ALA ARCHA

Overview

Trip code: ALR-1

Trip season: 01/05-31/10

Duration: 1 day

Departures: Please contact us for individual departures.

Meals: 1 Lunch

Transportation: Motor roads: Comfortable a/c vehicle. Off road: Army truck

Group size:  No minimum set, Maximum 10

Price: On request.

Extensions:  It is possible to combine your tour with other activities in Kyrgyzstan or extend it to other Central Asian republics: Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan. Please inquire.

Description:  This one day-long hike takes up in Ala-Archa valley placed in the Kyrgyz range which rises up just 40 km from Bishkek - capital city of Kyrgyzstan. The hike provides the travelers with some of the most beautiful and picturesque scenery of Ala-Archa Nature Park-which is very popular among local trekkers and climbers: snow capped peaks and mountain ranges, fir tree forests and juniper groves, glaciers and mountain lakes.

Route: The route begins with drive to Ala-Archa valley located on the northern slopes of Kyrgyz range. As far as the car can go there is an "Alplager" - a former Soviet camp site for climbers. From here we can follow one of the following directions:
AK-SAI valley. From the main valley the trail goes left to Ak Sai canyon and winds up to Ak-Sai glacier which hosts the region's highest peak Semenova-Tienshanskogo (4837 m). Just a few km up there is a good point for panoramic shots of Ak-Sai valley and Peak Ala-Archa which dominates over the area. We also pass 25 metres waterfall on the way to Ratsek cabin with an amazing landscape on the background. From here start well known climbing routes to the peaks of Kyrgyz range.
MAIN ALA-ARCHA valley - another option is to follow poor jeep track straight up the valley from climber's camp. 18 km up is an old ski base which used to access skiers 12 months a year. Along with hiking a good idea can be a horse riding along the valley but some pre-arrangements needed as this service is not always available on the spot.
ADYGENE valley - it is the valley to the right. There is a trail starts from the parking area and goes over the poor bridge up the valley. One of highlights here is a small cemetery for those who died while climbing. The trail continues another 7 km up through the fur tree forest to Adygene glacier - this is probably less visited area in the whole park with a rich wild and bird life.

Grade: The tour is full day hiking on foot. Paths are generally in good shapes. Some sections can be steep but not technically difficult. Average walking time is around 5-6 hours. Daily altitude gain is about 500-800 m. You must be reasonably fit to attempt this hike. Hike graded as Fairly easy: For all recreational walkers, hikers and trekkers.

Hike Crew: The hike is assisted by guide.