The Ala-Archa river
Among the spruce.
Vitaliknyc — CC BY 3.0 · Vilya Shoni — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Vilya Shoni — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Aiperi Khozhaeva — CC BY-SA 4.0 · St-user-pro — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Aiperi Khozhaeva — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Maljunulo Respondas — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Nikolai Bulykin — CC BY-SA 4.0
A mountain park in the Tian Shan just 35 km south of Bishkek, founded in 1976 and covering about 16,500 hectares. It is named after the Ala-Archa river that runs through it; «archa» is juniper, a tree the Kyrgyz hold in special esteem in their folklore. The park starts at about 1,500 m and climbs to 4,895 m at Semenov-Tian-Shansky Peak, the highest in the Kyrgyz Ala-Too. It has more than 20 glaciers and some 50 peaks, with green valleys of spruce and juniper and roaring rivers. Trails of every level start at the entrance: a short riverside stroll, a climb to the Ak-Sai waterfall, or a longer hike up to the glacier hut for experienced walkers. In winter some slopes are used for skiing. A small entry fee is charged per person and per car at the park gate; ask there. Mountain weather changes fast, so bring warm layers and water, and set off in the morning.
Among the spruce.
For hikers.
Above the valley.
Kyrgyz Ala-Too range, about 35 km south of Bishkek
About 35 km south, under an hour by car; trails from the entrance range from short strolls to longer glacier hikes.