No matter how last-minute my Kyrgyzstan trip is (due to my late application for a Kyrgyzstan E-Visa, but saved by Visa On Arrival), it would be so wrong not to hike in Kyrgyzstan. It's like going to Dubai and not seeing the Burj Khalifa, a travel stereotype you may say, but you get what I mean. Hiking in Ala Archa National Park seems the easiest option given my limited time, so let's do the easy trail to Ratsek Hut!
💡 Ready for more hiking adventures in Kyrgyzstan? Start exploring these trails now:
- Easiest Hiking Trail: Alamedin Gorge – Hike to Waterfalls or make it a loop for an extra challenge!
- Beginner-Friendly: Ala-Archa – Scenic Hike to Ratsek Hut
- Picture-Perfect: Kol-Tor Lake – A Turquoise Lake in Kegeti
- Glacier Lake: Adygene Lake – Pristine Glacier Lake in Ala Archa National Park
- Epic Challenge: Komsomolets Peak – Conquer a 4000er in one day!
Hiking Trail Overview:
- Route: Ak-Sai Glacier Trail/Hiking Trail to Ratsek Hut (Out-and-back) in Ala Archa National Park
- Distance: 13.66 km
- Highest Point: 3,300 MASL
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate to Challenging (2.5/5)
- Time Required: 6-8 hours (I took 9h 30m – I'm on a slower side)
- Best Season: June to September, but doable all year round
- Highlights: Scenic view of Ala Archa, Waterfalls, and Ak-Sai Glacier
How to Get to Ala Archa National Park from Bishkek (2025 Update)
Back in 2022 and 2024, I recommended arranging a private transfer or taxi, because taking a marshrutka (minibus) would only get you as far as the main gate. From there, you’d still have to cover another 12 km—either by car or on foot—to reach Alplager (Ala Archa Hotel), the starting point for most hiking trails.
As of August 2025, things have changed for the better! You can now easily book a Yandex taxi directly from Bishkek to the park entrance — the beautiful building (pictured below) with white buses in the parking lot next to it.
There's also a new public bus service from Bishkek with several pickup points, for just KGS 50 per person. It runs directly to Ala Archa’s main gate and operates from 8 AM (first bus from Bishkek) to 8 PM (last bus from the park). It’s an affordable option for solo travelers or small groups, though the schedule is less flexible than taxis.
The main entrance has been renovated and is now equipped with card payment machines, eliminating the long single-file queue at the previous entrance. Best of all, free shuttle buses now run from the main entrance to Alplager throughout the day—a game-changer for hikers!
However, for families traveling with their own vehicle, you will be required to leave your car at the designated parking lot and take the shuttle bus. It’s a small hassle, but this system seems to be common in high-traffic national parks around the world—including some in the U.S.—to reduce congestion and protect natural areas.
Current Costs (2025):
- Entry Fee: 200 KGS per person (previously 500 KGS per vehicle)
- Bus Fare: 50 KGS per person per way
- Taxi Fare: One-way from Bishkek city center now costs 1,500–1,700 KGS, depending on your exact location—much cheaper than before when fares ranged from 3,000 to 4,000 KGS.
This hiking trail is also a backtrack trail, meaning you will start and finish your hike at the same trailhead. So, going back to Bishkek is exactly how you come, as mentioned above, a combination of walking or hitchhiking and a marshrutka, or an arranged transfer/Yandex taxi.
Hiking Trailhead:
As witnessed by my own eyes, the actual trailhead is indeed far from the gate of Ala Archa National Park. It was quite the drive to reach the parking lot and we even passed by the gushing Ala Archa River.
The actual trailhead is beyond the parking lot which is the Alplager Hut. It is an A-frame structure with an accommodation facility if you prefer to stay for the night.
Hiking Trail Sections:
There are several trails within Ala Archa National Park. Some lead to the Peaks (I did Komsomolets Peak in case you're interested), Gorges, Glaciers, etc. This post is only about the trail leading to the waterfalls and the Ratsek Hut or Razeka Station, as others call it.
1. Alplager Hut to Broken Heart
A few meters from the Alplager Hut, you will see this map where the trail starts. The trail continues on the left side, away from the main road.
There are few trail signs along the way though not consistent. However, the trail is established and easy to follow. The notable trail sign I've seen is this white-blue-white pattern, although there were no signs of them on the higher part, or did I miss them?
Right after is the not-so-famous ants crossing sign! And if trail humor is a competition, Kyrgyzstan for sure wins this round!
Going a little further, we were surrounded by Coniferous Trees and Juniper Trees. There were few forks along the way they said all trail leads to the same trail. I can't swear on this so please use your best judgment instead.
Once you're out from the conifer trees, the Broken Heart awaits you. Like in Jeti Oguz, the rock is called a Broken Heart as it is naturally split into two thus looking like a broken heart.
This was our rest stop and a photo stop. I don't think I've ever seen this much of conifer trees in my entire life.
2. Broken Heart to Tepshi Plato
Moving forward is a rolling section towards the plateau called Tepshi Plato. Not only the trail is relatively flat, but a great deal (and colors) of flowers are seen here.
Not only do the flowers and plants entertain me, but the sightings of a marmot too! Of course, they were faster than me grabbing my phone so no photos and they're back in their burrows.
3. Tepshi Plato to Waterfalls
The trail remains flat in this part but there's a short section of loose rocks coming your way before the river crossing. No photos were taken because the rocks were slippery, especially at the river crossing.
After crossing the river, the trail slightly veers to the right. The trail will then be divided into two: to the waterfalls (on the left) and Ratsek Hut (on the right). If you have a full day ahead of you, I suggest pushing up to Ratsek Hut but if not, take the left trail to see the waterfalls much closer (I didn't).
4. Waterfalls to Ratsek Hut
From the fork mentioned above, we took the trail going to Ratsek Hut. Struggling started a few meters ahead - steep trail, loose rocks, and slippery section from the melting ice. There's also a bit of mountain traffic that adds pressure plus the constant worry about being short of time.
At an altitude of around 2300+ MASL, it feels hot. Wearing a base layer underneath was a mistake. I couldn't find a place to remove it either as the trail is so exposed. No shade nor boulders to hide even peeing was a struggle.
The steep elevation crushed me and Talay was kind enough to offer to take my backpack several times. I finally threw all my pride at the last stretch and took his offer.
While the trail is not long nor technical, it is quite steep, and the elevation gains quickly in a short distance. Some fellow hikers even turned around at this point!
After hitting the 3000 MASL elevation, I even thought of giving up. The support of Beka and Talay plus the countless rests in between helped and we finally reached Ratsek Hut! Ratsek Hut is a known base camp for mountaineers planning to summit one of the nearby peaks.
Ak-Sai Glacier is also visible near Ratsek Hut. As much as I want to see it (I failed to see Gergeti Glacier during our hike in Georgia), I was totally busted!
CrampFix and a short nap helped me recuperate to prepare for the descent! As mentioned above, we used the same trail to descend back to the trailhead.
Personal Thoughts:
As I always say, we all have different adventure appetite or what I call ‘#hikeppetite’ to begin with. So, a good trail for me might not be a good trail for you and vice versa. And that’s completely okay, we don’t need to agree with anyone or everyone all the time. Anyhow, here’s what I think about hiking in Ala Archa National Park:
Pros:
- The proximity of Ala Archa National Park makes it a quick getaway from Bishkek. It's the perfect place to enjoy an outdoor activity without going too far from the city.
- A go-to place by both locals and tourists, you can follow and interact with fellow hikers along the trail. Locals would be very happy to practice their English and I swear the Kyrgyz's warmth, friendliness and hospitality is on another level!
- The trail is established and easy to follow. Getting a trail guide is totally up to your preference and personal concerns.
- Ala Archa National Park (in general) has a variety of options to choose from. There are camping spots where you can have a barbecue with friends and families and hiking trails for all levels.
Cons:
- Almost everywhere in Kyrgyzstan, it’s the public transportation issue. Getting to the trailhead by public transportation is possible but not the most comfortable option. Getting a taxi or an arranged transfer is the most comfortable but not the most affordable option.
- If you're doing the hike to get away from the crowd, you're totally mistaken. It's a go-to place by both locals and tourists so you will not have the mountain for yourself.
Although I struggled badly on the last part of the trail towards Ratsek Hut, I loved every bit of the hike. Overall (the distance, elevation, difficulty level, and scenery), the hike is exactly what I needed at the moment. My #hikeppetite is so happy and full. I didn't even bother to push through hiking in Karakol although I regret that. So if you are in Bishkek looking for a day hike, look no further! Hiking in Ala Archa National Park has trails for all levels and up to your liking and heart's content. Enjoy!
Whatever decision you make, always remember to prepare beforehand, stay safe, and last but not least, enjoy the outdoors! #happyhiking!
With lots of love,
PINAYHAKAWATI 💗
AND AS A GENTLE OUTDOOR ETHICS REMINDER:
LEAVE NO TRACE!
