Terskey Alatau & Ala-Köl Lake

Ala-Köl is a world-renowned glacial lake set within the Terskey Alatau range of the Tien Shan, near Karakol. This 3-4 day traverse through the Karakol Valley is widely considered the quintessential Kyrgyzstan trekking experience. The route typically involves ascending the steep 3,860m Ala-Köl Pass, where hikers are met with some of the most dramatic high-alpine vistas in Central Asia. The lake's depth and mineral content produce an ever-shifting spectrum of opaque turquoise and deep blues. The trek concludes in the Altyn-Arashan valley, a lush high-altitude pasture famous for its natural geothermal hot springs set beneath the massive ice-wall of the 5,012m Pik Palatka.

The Wilderness Coast Walk is a remote, point-to-point coastal trek of roughly 100 km, linking the Merrica River trailhead in South East NSW (Nadgee Nature Reserve) to Mallacoota Inlet in Gippsland, Victoria (Croajingolong National Park). The route traverses expansive sand dunes, sandstone headlands, and coastal heathlands along the Tasman Sea, with optional extensions to Green Cape. Navigation relies on tidal windows and topographic cues, as much of the track is unmarked. The walk passes through critical habitats for species such as the White-bellied Sea Eagle. Permits are required from NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service and Parks Victoria.