Good day!
This summer, in 2025, my husband and I are planning a vacation at Issyk-Kul. We'll have one full day in Bishkek.
From what I’ve read on various forums, half a day is enough to explore the main attractions in the city. So, we’re considering visiting Ala-Archa National Park. It looks stunning in the photos, and we’d really like to see it in person.
From what I understand, the park is mountainous. Many online pictures show people with large hiking backpacks. Neither my husband nor I have any hiking experience, let alone the necessary gear.
Here’s the question: is it worth going for people like us? Can you walk around there as if it’s a regular park? Or is a visit only worthwhile if you commit to a full-day hiking experience? Is there some sort of trail map we could use to figure out where to walk?
I’ve seen various tour packages online, but they seem quite pricey. 🙁
Entry to the park is paid. From the park gates to the start of the hiking trails, there’s still a 10 km drive.
From the hotel (near the second barrier, 12 km past the first one), you can turn left to Ak-Sai Gorge by following the signs. From the main parking lot, you can go right toward the climbers' cemetery, where you’ll have a view of Korona Peak, or continue straight ahead.
There’s a detailed board with signs and routes at the park entrance. Pick one that suits your preference.
From the first barrier, you can take a shared minibus from Osh Bazaar in Bishkek. I don’t recall the fare, but the bus runs every hour. Or negotiate with a taxi driver for a ride.
Does anyone know of cheap accommodation in the park for a weekend night? I’ll be traveling without a car and alone.
Try the meteorological station. A bit further up, there are some basic cottage-like accommodations, and even higher, there’s a two-story wooden lodge and a chalet.
What’s a good one-day hike? Any peaks that can be reached?
Reaching Komsolets isn’t realistic in one day. It’s doable from the south, but at 4,402m, you won’t get there in a single day. To reach the Ak-Sai glacier base alone takes 4–5 hours one way, and that’s just at 3,300m... Unless someone drives you directly to the alpine camp, and even then, you might manage Komsolets or Pioneer Peak with a memory of about 3–4 km more.
For a one-day trip, with moderate fitness and breaks for snacks and photos, a hike from the alpine camp (Ala-Archa hotel) to the waterfall and back is perfect.
Going to Ratzek Hut in a day would be stressful—you’d need to move nonstop like a Terminator.
We hiked to the waterfall a few days ago. Started at 10:00 a.m. and got back by 4:00 p.m., but the weather turned bad in the evening. We took it slow, soaking in the breathtaking views.
Many tourists we met were heading further to Ratzek, but they had large backpacks and planned to camp overnight. I’d suggest a similar plan for Ratzek—go there one day, camp, and return the next.
There’s a minibus (No. 265) from Bishkek’s Osh Bazaar that costs 30 som. It goes to the village of Kashka-Suu, which is 10 km from the park gates. The road is busy, so you could try hitching a ride from there.
I decided to explore Kashka-Suu instead. Walked through some hills and up to Bir-Bulak Gorge before heading back.
My takeaway? You need a car in Bishkek, preferably a jeep, to make the most of the park. Walking isn’t ideal.
It’s easy to get there by taxi through inDriver or YandexTaxi. The views are stunning, but we weren’t lucky with the weather—it was all clouded over. Still, it’s worth the trip.
You’ll need at least three hours to do a simple in-and-out route. There are signs at the start, and trails are mapped out on apps like Maps.me. Even on easy paths, proper hiking shoes are recommended.
If possible, stay overnight in the park. The morning silence and crisp mountain air are absolutely magical.