Ala-Köl
A glacial lake on the north slope of the Terskey Ala-Too: 2.8 km long, 3,532 m, held back by a rock dam. The circuit from Karakol is the most-walked trek in Kyrgyzstan — usually three days, with a 3,920 m pass on the second. Yurt camps stand along the way, so a tent is optional, but a bed has to be booked ahead.
Routes
Weather
At 3 532 mNow: -12° · Partly cloudy · Wind 3 km/h
Updated: just now · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0)
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How to get there
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Tashkent — Bishkek busTwo departures a day from the bus station by Almazar metro, through Kazakhstan, 601 km, 12 h 40 min. The ticket cost 250,000 UZS in 2022 — that is the figure given, but it is old and needs re-checking. · 601,0 km · 12 h 40 min250 000 UZS · 250 000 UZS · at the 2022-04-15 rate
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Tashkent — Bishkek flightManas airport's table lists Uzbekistan Airways, Centrum Air and Aero Nomad Airlines to Tashkent. The fare was not checked.
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Bishkek — Karakol shared taxiAbout US$6 a seat. The source is a 2023 page, so this is an order of magnitude rather than a current price.70 000 UZS · 6 USD · at the 2026-09-16 rate
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Marshrutka №101: Karakol to the gorgeTen som from town to the mouth of the Karakol gorge. The source is an undated Visit Karakol operator page, so do not read it as this year's price.1 300 UZS · 10 KGS · at the 2026-09-16 rate
Questions and answers
Do you need a permit?
Yes. This is a protected area: entry needs permission, or a fee at the gate. The route runs inside Karakol Nature Park. Under the 2023 rules a visit to a protected area is paid and a ticket is issued, but the park publishes no tariff — the only figure found comes from an undated operator page, so it is not printed here. No border permit is needed.
How do you get there?
Tashkent — Bishkek bus: Two departures a day from the bus station by Almazar metro, through Kazakhstan, 601 km, 12 h 40 min. The ticket cost 250,000 UZS in 2022 — that is the figure given, but it is old and needs re-checking. There are 4 ways in altogether.
How long does it take?
One trip takes about 16 h: 48,9 km of walking and 2 047 m of climbing.
Is there water on the way?
The river and springs run the whole way, and there is a spring by the lake. High up, boil or filter what you drink.
Can you camp?
Yes, you can pitch a tent and stay the night.
Photos
Photos by Wikimedia Commons contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
