Ala-Archa Nature Park is becoming increasingly popular not only among Kyrgyz citizens but also among foreign guests. According to 24.kg, the park counted 715,000 visits over nine months. A visit to the park today is different from the past: instead of picnics and litter, tourists are switching to electric vehicles and taking up hiking.
The economics of entry: is it worth paying 880 som?
Visitors were surprised by the 880 som fee for electric vehicle entry. However, Kubanychbek ZhekShenbekov, director of the Ala-Archa State Nature Park, explained that the rate is calculated based on the number of passengers in the vehicle and may ultimately prove cheaper than paying individually.
Park entry fees
As Kubanychbek ZhekShenbekov explained, if visitors arrive without a car, each adult pays 250 som and a child aged six and older pays 180 som. Travel on the park's internal transport is free for them. Entry by electric vehicle is set at 880 som. "The car holds four people. If each of them paid separately, the total would be 1,000 som. In an electric vehicle it is 880. That makes a saving of 120 som. In this way we encourage visitors to come in green transport," he added.
How tourism in Ala-Archa is changing
The park is seeing a shift in paradigm: whereas gasoline-powered cars once predominated, the emphasis is now moving toward green modes of transport and hiking routes. 24.kg journalists visited the park to learn about new facilities and how this well-known natural site is developing.
