"Ala-Tuu"... Opens Kyrgyzstan's Mountains to the World
A field trip took us to the Issyk-Kul region, where work is underway on the “Ala-Tuu” tourism project, formerly known as “Three Peaks.” Bearing a national character, Kyrgyzstan is betting on this project to attract around two million visitors annually. Reaching the site is difficult without the project itself preceding the journey; before the resort’s features emerge, mountains, forests, and nearly pristine nature assert their presence, revealing why the country is betting on this area to become one of its top tourist destinations in the coming years.
The project covers an area of approximately 3,920 hectares and spans three mountainous regions. It aims to develop a network of ski trails and mountain activities, positioning the site not merely as a winter resort but as a year-round tourist destination. The delegation visited the first phase in Jergalan, where construction works have begun and cable car lines have started trial operations. The first phase is scheduled to officially open to tourists in December 2026.
However, figures alone do not explain the place’s appeal. Here, forests border open slopes, and peaks surround the landscape from every direction, while nature remains less exposed to human intervention. In this context, dining in a traditional yurt tent is more than just a meal; it is a festive and ritualistic experience that recaptures aspects of nomadic life, immersing visitors in Kyrgyz culture rather than merely observing it.
From the mountaintops, it is clear that the value of “Ala-Tuu” lies not only in the snow that will attract skiing enthusiasts, but in the ability to transform this natural setting into a comprehensive destination welcoming visitors across multiple seasons. Here, winter sports can coexist with mountain hiking, relaxation in nature, and local food and cultural experiences. In a country possessing vast natural areas and tourism resources that remain largely untapped, such projects offer a window into much greater potential, positioning Issyk-Kul as a candidate to become one of the destinations that travelers and investors should include on the map of a new Central Asia.
