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15 Day itinerary in Kyrgyzstan, Asia

Pamir Alay Mountains Trekking

The trekking begins in a scenic area of Pamir – the Kickik-Alay region (“Small Alay”) near the Kozho-Kelen valley. While moving along the Alay Range we will cross two high-mountain passes to reach the canyon with waterfall and red rocks forming the "Three Dragon Gorge". Then, ascending a mountain Dz... Read More

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Olga

By Olga

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Average
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Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English, Spanish, French, German, Russian

GUIDANCE

Tour Guide

starting point

Bishkek

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Adventure

Hiking

Walking tour

Start

Night

End

Highlights

1

Visit a hidden green waterfall in a rocky canyon.

2

Explore alpine meadows and panoramic ridgelines.

3

Experience local Kyrgyz culture in remote villages.

4

Discover the red sandstone cliffs of Kojo-Kelen Gorge.

Itinerary

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Day 1

place Arrival in Bishkek. Domestic flight Bishkek – Osh.

Arrival in the international airport “Manas” (Bishkek).

Domestic flight to Osh. Meeting at the airport of Osh. Transfer and check in at the hotel after 14:00. Visit the main sights of the city – the local bazaar and Sulayman-Too mountain.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2

place Transfer from Osh to Kyzyl-Shoro village. Trekking to the Kosh-Moynok River Valley.

Travel time: 3 hours; distance: 120 km.

The road to Kyzyl-Shoro village, located at an altitude of 2400 m above sea level, passes through the picturesque Papan Reservoir and then follows the Ak-Buura River.

Upon arrival – lunch at a guesthouse.

Trekking to the Kosh-Moynok River Valley.

Travel time: 5 hours; distance: 10 km; altitude difference: +850 m, -450 m.

Crossing the Kosh-Moynok Pass (3250 m). From the pass, a majestic panorama of the Kichik-Alay Range unfolds, with peaks reaching 4000–5000 m. Descent into the Kosh-Moynok River Valley.

Accommodation in a yurt camp, located in a scenic clearing near a magical juniper forest.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight in a yurt camp (2800 m).

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

place Sary-Bel River Valley – Kozho-Kelen Village.

Travel time: 7 hours; distance: 12 km; altitude difference: +400 m, -970 m.

Crossing the Sary-Bel Pass (3200 m) into the Kozho-Kelen Red Rock Valley.

Lunch in the clearing near the "Blue Grotto" – a famous cave in Kozho-Kelen considered sacred. After lunch, a walk through the canyon to waterfalls and the red rock formations that shape the "Three Dragons" Gorge.

Accommodation in a guesthouse in Kozho-Kelen village – an authentic natural and ethnographic complex, where ancient water mills and red clay houses have been preserved, with natural grottos located nearby.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight in a guesthouse (2230 m).

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

place Kozho-Kelen – Dzhiptyk Pass.

Travel time: 8 hours; distance: 18 km; altitude difference: +1280 m.

A gentle trek through the scenic Ak-Buura River Gorge towards the base of Dzhiptyk Pass, passing through alpine meadows and high-mountain pastures. Along the way, there is an opportunity to interact with Kyrgyz nomads engaged in their daily lives, herding livestock, and practicing their traditional way of life.

Accommodation in a yurt camp on a small clearing by a stream.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight in a yurt camp (3510 m).

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

place Dzhiptyk Pass (4185 m), Descent into the Alay Valley.

Travel time: 8 hours; distance: 18 km; altitude difference: +675 m, -1015 m.

Ascent to Dzhiptyk Pass (4185 m), offering a breathtaking panorama of the sparkling snow-ice slopes of the Trans Alay Range, dominated by the majestic Lenin Peak (7134 m). In good weather, other Pamir giants such as Peak Communism (7495 m) and Peak Korzhenevskaya (7105 m) can also be seen.

Descent to the Darvaza Tash settlement, where transport will be waiting.

Transfer to the yurt camp "Edelweiss Meadow" (3600 m).

Travel time: 2 hours; distance: 40 km.

Transfer to the tourist yurt camp located at Edelweiss Meadow (3600 m) beneath Lenin Peak.

Arrival at the camp, accommodation, and lunch.

Walk to Lukovaya Meadow (3800 m) – a protected alpine field where an old mountaineering camp once stood. Now, only marmots inhabit the area, and wild green onions grow in abundance. During the peak of the fast-changing Pamir summer, the meadow turns into a vibrant green carpet filled with colorful wildflowers, while by late August, it transforms into a serene ochre-colored landscape. We will follow a scenic route along the edge of the Achik-Tash Canyon, admiring unique rock formations, a conical pyramid, the confluence of two rivers, and colorful mountains, all accompanied by the soothing sounds of flowing water and the profound silence of the stones.

Travel time: 2 hours; altitude difference: +250 m, -250 m.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight at the "Edelweiss Meadow" camp (3600 m).

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

place Hike to Travelers’ Pass (4150 m).

Travel time: 6–7 hours; altitude difference: +550 m, -550 m.

The route to Travelers’ Pass (4150 m) passes through the familiar Lukovaya Meadow, a scenic canyon of the left tributary of the Achik-Tash River, and a small picturesque waterfall. Along this trail, you may encounter groups of climbers either ascending to or descending from the upper camps or the summit of Lenin Peak. As you ascend, be sure to look back occasionally to admire the vast green valley below from a breathtaking aerial perspective.

At the pass, we will take a well-deserved break and enjoy one of the most stunning views of the grand Lenin Peak (7134 m) and its namesake glacier, along with nearby six-thousanders and five-thousanders. Those interested can climb slightly higher along the ridge to an altitude of 4200 m for an even more spectacular view of the valley.

Return to the camp.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight at the "Edelweiss Meadow" camp (3600 m).

Guide: Included for the day

Day 7

place Hike along the opposite side of the Achik-Tash Canyon.

Travel time: 6 hours; altitude difference: +500 m, -500 m.

Today, we will witness unique panoramic views that few visitors to Lenin Peak ever see. Most trekking routes lie on the side of the Base Camps, and only a handful of travelers explore the other side of the river.

We will cross a bridge over the Achik-Tash River and ascend along a path parallel to the sheer canyon wall, moving in the direction of the massive Lenin Peak Glacier. Upon reaching the river confluence, we will arrive at a breathtaking panoramic viewpoint, offering spectacular vistas of ancient glaciers, eternal snows, and moraines, as well as the rainbow-colored mountains and the green plateau of Lukovaya Meadow. From here, we will also see the rugged ridge of Petrovskiy Peak (4700 m), the entire picturesque Achik-Tash Canyon, and our Base Camp from a completely different perspective, alongside alpine meadows and herds of yaks.

In the distance, we will spot the Lenin Peak climbing route and its summit, along with the famous snow-ice "Skovoroda" Plateau, Peak XIX Party Congress (5920 m), Peak Spartak (6183 m), Krylenko Pass (5820 m), and Travelers’ Pass (4150 m).

Return to the camp.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight at the "Edelweiss Meadow" camp (3600 m).

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8

place Hike to the Lakes of the Achik-Tash Valley and the Sacred Tulpar-Kol Lake.

Travel time: 5–6 hours; altitude difference: -260 m, +260 m.

This morning, we will begin with a scenic walk through the picturesque "fjords" of the Achik-Tash Valley, dotted with a collection of stunning, multicolored lakes. There are many lakes, some of which merge and change shape each year. Their crystal-clear turquoise waters reflect the towering peaks of the Pamirs, while herds of timid yaks frequently graze along the shores.

Our journey then leads us to the large and pristine Tulpar-Kol Lake. We will descend to the river and cross a bridge to the other side, where the sacred lake lies. According to local shepherds, it is forbidden to swim in, take water from, water livestock, or fish in the lake. Visitors are encouraged to come with pure thoughts, pray by the shore, dip ailing body parts in the water, or sprinkle themselves with it, as it is believed to possess healing properties. We will walk around the lake, admiring its winding contours from different angles, and learn about the daily lives and traditions of the nomadic Kyrgyz people whose yurts stand nearby. Along the way, we may encounter donkeys, horses, and untouched meadows filled with delicate blooming edelweiss, vibrant buttercups, and alpine forget-me-nots.

Return to the camp.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight at the "Edelweiss Meadow" camp (3600 m).

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9

place Ascent to the Petrovskiy Peak Ridge Viewpoint.

Travel time: 3-4 hours; altitude difference: +500 m, -500 m.

We will ascend to an altitude of 4100 m, where a breathtaking panoramic view opens up over the picturesque Alay Valley, the majestic Trans Alay Range, and its highest peak – Lenin Peak (7134 m). From this vantage point, we will see the entire labyrinth of lakes in the Achik-Tash Valley, which we explored yesterday, as well as numerous Base Camps, Tulpar-Kol Lake, and the adjacent snowy gorge.

Return to the camp. Rest and preparation for tomorrow’s ascent to Camp 1.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight at the "Edelweiss Meadow" camp (3600 m).

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10

place Trek to "Sunny" Camp at the Foot of Lenin Peak.

Travel time: 6–7 hours; altitude difference: +800 m.

The route to "Sunny" Camp passes through the already familiar Lukovaya Meadow, Marmot Meadow, Spirit Castle of Alay, Travelers' Pass (4150 m), and the grand Lenin Glacier.

After descending from the pass, the trail becomes almost level and runs parallel to the left moraine ridge. Crossing a fast-flowing mountain river, we ascend the trail leading to the Lenin Glacier. From there, we continue along the glacier until we reach the advanced "Sunny" Camp (4400 m), located on the middle moraine.

Accommodation at "Sunny" Camp. Rest.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight at "Sunny" Camp (4400 m).

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11

place Ascent to Yukhin Peak (5130 m).

Travel time: 6-7 hours; altitude difference: +730 m; -730 m.

The route is led by a guide and does not require special equipment.

Stage 1: Departure from "Sunny" Camp (4400 m). Crossing the glacier to the beginning of the ascent along the ridge of the left (orographically) moraine of the Lenin Glacier.

Stage 2: Climbing along the moraine ridge. Slope steepness: 20–25°. Reaching a gentler section and transitioning to the southern slope – a wide couloir leading directly to the summit of Yukhin Peak.

Stage 3: Ascending the right side (in the direction of movement) of the couloir, with slope steepness reaching 30° in some sections. Most of the time, movement is on snow, with occasional small and medium-sized scree. Upon exiting the couloir, turning left. After approximately 15 meters along a narrow snow-covered ridge, reaching the summit plateau and the peak of Yukhin (5130 m).

Stage 4: Descent along the same route.

Return to "Sunny" Camp, rest.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight at "Sunny" Camp (4400 m).

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12

place Descent to "Edelweiss Meadow" Camp.

Travel time: 5 hours; altitude difference: -800 m.

On the way down, we will enjoy the picturesque multicolored rock formations, whimsical stone towers, and the "Edge of the Earth" canyon in the Achik-Tash River valley.

Accommodation at "Edelweiss Meadow" Camp. Rest and free time.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight at "Edelweiss Meadow" Camp (3600 m).

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13

place Transfer to Osh.

Transfer to Osh through the famous Alay Valley and the high mountain passes Taldyk (3615 m) and Chiirchik (2408 m).

Arrival in Osh, hotel check-in. Free time.

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Overnight at the hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 14

place Domestic flight Osh – Bishkek.

Transfer to the airport. Domestic flight to Bishkek. Meeting at the airport of Bishkek. Transfer and check-in at the hotel after 14:00. Leisure time.

Meals: breakfast.

Overnight at the hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Day 15

place Departure from Bishkek.

Transfer to the airport. The end of the program.

Meals: breakfast.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Meals expand_less

  • Breakfast (13)
  • Lunch (11)
  • Dinner (10)

Transport expand_less

  • "Mitsubishi Delica"
  • "Mercedes-Benz Sprinter"

Activities expand_less

  • Meet and greet at the airport, group transfer airport – hotel – airport for each flight.
  • All transfers according to the program;
  • Arrangement of necessary documents for visiting the area;
  • Domestic flight Bishkek – Osh – Bishkek (Economy class, weight limit for luggage is 15 kg).
  • Meals - full board during the trekking (days 2-12).
  • Group first aid kit.
  • Personal cargo transportation by horses during the trekking (days 2-5).
  • Personal cargo transportation service (up to 15 kg) by horses from "Edelweiss Meadow" camp (3600 m)
  • to "Sunny" camp (4400 m) and back.

Not Included expand_less

  • Cost of international flights.
  • Medical insurance.
  • Meals in Osh and Bishkek (except breakfast at the hotels).

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