Ala-Archa National Park Bishkek

Many a times you are driven by zest to discover nature by walking the unbeaten path to escape in the lap of nature. You love to sink into the scenic wonders of few such destinations. We have seen before how Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan meets the wanderlust of a traveler in you. Walking around Bishkek one can easily observe snow covered Tien Shan mountains dominating the skyline. And in the very Tien Shan mountain is Ala Archa National Park. An amazing natural place to be at, at Ala Archa you can feel the mountain breeze very soothing and pleasing. Hiking, trekking and even just sitting here can be quite an experience.

The Ala Archa National Park is an alpine national park in the Tian Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan, established in 1976 and located approximately 40 km south of the capital city of Bishkek. The park, includes the gorge of the Ala-Archa and the mountains surrounding it. So, Ala Archa Park happens to be popular destination point at the weekends. Picnickers, hikers, horse trekkers, skiers as well as mountain climbers looking for challenging ice, rock and mixed routes get their excitement fulfilled in abundance here. The park is open all round the year but late summer and early fall is the best time to go. The park spreads over 200 square kilometres, and its altitude ranges from about 1,500 meters at the entrance to a maximum of 4,895 meters at Peak Semenova Tian-Shanski, the highest peak in the Kyrgyz Ala-tau range of the Tian Shan. While going up one must stop and admired some of the most outrageous natural beauty one can ever see. There are more than 20 small and large glaciers and some 50 mountain peaks within the park. Two smaller rivers, the Adygene and the Ak-Sai, originate from these glaciers melting waters. The Adygene gorge is a beautifully wooded valley, with waterfalls, springs and abundant trout. The wildlife here includes the very rare snow leopard on the alpine meadows and snowfields above 2,500 m elevation, wild goats, roe deer and marmots. For those who love trekking planning a longer stay in the park is great choice.

We saw previously amazing travel destinations in Kyrgyzstan and Bishkek. While you plan to go to Ala Archa be well rested before going up and if you are enthusiastic about your trip then you will be delighted for sure. There is a nominal fee for entering the park. Past the gate the road continues 12 km to a small collection of buildings. At the end of the road, up a trail to the left (East), lies the Ak-Sai Glacier, where remains of a Soviet climbing base indicate the high quality mountaineering within the park. Before you get home tired, sunburn or thirsty you will have the best time for sure.

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