Ak-Suu Transverse Trek Kyrgyzstan: Alpine Passes & Lakes

Nine days crossing five high passes, camping beside alpine lakes and natural hot springs

The Ak-Suu Transverse is a 9-day trek through Kyrgyzstan's Terskey Ala-Too range, starting from Karakol and traversing alpine valleys, glacial lakes, and mountain passes between 3,100 and 3,906 meters. You sleep in yurts and tented camps, eat three meals a day, and walk between 7 and 16 kilometers on most days. An English-speaking guide leads the route. Pickup from your Karakol hotel is included. The trek suits active hikers comfortable with several hours of daily walking and moderate to challenging terrain.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Karakol to Jyrgalan valley trek

• Pick up from Karakol hotel
• Drive 1.5 hours to Jyrgalan Valley
• Trek 13 km through alpine terrain
• Set up camp at 3100m

Day 2: Trek to Boz Uchuk pass and lakes

• Breakfast at camp
• Climb Bulak-Ashuu pass (3450m)
• Climb Boz-Uchuk pass (3363m)
• Stop for lunch
• Camp near Boz-Uchuk lakes
• Enjoy sunset views

Day 3: Jergez gorge and waterfall hike

• Early breakfast
• Cross ridge and descend to valley floor
• Hike uphill to 3524m pass
• Descend to camp and lunch
• Hike to waterfall and back
• Overnight in yurts

Day 4: Trek to Almaluu gorge via pass

• Hike to Ailanysh Lakes
• Climb Ailanysh Pass (3676m)
• Descend to Ak-Suu river valley
• Camp in yurts at 2750m

Day 5: Climb Ortok pass and hot springs

• Climb Ortok pass (3650m)
• Follow trail to Ak-Suu Arashan valley
• Walk to wild hot springs
• Soak in hot springs
• Overnight at guesthouse

Day 6: Cross Ala-Kul pass to lake camp

• Breakfast at camp
• Cross bridge to west Ak-Suu River
• Hike 8 km uphill to Ala-Kul pass (3906m)
• Camp next to Ala-Kul lake

Day 7: Hike to Karakol gorge camp

• Climb to Panorama Pass (3781m)
• Enjoy mountain summit views
• Descend to Karakol Valley
• Lunch break
• Camp at 3200m

Day 8: Trek to Teleti camp via pass

• Hike 3 km up valley
• Ascend Telety Pass (3792m)
• Descend to river valley
• Camp near river at 3100m

Day 9: Return to Karakol town

• Walk down to Djeti-Oguz valley
• Lunch in yurts
• Short hike to Girl’s braids waterfall
• Transport to Karakol town
• Overnight in guest house

The experience

The trek begins with a 1.5-hour drive from Karakol to Jyrgalan Valley, where you start at 1,900 meters and climb through forested slopes into open alpine terrain. By day two, you're crossing the Bulak-Ashuu pass at 3,450 meters and descending to camp beside Boz-Uchuk Lakes. The route then carries you through Jergez Gorge, where a waterfall hike breaks up the afternoon, and across the Ailanysh Pass at 3,676 meters with views toward the Ak-Suu Wall's glaciated slopes. Each day adds elevation and distance, but the camps are positioned to let you rest and absorb the mountain air.

Day five is the easiest by distance, only 14 kilometers, but it starts with an 800-meter climb over the Ortok Pass. The payoff is time at the wild hot springs in Altyn Arashan Gorge, where you can soak in naturally heated water before an overnight in a guesthouse. Day six is the longest push: an 8-kilometer uphill from 2,570 meters to the Ala-Kul North Pass at 3,906 meters, where the views open onto a panorama of 5,000-meter peaks and the breadth of Ala-Kul Lake. You camp beside the lake that night in a tent. The final three days descend through Karakol Gorge and Telety Valley, with a last waterfall hike to the Girl's Braids before transport returns you to Karakol town.

Sleeping bags and mattresses are provided. Yurts and tents are your accommodation for all eight nights. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner come with the trek: no cooking or foraging. Your guide speaks English and Russian, and Starlink internet is available if you need to stay connected. The trek ends with an overnight in a Karakol guesthouse before you return to town.

What’s included

• All meals from day one breakfast through day nine breakfast.
• accommodation in yurts and tented camps for eight nights plus one guesthouse night.
• sleeping bags and mattresses.
• an English-speaking guide.
• pickup from your Karakol hotel at the start and return transport from Jeti-Ögüz to Karakol at the end.
• Starlink internet access.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 16 Apr 2027

Book up to10h before

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Kyrgyz Life

Is this one for you?Book this trek if you're staying in Karakol or arriving without a vehicle: pickup from your hotel is included, and the nine-day span gives you time to acclimatize as you climb. The fixed itinerary and guide-led route mean you don't navigate alone or arrange camps. You walk, eat, and sleep on a schedule built for the terrain and the passes.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

What's the highest point I'll reach on the Ak-Suu Transverse Trek?

The Ala-Kul North Pass at 3,906 meters is the highest point on the trek. You reach it on day six after an 8-kilometer uphill climb from the valley floor, and the views from the top take in an incredible panorama of 5,000-meter peaks and Ala-Kul Lake.

How many hours of walking should I expect each day?

Most days involve 5 to 6 hours of trekking, with distances ranging from 7 to 16 kilometers. Day three is the shortest at 7 kilometers plus a 5-kilometer waterfall hike. Day two covers 16 kilometers. Day five is easier at 14 kilometers because it's the only day without a major pass crossing.

Where does the trek start and how do I get there from Karakol?

The trek starts in Jyrgalan Valley, about 1.5 hours' drive from Karakol. Your hotel pickup in Karakol is included. The guide will collect you early in the morning and drive you to the trailhead at approximately 1,900 meters elevation.

What kind of accommodation will I have for the nine days?

You'll stay eight nights in yurts and tented camps positioned along the route. Sleeping bags and mattresses are provided. One night, the final one, is in a guesthouse in Karakol town after the trek ends.

Are meals included, and what if I have dietary restrictions?

Full board is included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. Discuss any dietary needs with the operator when you book so the guide can plan meals accordingly.

What physical fitness level do I need for this trek?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness and be comfortable walking several hours a day. The trek is described as moderate to challenging, with sustained climbs and high altitude. It's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health or pregnant travelers.