🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan
Ala-Kol Through the Celestial Mountains
10 days | Tian Shan trekking and culture | Small groups
Bishkek → Tamga → Telety Pass → Karakol Gorge → Ala-Kol → Keldike → Altyn Arashan → Karakol → Cholpon-Ata → Bishkek
Photo: Partner-supplied Kyrgyzstan photography from Asel / Kyrgyz Guided Tours; exact route locations are not confirmed.
- Duration
- 10 days
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Highest point
- Pending confirmation (lake/pass altitude being confirmed)
- Best season
- Season pending confirmation
- Style
- Small group / Private
- Accommodation
- Hotels, guesthouses, yurts and tents
Overview
A journey that combines five days of trekking in the Tian Shan with time around Issyk-Kul — canyons, a hot-spring valley and the cultural sites of the lake's northern shore.
The trek crosses Telety Pass into Karakol Gorge, climbs past Ala-Kol and descends through Keldike to Altyn Arashan's hot springs, with nights in tents and yurts.
At a glance
- Duration
- 10 days / 9 nights
- Trekking
- 5 trekking days
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Highest point
- Pending confirmation (lake/pass altitude being confirmed)
- Season
- Season pending confirmation
- Group style
- Small group / Private
- Accommodation
- Hotels, guesthouses, yurts and tents
- Meals
- Trekking food included; city meals excluded
- Start / finish
- Bishkek (Manas airport) / Bishkek
- Price
- Price pending confirmation
Operated locally by an experienced Kyrgyz trekking partner.
What makes this trek different
Travelling through the landscape itself
Ala-Kol
The route climbs past Ala-Kol before descending to Keldike; the lake and pass altitudes are pending confirmation.
Telety Pass
A 3,800m crossing from the Telety valley into Karakol Gorge.
Hot springs
Altyn Arashan's hot springs at 2,500m.
Culture around the lake
Fairytale Canyon, Barskoon, Karakol, Ruh Ordo and the Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs.
Day by day
The itinerary
Day 1Arrive in BishkekManas to Bishkek 40km | approx. 40 minutes
Transfer from Manas airport to your Bishkek hotel. No meals are included today.
- Accommodation:
- Hotel
Day 2Bishkek to Tamga350km | 4–5 hours
Drive to Tamga via Fairytale Canyon and Barskoon.
- Accommodation:
- Guesthouse (1,600m)
Day 3Tamga to the Telety approach7km | 4–5 hours | camp at 2,800m
Begin trekking towards Telety Pass.
- Accommodation:
- Tent
Day 4Telety Pass to Karakol Gorge15km | 7–8 hours | 3,800m → 2,500m
Cross Telety Pass and descend into Karakol Gorge.
- Accommodation:
- Tent
Day 5Karakol Gorge via Ala-Kol to Keldike9km | 6–8 hours | descend to 3,400m
Climb to Ala-Kol, then descend to Keldike. The operator programme gives 3,860m for this day; whether that refers to the lake or the pass is pending confirmation.
- Accommodation:
- Yurt
Day 6Keldike to Altyn Arashan13km | 4 hours | 2,500m
Descend to Altyn Arashan and its hot springs.
- Accommodation:
- Yurt
Day 7Altyn Arashan to Karakol10km | 3–4 hours | then 30km drive
Trek out of the valley with time for the hot spring, then drive to Karakol.
- Accommodation:
- Hotel
Day 8Karakol to Cholpon-Ata150km | approx. 2.5 hours
Visit Karakol, then continue to Cholpon-Ata for Ruh Ordo and the petroglyphs.
- Accommodation:
- Resort
Day 9Cholpon-Ata to Bishkek270km | approx. 4 hours
Return to Bishkek for a city tour.
- Accommodation:
- Hotel
Day 10Departure
Transfer to the airport.
Photo brief
Awaiting a genuine route-specific operator image
Photo brief
Awaiting a genuine route-specific operator image
Photo brief
Awaiting a genuine route-specific operator image
Photo brief
Awaiting a genuine route-specific operator image
Photo brief
Awaiting a genuine route-specific operator image
Difficulty & terrain
TREKS Central rating: Moderate
The operator grades this programme as Medium, and TREKS Central presents it as Moderate. Day 4 is a long day over a 3,800m pass.
- Trekking days of 4–8 hours
- Telety Pass at 3,800m; the Ala-Kol lake/pass altitude is pending confirmation
- Two tented nights and two yurt nights
Where you'll sleep
Accommodation along the route
Yurts are shared by 4–5 people of the same gender; single-occupancy yurts are not available.
Bishkek and Karakol
Hotels
Tamga
Guesthouse
Telety and Karakol Gorge
Tents
Keldike and Altyn Arashan
Yurts
Cholpon-Ata
Resort
What's included
- Transport, transfers and UAZ vehicles
- 9 nights' accommodation
- Trekking food and water
- English-speaking guide
- Porters for communal gear
- Sleeping bag and carry mat during tent camping
- Excursions, entrance fees, permissions and taxes
What's not included
- International flights
- Insurance
- Early check-in
- Alcohol
- City meals
- Porter for personal belongings
- Tips and personal expenses
Small-group & private travel
Small groups, not tour parties
Suitable for small-group or private travel, operated on the ground by a Kyrgyz trekking partner.
You can
- Join a small group — TREKS Central generally plans for 3–6 travellers
- Travel as a couple or existing group
- Request a private trek
Porters carry communal gear; a porter for personal belongings is not included.
2027 departures
Season and 2027 dates pending confirmation
Departure dates are not yet confirmed. Request your place and we'll respond personally — no payment is taken online.
Price pending confirmation
Operated locally by an experienced Kyrgyz trekking partner. TREKS Central is your UK-facing contact throughout.
Pending confirmation
Some details are pending confirmation
Pricing, departures and certain route details are pending confirmation with our local partner.
High passes, an alpine lake and hot springs at the end of the trail.
Trekking and culture around Issyk-Kul.