Ala Kul Hike Packing List: What to Bring in Summer When Staying in Yurts

I decided to do the Ala Kul hike while staying in yurts to minimize the amount of gear I needed to carry. Since I’m not an experienced hiker, I wanted to keep my pack as light as possible.

Below is my list of what I recommend bringing for the Ala Kul trek in summer, with an emphasis on keeping your pack light. I brought a 40L backpack because that’s what I already had, but I think you could easily fit everything you need into a 20L backpack. We saw plenty of hikers carrying packs around that size.

And honestly, less is better. The higher in elevation you get, the heavier those extra pounds start to feel.

Must-Haves

1 Liter of Water

You don’t need to carry several liters of water for the entire trek. There are plenty of streams along the way where you can refill, as well as places to buy water at some of the camps.

I recommend starting with at least 1 liter of water and refilling along the way. A water bladder is probably easier but you can also just buy a 1 liter bottle from the store and keep refilling that.

Water Filter

This is one item I would absolutely recommend bringing.

At Sirota Camp, they had run out of water when we arrived, so we had to fill our bottles directly from the stream using a water filter. Having one gave us a backup when water wasn’t available at the camp.

We were able to rent a Lifestraw from our hostel but you can also purchase one.

Warm Clothes

Don’t underestimate how cold it can get at night. Even though we were hiking in summer, the temperatures at night were very cold.

I slept in a thermal, cashmere sweater, and light jacket and was still freezing. It felt like it was below freezing with the wind. I would also recommend bringing:

• A beanie
• Gloves
• A warm layer or fleece
• A thicker jacket if you get cold

The night before hiking up to the pass was especially cold.

If you get cold easily, you can also rent warmer jackets in Karakol before starting the trek.

Windbreaker / Rain Jacket

The weather can change quickly on the Ala Kul trek. Even in summer, you can experience what feels like all four seasons in one day, including sudden torrential rain.

Bring a jacket that is both windproof and rainproof. You’ll be glad you have it when the weather turns.

You can also rent these in Karakol as well if you do not have one like at 4Rent.

Rain Cover for Your Backpack

If you have a hiking backpack, it may already come with a rain cover. If not, I highly recommend buying one before the trek.

A sudden rainstorm can soak through your bag surprisingly quickly, and keeping your clothes and other gear dry is especially important when you’re staying in yurts.

Hiking Poles

Honestly, I consider these a must-have, especially for Day 2.

The descent from the pass is extremely steep, and we saw several people slipping and falling. Hiking poles made a huge difference with balance and took some pressure off our knees on the way down.

You can rent hiking poles from shops around Karakol like at Ecotrek or potentially from your hostel.

Extra Socks

There are a couple of river crossings without bridges, so your feet may get wet.

Since it also gets cold at night, I recommend bringing at least a couple of extra pairs of socks. Having a dry pair to change into at camp makes a big difference.

Snacks

I recommend doing a grocery run at a supermarket like Globus before starting the trek and picking up snacks that are high in carbs and sugar and that you actually enjoy eating.

This is especially important on Day 2 when you’re hiking at higher altitude and burning a lot of energy.

We ended up sharing our snacks with some other hikers who hadn’t brought enough food and were completely depleted by the end of the day.

I brought a lot of sour gummies, and they were honestly a lifesaver for a quick sugar boost.

Toilet Paper / Wipes

The bathrooms along the trek are mostly outhouses with limited supplies.

And, there really isn’t anywhere to properly shower or wash your face during the trek, so bring some cleansing wipes.

I recommend bringing your own toilet paper or wipes so you aren’t caught without them. You can buy these at the Globus market.

Flashlight / Headlamp

It gets pitch black at night.

If you need to use the bathroom after dark, you’ll want a flashlight or headlamp. I especially recommend a headlamp so you can keep both hands free.

And trust me, you don’t want to accidentally drop your phone in an outhouse while trying to use it as a flashlight. These can be rent or bought at sports shops around Karakol.

Sunscreen

The sun is deceptively strong at higher elevations.

We saw several people with sunburns, especially on their noses and the backs of their necks. Bring sunscreen and actually use it, even if it doesn’t feel particularly hot outside.

Offline Maps

Make sure you download an offline map of the area before starting the hike.

We used MAPS.ME, and it was helpful for following the trail. There are a few sections that aren’t particularly well marked, so it’s easy to accidentally wander off the main path.

Bring Your Own Food If You Have Severe Allergies

If you have a severe food allergy, I would strongly recommend bringing your own food and snacks even though the yurts provide breakfast and dinner.

The camps aren’t necessarily very careful about allergies, even if you tell them ahead of time.

For example, one hiker in our group told his yurt camp that he had a hazelnut allergy and asked for a packed lunch. They gave him a Snickers bar.

Portable Chargers

There isn’t really anywhere to charge your phone or camera until you get back down to Altyn.

Bring a portable charger or power bank, especially if you’re using your phone for navigation or taking lots of photos.

Nice-to-Haves / Recommended

Camera

The views on the Ala Kul trek are breathtaking.

If you have a professional camera, I think it’s worth bringing despite the extra weight. Just be realistic about how much you’re willing to carry, especially on Day 2.

Cash

Bring more cash than you think you’ll need.

There are no ATMs along the trek, and you’ll need cash for things like snacks, hot springs, water refills, or potentially a horse ride if you decide you’re done hiking.

Prices can also be higher on the mountain than they are in Karakol. For example, we paid 200 som to refill our water bottle with filtered water at one of the yurts.

Sleeping Bag Liner

A sleeping bag liner is a nice addition for both extra warmth and hygiene.

We didn’t bring one, but I definitely wish we had. We tried looking for one in the bazaar and elsewhere in Karakol but couldn’t find one.

If you have room in your pack, I’d recommend bringing one.

What You Don’t Really Need

Skincare

I brought my skincare routine with me — azelaic acid, moisturizer, under-eye cream, etc. — and barely used any of it.

Most mornings, I just put on sunscreen and headed out the door.

Unless you have a specific skincare product you absolutely need, I’d leave the routine at home and save yourself the weight.

Bulky Snacks That Aren’t Nutrient-Dense

I made the mistake of bringing a can of Pringles because they’re one of my favorite snacks and I was worried about having no appetite at higher elevations.

It was honestly such a waste of space and weight.

I ended up giving them to a local kid along the way because I didn’t want to carry them anymore.

Instead, prioritize snacks that are lightweight, calorie-dense, and easy to eat while hiking.

Towel and Nature-Friendly Soap

There aren’t really places to shower during the trek, so I don’t think a towel or soap is necessary.

Some people did take quick rinses in the stream, but the water was absolutely freezing.

Personally, I’d just bring cleansing wipes and embrace being a little dirty for a few days.

Extra Clothes

You really don’t need as many clothes as you might think.

Most people we saw wore essentially the same hiking outfit every day. I brought way more clothes than I needed and probably only ended up wearing about half of what I packed.

Focus on layers and warm clothes rather than bringing a fresh outfit for every day.

Final Thoughts: Pack Light!

If you’re staying in yurts along the Ala Kul trek, you can get away with bringing surprisingly little.

My biggest advice is to keep your backpack as light as possible. You don’t need to pack for every possible scenario, and those extra items become noticeably heavier once you’re climbing toward the pass.

A small backpack with the essentials, warm layers, water filtration, snacks, and rain protection is really all you need.

If you want to read about my experience and what you need to know about the hike check out my post here: https://mayadventuresabroad.com/hiking-ala-kul-as-a-non-hiker-and-self-guided/

If you want to see the best way to get from Almaty to Karakol to start the hike, check out my post here: https://mayadventuresabroad.com/almaty-to-karakol-by-bus/