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Ala-Archa
Aerial view up the Ala-Archa gorge: a road and a glacial river run between forested slopes toward snow-capped peaks under white clouds.

Ala-Archa

Ala-Archa State Natural Park

Less than an hour from Bishkek and you are in the mountains: spruce forest, a mountain river, the Ak-Sai waterfall and peaks up to 4,895 m.

Park is open· Entry via the checkpoint

Local time

About mudflow risk

Jagged snow-capped ridge above a green alpine slope, with the upper cable car station and a pylon in the foreground.

2,494 m, upper station

Khan-Tengri cable car

Up to the snow peaks

Doppelmayr gondolas lift you from 2,166 m to 2,494 m. Return ticket 600 som, children 400 som.

About the cable car
Snow leopard in the snow

4,895 m, highest point of the park

Protected by the state since 1976

Above the forest: snow leopard country

Wolves, roe deer, marmots and rare birds live here, and many species are in the Red Book. Seeing a snow leopard takes real luck. Hunting is banned.

About the park

A night in the mountains

Stay the night

Places to stay, the Teplye Klyuchi complex and a banya with a pond, all inside the park. Check the prices, pick your dates and send the request on WhatsApp.

All places and prices
View from the A-frame loft: pine-clad sloping walls, a wooden balustrade and a tall triangular window onto green trees.
  • Aerial view of white cottages with blue roofs scattered among trees on the valley floor, the river and peaks beyond.

    Forest houses “Tokoydogu Uy”

    Houses among the trees

    Price on request

  • A-frame cabin on stilts with a glass gable and a railed deck, green slopes and blue sky with clouds behind.

    A-frame cottages

    Cottages on the slope

    11 000 som / night≈ $126

    Breakfast included

  • A multi-storey timber chalet with a steep red roof and wooden balconies, beside tall spruces and a lawn.

    Ala-Archa Hotel

    Four room types

    from 4 000 som / night≈ $46

    No breakfast

  • Visitors resting on a grassy meadow beside the river, with forested slopes rising on both sides of the valley.

    Ak-Bata Hotel

    Suites and junior suites

    from 5 000 som / night≈ $57

  • The dark two-storey "Адыгене" summer cottage building with external galleries, green slopes and clouds behind.

    Adygene Hotel

    Standard double rooms

    3 000 som / night≈ $34

    No breakfast

  • Close-up of a steel basket of sauna stones against pine wall boards.

    Banya with a pond

    By the hour, up to 5–6 people

    1 500 som / hour≈ $17

    up to 5–6 people

  • Aerial view of the Warm Springs complex: long dark-roofed buildings and a terrace with umbrellas beside the rushing river.

    Teplye Klyuchi health complex

    Radon-water pool, cottages and rooms

    Price on request

Dollar amounts are approximate, at the National Bank rate of 15.10.2026.

4.7

How visitors rate Ala-Archa

Tripadvisor: 808 reviews, #1 of 143 things to do in Bishkek. Figures from October 2026.

Read the reviews on Tripadvisor

What visitors praise most:

  • Less than an hour from Bishkek

    40–50 minutes by car, or bus No. 1 from Old Square. Half a day is enough for a first visit.

  • The Ak-Sai waterfall

    The trail starts at Alplager, about 2 hours one way to the falls. Higher up is the Racek Hut.

  • Free rides inside the park

    Cars stay at the checkpoint, and about 80 free electric cars run inside the park.

  • Clean air and a mountain river

    Spruce forest, the sound of the river and quiet far from the city. It is why people come back.

Plan your visit

What to know before you set off: the way here, entry fees, hours and what to pack.

Full visitor guide

Getting here

40 km

40–50 minutes by car from Bishkek

  • Bus No. 1 from Old Square: 08:00–19:00, every 20–30 minutes
  • Petrol and diesel cars stay in the car park at the checkpoint (700 places); electric cars can drive in
  • About 80 free electric cars run inside the park

Bus data from May 2025

Entry

250 som

adult ticket≈ $3

  • Children aged 7–14180 som≈ $2
  • Children under 7Free
  • Entry by private electric car880 som≈ $10

Payment is cashless: payment terminals at the checkpoint, QR code or bank card.

Source: 24.kg, 11 June 2026 (the park’s new price list)

Dollar amounts are approximate, at the National Bank rate of 15.10.2026.

All prices

Hours

Bus No. 1
08:00–19:00
Park office, Mon–Fri
09:00–17:30
Khan Tengri cable car
check by phone

The park does not publish its own opening hours. Call the office before you go.

Office phone

+996 (312) 883 204

What to bring

  • Warm layers: it gets cooler further up
  • Water and sun cream
  • Shoes you can walk a trail in
  • Tick repellent in spring and summer
Tick guidance

Getting around

Go up the gorge by electric bus, bike, e-scooter or cable car.

Hiking trails from Alplager
A white electric bus driving along the tree-lined park road, with a second bus behind and mountains beyond.

Electric buses

White electric buses run along the park road.

Low-angle view of a rental row of mountain bikes and electric scooters lined up on a path, hills behind.

Bikes and e-scooters

For hire at the visitor centre.

Green gondolas leaving the cable car station and climbing a grassy slope, framed by the station structure.

Khan Tengri cable car

Doppelmayr gondolas climb from the lower station at 2,166 m to the upper station at 2,494 m. Return ticket: adults 600 som, children 400 som, cashless only. Call ahead for opening hours.

More about the cable car

Safety in the mountains

An early warning system watches the gorge for mudflows. Read the guidance before you go.

112Emergency services

News

All news