Altyn-Arashan
Алтын-Арашан
A high mountain valley at about 2,600 meters, surrounded by spruce forest, meadows, and the snowy Palatka peak. Natural hot spring cabins let you soak while gazing at the mountains.
Altyn-Arashan ('golden hot springs') is a high mountain valley southeast of Karakol at about 2,600 meters. The Arashan River flows through it, flanked by dense Tian Shan spruce forest, and at the head of the valley you can see Palatka Peak, about 4,260 meters high. The valley has several simple guesthouses and yurt camps. Natural hot spring water is piped into wooden cabins or stone bathing pools. After a day of hiking, soaking in the hot spring while looking at snowy peaks is a highlight for many visitors to the Issyk-Kul region. To get there, hike about 14 km (4–6 hours) along a rough mountain trail from Ak-Suu village, also called Teploklyuchenka, or ride up the mountain in an old Soviet truck or a 4x4 (about 2 hours, very bumpy). The valley is also often the starting or ending point of the Ala-Kul loop. Hot spring access is charged per person, and accommodation should be booked in advance. A taxi from Karakol to Ak-Suu takes about 30 minutes. There is no mobile signal in the valley. Nighttime temperatures approach 0°C, so bring warm clothing. The river is swift, so do not wade in carelessly.
Opening hours
All day (hot springs follow inn hours)
Nearby sights
- Ala-Kul Lake
- Karakol Gorge (Karakol National Park)
- Karakol Ski Base
- Ak-Suu (Teploklyuchenka) Hot Springs
- Holy Trinity Cathedral, Karakol
- Karakol Russian Colonial Quarter
- Dungan Family Dinner & Ashlyan-fu
- Karakol Regional Museum