Home / Tours / Winter Ala-Archa & Chunkurchak - Day Trip
Winter Ala-Archa & Chunkurchak - Day Trip
Two snowy gorges near Bishkek in one day. In Ala-Archa National Park you take the eco bus in, then choose an easy river walk with birds and squirrels or a hike to the Broken Heart viewpoint. In Chunkurchak we see the frozen Pigeon Waterfall, cross the Sky Bridge and ride the chair lift. Gentle walking, good for families and couples.
Why you'll love this tour
Good to know
- Activities: hiking - 1 day
- Departures from: Bishkek
- Best time to go: November to April
- Local certified English-speaking guide
- Private transport & airport transfers
- Small group or fully private
- 24/7 support team in Bishkek
What to pack
- Thermal base layers, top and bottom, to stay warm in deep cold
- An insulated hat and warm, waterproof gloves
- Heavy socks and warm, waterproof boots for snow
- Sunglasses and sunscreen: snow doubles the high-altitude glare
- A power bank, since the cold drains phone batteries fast
Full packing list and arrival tips: Easy from abroad: visas, arrival and logistics
Before you go
- Visa: most Western and East-Asian passports enter visa-free for up to 30 days within any 60-day period (the rule changed at the end of 2025), so check your own nationality on evisa.e-gov.kg
- Money: the local currency is the Kyrgyz som; carry cash for villages and camps, as card payments mostly work only in towns
- Connectivity: mobile data is decent in towns, but there is usually no signal at high mountain yurt camps, so let people know you may be offline
- Winter weather can change the day's plan; your guide adjusts the route for snow and road conditions
- Drinking water: stick to bottled or boiled water, and bring enough for stretches where none is available
Read before you go: When is the best time to visit Kyrgyzstan?
Day-by-day itinerary
Tap any day to expand. Every itinerary can be tailored to your dates, pace and fitness.
We meet you in your hotel lobby and drive toward the mountains. Ala-Archa National Park is less than an hour away. Private cars cannot go inside, so we switch to the eco bus that runs deeper into the valley.
Then you pick your walk. The easy one follows the frozen river, with birds and squirrels to feed. The other climbs to the Broken Heart viewpoint for a wide look at the snowy peaks.
From Ala-Archa we drive on through snowy forest to Chunkurchak Gorge. Your guide walks you down to the frozen Pigeon Waterfall, then across the Sky Bridge between two cliffs. A chair lift takes us to the top for a view over the whole white valley. Lunch is at Supara Chunkurchak, a wooden restaurant with mountain views. Order what you like, lunch is not included.
A short horse ride in the snowy forest is possible, and beginners are welcome. We can also add a natural hot spring if you ask in advance, though it means a later return. At the end of the day we drive back and drop you at your hotel or anywhere in the city.
Sights visited on this tour
Bishkek
Kyrgyzstan's leafy, Soviet-planned capital and the gateway to the mountains.Ala-Archa
Gallery
Common questions
It runs 1 day, starting and ending in Bishkek.
The season runs November to April. June to September brings the warmest days, and the high-pasture yurt camps are open.
It's relaxed-paced, with 1 days hiking. Good general fitness is enough, and there is no technical climbing.
From $110 per person. The exact price depends on group size and season, and we confirm it for your group within 24 hours.
Tell us about your trip
Tell us your dates and we'll confirm availability and a tailored price within 24 hours. Free to enquire, no prepayment.
Enquiry received!
A local expert will email you within 24 hours about “Winter Ala-Archa & Chunkurchak - Day Trip”.
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