Tuyuk-Su & Ala-Archa: a combined alpine adventure with guide

About program

This tour invites you to explore two breathtaking alpine regions in one unforgettable journey.

Tuyuk-Su is an alpine camp nestled in the Small Almaty Valley, just a short drive from the city. Located at 2,500 meters above sea level, it’s an ideal place to start your adventure thanks to its lower elevation, which makes for a gentle and effective acclimatization.

Ala-Archa, one of the most stunning and accessible locations in Kyrgyzstan, lies just outside Bishkek. With peaks rising up to 4,875 meters and a base camp at 3,500 meters, it offers a wide variety of routes—ranging from trekking summits to long, spectacular ridgelines and multipitch rock and ice climbs.

We recommend beginning your tour in Tuyuk-Su before moving on to Ala-Archa. This way, you can comfortably experience two beautiful valleys across two different countries while gradually adapting to higher altitudes.

Both regions offer a rich selection of mountain routes—from hikes to technical alpine climbs. Tuyuk-Su is perfect for starting out and building your acclimatization, while Ala-Archa provides a dramatic change of scenery and more technical challenges. Tuyuk-Su is best known for its rocky routes, whereas Ala-Archa also features classic ice climbs—ensuring you’ll never get bored.

When to Go?

Both areas are accessible year-round, but we recommend visiting between June and the end of September. During this season, you’ll have the best chance of climbing most classic routes in relatively warm and stable conditions.

Program Overview*

Day 1: Arrival and Approach to Tuyuk-Su

We’ll meet in Almaty and travel to the alpine camp—about a 30-minute drive. Once there, we’ll take a short acclimatization hike to Mynzhylky or the T1 glaciological station.

Day 2: Ascent of Peak Khrishchatogo (3,950 m)

An early start at 6:00 AM for one of the best introductory climbs in the area—perfect for acclimatization and panoramic views.

Day 3: Rest Day

We can spend the day training technical skills (knot tying, protection placement, rope management, climbing techniques) or simply relaxing and enjoying the mountain atmosphere.

Day 4: Climb Amangeldy (3,999 m) or Molodyozhnaya (4,147 m)

Based on your preferences and fitness level, we’ll either tackle the rocky route to Amangeldy or opt for the ice route to Molodyozhnaya.

Day 5: Transfer to Bishkek

We pack up and drive to Bishkek, where we’ll stay overnight and have time for a walk around the city.

Day 6: Approach to Ala-Archa

The trek to Ratsek Hut, our base camp in Ala-Archa, takes about 4–5 hours. If we’re feeling energetic, we can explore the surrounding area. It's possible to hire a porter for carrying our heavy stuff to the hut.

Day 7: Climb Ratsek Peak (3,972 m)

This small rocky summit offers an adventurous route and spectacular views over the entire valley.

Day 8: Rest Day

We can enjoy a bit of rock climbing near camp, practice ice climbing on the glacier, or simply relax and recover.

Day 9: Ascent of Teke-Tor (4,479 m) or Boks (4,240 m)

Choose between the icy Teke-Tor for a classic ice route, or Boks for a long, rocky ridge climb.

Day 10: Return to the City

We return to Bishkek and drop you off at your hotel or the airport—or head back to Almaty if you prefer.

*Please note: This is a sample itinerary. Actual schedule may vary based on weather conditions and route status. The amount of days could be adjusted depending on your needs. Don't hesitate to contact us if you want us to make this program shorter or longer.

Book your adventure with Silk Road Guiding today and immerse yourself in a world of alpine beauty, challenge, and unforgettable mountain landscapes!

Want a shorter alpine climbing adventure? Check out this one!