Altyn-Arashan

Altyn-Arashan, the ‘golden spa’, is a high valley of hot springs, spruce forest and snowy peaks above Karakol — a place to soak in natural hot pools after a day of walking.

The valley lies at about 2,600 m in the Terskei Ala-Too, under the pyramid of Palatka peak. Simple guest houses and yurts sit on the meadow beside the river, and several of them have small bath-houses built over the hot springs. Around the valley a nature reserve protects wildlife, including the rare snow leopard.

You can reach Altyn-Arashan on foot (about 5–6 hours up the river from Ak-Suu village), on horseback, or by an old Soviet truck or 4×4 on a very rough road. Many people combine it with the trek over the Ala-Kol pass from Karakol.

• Start: Ak-Suu village, about 30 minutes from Karakol
• Altitude: about 2,600 m
• Best time: June to September; hot springs are open all year
• Bring: swimwear, a torch and warm layers — nights are cold