7-Days Ak Suu Traverse Trek

Transfer from Karakol to Turgen-Aksu valley ~1 hour (60km). Starting our 7 days trekking. First pass is not high and steep. We will reach the camp place around in ~5-6 hours. Climb from the valley floor
to the 3363m Boz-Uchuk pass. Stop along the way for lunch.

Our camp will have located next to the Bozuchuk lakes which is also in the same altitude with a pass. If we’ve arrived early enough to still have some daylight, the northern tip of the stubby ridge that marks the western boundary of the valley below offers fine sunset views facing back towards the Issyk-Kol basin, though many find it hard to tear themselves away from the Boz-Uchuk Lakes.

Meals included: lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Yurt Camp

Trekking distance:  10 km

Altitude difference: +800m, -120m

Early breakfast because of the long day. This day’s route starts by crossing the small ridge immediately West of camp and descending to the main valley floor below. We will follow the trail uphill as it parallels the river for around 2km before crossing and heading more steeply uphill to the obvious pass in the distance at 3524m. From the top, the Jergez valley spreads out below and an excellent view of Tashtanbek Tor Bashi peak dominates the southern horizon. After about 2 hours of walking, we will reach the top of the pass. From the pass, the trail continues on towards the first Ailanysh Lake (at 3445m), already visible to the SW across the valley, via the Jergez river and up the first stretch of the Ailanysh valley. Lunch near the lake Ailanysh. The climb steepens past the second lake, up to the Ailanysh Pass at 3676m. About 5km into this final descent of the day, as the trail curves to just above the main branch of the Ak-Suu river, we can see unbelievable views down towards an unnamed 3855m peak and the blinding snowy whiteness of the Ak-Suu Wall’s glaciated slopes. Overnight in the tent (Elevation: 2750m).

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Tent 

Trekking distance: 19km

Altitude difference:
+1100 m -1620m

Today’s a relatively easy day, distance-wise, but it begins with an 800m+ climb Ortok pass (3650 m). The trail continues along the East side of the river to the main Ak-Suu Arashan valley. After lunch small walking to the wild hot springs and taking a dip in the hot springs that have made the valley locally famous since before the Soviet era. Rest up tonight, because tomorrow is a long but rewarding uphill day. Overnight in tents or in dormitory (Elevation: 2500m).

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Tent

Trekking distance: 14 km

Altitude difference:
+950 m -162 0m

Breakfast. Today we go to cross another pass which called Ala-Kul pass. From Altyn Arashan, cross the large bridge over to the West side of the Ak-Suu River and continue South for just over 2km to the first large valley that rises off to the Southwest. From the turn out of the Arashan valley it’s around an 8km uphill that rises from 2570m at the valley floor to 3906m at the Ala-Kol North pass, with the last 200m of elevation feeling nearly-vertical as it rises through loose scree over which two obvious paths have been stomped out by the multitude of hikers that hike up Issyk-Kol’s most popular trekking route. The views from the top of the pass are something sublime, though, taking in an incredible panorama of 5000m+ peaks and the breadth of Ala-Kol lake.In this day we will camp next to the Ala-Kul lake. Overnight in the tent (Elevation: 3550m).

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Tent

Trekking distance: 15 km

Altitude difference:
+1450 m -370 m

Possible to explore the glacier side by the morning. From the camp, we will continue to the west. Expect around 4 hours for the full 11km of hiking, more if you’re generally slow on downhills. Your knees will probably need a break by the time you’ve reached the valley, so break for lunch here and rebuild your strength for the next day. From the bridge, head up the valley around 200m to where
we will camp this night.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Yurt Camp

Trekking distance: 11 km

Altitude difference:
+200 m -1100 m

Breakfast. Heading up where the path branches up the Telety Valley. After Lunch we will pack up camp and head up the valley on the week-long trek’s last uphill section – to the 3792m Telety Pass it’s less than two easy hours (though the way does get a little steeper on that last bit), continuing down another hour and a half to the river valley on the far side (around 7km from camp to pass to
river). We walk down to the valley and camp not far from the river. Overnight in the tent (Elevation: 3100m).

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Tent

Trekking distance:10 km

Altitude difference:
+680 m -820 m

Walking down to Djeti-Oguz valley. We will have lunch in yurts and make small hiking to the waterfall named Girl’s braids. Transport will take us from Kok-Jaik pasture to Karakol town. Overnight in the guesthouse.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch 

Accommodation: Guesthouse 

Trekking distance: 14 km

Altitude difference:
+50 m -800 m