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AhPek Biker - Riding Adventures
Central Asia 2026
Day 9 : Bishkek to Ala Archa
Central Asia 2026 Day 9: 23rd May (Saturday)
Medium-size Group (Non-cycling) Tour of Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan):
Orient Hotel>Ala-Archa Nature Park>shuttle>Ala-Arch Shuttle Parking>trek>Upper Ala-Archa Trail>Ala-Arch Shuttle Parking>shuttle>Ala-Arch Shuttle Parking>van>Osh Bazaar>Orient Hotel.
This is page 9 of a 16-page blog. Click Here To Go To Title Page.
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1. Traffic Directions!
Central Asian countries are left-hand drive, and vehicles drive on the right side of the road. So do bear this in mind when crossing the road OR when sitting at the front passenger seat. I made this mistake several times and boarded the car at the driver's side with the driver giving me a surprised look 😂.
2. Getting to and from Central Asia.
Several airlines fly direct to Central Asia from their originating country. We were fortunate that AirAsia X flew direct from Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) to Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
We flew return via AirAsia X, starting from KLIA Terminal 2 to Tashkent International Airport, and returning from Almaty International Airport to KLIA Terminal 2, buying tickets earlier to get cheaper fares. We also packed light (20kg checked-in luggage for two people plus an additional 7kg of cabin luggage), totaling 41kg of luggage.
We flew return via AirAsia X, starting from KLIA Terminal 2 to Tashkent International Airport, and returning from Almaty International Airport to KLIA Terminal 2, buying tickets earlier to get cheaper fares. We also packed light (20kg checked-in luggage for two people plus an additional 7kg of cabin luggage), totaling 41kg of luggage.
3. Getting around Central Asia.
We were on a private guided tour, and had a 15-seater black Weichai Eurise vans (Chinese version of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter), with local guides taking us between the cities/towns.
In Kyrgyzstan, we took a short Tez Jet flight from Osh to Bishkek to avoid the testing mountainous roads; flight tickets were bought by our guides earlier.
Note: Traders in bazaars, markets, and small local shops only accept cash. The "sum" (ISO code: UZS) is the official currency of Uzbekistan. The "som" (ISO code: KGS) is the currency of Kyrgyzstan. The tenge (ten-gay, code: KZT) is the currency of Kazakhstan. It is divided into 100 tiyn.
Touch 'n Go e-Wallet can be used in Kazakhstan, just make sure the e-wallet is set to Kazakhstan.
4. Immigration & Customs Requirements
Malaysian passport holders do not need a visa to enter most Central Asian countries for short-term stays and can visit Uzbekistan visa-free for up to 30 days. There is no need to fill in immigration forms.
Note: Malaysian passport holders can install the MyBorderPass app for fast immigration clearance to get in and out of Malaysia; use the app to generate a QR code just before passing through the 40 dedicated MyBorderPass gates (only at KLIA & KLIA2, 20 gates each), and getting through will be a breeze!
5. Places & Things of Interests
There were many scenic and interesting places along the route, but one should not miss the following places (Note: click on the GPS coordinates below for a directional map to the respective places):
- Ala-Archa Nature Park (Ала-Арча мамлекеттик жаратылыш паркы) (GPS: 42.64483, 74.48031).
- Park shuttle ride from the Ala Archa Entrance (GPS: 42.65579, 74.4951) to the Ala-Arch Shuttle Parking (GPS: 42.56272, 74.48301).
- Ala-Archa Nature Park (Ала-Арча мамлекеттик жаратылыш паркы) (GPS: 42.64483, 74.48031).
- Park shuttle ride from the Ala Archa Entrance (GPS: 42.65579, 74.4951) to the Ala-Arch Shuttle Parking (GPS: 42.56272, 74.48301).
- Hiking at the Ala-Archa Nature Park
- Easy trekking at the Alp-Lager Ala Archa (GPS: 42.56331, 74.48235) from Ala-Arch Shuttle Parking (GPS: 42.56272, 74.48301) to the Upper Ala-Archa Trail (GPS: 42.54163, 74.48493). This is an easy trek on paved trails, taking about 2 hours to and fro.
- Harder hiking: continue from the Upper Ala-Archa Trail (GPS: 42.54163, 74.48493) to the Top-Karagay Gorge (GPS: 42.51482, 74.48681).
- Easy trekking at the Alp-Lager Ala Archa (GPS: 42.56331, 74.48235) from Ala-Arch Shuttle Parking (GPS: 42.56272, 74.48301) to the Upper Ala-Archa Trail (GPS: 42.54163, 74.48493). This is an easy trek on paved trails, taking about 2 hours to and fro.
- Harder hiking: continue from the Upper Ala-Archa Trail (GPS: 42.54163, 74.48493) to the Top-Karagay Gorge (GPS: 42.51482, 74.48681).
6. Food
a. Breakfast
Inclusive Kyrgyz & Western Fare at Tchaikovsky Restaurant (GPS: 42.87210, 74.59927) located on the 10th floor of Orient Hotel (GPS: 42.87216, 74.59927).
b. Lunch
b. Lunch
Fattoush Salad, Cucumber Slinky Salad, Shakarob (Tomato & Onion Salad), Vegetable Soup, and Chicken Croquets with Mashed Potato.
c. Dinner
At Tchaikovsky Restaurant (GPS: 42.87210, 74.59927) located on the 10th floor of Orient Hotel (GPS: 42.87216, 74.59927):
7. Accommodations and Tour Costs
This was a recce-guided tour that included all ground arrangements, food, entry tickets to parks, and accommodations, but excluded return airfare to and from Central Asia. We booked Air Asia flight tickets online through their website at a return fare of around RM2,000 per pax. Co-travelers who booked later paid more. Our two pax airfare included 20kg of checked-in luggage and an extra 7kg of cabin luggage, giving us a total of 41kg of luggage..
The ground arrangements included 16-seater van transportation between and around cities; Sharq Express Train fare from Tashkent to Bukhara, and from Samarkhand to Tashkent, and domestic Tez Jet airfare from Osh to Bishkek. The 4x4 Russian truck ride to and from Karakol to the Altyn-Arashan Valley was optional and cost USD40 per pax. So was the 4x4 van ride from Saty to Kaindy Lake and Kolsay Lakes National Park, which cost USD20 per pax.
Accommodations were in three-star hotels, homestays, and a yurt camp. For those interested in this tour, contact Eddie at +6012-6122600 for more details and ground arrangement costs.
Second of two nights at the Orient Hotel (GPS: 42.87216, 74.59927) in Bishkek.
Second of two nights at the Orient Hotel (GPS: 42.87216, 74.59927) in Bishkek.
8. Communicating with Each Other
When travelling in a group, it's important to be able to communicate with each other, especially if one gets lost from the rest.
I pre-purchased the Maxis 15-day Multi-Country Roaming Pass at MYR99 and had it activated on the first day of our tour. This pass included a complimentary Maxis Travel Care insurance for the pass validity period - i.e. MYR50,000 hospitalisation, and MYR2,000 lost baggage, T&C applies.
Alternatively, an almost similar GOGO physical sim card for 15-day 20gB can be bought from Lazada for MYR120 (excluding delivery).
I pre-purchased the Maxis 15-day Multi-Country Roaming Pass at MYR99 and had it activated on the first day of our tour. This pass included a complimentary Maxis Travel Care insurance for the pass validity period - i.e. MYR50,000 hospitalisation, and MYR2,000 lost baggage, T&C applies.
Alternatively, an almost similar GOGO physical sim card for 15-day 20gB can be bought from Lazada for MYR120 (excluding delivery).
9. Communicating with Locals
Our local guides spoke excellent English, and those in the travel industry or bazaar traders spoke passable English. Other locals speak their local language (Uzbek, Kyrgyz, or Kazakh) or Russian (as they were former Soviet republics). Or one can use Google Translate on one's mobile.
10. Weather
June is the beginning of summer, and the weather in Uzbekistan is dry, sunny, and hot across the board. At the Ala-Archa Nature Park, daytime temperatures average 22°C. In Bishkek, daytime temperatures average 22°C, while nighttime averaged 12°C.
A useful weather forecast site for Bishkek is AccuWeather. For more detailed weather, including cloud cover and wind speed, use Weatherspark and Ventusky.
11. Navigation
Geo-tagging of places of interest was via FaceBook, Google Maps or Yandex Maps and Yandex Navigator.
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PRELUDE
The day before, we took a short flight from Osh to Bishkek, and spent a good part of the day on a guided walking tour of this capital city, including stops at Ala-Too Central Square, Aikol Manas Statue, Paramount Kyrgyz Republic Flag, and Friendship of Nations Monument, etc.
Today, it's a day trip to a beautiful and green riverside park; let's hope it lives up to the reputation. After that, we popped into an oddly named bazaar!
Today, it's a day trip to a beautiful and green riverside park; let's hope it lives up to the reputation. After that, we popped into an oddly named bazaar!
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DAY 9: BISHKEK TO ALA ARCHA PARK
Orient Hotel>Ala-Archa Nature Park>shuttle>Ala-Arch Shuttle Parking>trek>Upper Ala-Archa Trail>Ala-Arch Shuttle Parking>shuttle>Ala-Arch Shuttle Parking>van>Osh Bazaar>Orient Hotel.
Most of the posts below are linked to my Facebook postings during the trip and are embedded here with some comments. (NOTE: Click on respective posts to link to the FB post to read more details. If you can't see the posts, please log out of your Facebook first.)
Breakfast was at Tchaikovsky Restaurant located on the 10th floor of Orient Hotel. They had a very good spread of Kyrgyz & Western food; I especially love their wide range of pastries!
Heading for a day trip to Ala-Archa Nature Park, it's about 30 kilometers and an hour away. The cityscape slowly gave way to a rural setting and then to a park environment.
At the Ala Archa Entrance. Our van dropped us here. From here, we took the park's shuttle buses.
The shuttle bus is quite large, with some seating and mostly standing room.
It's another 11km and 30 minutes from the Ala Archa Entrance to the Alp-Lager Ala Archa, that's where people will start trekking or hiking. No vehicles are allowed beyond here.
Breakfast was at Tchaikovsky Restaurant located on the 10th floor of Orient Hotel. They had a very good spread of Kyrgyz & Western food; I especially love their wide range of pastries!
Heading for a day trip to Ala-Archa Nature Park, it's about 30 kilometers and an hour away. The cityscape slowly gave way to a rural setting and then to a park environment.
At the Ala Archa Entrance. Our van dropped us here. From here, we took the park's shuttle buses.
The shuttle bus is quite large, with some seating and mostly standing room.
It's another 11km and 30 minutes from the Ala Archa Entrance to the Alp-Lager Ala Archa, that's where people will start trekking or hiking. No vehicles are allowed beyond here.
11:00am - At the Alp-Lager Ala Archa hiking entrance.
Entrance fee into the park is 2,400 som (USD27-50 / MYR 112-00)
Nearby there is a cable car station (GPS: 42.56199, 74.48326), taking guests on a one km gondola ride from 2,166m to 2,494m altitude at a fare of USD7 per pax.
No more public motorised vehicles after this. Some statues to recognise the place - a Snow Leopard, a Mountain Goat, and nearby there is a mosque too.
It's so natural here; along the way met "Red", the red squirrel. It is used to humans and will come out to feed on nuts offered. We like his unique tail; instead of a bushy one, it's fan-lattice shaped. It's the first time I've seen such a squirrel!
And also this cute Rufous-naped Tit.
There are also other God's beautiful creatures here 😏.
We walked mainly on the paved trails, which were quite gentle in gradient. So it's an easy trek at the Alp-Lager Ala Archa from Ala-Arch Shuttle Parking to the Upper Ala-Archa Trail.
At the far end of this paved trail is the Upper Ala-Archa Trail, where the Teketor River meets the Ala Archa River at the Alamedin Gorge.
Beyond this, the paved trail ends, and serious hiking starts!
Okay... time for us to turn back and head for lunch 😂.
Okay... time for us to turn back and head for lunch 😂.
2:30pm - Lunch at Chaikhana Navat:
Fattoush Salad, Cucumber Slinky Salad, Shakarob (Tomato & Onion Salad), Vegetable Soup, and Chicken Croquets with Mashed Potato. My favourite was the Cucumber Slinky Salad; I must learn how to make it. It doesn't seem to be difficult... I think the secret is in the dressing!
Other than the good food, we also appreciated the beautiful artwork decorating the restaurant. There were tapestries, pottery plates, and paintings, etc.
4:00pm - At Osh Bazaar, oddly it's not in Osh but in Bishkek.
It's so named because it was originally built and supplied by workers and farmers from the southern city of Osh.
BTW, the steel turn-screw item is a nut opener. Poke the narrow end into a nut shell and turn the buckle, and the nut opens.
Other sections of the Osh Bazaar sell clothing, textiles, and souvenirs.
7:00 pm - Dinner at Tchaikovsky Restaurant rooftop restaurant:
Shakarob (Tomato & Onion Salad), Vegetable Soup, and Pan Seared Trout.
Бул укмуштуу окуяларга бай күн!!
(That's "Bul ukmuştuu okuyalarga bay kün!" meaning "It's an adventurous day!" in Kyrgyz)
(For more photos of Day 9, Click Here)
(On mobile, for more photos of the day: Go to AhPek Biker Page>Photos and click on the respective album)
This is page 9 of a 16-page blog. Click Here To Go To Title Page.
< D8: Bishkek | Go to Other Days | D10: Chonkemin >
< D8: Bishkek | Go to Other Days | D10: Chonkemin >
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