Ala Archa National Park is located 35km south of Bishkek. The park protects a large section of the Ala Too range in the Tien Shan Mountains. It's a stunning part of the country, home to glaciers, peaks, forests and rivers. It's often your first introduction to Kyrgyzstan's incredible landscapes.

Being just an hour from the city, it’s the best day trip from Bishkek and is very popular amongst travellers and locals alike. You can either book a day tour or get public transport to reach it.

There are a couple of different day hikes to choose from in the park. From the main trailhead, most people pick between two hikes. The Ala Archa River Trail, an easier and shorter walk, or the Ak Sai Waterfall and Ak Sai Glacier hike, which is more strenuous and takes several hours return.

How to get there without a tour? You can either take a Yandex taxi or a bus. Bus #1 departs regularly from near the Statue of Lenin in Bishkek and takes about an hour to get to the entrance of the national park. From there, you pay the entrance fee to the park and jump on the free shuttle bus that transports visitors to the main trailhead.

Can you camp in the park? Yes, you can. If you want to do an overnight hike, the hike to Ak Sai Glacier and Ratzek Hut is a good option. It takes approximately 4 hours to reach the glacier one way from the trailhead. It's possible to stay in or camp near the hut (check availability at the park office).