Among the many typical trekking routes in Kyrgyzstan, the "trekking paradise," Ala Kul is the most popular choice, and Lake Ala Kul is considered a stunning hidden gem of the country.
Ala Kul is a mountain lake located east of the Terskey Ala-Too mountain range, at an altitude of 3,530 m. There are two routes to Ala Kul Lake: one starts from Karakol Valley and goes up to the lake; the other goes from Altyn-Arashan village, crossing the Ala-Kul pass at an altitude of 3,900 m and is quite difficult to navigate.
Typically, people spend 3-4 days hiking from Karakol town to Karakol Valley, then climbing another 17 km to reach the lake. Due to time constraints, I rented a car and drove directly to Karakol Valley, spending a full day hiking to Ala Kul Lake and returning to town. This one-day route is suitable for non-adventurous trekkers, allowing them to fully appreciate the nature and scenery.
A route of magnificent nature
I began my trek early in the morning. The specialized mountain road vehicle took me to the Karakol Valley just as the sun was rising over the mountain range, casting its warm rays across the valley. The morning in Karakol was fresh and cool. I slung my backpack over my shoulder, tightened my shoelaces, and eagerly crossed the emerald-green stream to begin my journey.
From Karakol, I walked through towering, lush green pine forests. Sunlight filtered through the branches, illuminating the ground. The air was spotless, and occasionally I heard birds singing, insects chirping, or squirrels rustling through the leaves searching for food. I continued on like this until a vast, verdant valley stretched before me.
Pure white dandelions bloomed on the green grass, wildflowers of various shades of blue, red, purple, and yellow shone brightly in the sun, and rows of pine trees mingled with rocky mountains on either side. I immediately lay down on the grass, rested my head on the pillow, gazed at the blue sky, and inhaled the pure scent, feeling the gentle breeze and listening to the sounds of the forest and mountains.
From the green valley, the climb begins, ascending a series of mountains. I climbed along the mountain slopes and beside the Karakol River. On either side of the path were bushes of sea buckthorn, prickly pear, and especially the red-fruited honeysuckle. Green, red, yellow, emerald green, pale purple… these were the dominant colors along this route. In addition, there were many unique high-altitude plant species. In summer, you can find primroses, heather, anemones, edelweiss, and even tulips in full bloom, transforming the steep slopes into a rich, wild botanical garden.
Every now and then I would stop to rest, take beautiful pictures, and enjoy moments of being one with nature. It's rare to have such leisurely time. After climbing the first few mountains, there was a campsite already set up to accommodate long-distance climbers.
The tents were quite well-equipped with essential items such as sleeping bags, mattresses, blankets, and pillows. Next to them was a wood-burning stove for boiling water to make coffee, cooking, and making tea, which was also where everyone gathered around the fire in the evenings to chat.
I also stopped for a few minutes to chat with the people staying there. We talked about the route, the unforgettable experiences, and the beautiful country of Kyrgyzstan. They all exclaimed, "Ala Kul is so amazing!" which made me even more excited. After saying goodbye to the enthusiastic young people, I continued along the mountain slope and stopped for lunch right by the river at the foot of the mountain. This was the most nature-friendly lunch I had ever enjoyed; when I was thirsty, I drank the fresh, cool spring water.
"The king" of mountain lakes
The final 3 kilometers, traversing steep, slippery gravel slopes, was a real challenge. I had to cautiously take each step, gripping my walking stick firmly and stopping to rest frequently.
Although it was only a short 3 km stretch, it took me over two hours to complete. But after conquering the mountain peak, all the fatigue vanished, and I felt all the effort was completely worthwhile when the magnificent, emerald-green Ala Kul Lake appeared before my eyes. It was also a feeling of self-victory and pride that I finally didn't give up.
Lake Ala Kul is not very large, with a surface area of approximately 9.46 square kilometers.2The lake is 2.3 km long and 0.7 km wide. It is fed by melting snow and glaciers from surrounding mountains over 4,000 meters high. Many people bring tents and sleep right on the edge of the lake to fully enjoy this magnificent scenery. Before me was the unreal blue water of the lake, incredibly still. Surrounding the lake are snow-capped mountains and a clear blue sky, making the lake even more enchantingly beautiful. The lake's location on the mountaintop and the difficulty visitors face in accessing Ala Kul have earned it the title "king of mountain lakes." Locals also call Ala Kul "the pristine diamond of the Karakol Gorge" because of the lake's magical color.
I left my backpack, walking stick, and hat at the top and walked down to the lake, touching the clear, icy water. I sat on a rock and quietly gazed, taking in the entire blue lake with my eyes and mind. When the sunlight faded behind the mountains and the lake turned a deep blue, it was time to return. The same mountains, the same trees, the same bushes, but under the golden afternoon sun, the scenery was more shimmering and magical than in the early morning. This made the descent anything but boring or monotonous.
I've been to many mountain lakes and lakes at altitudes above 3,000 meters, but they were always accessible by car. Ala Kul was the first lake I'd ever visited, requiring an 18-kilometer trek, a very tiring and arduous journey. But everything has its price, and this was truly an unforgettable experience. The climb to Ala Kul, with its mountains, hills, and lush vegetation, was like a vibrant, colorful painting. Ala Kul is truly a rare diamond, and seeing it is not easy. This experience is definitely worth trying at least once in a lifetime!
Additional information
VisaKyrgyzstan grants visa-free entry to Vietnamese citizens if you have an original invitation letter from a Kyrgyzland land tour company. Without an invitation letter, you will need to obtain a visa at the airport for a fee of USD 50 per person.
Trip:
There are no direct flights from Vietnam to Kyrgyzstan; you will usually have to make a stopover in a third country such as Thailand, South Korea, or China. There are many airlines to choose from to suit your schedule and time, such as Air Astana, Uzbekistan Airlines, China Southern, S7, and Turkish Airlines. You can also enter Kyrgyzstan by land from China, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, or Uzbekistan.
Means of transportation:
From the capital Bishkek or the city of Osh, you can use public transport such as Mashrutka – a type of small minivan (or rent a private vehicle if traveling in a large group) to reach Karakol. The starting point of the Ala Kul trek is about 17 km from Karakol; you can walk or rent an SUV to save time on this stretch.
The best time:
July and August are the best months for trekking in this region because the weather isn't too cold, there's little rain, and flowers and plants are everywhere. September and October offer pleasant weather, with cool nights and early mornings, and daytime temperatures around 10-15 degrees Celsius.oC.
Skin:For September-October weather, wear a thermal shirt underneath and a 2-3 layer jacket on top; wear comfortable pants for easy movement.
Packing list:
If you plan to hike the Ala Kul trail for more than a day and want to do it entirely on your own, you'll need to prepare a tent and have food and drinks ready. Essential items include: trekking poles, sunscreen, a baseball cap or wide-brimmed hat, a supportive backpack, at least 3 liters of water, energy bars, lunch, specialized trekking shoes with good traction, and gloves for cold weather and for gripping rocks while moving.
If you don't want to bring your own tent and food, there's a campsite set up along the way to Ala Kul Lake. Tent rentals and dinner/breakfast cost between $20-25 per person.
Money:The Kyrgyz currency is the Som, and 1 Som is worth approximately 332 Vietnamese Dong.
Other notes:
You should hire a local guide to lead the way and provide assistance when needed.
The people of Kyrgyzstan are very good and careful about preserving nature. Therefore, please put any trash you find along the way in your backpack and throw it in the trash can when you come down the mountain.
If you have ample time, you can travel from Karakol to Ala Kul, crossing Ala Kul Pass and reaching Altyn Arashan village; however, this route will take at least 4 days.
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