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Due to adverse conditions in winter, with deep snow making
the mountains impassable, visiting before June is not recommended.
Mid-summer until September is the best season for trekking
and climbing. You will need to arrange guides from a travel
agency before travelling, as this is not possible locally.
A highlight of any trip is to visit the rural shepherds whose
nomadic lifestyles have changed little in centuries. You will
find locals unfailingly hospitable and friendly, though do
remember you may be eating their provisions for a week, so
be generous with gifts of money and food.
Kol-Sai Lakes, Kazakhstan
These three lakes are located in the mountains between 6,000
and 8,000 feet above sea level. Coloured a beautiful sky-blue,
they are located in the Kazakh part of the Kungey Alatau
Range of the Central Tien Shan in the south-east of the
country, 160 miles from Almaty. You will find excellent trekking
and hiking along the routes around the lakes, with captivating
scenery and breathtaking views of the surrounding alpine mountains
and lakes.
The highest point in Kazakhstan is Khan-Tengri at
23,000 feet, located in the mountains surrounding the Kol-Sai
Lakes. The first lake is located three to four hours drive
from Almaty and is accessible by road, but you will need to
pay a small fee to the local Zakaznik staff.
Accommodation is available in a pricey but very nice guesthouse
run by the friendly Zhibek Zholy on the Eastern slope,
although simple, cheap huts are also available, but are busy
at weekends. Guides and horses are available for hire from
local staff as the hike to the second lake is a tough one
and you will need professional equipment. In good weather
you should be able to complete the hike in around three hours,
with the best season being mid-May through to October.
Organised horseback riding through Lake Kolsay is
a treat as guides take you across the passes to Lake Issyk-Kul
in Kyrgyzstan. Issyk-Kul is the second largest alpine lake
in the world, and definitely worth scheduling in a trip. Surrounded
by the majestic Tien Shan Mountains, you can stay in one of
the few hotels here. Its name derives from a word meaning
hot lake, due to the fact that it doesn't freeze over in winter.
It is located three to four hours from Bishkek, and lies at
an altitude of 5,278 feet.
Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
Karakol is a good base for expeditions into the nearby
Tien Shan Mountains. Here you can hire horses for trekking,
and equipment to climb and ski. Altyn-Arashan is a
picturesque gorge located about 25 miles east of Karakol,
yet the mountain road leading you there is spectacular in
itself, provided you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle to navigate
the difficult terrain. The gorge itself, set at 10,000 feet
above sea level, contains healing hot springs. A four- to
five-hour walk will bring you to the foothills of Palatka
Peak; experience beautiful scenery and a natural waterfall
on the way.
Ala-Kol Lake is also situated nearby in the mountains.
Its crystal clear waters lie 12,772 feet above sea level with
glaciers and high peaks that will captivate your senses surround
the lake. You can reach this alpine paradise on the popular
route from Altyn-Arashan and Karakol gorges. The interesting
marvel about this special lake is that its colour changes,
from violet to dark blue to pink, depending on the weather
and time of day.
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