THE LAND OF UNTOUCHED NATURE - KYRGYZSTAN

The region boasts breathtaking landscapes that are truly a sight to behold. With vast stretches of greenery as far as the eye can see, it is a haven for nature enthusiasts. The crystal clear water streams add to the charm of the surroundings, creating a tranquil atmosphere that is both refreshing and rejuvenating. Whether you're exploring the rolling hills or relaxing by the serene water bodies, there is an undeniable sense of peace and serenity in this picturesque setting. The beauty of the landscapes is simply mesmerizing, making it the perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Immerse yourself in the natural wonders that this region has to offer and experience the magic of its stunning vistas.

Altyn Arashan view from the hilltop was Stunning. Felt like we were heading towards Paradise. The Gorge, The River, The Yurts, The Alpine Trees and the greenery…….. Ohhh, it is “undreamed of”. The view made our exhausted bodies get back the energy.

Yes, you heard it right…. “No WIFI”. No mobile network in Altyn Arashan. Spent 4 nights and 5 days without any contact/connection to the outside world. A rewarding experience…. Life without internet was very relaxed, more focused and less stressed. It forced us to be in the present and explore the world beyond the screen. We had family time, had time to appreciate nature and above all, we made it a priority to go to bed early. it allowed us to wake up feeling refreshed and energized every morning enabling us to make the most of each day.

Located in Tian Shan Mountain Range at an altitude of 2,350 to 2,440 meters, Altyn Arashan is known for its stunning alpine landscapes, crystal-clear rivers, and lush green meadows. The valley is surrounded by towering peaks. It is even more enjoyable that it is not so easy to reach this picturesque valley. It is a true paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. A very popular destination among hikers and mountain enthusiasts, offering stunning scenery and challenging trails.

Kyrgyz translate of Altyn Arashan is “Golden Spring” - The area is famous among Locals and Tourists for its mineral-rich hot springs for their healing properties. Hikers usually relax at hot springs for hours after a day of hiking.

We did a small trek on day 2 to acclimatize and get into shape before Al-Kul lake trek in Alaa-Too Mountain Range the next day.

Immediately after the breakfast, horses were ready for us. Zaid had left long back over foot with a guide and 4 French Teens. We had one of the best experiences of riding on horses in this beautiful Valley. Climbing through grasslands and pine forests, edging along peaks and passing through crystal clear water streams, winding into deep valleys to find the hidden, high-attitude lake of Ala Kul in Terskey Alatau Mountain Range.

By the time we reach Ala-Kul Base Camp Zaid and team were ready to scale the Pass. It is approximately a kilometer distance from Ala Kul base camp to the Pass. We got off the horses, had lunch and started climbing the mountain.

We scrambled up a steep slope of loose stones and lost our stamina very fast, it was very hard for Tabasum to carry on, she stayed back half way and we carried on. With every 25 steps, we had to stop and relax as it was getting difficult to inhale due to low oxygen available at high altitude.

We were very close to the summit and Zoya started crying seeing the crazy steep down. She was worried about going down with her slippery shoes. We saw Zaid’s group on top of the summit and asked him to wait for us so that Zoya can be helped in climbing down. The last climb was the hardest, as the air thinned, finally after an arduous climb, we came over the summit (3,880 meters) that revealed Ala-kul Lake in all of its turquoise beauty. The Lake lies at an altitude of 3,532 meters above sea level.

We were stunned by the sparkling bliss of this tiny alpine lake. A beautiful lake surrounded by rocky snow capped mountains. The Calm Turquoise waters were stunning with snowy peaks all around it. A tiny heart shape lake to its East was impressive. Unfortunately we could not spend much time on the summit due to chances of rain.

Descending the summit was the hardest part of our journey. A single wrong step could lead to a fatal accident. We descended a little and sat down after seeing loose shales going down with each step. It was very scary and we were broken. A guide came forward and helped us go down by throwing a supportive rope. We saw Zaid sliding on his bums on difficult inclines and utilized his tactics also. Our Guide brought the horse after waiting for us for a very long time realizing we must be in trouble. So, we used almost every formula we thought of to descend the Summit.

Going back was very easy until High Altitude sickness stuck Tabasum due to the pressure of carrying heavy bag on her back. Her body was getting colder and she was unable to sit properly on the horse back due to giddiness. Guide had to take care of her horse’s headgear.

Visited Hot Springs upon reaching Altyn Arashan. Left for Ak-Suu the next afternoon and visited Jyrgalan Valley and Seven Bulls Rocks before heading to Karakol for a good night’s sleep.

……….The best way to explore Altyn Arashan is by embarking on a trekking adventure from Karakol to Al Kul Lake (14 kilometers + camping) to Altyn Arashan (13 kilometers + camping) to AK-Suu (16 kilometers). It offers breathtaking views at every turn……….

The next day morning we departed Karakol and traveled 400 kilometers to Bishkek via Bokonbayevo. nearly half of the route was under construction with renovation work underway at every point. If we had known the state of the road beforehand, we would have taken the North Isyk Kul Lake Road.

We landed at Manas Airport in the afternoon on 29th July and went to Syn-Tash via Bishkek. The next day we travelled all the way to AK-Suu, covering 400 kilometers with stops at Burana Tower, Kara Bulak and Cholpon Ata. Parked the car at Guest House Owner’s Garage and headed to Altyn Arashan in his car.

A few minutes drive we found ourself running along a narrow gorge with Arashan River running next to us. The road condition was horrible. It was unpaved, rocky and in very bad state. Pretty steep and scary at some points. It took almost 2 1/2 hours for an experienced driver like Quba to cover these 16 kilometers. We passes through pine forests which contain many hidden springs (both hot and cold).