Jyrgalan Valley

Driving distance/time: ~1.5 hours Trekking distance/time: 13 km, 5–6 hours We will pick you up early in the morning from your hotel in Karakol and drive to the starting point in the scenic Jyrgalan Valley. The drive takes approximately 1.5 hours, gradually leaving the town behind and entering a more remote mountain landscape. The trek begins at around 1,900 meters above sea level and follows a beautiful route through green valleys, forested slopes, and open alpine terrain. As we gain elevation, the views become more dramatic, with wide mountain panoramas opening up along the way. After a steady ascent, we will reach our first campsite located at approximately 3,100 meters. Here, you’ll have time to relax, enjoy the peaceful surroundings, and take in the fresh mountain air.

Boz Uchuk

Breakfast. Today we have two passes. First one is Bulak-Ashuu 3450m. After climb from the valley floor to the 3363m Boz-Uchuk pass. Stop along the way for lunch. Our camp will be 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. Overnight in the yurt camp (Elevation: 3215m). Trekking distance: 16 km

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. Descend down to the camp and lunch. After lunch we hike to the waterfall and back. Overnight and dinner in yurts at 3170m. Trekking distance: 7 km+ 5km to waterfall and back

From the camp, 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. 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 yurts (Elevation: 2750m). Trekking distance: 13 km

Altyn Arashan

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 guesthouse (Elevation: 2500m). Trekking distance: 14 km

Ala Kul Lake

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 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). Trekking distance: 15 km

Karakol Gorge

From the camp, we will continue to the west. Most tourists will continue downhill here to the Karakol Valley via the Sirota hut, but loop instead of around the curve of the lake along a small path which is visible from afar that climbs from the lake along a rockfall to the 3781m Panorama Pass. From East to West across the horizon the most obvious summits are Djigit Peak (5178m), Karakol Peak (5216m), and Öguz-Bashi Peak (5126m). Expect around two hours for the full 4km 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 climb. Our camp will be located at 3200m. Trekking distance: 11 km

Telety Pass

After breakfast head up the valley around 3km to where a path branches up the Telety Valley. The valley is spoiled for choice of campsites, but for views it's hard to beat a long flat area about halfway up the valley where the river broadens briefly, with great panoramas of Telety to the Southwest and back towards Ala-Kol's passes to the Northeast. 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). Trekking distance: 15 km

Jeti-Oguz Canyon (Seven Bulls Rocks)

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 guest house. Trekking distance: 13 km