Trekking in the Alay Mountains can be enjoyed by trekkers of any age and fitness level. If you have never gone hiking in the mountains before, you should really consider taking a trip up to the mountains with a local guide. While many trekkers choose to go off on their own, there are many experienced trekkers who would be happy to offer you their expert advice. One thing that you should be aware of is that there are many routes available for trekking in the Alay Mountains and that you may encounter many more people along the way than you would expect. A guide could also make things much easier for you by showing you hidden waterfalls or telling you about the best places to get some spectacular views.
If you’re going to hike up to the mountains with a guide, be sure to get a hold of your expedition guide and a map before you set out. This will allow you to have a good idea of what route to take, what to carry with you and where to stay while you’re in the area. Other useful supplies to have on hand include your waterproof hiking boots, rain clothes, thermal long pants, a day pack, a sleeping bag or a hammock, food and water, and your cell phone. Trekking in the Alay Mountains requires a lot of equipment and having a plan in place will make things go smoothly.
If you’re taking a longer trip up to the mountains from the capital, Bishkek, you’ll find a number of different day hikes to choose from. Some of the easiest day hikes involve going up to the Clearwater River and swimming at the rapids. Other hikers prefer to camp at night and hike to the top of the mountain. Other trekkers like to camp at the foot of the high passes and commune with nature all day. And then there are the travellers that love to camp out by the lakeside and soak in a hot tub or cook up a sweat with a cold beer.
The best-known trekking routes in the country centre are the North Caucasian Highlands and the Golden rite Kyrgyzstan region, but trekking to the east and west of Bishkek takes a different approach. Whereas the former aims to climb to the heights of the Kyrgyzstan mountains, the latter make sure you don’t go too far from the city of Osh. For those people who want to sightsee and experience the real nature of the country without spending too much time trekking, day trips to the yurt and lake district are the way to go.
On the way to the yurt, travellers pass through some amazing scenery – spectacular peaks, vast meadows, tundra regions and pine forests. Pass through the village of Banyas and continue on towards the Lakes. Here, travellers will discover the real beauty of this region and see how it has been carved by nature. To make sure that the day hikes to the basecamp follow the terrain and do not get too lost, travellers pass through numerous small villages and embark on day hikes to various destinations such as Krasnaya, Bugul, Ovorkaya and Sheshan-Savoy.
Upon reaching the Lakes, the journey to the foothills of the mountains rears its head once more. This part of the Alay Mountains boasts spectacular scenery and is a favourite among trekkers. It is here that the route to the foothills of the Khoty Mountains was found popular among hikers and backpackers. The landscape here is quite different from the taillights as it features rocky cliffs and sheer slopes covered with flurries of snow and ice. The Khoty River passes through a number of towns before it emerges into the valleys of Osh and Bulu.
The lakes are home to many lakes and the region has some of the finest camping grounds in northern Georgia. Here, travellers can camp under the starlight sky and listen to the trickling waters as they take a relaxing bath or cook over an open fire. It is also possible to undertake day hikes to the highest peaks of these mountains where lodges provide luxurious accommodation. Day hikes are a popular activity among trekkers and tourists who come to the Alay Mountains with a camper van or on their own.
For those hikers who prefer to trek to remote trekking locations, the town of Borysko is home to the untouched wilderness of the Kyrgyz people. The majority of travellers to this part of the Alay Mountains visit Borysko during the summer when temperatures are warm and temperatures that stay well below zero are in the mid-range of the mountain range. Once you have reached Borysko, you will be able to embark on one of several day hikes that allow you to explore the abundant flora and fauna of the region. At the end of your hike, you will be able to camp out in a yurt. Some of the most sought after destinations in and around the Alay Mountains include Stanytsoupan, Dolgozna, Tsero, Grozny, and Borkorynka.
