Altyn-Arashan gorge

Altyn-Arashan gorge

The Altyn-Arashan gorge, meaning «golden source», is located 10 km east of the city of Karakol, as well as 28 km from the east coast of the famous Issyk-Kul Lake.

The path to the picturesque gorge begins from the village of Ak-Suu. In the past, the village was called Teploklyuchenko, in honor of what we will talk about today — numerous hot springs.

The Altyn-Arashan gorge is rich in hot springs! Water sources are completely different in composition. For example, sources containing radon treat diseases of the nervous system. Sources with other minerals, temperature and radioactivity help with diseases of the liver, kidneys, heart and digestive organs. Such valuable places do not go unnoticed, so in 1963 a resort based on hot springs was built here, which to this day collects a huge number of visitors who want to improve their health or just enjoy the views of the gorge. It should be noted that there is something to enjoy here! The resort itself is located at an altitude of 2600 meters. The slopes of the gorge are covered with spruce forests, various plants and fragrant flowers. Nature generously endowed these places. In the gorge, you can find many interesting places, like in a radon waterfall, spurting from a cliff from a height of three meters. The small grotto created by people was converted into a makeshift bath. Every tourist who wishes today can enjoy a life-giving source. And what about the snow-white five-thousander called «Aksuyskaya wall»? A grandiose view of this giant opens directly from the resort!

Within 10 km from its beginning, the width of the gorge is only about 20-30 meters, then it becomes wider, revealing to its guests amazing views of the mareno-lndnikovoye lake Kashka-Suu, Sharkyratma waterfalls reaching a height of 15 meters, Kuldurek, Archaly-Tor and Of course, Ala-Kol Lake, located on the way to the neighboring valley at an altitude of 3532 meters!

We advise you to book a tour to the gorge in July-August. It was at this time that Altyn-Arashan boasted before the eyes of travelers and their lenses of its best colors!