Visiting Ala Archa National Park From Bishkek (2025 Guide)
Looking for things to do in Bishkek? Well, look no further than a day trip to Ala Archa National Park, one of Kyrgyzstan’s most beautiful places.
I can’t pretend that I was a big fan of Bishkek. The country’s capital city felt a little bit chaotic (and not in a charming way), and in all honesty, there isn’t much to do.
However, visiting Ala Archa made spending time in Bishkek all the worthwhile. This beautiful National Park is absolutely magnificent, and I’m amazed it’s so close to the city.
In this guide, I’ve shared everything you need to know about visiting Ala Archa on a day trip from Bishkek. Previously, it was easier to take a guided tour. However, in 2025, they introduced a new bus which goes directly from the city centre to the park, making Ala Archa more accessible (and cheaper to visit) than ever before.
Keep reading to discover all you need to know about planning your trip.
How to get to Ala Archa from Bishkek
By bus (top choice & cheapest)
Up until very recently, the best way to visit Ala Archa National Park was to join a guided tour from Bishkek. The other option was to catch a bus or two via various villages, which would then drop you off about 10km from the park entrance.
However, thanks to improvements to the tourist infrastructure of the park, you can now take a local bus directly to the park’s entrance (from summer 2025).
The new Number 1 bus departs from Bishkek’s city centre, and after about forty minutes to one hour, you’ll arrive at the entrance to Ala Archa.
You can find the full bus route here (2Gis is a very helpful app/website for Bishkek), including the stops in the city, so you can work out where to wait for the bus. I waited at the stop close to Ala-Too Square.
The bus starts at 8am and runs roughly every thirty minutes. There’s some conflicting information about when the last bus departs the park to return to Bishkek. The driver told me 8 pm, but some information online says 7 pm. I’d suggest checking 2Gis on the day of your trip (this bus does not appear on Google as of August 2025).
The bus costs 50 Som ($0.50) each way. Make sure you’re carrying cash to pay for this.
Once you arrive at Ala Archa, you can purchase your entry ticket (200 Som / $2) at the ticket machines (card payment) and then take a free bus to the hiking trails and viewpoints.
The free bus takes about ten minutes, and there seemed to be enough buses to meet the demands of tourists.
It honestly couldn’t be easier, and I highly, highly recommend it over a tour. It’s a great, inexpensive way to explore the park. There were plenty of tourists doing the same, so it’s unlikely you’ll be the only person.
Note: This is based on information as of 2025. Many other guidebooks and websites still recommend taking a tour. I suggest checking 2Gis on the day of your trip to confirm the buses are running. As far as I’m aware, they will run throughout the tourist season (May to October) and potentially continue into the winter as well.
Guided tour
A guided tour from Bishkek is an excellent option for those who prefer not to use buses; however, please be aware that they are quite expensive compared to doing it yourself.
I visited Kyrgyzstan just as the new bus system opened. When I first checked for tours, there seemed to be hundreds to choose from. However, once the buses started, the amount on offer seemed to quickly decline.
If you’re a little nervous about going by yourself, then a guided tour is an excellent option.
My friend, who visited before the buses started, opted to take this guided tour. It includes several hours in the park, involving a guided walk along the river. She highly recommends the tour for those who don’t want to use the bus.
Taxi or car
You can also use a taxi to get to Ala Archa. In Central Asia, Yandex is the most popular taxi app (it works just like Uber).
I suggest asking the driver to wait for you when they drop you off, as you may struggle to get a Yandex back. Of course, this will cost more money so all in all, it’s easier to either use the bus or take a guided tour.
There is also a car park at Ala Archa, so if you’re hiring a car in Kyrgyzstan, you can drive yourself. The roads in the area are in relatively good condition, and it’s an easy drive (once you’ve left the chaos of Bishkek).
The best hikes in Ala Archa
Hiking is the most popular thing to do in Ala Archa; in fact, there’s not a whole lot else.
Here are some of the best hikes in Ala Archa:
The Ala Archa River Trail (Survivors Path)
The most popular hike in Ala Archa is the River Trail, a gorgeous route that winds through the valley and offers some of the park’s best scenery.
The first 2 km (1.2 miles) are the most popular. This section is mostly flat with just a little incline, and ends with a short, steep hill leading to a great viewpoint, a common turnaround point for day-trippers.
However, the trail continues for several more kilometres (up to around 6 km total) deeper into the valley. It’s the perfect “choose-your-own-adventure” hike. You can turn around whenever you like without missing any key sights.
It can be busy, especially on weekends, so hiking alone should be okay.
Trailhead: From where the bus drops you off, follow the main path uphill. The route is well-signposted and runs alongside the river. You’ll cross a bridge that takes you to the right side of the river early on.
Ak-Sai Waterfall (+ Ratsek Hut)
If you’re up for a more challenging hike, consider the Ak-Sai Waterfall hike. The hike takes about two or three hours each way and includes a bit of elevation. According to AllTrails, the route is approximately 8km return.
2025 Update: This was the hike I had planned to do (and continue to the Ak-Sai Glacier), but due to construction work, the trailhead is closed, and you must walk a considerable distance around to reach the main trail.
I spent about thirty minutes looking for the trail and, in the end, gave up and just walked along the river.
If you happen to attempt this trail in the future, please let me know if the trailhead opens again or if you manage to find the new trail.
For an extra challenge, you can continue to Ratsek Hut via the Ak-Sai Glacier (an additional 3 or 4 hours of hiking one way) and stay overnight.
Other hikes
For the more experienced hikers, there are several mountain peaks to summit within the national park, including Korona Peak and Peak Uchitel.
There’s quite limited information online about these, so I opted to stick to the main trails within the park.
Horse riding in Ala Archa
Horse riding is one of the most popular activities in Kyrgyzstan, and it’s possible to ride horses through the Ala Archa Gorge.
I was told that it would be possible to hire a horse upon arrival at the park. However, I didn’t see anyone with horses, so I’m not entirely sure how accurate this is.
With this in mind, I recommend booking your horse riding tour in advance. This way, you know exactly what you’re getting.
Gulsary Stables offer horse riding tours through Ala Archa. They’ll meet you at the main gate with the horse. You can contact them to book in advance here.
You can also book this tour, which includes transportation and a two-hour horseback ride through the park.
Tips for visiting Ala Archa National Park
Pack for all weather | Thanks to the surrounding mountains, the weather can change very quickly in Ala Archa. Make sure to pack waterproof clothing and extra layers, just in case.
Remember cash | Although the main ticket machines accept cards, I found that the coffee shop and toilets still required a cash payment. If you’re taking the bus, you’ll also need cash for this.
Take food and drink | Once you’ve started the hike, there won’t be anywhere to buy food or water. I also found the selection in the cafe to be very limited, so it’s worth taking your own food and drink.
Assume you’ll have no phone signal | I barely had any phone signal while I was inside the park. This might be an issue if you need to call a taxi back, which brings me to…
Plan your return journey | It’s a sensible idea to plan your return journey. Not many Yandex drivers will be in the area, and phone signal can be unreliable, making it difficult to use the app. I suggest planning how you’ll get back to Bishkek before going into the park.
Wear SPF | Not to sound like your mum, but the sun in Central Asia is STRONG. Make sure you have plenty of SPF with you and something to cover your head.
Other things to know about Ala Archa
When is the best time to visit?
The late spring and early autumn months are the best time to visit Ala Archa. You’ll be avoiding the worst of the extreme heat in the summer (and snow in the winter), and most of the trails are accessible.
It’s entirely possible to visit during the winter. Although hiking isn’t always an option during the winter, you can still enjoy the winter landscape.
Note: The buses are only currently confirmed to run in the summer months.
Where to eat and drink?
Surprisingly, there are several small cafes and coffee places within the park.
Upon arrival, a coffee shop is conveniently located near the car park. There are also a couple of cafes and restaurants close to where the shuttle buses drop you off (and toilets too). Selection is quite limited, though, so you might prefer to bring your own lunch.
Once you begin hiking, there are no facilities available, so be sure to bring plenty of snacks and water with you.
How long to spend at Ala Archa?
Most of the day tours give you around three hours in the park. This is enough time to wander along the river trail and see some of the Ala Archa’s most impressive scenery.
If you want to explore a little further, I suggest giving yourself an entire day in the park. It really is incredible.
Are there toilets?
There are toilets located at the main entrance, where the shuttle bus drops you off, and also just before the river trail begins. These are an additional cost, so make sure to have some change.
Summary: Is Visiting Ala Archa National Park worth it?
Yes, visiting Ala Archa is absolutely worth it. In my opinion, a trip to the park is one of the best things to do in Bishkek. It blew my mind that such a beautiful place is so close to a major city in Central Asia. It’s the perfect taster of what Kyrgyzstan has to offer in terms of beauty.
Having said that, if you’re already exploring other places in Kyrgyzstan with epic scenery, you might not necessarily gain much by visiting Ala Archa.
However, for the price (if you take the bus), I do think it’s worthwhile. It’s an incredible national park and it’s very accessible, making it the perfect day trip from Bishkek.