– Region: Chui Oblast — Ala-Archa NP (Ala-Archa, 2,100m — Bishkek’s mountain playground, 40km from city)

 – Elevation: 2100

 – GPS Coordinates: 42.554° N, 74.494° E

 – Access Difficulty: T1 — 40km south of Bishkek (45min taxi, USD 10–15) | Public transport: marshrutka from Osh Bazaar (KGS 50, 1hr) 

 – Opening Season: Year-round (best Jun–Oct for hiking; Nov–Apr for ski touring + snowshoeing)

 – Winter Room: – Number of Beds: 50  – Showers: Yes — hot shower at trailhead lodge

 – Drinking Water: Yes — piped at trailhead + streams above (treat) – Meals & food: Restaurant at trailhead guesthouse | Snack kiosks | BYO for upper routes

– Mobile Signal: Yes — Beeline 4G (lower valley) | No signal above 2,500m – Payment Methods: NP entry fee KGS 200 (USD 2.50) | Camping: free | Priut lodge: KGS 1,000–2,000 (USD 12–25) | Taxi/marshrutka from Bishkek KGS 300–500

 – Short Description: ALA-ARCHA NATIONAL PARK (2,100–4,895m) = Bishkek’s MOUNTAIN BACKYARD — a spectacular gorge cutting into the northern Tian Shan range, 40km from the capital. FAMOUS ROUTES: (1) Ак-Say Glacier (4hr round trip to glacier viewpoint); (2) Ratsek Hut (3,450m, Soviet mountaineering base — 7hr round trip, excellent alpine views); (3) Ski Coroner (alpine skiing route). RATSEK HUT: the only high-altitude shelter in the park (Soviet mountaineering base at 3,450m — used for peaks like Peak Semenov-Tyan-Shansky 4,895m). FREE CAMPING: allowed throughout the park. Wildlife: snow leopard, ibex (Capra sibirica), brown bear, golden eagle.