hiking in Tian Shan: Experience the Wondrous Alakul Trail in Kyrgyzstan

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Guided trip

Juozapas will take the lead and plan your journey for you. Just sit back and enjoy the adventure.

What's special?
Mountains
Alpine Lakes
Local Food
Details about this trip
A country of mountains, nomads and horse riding: Kyrgyzstan is a wonderland for adventure lovers. During this 6-day trip, you will swim in the famous Lake Issyk Kul, stay in yurts with a nomadic family, join a horse-riding adventure. Most importantly, embark on the 3-day Alakul Trail and see the most spectacular mountain landscape in Asia.

About me! I am Juozapas (Joseph), a 28-year old guy from Lithuania. After learning Chinese & Russian, I've settled in Almaty, Kazakhstan. I spend my summers in the mountain village of Karakol in Kyrgyzstan, organizing horseback riding and hiking tours.

Details about the accommodation: We will stay in hostel/B&B accommodation in Bishkek after our hike in Karakol, with private room options. There will be traditional yurt stays during the Alakul. In the first camp, there might be a possibility for a private yurt (depending on availability). For the next two days, only shared options will be available. Let me know in the Q&A section if you have questions about the trip.

What's included?Hide
Accommodation (6 nights) Private room
Transportation around Kyrgyzstan
Entrance fee to Karakol Nature Park
Horseback riding
What's excluded?Hide
International Flights
Food & Drink

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Your trip itinerary

7 days trip

Bishkek, Karakol & 5 more

Accommodation

Bed & Breakfast & Camping & Hostel

Transportation

Car

1
1
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Bishkek

Day 1-2
We arrive at Bishkek's Manas Airport, from which we take a taxi to our accommodation (hostel/bed and breakfast). Introduction & gear check. Lunch/Dinner in the city, visiting the Ala Too square. Depending on the arrival time, we might have time to visit the Osh Bazaar as well. Overnight in a hostel/B&B.
2
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Karakol

Day 2-3
After having breakfast in our Bishkek accommodation, we take a 6 hour minibus drive to Karakol, passing Lake Issyk Kul along the way. We arrive at a yurt camp next to Karakol. We take a 2 hour-long horse trip around the area. Dinner with a local family.
3
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Ala-Kul

Day 3-4
After breakfast in the camp (1950m above sea level), we set off around noon with our bags deep into Karakol Valley. Walking by the powerful river stream, we come across bands of horses, cows, sheep and nomad families tending them. After a relatively easy 4-5 hour hike, the torrential river expands, forming a mesmerizing meadow landscape with more horses around. After another hour, we arrive at a yurt camp for dinner and overnight stay at 2500m above sea level.
4
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Ala-Kul

Day 4-5
We start with an early breakfast, no later than 6:30am, and make our way through the woods to a more challenging part of the trek. Navigating a steep pass and some rocky ground we climb our way by the stream to a small path by the stream that leads to the lake. After arriving at Ala Kul (elevation 3600m), we waste little time due to the strong winds and continue climbing towards the Alakul Pass. These 2-3 hours are the hardest - the lack of oxygen starts kicking in and our steps become slower. After reaching the pass (3900m), we make a sharp descent, after which it is a relatively smooth hike towards the Altyn Arashan valley. After arriving at our yurtstay, we jump into the hot springs. Believe me - nothing beats a hot bath after a long trek!
5
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Karakol

Day 5-6
After breakfast in Altyn Arashan, we take a Soviet vehicle to take us back on a bumpy ride to Karakol. Everyone's tired after the long hike, so we stay in the city itself. We visit the Dungan Mosque and the Holy Trinity Church. Dinner & overnight in Karakol.
6
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Kaji-Say

Day 6-7
We set off from Karakol back to Kaji Say, a small village on the south shore of Issyk Kul - the second highest mountain lake in the world. The lake's name means "hot lake" in Kyrgyz - meaning this body of water never freezes. A romantic swim in a lake with mountains in the background is a perfect way to end our adventure. Overnight in a hotel.
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Bishkek

Day 7
Breakfast at Kaji Say. We catch a marshrutka (a soviet minibus) for our travel to Bishkek. At Bishkek, we say our goodbyes and perhaps exchange gifts of just words of appreciation. We hop on our flight back home.
Questions & answers

Hi Juozapas, we are two friends from Germany and would like to do a tour in Kyrgyzstan during the la... Read more

Hey - unfortunately I won't be available for the first of those two weeks, but I will be in Karakol for the second one, so can help you to arrange part of the trip. We can PM for details.

Answered on 29 Apr 2026

Can you please provide email or WhatsApp so I can get in contact with you directly?

Hey - unfortunately I cannot provide personal details in these answers, but you can send me a PM and i'll try to answer all your questions here in the chat :)

Answered on 29 Apr 2026

Hello, how many travelers are coming along, and where do you apply for an entry visa?

Hello - if you're an EU citizen - you get visa-free access to Kyrgyzstan for 30 days. If you could share me what passport you'll be travelling with, I can provide you with the necessary migration requ... Read more

Answered on 29 Apr 2026
View all 16 questions