Hot springs
In wooden huts.
Adam Harangozó — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Adam Harangozó — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Aidar Em — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Adam Harangozó — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Adam Harangozó — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Adam Harangozó — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Adam Harangozó — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Adam Harangozó — CC BY-SA 4.0
A mountain valley and hot-spring resort whose name means «golden spa», at 2,350-2,435 m in the Tian Shan about 20 km southeast of Karakol, guarded to the south by the 5,020 m Palatka peak. The valley has three groups of hot springs on the right bank of the Arashan river, piped into pools inside wooden huts, where people bathe in the warm mineral water for its reputed health benefits. Spruce forests and green meadows surround it, with simple guesthouses, yurts and grazing horses, and the roaring Arashan river running through. The valley lies within the Arashan nature reserve, home to snow leopards and bears. The track up is rough: hikers take several hours, or 4x4 vehicles run up from Ak-Suu village, per visitor guides, and most visitors stay a night. Go between June and September, with warm clothes for cold nights.
In wooden huts.
Among the spruce.
Roaring past.
Terskey Ala-Too range, about 20 km southeast of Karakol
On foot in several hours uphill, or by 4x4 from Ak-Suu village near Karakol; most visitors stay a night.