Foot of Karakol Peak → Ala-Kol → Altyn-Arashan, 4 days
Four days to the foot of the peak, Lake Ala-Kol and Altyn-Arashan
Place: Karakol Peak
- 4 days, 3 nightsTents and a guesthouse
- ≈12 kmof map context sections
- Preparation requiredLong walking stages
- June–Octoberseason
- KarakolMeet at the hotel
In order
10 stages over 4 days
The map shows separate sections, rather than the entire trip. Numbers mark known landmarks; agree exact stops before travelling.
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09.08.2007Day 11 / 10
Drive to the gorge
Meet at the hotel and drive into the Karakol valley to meet the horses.
Next Ride to the peak’s foot → -
20.05.2024Day 12 / 10
Ride to the peak’s foot
After the briefing, ride to the mountaineering camp, have lunch, then head into the On-Tor valley and walk to the foot of the peak.
Next Night in tents → -
12.07.2012Day 13 / 10
Night in tents
Camp in tents at the foot of the peak. Confirm the campsite and conditions before leaving.
Next Back to the base camp → -
14.09.2016Day 24 / 10
Back to the base camp
After breakfast, ride down to the mountaineering camp, then say goodbye to the horses.
Next Walk to Lake Ala-Kol → -
29.06.2012Day 25 / 10
Walk to Lake Ala-Kol
Climb to the mountain lake. You will need clothing for rain, wind and cold on the way.
Next Tents by the lake → -
21.08.2008Day 26 / 10
Tents by the lake
A second night in the tent camp by Lake Ala-Kol. Confirm the conditions and campsite with your guide.
Next Over Ala-Kol Pass → -
09.2000Day 37 / 10
Over Ala-Kol Pass
Cross the pass to Altyn-Arashan. End the day with hot springs, dinner and accommodation.
Next Night in Altyn-Arashan → -
22.08.2018Day 38 / 10
Night in Altyn-Arashan
Overnight in a guesthouse. Confirm the address and accommodation arrangements in advance.
Next Descend the valley → -
22.08.2018Day 49 / 10
Descend the valley
After breakfast, descend through the Altyn-Arashan valley to meet the vehicle.
Next Return to Karakol → -
28.04.2023Day 410 / 10
Return to Karakol
Drive from the forestry station to Karakol. Agree the meeting point and return time with the driver.
Next Karakol Peak: to the foot of the peak: four seasons ↓
In order
Variant: Karakol → On-Tor glacier viewpoint, 2 days
The map shows separate sections, rather than the entire trip. Numbers mark known landmarks; agree exact stops before travelling.
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25.07.2024Day 11 / 5
Drive through the gorge
Transport from Karakol through the national park to the start of the walking section.
Next: Walk to the camp → -
20.05.2024Day 12 / 5
Walk to the camp
After preparing the equipment, walk to the overnight camp.
Next: Night in the mountains → -
25.07.2024Night 13 / 5
Night in the mountains
Camp at an altitude of about 3,500 m.
Next: On-Tor glacier view → -
10.07.2012Day 24 / 5
On-Tor glacier view
After breakfast, walk to a view of the glacier, then return to the park.
Next: Return to Karakol → -
28.04.2023Day 25 / 5
Return to Karakol
After the walk, transfer back to town.
Next: Karakol Gorge: four seasons ↓
Seasons
Karakol Gorge: four seasons
Season: June–September. Monthly temperatures at the destination: averages for 2016–2025, not a forecast.
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Spring
March–May- Marchout of seasonat the destination −1° / −10°
- Aprilout of seasonat the destination +4° / −5°
- Mayout of seasonat the destination +9° / −1°
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Summer
June–August- Juneseasonat the destination +13° / +3°
- Julyseasonat the destination +16° / +6°
- Augustseasonat the destination +14° / +5°
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Autumn
September–November- Septemberseasonat the destination +11° / +1°
- Octoberout of seasonat the destination +3° / −7°
- Novemberout of seasonat the destination −4° / −13°
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Based on a photo by Canikissou, CC BY-SA 4.0, modified Winter
December–February- Decemberout of seasonat the destination −8° / −16°
- Januaryout of seasonat the destination −9° / −17°
- Februaryout of seasonat the destination −6° / −15°
Seasons
Karakol Peak: to the foot of the peak: four seasons
Season: June–October. Monthly temperatures at the destination are averages for 2016–2025, not a forecast.
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Based on a photo by Tadeáš Gregor, CC BY-SA 4.0, modified Spring
March–May- Marchout of seasonat the destination −16° / −24°
- Aprilout of seasonat the destination −11° / −19°
- Mayout of seasonat the destination −6° / −14°
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Summer
June–August- Juneseasonat the destination −2° / −11°
- Julyseasonat the destination +2° / −7°
- Augustseasonat the destination 0° / −8°
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Autumn
September–November- Septemberseasonat the destination −4° / −13°
- Octoberseasonat the destination −11° / −22°
- Novemberout of seasonat the destination −19° / −27°
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Winter
December–February- Decemberout of seasonat the destination −23° / −30°
- Januaryout of seasonat the destination −24° / −32°
- Februaryout of seasonat the destination −21° / −30°
Where it is
- Location
- Issyk-Kul Region
- From the base
- ≈36 km from Karakol as the crow flies
- Elevation
- 5,220 m
- Coordinates
- 42.17° N, 78.46° E
Before you go
Getting there and what to know before you go
How to get there
From Karakol
Drive into the valleyMeet at the hotel and drive to the horses. Confirm the address and time in advance.
Back to Karakol
On the fourth dayAfter descending through Altyn-Arashan, the vehicle waits at the forestry station. Confirm the meeting point with your guide.
Money, SIM cards and help
- Cash. Agree the tour price, fees and extra costs before travelling. check for your date
112all emergencies
What to bring
Ticks are saved in this browser only.
Check before departure
- Snow, pass, river crossings and weather Guide
- Horses, camps and guesthouse Organiser
- Transfers, return and backup communication Organiser
- Approach point at the foot of the peak
- Specific campsites and guesthouse
- Current snow and river crossings
- Price and fees
- Meeting point at the forestry station
All photos
Karakol Peak: to the foot of the peak in photos
Real photos, each with the date it was taken. Tap or click to enlarge.
- 09.2000
- 09.08.2007
- 21.08.2008
- 29.06.2012
- 10.07.2012
- 12.07.2012
- 14.09.2016
- 22.08.2018
- 22.08.2018
- 28.04.2023
- 20.05.2024
Nearby
Nearby and where to go next
Base · KarakolKarakolA town beside the mountains: old centre, accommodation and valley trips- Route · ≈16 km as the crow fliesKarakol GorgeThe forested Karakol River valley in Tian Shan
Route · ≈21 km as the crow fliesKok-JaiykA walk from Jeti-Oguz resort to the mountain meadows
Route · ≈17 km as the crow fliesLake Ala-KolA high mountain lake on a three-day mountain route