Ala-Archa trek
15-day twin-trek tour, since 2020
Trek in Tong and Ala-Archa National Park, for hikers used to rough mountains
Two different types of trek, the first relatively easy
and the second for real enthusiasts only
During the first trek near Son-Kul you will get to meet nomads and see life in the summer pastures. In Ala-Archa you travel through beautiful mountain gorges up to the glacier.
About tour
This new two-week programme comprises 2 individual treks.
The first trek, near Son-Kul lake, is not so difficult. The second trek in Ala Archa National Park is, however, very hard and only suitable for people who have experience in hiking in rough mountains. You do not need cramps and ropes, but you should not feel uncomfortable on steep slopes. The programme starts with 4 days of partly hiking, partly by car, in the Son-Kul area with yurt stay, next you will hike down the Kalmak Ashuu pass ( 3340m) into the Tolok valley.
The next trek of 6 days starts from Bishkek. On the last day of the trek you will ascend Uchitel Peak, altitude 4.450 m.
During the treks you will stay mostly in tents. Luggage is carried on horseback for the first trek and by porters for the second trek. You should be in good physical condition, experienced in hiking in high mountains and have no fear of heights.
Walking days are usually between 4 and 8 hours. The group consists of 4-8 people, guides, porters or horsemen and an English-speaking interpreter. You have to carry your own daypack and help in putting up tents for the night. You need to bring a warm sleeping bag, isomat, warm clothes, waterproof clothing and very comfortable walking shoes.
Day By Day Programme
Here you can find a detailed description of the tour with routes and locations
| Day 1 | Departure from your local airport. |
| Day 2 | Arrival at Manas Airport where we will meet you and take you to your hotel in Bishkek. After lunch, sightseeing around Bishkek with a guide/interpreter. Bishkek is a rather new town built mostly in the Soviet style with wide boulevards, many parks and numerous terraces. Stay in hotel. |
| Day 3 | By minibus to Kyzyl-Oi a nice village in the Suusamyr village. Passing the Tor-Ashuu tunnel at 3130m. This village is located at the Kökömeren river, stay in B&B. |
| Day 4 | Day in Kyzyl-Oi, day hike in the surrounding mountains. This village at 1800m. is surrounded by red colored mountains. The name of the village means “red bowl” Stay in B&B. |
| Day 5 | Today we go to Son-Kul Lake at 3100m.A scenic itinerary over a bad rod. We cross the Kara Keche pass (3384m). Part of the itinerary will be done on foot, other part by car. Stay in yurt. |
| Day 6 | Day of hiking and/or horse riding in Son-Kul. This lake on a plateau at 3100m is surrounded by mountains of around 4000m and easily accessible. It is possible to hire horsed here and go for a ride. (Horse rental not included). Stay in yurt. |
| Day 7 | Hike down over the Kalmak-Ashuu pass (3340m) into the Tolok valley. Near Tolok village the car will pick us up and bring us to Kochkor, centre of felt making. Here we will spend the night in a guesthouse. |
| Day 8 | From Kochkor we go back to Bishkek for the second trekking. In the Boom gorge we stop for a hike of a couple hours in the Konorchok canyons, strange eroded rock formations. Stay in Bishkek in hotel Umai. |
| Day 9 | By minibus to the starting point of the trek. Meet the porters, cooks and trekking guide. Lunch at a waterfall and then along the Kichi-Tor River. With the rocky terrain the trail is not always visible. 4-5 hours hiking (11-12 km). Stay in tents. |
| Day 10 | To the Lake Pass, camping at a lake in the Sokuluk Gorge. 4-5 hours trekking (13 km). Stay in tents. |
| Day 11 | To the Storm Pass (3.920 m) passing an abandoned ski base and up to the Great Ala-Archinsk Glacier. 6-7 hours trekking (10 km). Stay in tents. |
| Day 12 | Descend to the Ala-Archa Alpinist Camp and lunch. Continue towards the Ak-Sai Glacier. Set up tents not far from waterfall. 6-7 hours trekking (18 km). Stay in tents. |
| Day 13 | Today a short hike to the Ak-Sai Glacier in the Ratzek Park. After setting up the tents you have some free time and can walk to the glacier. 2-3 hours trekking (7 km). Stay in tents. |
| Day 14 | Early start to ascend the Utichel Peak (4.450 m). This takes about 4-5 hours. From here a beautiful view of the entire Kyrgyz Ridge and Chui Valley. Descend and hike back to the entrance to the park where the minibus will meet us and take us back to Bishkek. Stay in Umai Hotel. |
| Day 15 | Transfer to Manas Airport and departure. |
Due to unforeseen circumstances, it might be necessary to make small changes in the program.
We ask for your understanding.
Tour specifics
Our tours can be organized for individual travelers or groups of up to 10 people (and sometimes more) and for families with (young) children. For the majority of our tours you can specify the start date and length of the tour.
| Date | |
| July 23 | August 6 |
| Group | |
| 4 and more persons | |
| For four and more persons | |
| Price with guide-interpreter | € 1.670 p.p. |
| Price without guide-interpreter | € 1.420 p.p. |
For bookings of 6, or more, persons we offer a 5% discount. In case there are less participants than required, if you pay an additional fee, the trip will go on as planned.
Terms of payment
Your booking will be confirmed upon receipt of a deposit of euros 250 per person. The outstanding balance must be paid either 8 weeks before departure or in cash upon arrival. We do not accept debit or credit cards.
• Transportation by minibus
• Transfer from and to the airport
• All meals, breakfast, lunch and supper
• Stay in hotel, B&B, guesthouse, yurt and homestay
• Programme as described
• English/German (as required) speaking guide/interpreter
• Flight
• Insurances
• Personal expenses
• Entrance charges if applicable
• Tips
• Alcoholic and other bottled beverages
• Activities not mentioned in the programme
If you have to cancel a tour you already booked, we have to charge you cancellation fee.
If Ecotour cancels the tour, of course you will get back the full amount you paid.
If you cancel your trip, depending on the time your message reaches us, you owe Ecotour the following amount:
| till 42 days before departure | one pays the deposit |
| day 42- till day 28 | 35 % |
| day 28- till day 21 | 40 % |
| day 21- till day 14 | 50 % |
| day 14- till day 5 | 75 % |
| day 5 – till day 2 | 90 % |
| on the last day before and the day of departure | 100% |
A trip with Ecotour means an unusual and unforgettable vacation.
Our trips are suitable for those who do not insist on luxury, love the mountains,
appreciate the silence and do not want to travel in large groups.
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU
Kyrgyzstan is a land full of beautiful experiences and wonders unique…
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Mountain passes, bad tracks, off-road, and firm climbs over 3000 m characterize this route.
Not all slopes are steep, but some are very long and on dirt roads.
But it is worth the effort.