Explore this remote alpine region of northeastern Kyrgyzstan with a private guide.
Spend a day journeying deep into the Arashan Gorge to the Altyn Arashan plateau to see one of Kyrgyzstan’s most striking alpine landscapes, high in the Tian Shan mountains at around 2,700 m (8,858 ft). The name means Golden Spa, a nod to its natural hot springs, which you can see as they bubble up in the middle of pine forests and wildflower meadows. Surrounded by rock-strewn peaks, including the pyramid-shaped Mount Palatka (4,260 m/13,976 ft), the plateau feels remote, pristine, and timeless.
Getting there is an adventure in itself: you can either reach it by hiking several hours up from the village of Ak-Suu through a valley of fragrant spruce, or by taking the rough track in a 4x4 that jolts and climbs alongside rushing glacial rivers. The reward is an open meadow dotted with rustic wooden cabins, yurts, and the occasional herd of grazing horses or yaks.
A visit here offers a chance to learn more about life on the plateau, which is simple and slow paced. The air is sharp and clear, carrying the resinous scent of forest and the faint sulfur tang of the springs. You can soak in the steaming pools while listening to the hush of the wind and the distant rumble of mountain streams. Additionally, you might see golden eagles wheeling above the valley, though the snow leopards and bears that inhabit the surrounding mountains are notoriously elusive.
Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our Kyrgyzstan specialists
These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can suggest tours and activities that will introduce you to the local ways of life.
A guided trip to Jeti-Ögüz and Juuku Gorge
Discover Kyrgyzstan’s wild beauty on this full-day guided trip. Explore Jeti-Oguz’s red cliffs and alpine meadows, experience nomadic traditions, and then continue into Juuku Gorge, where Silk Road trails pass by spruce forests, glacial rivers, and the snow-capped Tien Shan peaks.
You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tour below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you.
