Detailed Guide to Bishkek Ala Archa National Park.
Detailed Guide to Bishkek Ala Archa & Burana Tower
🌟Itinerary Overview:
On the way from Almaty to Bishkek by bus, I met a sister. We hit it off immediately and decided to go to Ala Archa National Park and Burana Tower together. It was so exciting! 😆💕
Itinerary Arrangement:
- 9:00 AM: Depart from the city to Ala Archa National Park 🚗
- 1:40 PM: Arrive at the starting point of the park hike 🏞
- Spontaneous Decision: Head to Burana Tower 🗼
Ala Archa National Park Guide:
1. Ticket Information: 700 SOM per car 💸
2. Hiking Route:
- We chose the middle hiking route, walking along the river, which is very suitable for beginners 👟
- Path: River hike, the scenery is super beautiful (as shown in the picture) 🌄
- Note: There are a few places where you need to cross large stones in the water, which can be slippery, so be careful ⚠
- Viewing Point: A steel bridge location, continue walking along the rocky beach for dozens of meters, a great place for taking photos 📸
- Total Journey: 6 km round trip, taking 2 hours and 40 minutes ⌛
3. Facilities: The only toilet is located opposite the Hotel parking lot, 10 SOM per use 🚻
4. Scenery: Picturesque, like entering a fairyland (as shown in the picture) 🌲✨
5. Transportation: Recommend using Yandexgo for a taxi, set the destination to Ala Archa Hotel 🚕
Cost and Transportation:
- Bishkek to National Park: Takes 1 hour, fare 1065 SOM, small car entry to the park 700 SOM per car 🚙
Spontaneous Decision to Head to Burana Tower:
1. Finding Transportation:
- While observing in the parking lot, we contacted a car and negotiated 3000 SOM (2800 SOM on Yandexgo) 💰
- Since it's hard to get a car at Burana, we decided to wait for 1 hour and then return to Bishkek, totaling 3000 SOM (2100 SOM on Yandexgo) 🕒
2. Actual Situation: Finally, we got a car through Yandexgo, directly to Burana Tower, no need to pay an extra 700 SOM 🎉
3. Journey: To Burana Tower is 99 km, the driver refueled midway, the whole trip took 2.5 hours, costing 2800 SOM ⛽
4. Arrival Time: 4:00 PM 🌅
Burana Tower Guide:
1. Communicate with the Driver: Upon arrival, negotiate with the driver to wait for 1 hour and return to the city, the price is 2000 SOM 🗣
2. Tickets: 120 SOM per person, museum ticket an additional 100 SOM (we didn't visit as it's all in Russian and quite small) 🎫
3. Toilet: Located behind the ticket booth, blue small house - dry toilet 🚽
One Day Trip Summary:
Each person's cost is 2310 SOM, including tickets and transportation costs 🤑
Exclusive Advice
- Transportation Arrangement: Recommend negotiating with the driver in advance for waiting time and return fare when heading to Burana Tower to avoid wasting time looking for a car 🚌
- Time Arrangement: Usually, 1 hour is enough to visit Burana Tower, refer to Yandexgo prices for costs 🕰
This was a fulfilling and beautiful trip, hope you can also enjoy the beauty of this nature! 🌿✨
Special Recommendation:
Later, I met a very reliable guy who speaks Chinese, is super nice, and drives very steadily! 🚙💨 He provides one-day car rental services for Chinese people, driving a luxurious Lexus SUV, which is much more comfortable than Yandex's small cars. Short-distance car rental to places around Bishkek for about an hour, costs less than 900 RMB a day, a 7-seater car, which is about 150 RMB per person. The best part is, he also acts as a free translator and accompanies you for the whole day! I won't use Yandex anymore. If you need it, you can DM me. 😊💖