Kyrgyz Republic Ala-Kul Lake, Oblus Yssyk-Köl

The Ala Kul hike is a 3 or 4-day trekking adventure that covers approximately 54 km with a total elevation gain of around 2,500 meters. Due to the different altitudes, you will encounter a varied mountain landscape along lush valleys, deep forests, glaciers and glacier rivers, waterfalls, rocky mountains and the beautiful Ala-Kul Lake. A paradise for hikers who like to enjoy nature in a quieter way without a lot of tourism.

The spot is best photographed at sunrise, as the light comes from slightly to the left and shines into the lake.

Have a valid drone license with you and choose the panorama mode for the entire expanse of the landscape. If necessary, use an ND filter to avoid burnt-out spots caused by the light.

You can take a small cab / driver from Karakol via the hotel / hostel to the respective entrance of the national park. You can either start your route directly from Karakol up towards Karakol Gorge and then up to Ala-Kol Lake. Alternatively, you can start a little further north and complete the first stage towards Altyn-Arashan before crossing the pass to Ala-Kol Lake on the second day. Due to the rapidly changing weather, you should have the right hiking/mountaineering equipment with you. On the hike itself, you can rent yurts to spend the night in the respective camps. You can also buy food there. There are also sources of drinking water that you can use free of charge.

Depending on the weather, the hike can be very challenging. You may encounter very muddy, steep paths, river crossings through suddenly raging rivers without bridge crossings (sometimes destroyed) or steep gravel paths up to the pass that are slippery due to rain. Be sure to take hiking poles with you!