Altyn Arashan (which means “Golden Spring” in Kyrgyz) is a gorge in the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan, famous -just as the name suggests – for its hot springs.

The gorge sits at 2,600 metres above sea level, in the same league as other hard-to-reach natural gems like Kel-Suu and Enilchek. Personally, I think this is the most beautiful gorge in Kyrgyzstan – I’ve never seen this much greenery in the mountains before! Spruce and pine forests stretch along the slopes, and everywhere you look, there’s grass, flowers, and wild herbs, making you feel more like you’re in an alpine meadow than high in the mountains.

Most people come here for the hot springs, while international tourists who love a challenge set off from here on trekking routes to Ala-Kul lake, mountain peaks, valleys, and all the joys of hiking. But our tour wasn’t about that – we came for the beauty. And trust me, it begins long before you even reach Altyn Arashan.

About the tour

The tour lasted two days and one night, and back in 2023 it cost 6,500 KGS (probably a bit more now). The price included transport, a guide, special off-road transport into the gorge, accommodation in Altyn Arashan, plus dinner and breakfast. On the way there, we also stopped to see some of the stunning sights along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul.

The road from Bishkek took us pretty much the whole day, with breaks at the “Fairy Tale” Canyon and the Barskoon waterfalls. From Karakol, we switched to special off-road vehicles (read: we were shaken around for a couple of hours), and by sunset we finally reached our yurt camp.

Fairy Tale Canyon

The road along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul is stunning, but not exactly smooth. For as long as I can remember, they’ve been repairing it – yet it’s still worth the ride.

Our first stop was the Fairy Tale Canyon. Why that name? Well, that’s for everyone to decide on their own. The canyon is made of red clay and sand, shaped over millions of years. They say different people see different things here – the Wild West, castles, fairy-tale monsters, or even an Arabian desert.

Barskoon Waterfalls

Next, we stopped at Barskoon Gorge, where you’ll spot a bas-relief of Yuri Gagarin – apparently, he once vacationed here (at least, that’s what our guide swore!). The gorge is home to six waterfalls, three of which are easily accessible on foot – perfect for a short hike.

The names of the waterfalls are wonderfully poetic. The ones that stuck with me most were The Bowl of Manas, The Tears of the Snow Leopard, and my personal favourite – Champagne Spray. Sadly, I couldn’t get close to that last one… only the drone managed to.

Altyn Arashan

At the entrance to the gorge, a special vehicle will be waiting for you – in our case, it was this beast with massive wheels, though some groups had to make do with a regular Soviet-style “bukhanka” van. The road is rough and full of giant boulders and rocks. Still, we spotted some brave tourists who decided to hike the whole way on foot – clearly, they weren’t here for a relaxing trip.

On the way up, you’ll follow the mountain river Arashan, with forests stretching along the slopes.

Our camp turned out to be in a truly picturesque spot as well.

Don’t rush to fall asleep after dinner. Thanks to the altitude and the complete lack of electricity, the night sky is absolutely breathtaking – I had never seen the stars so close before! My camera only managed to capture this:

Hot Springs

The hot springs are just a short walk from the camp, but be careful – the trail is narrow, steep, and absolutely stunning.

The water here is radon-rich and considered healing, but that also means you shouldn’t stay in it too long. Depending on the spring, the water temperature can reach up to 50°C.

Several springs are located close to each other, but the most beautiful ones are “The Swallow’s Nest” and “The Heart.” From there, you get an incredible view of the river below.

When to Go & What to Pack

Tours usually run in summer, since at this altitude it gets much colder than you’d expect – at night, even with thick blankets in the yurts, you’ll definitely need warm clothes. Facilities are outdoors, and showers are way too much of a luxury – you’ll have to make do with a washbasin, so stock up on wet wipes.

There’s no cell service in Altyn Arashan, and yurts don’t have sockets, so get ready for a proper digital detox and bring a power bank.

Along with warm clothes, don’t forget swimwear and towels for the hot springs – and you might also get a chance for a dip in Issyk-Kul on the way back.

Food is included: you’ll be served dinner on arrival, and breakfast and lunch the next day before departure. Still, pack some snacks and a light meal for the road to the gorge.

And of course – bring a raincoat, just in case the weather changes, plus an extra layer of warm clothes.

You can check out my full Altyn Arashan tour review here.

---

---

More multi-day tours in Kyrgyzstan: