Altyn-Arashan (translated as "Golden Spring") is a high-altitude gorge located in the eastern part of the Terskey Alatau range, near the city of Karakol. This gorge is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kyrgyzstan, thanks to its unique nature, hot springs located right in the gorge, vast coniferous forests, and stunning views.
The Altyn-Arashan Gorge is located in the upper reaches of the river Arashan of the same name, situated 10 km east of Karakol and 28 km from the eastern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul.
Even during the Soviet era, the territory of the gorge was recognized as a specially protected reserve zone due to its rich natural diversity. It received its status as a nature reserve in 1963 and has maintained it to this day. This is one of the few places in Kyrgyzstan where a relic forest of Tien Shan fir trees has survived in such abundance.
At the lower reaches of the Arashan River is the village of Ak-Suu (formerly Tepkoklyuchenka), named for the numerous hot springs located near the village. They are situated at a record height of 2600 meters and have healing properties due to the presence of radon and hydrogen sulfide in the water, maintaining high temperatures year-round: 35 degrees for the radon spring and 41 degrees for the hydrogen sulfide spring. Some springs have covered pools built over them, while others remain "wild," located in hollows carved into the rocks or grottos. On the right bank of the river is a small resort called "Altyn-Arashan" (Golden Spring). The resort was established in 1963 based on hot springs with increased mineralization and radioactivity.
Altyn-Arashan is a romantic place, especially recommended for young couples. One of the thermal springs is even shaped like a heart. There is also a grotto and a swallow's nest. At a height of three meters above the ground, a hot radon spring bursts from the rock. Nature itself has created a small grotto, with a little human effort resulting in a bath that resembles a swallow's nest.
From the resort, there is a grand view of the five-thousander "Aksu Wall." This enormous snowy peak, rising over 5,000 meters, resembles a white tent. One reason tourists love this place is the "Tent Peak," due to its unusual trapezoidal shape, which is a rarity for the Tien Shan mountains. The view of the wall has become a kind of business card for the gorge. For hiking enthusiasts, a walk to the foot of the peak, where a small glacial lake called Kashka-Suu and several waterfalls: Sharkyratma, Kuldurek, Tash-Tektir, Archaly-Tor, and Takyr-Tor are located, will be particularly interesting.
Hiking enthusiasts are recommended to take a one-day excursion to the beautiful mountain lake Ala-Köl, which translates from Kyrgyz as "Colorful Lake." The path will not be close and not easy, but it is worth it. The lake is located in the upper part of the Arashan gorge, above the resort, on the way to the neighboring Karakol gorge. If you go to the "Ala-Köl" lake from the resort, you will need to ascend to the pass of the same name (1A, 3,600 m). From the pass, a magnificent view of the turquoise basin of the lake opens up.
The altitude of the lake is 3,572 meters. Ala-Köl is perhaps one of the most beautiful lakes in the Terskey Alatau range. The water in the lake is very clean and cold, and if someone decides to swim, they must do it immediately; dive in and come up. Gradual acclimatization is not possible with Ala-Köl. It is impossible for a person to get used to such cold water. The beauty and energy of Ala-Köl can be described for a long time, but words are not enough; it must simply be seen and felt.
The Altyn-Arashan Gorge has a complex geographical relief, unlike other mountain gorges in northern Tien Shan. In its lower part, for 5 km from its beginning, with high rocky banks overgrown with shrubs, Altyn-Arashan represents a narrow canyon (only 20-30 m wide) with a steep ascent and a turbulent river that can flood the road in summer. In the upper part, the gorge significantly widens and becomes a kind of high-altitude valley with a very gentle elevation change.
Further upstream, the gorge splits, forming two branches that encircle the Aksu Wall from the right and left sides.
The gorge and the resort are located in a vast protected reserve. Its territory includes over 30,500 hectares of forests, meadows, and rocks. It includes more than 20 magnificent habitats where wild boars, marals, minks, stoats, marmots, badgers, foxes, lynxes, bears, and snow leopards can be found. Among the birds: grouse, partridges, pheasants, doves, black grouse, vultures, and others. Both slopes of the gorge are covered with huge relic Tien Shan firs that are about a thousand years old. There are many medicinal herbs, mushrooms, and berries here, and in July, dozens of species of beautiful flowers cover the meadows and mountain slopes. The most beautiful time in the gorge is late July to August.
A large part of these territories is a botanical reserve called the State Natural Reserve of Arashan.
