Kyrgyzstan: Ak Suu Arboretum Dayhike

Ak Suu Arboretum is an easy dayhike outside the city of Karakol in the east of Kyrgyzstan. Not very physically demanding and with reasonably pleasant walking and nice views, it makes for a nice rest day in Karakol or a simple dayhike for travellers who don’t have sufficient time to explore the Ak-Suu region more intensely.

Total Km: 13km
Total Days: 1
Elevation Gain/Loss: 660m+ / 648m-
Start Point: Teploklychenka village
End Point: Jolgolot village
GPS Files

Starting with a gentle climb through a pleasant section of forest, the titular Ak-Suu Arboretum, the trail continues up a short rise southeast of Karakol. Nice views of the surrounding peaks follow across the ridge. The route then descends directly to the village of Jolgolot.

Starting from the mountain road south of Teploklychenka village, the Ak-Suu Arboretum hike branches southwest from a signposted fork off the road to the more popular Altyn Arashan Valley hike.

Continue along the forest road for about 1.5km, to an intersection with another smaller road. You’ll see it just before a forester’s hut. Turn southwest along this smaller road, and continue up through the edge of the forest.

The route eventually climbs out of the edge of the forest and into an open hillside, rising to the top of the slope for nice views of the Karakol Ski Base and Prjevalsky Peak to the south. This ridge makes a good location to stop for lunch, though note there’s no shade for the rest of the route once it leaves the forest.

Continue along the ridge until you can pick up a shepherd’s trail back down into Karakol. In principle there are any number of routes back down towards the city. The GPS file linked here follows one of the gentler descents down a fairly constant slope. At the bottom of the hill, around 1935m, you’ll run into a road that skirts the hill to make a loop around Karakol. No public transportation runs this far, though it may be possible to get a ride from passing private vehicles. Alternatively, just walk the last 3km or so back into the center.

Alternate Options for Ak Suu Arboretum Dayhike

Though public transportation runs to Teploklychenka village, the Ak-Suu Arboretum route could make an alternate entry/exit path to Altyn Arashan from Karakol. Additionally, the relatively gentle terrain and pleasant forest environment make this route a nice winter daytrip from Karakol as well. Take snowshoes from one of the numerous rental agencies in Karakol.

Good To Know

There are no entrance fees for the Ak-Suu Arboretum, and a guide won’t be necessary for most hikers. Be sure to pack a lunch and ample water, as there are no facilities beyond Teploklychenka. Also take ample sun protection to manage the lack of shade throughout the second half of the hike.

Getting to the Ak Suu Arboretum Dayhike

Public ‘marshrutka’ minivan #350 runs between Karakol’s Ak-Tilek Bazaar (30 Kyrgyz som, many throughout the day) and the Ak-Suu Resort beyond the village of Teploklychenka.  After it passes through Teploklychenka, you’ll want to get off at a fork beyond with the minibus takes a sharp left and crosses a bridge. Ask the driver for ‘Altyn Arashan’ and they’ll know where to let you off. Around 1km south of this fork the Ak-Suu Arboretum trail begins, at a fork off the track to Altyn Arashan.

We’ve also published a quick and dirty guidebook to show tourists around for their first few days in Bishkek. If you’re headed towards Kyrgyzstan and expect to need some help getting around, consider our Unanchor: Bishkek guide. Additionally, we contributed the Kyrgyzstan chapter to the most recent Lonely Planet: Central Asia guidebook. If you’re looking for more help than that, consider reaching out to our friends at Feel Nomad to organize a tour to the country.