– Region: Issyk-Kul Oblast — Terskey Ala-Too (Ala-Kul, 3,532m — Kyrgyzstan’s most iconic alpine lake)

 – Elevation: 3532

 – GPS Coordinates: 42.397° N, 78.323° E

 – Access Difficulty: T3 — 3-day loop: Karakol→Karakol Gorge camp→Ala-Kul Lake→Ala-Kul Pass→Altyn Arashan→Karakol | Alternatively day hike from Altyn Arashan (3hr steep up to pass + lake) 

 – Opening Season: Late Jun–mid-Sep (ice on lake until late June)

 – Winter Room: – Number of Beds: 30  – Showers: No shower (outdoor washing from stream)

 – Drinking Water: Yes — lake (treat — pure glacial water) – Meals & food: Full meals at yurt camp (if booked) | BYO for camping

– Mobile Signal: No signal – Payment Methods: Yurt camp (2024): USD 20–25/night B+D | Camping: free | Part of guided Ala-Kul treks (USD 50–120/person/day)

 – Short Description: ALA-KUL LAKE (3,532m) = KYRGYZSTAN’S MOST ICONIC ALPINE LAKE — an extraordinarily vivid turquoise lake fed by the Takyr-Tor Glacier, ringed by 5,000m peaks. The TAKYR-TOR GLACIER calves ice directly into the lake on the north shore. ALA-KUL PASS (3,860m): the crossing above the lake gives a SPECTACULAR 270° panorama — one of the finest views in the Tian Shan. KYRGYZ LIFE YURT CAMP (2024): new yurt camp at the lakeside — allows a night at the lake without carrying full camping gear. TREKKING NOTE: trails are NOT marked — GPS navigation (maps.me offline works well) strongly recommended. The crossing from Ala-Kul to Altyn Arashan via the Ala-Kul Pass is steep + exposed (chains in places).