14 Day Epic Kyrgyzstan Trek in Tian Shan and Pamir Alay Mountains

Driving distance: 420 km After breakfast, meet the driver at your hotel to set off for a journey to Karakol. Along the way stop at one of Kyrgyzstan’s oldest sights, the Burana Tower, and learn about its ancient architecture – rare in nomadic culture. The territory where the tower is located was once called Balasagyn town. This town had strategic meaning for the Great Silk Road. Here you will see a small museum with exhibits found during past excavations, providing more details about this ancient settlement, including a collection of “Balbals” – Turkic grave marks. After, continue driving to Karakol city via Issyk Kul Lake, the second-largest alpine lake in the world after Titicaca in South America. Its length reaches 182 km and width is 58 km, and the maximum depth is up to 668 meters. If we arrive early, we can take a short sightseeing tour in Karakol city by visiting the wooden Dungan mosques and Russian Orthodox churches. Dinner and overnight stay in Karakol city.

Trekking distance: 10km Ascent: 440 meters Transfer from Karakol city to the starting point through lush Karakol Valley with gushing rivers along. Drop off near the bridge where our hike starts towards the lunch spot. Enjoy walking in this gorge with green slopes decorated by evergreen trees. Spot grazing herd of horses beautifying nature. After lunch, we hike in this serene environment up to Campsite standing at 2550 meters. After camping, take a walk around the area and relax in this solitude area surrounded by spruce trees.

Trekking distance: 10 km Ascent: +1030m This day challenges you with strenuous walking through screws and boulders before you get to the lake, 3 hours. After few hours of demanding ascent, be rewarded with the jewel of Ala Kul Lake standing at 3500 meters and fed by glaciers around. The view of this turquoise alpine lake takes your breath away. Arrival in the campsite. Be accommodated in tents. Free stroll around the lake. Dinner and overnight.

Trekking distance: 13 km Ascent: – 340m Descend: - 1400m After breakfast, we head on to Ala Kul Pass standing at 3950 meters. Craggy and glaciated peaks of Terskey Ala-Too open on top of the pass. Give a time to gaze at these towering peaks of great Tian Shan Range. Descend the steep path towards campsite at beautiful Keldyke Valley at (3200m). Have some lunch. Then we head on to our yurt camp along lush green pastures with gently flowing rivers of Altyn Arashan Valley, 3-4 hours. At some point, you will cross one of the streams, but the level is low. Arrival at our yurt camp standing at 2450 meters. In fact, Altyn-Arashan means ‘Golden Spa’ and this valley is famous for its hot sulfur springs. We take a bath in hot spring pools after three long days of hiking to relieve muscle pains.

Trekking distance: 10 km Descent: -450m We take a hike around the area to visit wild springs before leaving the campsite at lunchtime. You will never be able to forget the sight of the snow on Peak Palatka at 5260 m or “Swallow’s Nest Pool”, nestling beneath the open sky. Afternoon, we hike to Ak Suu village (4 hours) where we will be picked up by our driver to get to Jeti Oguz village. Arrival, be accommodated at the guesthouse.

Driving distance: 130 km Today, we drive to Song Kol Lake, one of the largest alpine-mountain lakes in the country and considered a sacred place for many Kyrgyz nomads for its best summer pastures. You can spot nomadic herders and their families tending their goats, sheep, and horses. On the way to Song Kul, you can opt to visit the eagle hunter to see some of his hunting skills (available for 60 USD). Lunch in Kochkor village. In Song-Kul we will have the opportunity to sample fresh airan (yogurt) and kumis (the national drink of fermented mare’s milk). After, we will stay in yurts set up along the lakeshore. Sleeping arrangements are on a multi-share, mixed-gender basis with mattresses on the floor. It can get very chilly in the evenings, so there is a stove for heating and plenty of blankets. There are no bathroom facilities inside the yurts – please expect outdoor toilets. Those daring enough for a morning dip can make use of Son-Köl

Driving distance: 194 km Drive south of the lake to reach Moldo Ashuu pass. Nice drive on switchbacks. Enjoy the beauty of colorful mountains while driving to Kazarman city. Lunch break en route. Arrival in Kazarman and a short walk in the city. Overnight and dinner in a homestay.

Driving distance: 258 km The highlight of the day is the Kaldama pass. Amazing mountain ranges open up on top of the pass. Descend down the pass. Driving through dense bushes covering the road and mountain slopes delights your senses. Lunch on the way to a café. Arrival in Osh city and accommodation in a hotel. Afternoon walks in the city. Dinner at a restaurant.

Driving time: 4 hours Depart from historic Osh City to the village of Kojokelen(2200m), the starting point of the trek. There is remarkable scenery along the way to Kojokelen village so enjoy the ride! After three and half hours of driving, we reach Kojokelen a quiet rural village nestled in the foothills. Before dinner, take a short walk to the beautiful gorge above the village. We will enjoy a home-cooked dinner and an overnight stay at a family-run guesthouse.

Trekking distance: 12km Ascent: 1013 m Descent: 412 m After breakfast, we say “Goodbye” to our hosts and start our trekking by crossing the wooden bridge. We start ascending the uphill for 5 hours with spectacular views of the gorge and it is giant red rock formations. The red rock formations forming the “Three Dragon Gorge ”is one of the most beautiful spots in all of Kyrgyzstan. Views of the rugged Kichik Alay Mountains open up on top of the pass. From there, follow the path as it winds along the edge of the hills. You can see the snow-covered Pamir landscapes in the distance with various grades of high-, mid-, and low alpine landscapes along the way. The trail then descends through the evergreen juniper forest into a beautiful Kosh-Moinok valley (40 minutes). Time to rest. Enjoy a home-cooked meal and overnight in a yurt camp.

The second day is strenuous, with an uphill start after a hearty breakfast. The trail ascends around 400 meters through meadows and pastures to Koshmoinok Pass at 3,210 m (1 hour). Following this steep section, it descends through evergreens to Kyzyl Shoro village (2 hrs), where we break for lunch at a homestay with a hot meal, device charging, and a quick shower. The path then flattens, winding through another village before a steep 9 km climb along a path with grazing cows and yurts offering tea. As we progress through the valley, the trail crosses the river multiple times, shifting from green forest to high alpine landscapes. After 4-5 hours, we reach our yurt camp at 3,600 meters for dinner and an overnight stay.

Trekking distance: 14 km Ascent: 925 m Descent: 1053 m After breakfast, we head to Sary Mogul Pass at 4,306 meters. Walk along the stream all the way up to the foot of the pass (1,5 hours). Head up to the top of the pass on a barely seen trail in a zigzag formation on loose scree (1 Hr). The ascent to the pass is steep and covered in loose scree. As you arrive at the pass, the glaciated peaks and alpine lakes begin to appear. Enjoy your accomplishment at the top of the pass with its otherworldly and stunning views. While descending, some parts of trails are a bit challenging as the trail is narrow and the terrain is composed mainly of scree and small pebbles. We break for lunch at the riverbank with glacier views all around. After lunch, we head into a valley to follow the small stream all the way to a finish point of the trail (2-3 hours). Meet your driver and drive to Sarymogol village (20 minutes). Arrive at your homestay take a shower and enjoy a home-cooked dinner.

Trekking distance: 20 km Ascent: 760 m Descent: 760 m Wake up early. After breakfast, we drive for 50 minutes to get to Tulpar Kul lake. Arrival, we will head south from Tulpar Kol to the alpinist Peak Lenin Base Camp. After passing the Base Camp, we will begin the ascent to Traveller’s Pass. The trail goes slowly up except for the last 20 minutes where it becomes a steep zigzag trail that ends up on the Traveller’s Pass at 4,100 meters. Enjoy the magnificent views of glaciers tumbling off the massive peak. Go to the viewpoint on the right of the pass and get an even better view of Lenin Peak at 7,134 meters, the highest peak in this Pamir-Alay Mountains. Break for lunch there. Return to the yurt camp in the same way you came. Overnight and dinner in a yurt camp.

Driving distance: 250 km Breakfast. Drive back to Osh city. End of tour.