In the southeast of Kyrgyzstan in the “hart” of Central Tien-Shan is beautiful valley of the Kayu-Kap River with its tributary Mai-Bash and Terekty. This area is surrounded with Kaindy-Too range, Kokshaal-Too range and Mai-Bash range in the north and Sary-Djaz River in the west. In this valley is special microclimate – the high Kaindy-Too range doesn’t allow hold north masses of air to penetrate into the valley, and warm air from China comes through the canyon of Sary-Djaz River. Here is no snow even in November. In this area a lot of wild animals: ibexes, wild boars, bears and snow leopards.

Our company advises to visit region and discover wonderful virgin place of Central Tien-Shan.

Trip rating and details :

• 16 days

• 10 days trekking

• 3 nights hotel

• 2 nights “Maida-Adyr” BC

• 10 nights camping

• best time to visit: August – October

• strenuous hiking

Day 1: Arrival to Bishkek. Transfer to Karakol.

Day 2: Transfer to “Maida-Adyr” Base Camp.

Day 3: Helicopter flight to the camp on Mai-Bash River.

Days 4-7: Radial hikes on Mai-Bash pass (4001 m) and Airansuu (4728 m).

Day 8: Crossing over the Sary-Tor pass (3387 m). Camp near Karagaity River.

Day 9: Camp on Kayu-Kap River.

Day 10: Upper reaches of Bulan-Tor Rver.

Day 11: Pass Tulan-Top (4360 m). Kaindy gorge.

Day 12: At-Djailoo gorge.

Day 13: Pass At-Djailoo (3674 m). “Maida-Adyr” BC.

Day 14: Transfer to Karakol town.

Day 15: Transfer to Bishkek.

Day 16: Fly home.

Services:

All transfers; full board; double room accommodation at the hotels of 3* and 2* in Bishkek and Karakol, during the trekking in double tents; guide-interpreter; cook; ecological and road duties; border permit and permit to the mountaineering zone; visa support and registration in OVIR.

Option 1:

Clients carry their own things, food and camping equipment by themselves.

Option 2

Porters carry all camping equipment and food.

More detailed itinerary…

The high mountain valleys of the Turkestan Range a continuous wall of granite peaks forming Kyrgyzstan’s southwestern border-are a timeless world of towering rock faces and summer pastures where proud Kyrgyz nomads have grazed their flocks since the days of the ancient Silk Road. Only a handful of western trekkers have ever explored its pinnacled mountain fastness, and our trek is a circuit through some of the most remote, least visited and spectacular valleys the range has to offer. You’ll hike through alpine meadows of wildflowers laced by glacier -fed rivers, and stand near the foot of sheer granite faces reaching 2000 vertical meters from their base (many call this “Yosemite East”). All along the way, you’ll enjoy memorable encounters with nomadic families who spend the summer in remote encampments in this timeless mountain paradise.

Trip rating and details :

- 15 days

- 9 days trekking

- maximum height – 4347m.

- 10 nights – camping

- 4 nights – hotel

- best time to visit – June 15 – Sept 20

- medium trekking, no special equipment is needed.

Option 1 (arrival/departure to/from Tashkent).

Day 1: Arrival to Tashkent.

Days 2-3: Samarkand.

Day 4: Ak-Su.

Day 5: Begin trek. Hike along Ak-Su River.

Day 6: Acclimatization day.

Day 7: Aktubek pass (4347 m).

Day 8: Kosh-Moinok.

Days 9-11: Kara-Su, Karavshin valley & Pyramidalny peak (5509 m).

Days 12-13: Upanym pass (3467 m), Buldjuma pass.

Day 14: Return to Tashkent.

Day 15: Fly home.

Option 2 (arrival/departure to/from Bishkek)

Day 1: Arrival to Bishkek

Day 2: Fly to Osh. Sightseeing around Osh.

Day 3: Drive to Ozgurush.

Day 4: Begin trek. Hike along up Ak Suu River.

Day 5: Acclimatization day.

Day 6: Aktubek pass (4347 m)

Day 7: Kosh-Moinok

Days 8-10: Kara Suu, Karavshin valley & Pyramidalny peak (5509 m).

Days 11-12: Upanym pass (3467 m), Buldjuma pass.

Day 13: Drive to Osh.

Day 14: Return to Bishkek.

Day 15: Fly home.

Services :

Full board; double room accommodation at hotels and in tents during the trek; all transfers (air flight Bishkek-Osh-Bishkek included); sightseeing as noted in the itinerary; entrance fees and permits, visa support and registration at OVIR; cook and horsemen with horses during the trek; interpreter-guide.

More detailed itinerary…

The Issyk-Kul is a huge natural accumulator (it is called a mountain sea) determining the unique climate of the whole area. The gigantic lake surrounded by ridges reaching over 5000 m – the main components of unique and various natures belonging to Northern spurs of Terskey Ala-Too (central part).

The narrow valleys with steep slopes covered in fruitful bushes at lower part, at medium part – in Tien-Shan fir-trees, and upper part – in alpine meadows of wild flowers, rocky and snow-cowered peaks raising above them -all this makes region very popular among visitors.

Healthy air mixed with sea freshness, fragrance of fir-trees and coolness of mountains turquoise Ala-Kol Lake – its water like mirror reflects neighboring glaciers and summits. Variety of relief and landscapes plus warm hospitality of locals, all this attracts growing member of visitors from all around the world. The route starts from the most picturesque gorge – Altyn-Arashan, famous for its thermal springs. Then route crosses three passes with heights up to 4080 m and ends at Chon-Kyzyl-Suu gorge.

The local people always welcome visitors in their yurts and offer Kyrgyz national drink kymyz.

Trip rating and details :

• 15 days

• 9 days trekking

• maximum height – 4080 m

• 9 nights- camping

• 5 nights –hotels

• best time to visit- June 15 – Sept 20

• medium trekking, no special equipment is needed.

Day 1: Arrival to Bishkek.

Day 2: Karakol. Archeological complex «Burana Tower» (XI century).

Day 3: Kashka-Suu (20 km) – beginning of the trek. Altyn-Arashan.

Day 4-5: Radial hike to the upper reaches of Altyn-Arashan valley.

Day 6: Camp nearby Ala-Kol pass (3860 m).

Day 7: Ala-Kol pass (3860 m). Karakol gorge.

Day 8: Radial hike Karakol gorge.

Day 9: Telety pass (3801 m). Telety Zapadnaya valley.

Day 10: Valley of the Djety-Oguz River.

Day 11: Archa-Tor pass (4080 m). Valley of Chon-Kyzyl-Suu River.

Day 12: Issyk-Kul Lake. “Issyk Kul” health resort.

Day 13: Rest time.

Day 14: Bishkek. Rafting along Chu River.

Day 15: Fly home.

Services :

Full board; all transfers; double room accommodation in Bishkek, Karakol and in tents during the trek; interpreter- guide; cook and porters during the trek; sightseeing as noted in the itinerary; rafting; road and ecological fees; visa support, permission to the mountaineering zone; registration at OVIR.

More detailed itinerary…

Most travelers vote this the most appealing, accessible and welcoming of the former Soviet Central Asian republics. This program combines elements of mountain hiking and vehicle transfers that allows discover the vast territory of Central and East Kyrgyzstan.

One of the interesting places to see is Issyk-Kul. Lake Issyk-Kul is basically a huge dent, filled with water, in the Ala-Tau ranges that form the northern arm of the Tien Shan. The name means “ warm lake”. A combination of extreme depth, thermal activity and mild salinity means the lake never freezes, its moderating effect on the climate, plus abundant rainfall, have made it something of an oasis down through the centuries. The Issyk-Kul region was off-limits to foreigners in Soviet times. Locals mention vast, officially sanctioned plantations of opium poppies and cannabis around the lake, though most of these had disappeared under international pressure by the early 1970s.

Another one is Song-Kul lake. Alpine lake Song-Kul, at (3013m), is one of the loveliest spots in central Kyrgyzstan. All round it are lush pastures favored by herders from the nearest villages, who spend summer here with their animals. Visitors are welcome, and this is sublime place to camp and watch the sun come up. The lake is jumping with fish, and you might be able to trade tea, salt, sugar, or vodka for milk, kurut (hard cheese) or full-bodied kymys.

Trip rating and details :

• 15 days

• 12 days trekking

• maximum height -4001 m

• 11 nights – camping

• 3 nights – hotels

• best time to visit- June 15 – Sept 20

• medium trekking, no special equipment is needed.

Day 1: Arrival to Bishkek.

Day 2: Issyk-Kul Lake. Sanatorium “Issyk-Kul”.

Day 3: Echkilitash

Day 4: Upper reaches of the Tyuz River.

Day 5: Tyuz pass (4001 m). Chon-Tash.

Day 6: Mertsbakher glade.

Day 7: Radial hike to the Mertsbakher lake.

Day 8: Helicopter flight to “Maida-Adyr” base camp, Altyn-Arashan gorge.

Day 9: Ala-Kel pass (3860 m).

Day 10: Song-Kul Lake.

Day 11: Radial hike to Moldo-Too range.

Day 12: Kurtka pass (3173 m). Tash-Rabat.

Day 13: Radial hike to Tash-Rabat pass (3464 m).

Day 14: Bishkek.

Day 15: Fly home.

Services :

All transfers; full board; double room accommodation at hotels and in tents during the trek; guide-interpreter; cook, cook-assistant and porters during the treks; sightseeing as noted in the itinerary; ecological and road fees; entrance fees and permits; helicopter flight; visa support, registration at OVIR.

More detailed itinerary…

The former Soviet Central Asia republic of Kyrgyzstan has a wealth of nomadic traditions plus some of the most beautiful mountains in Central Asia: the celebrated Tian Shan, the traditional mountain homeland of the Kyrgyz and Kazakh people, who have a colorful history of nomadic wanderings. Our trek focuses on the Kyrgyz-Alatau section of the northern range of the Tien-Shan. A continuous wall of ice and rock forms the central portion of the range, crowned by Semenov-Tien-Shanski (4895m), the highest peak in the region. The trek takes us along alpine flatlands, grassy hills choked with pretty wildflowers, through forests of unique Tien-Shan blue fir trees, and close to stunning glaciers. As we hike along the deep Alamedin, and Tuyuk gorges, we’ll keep to the tracks beaten by sheep and horses that are taken to high altitude summer pastures by local Kyrgyz shepherds. On trek we’ll gain insights into the lifestyle of these local nomads who have grazed their flocks here since ancient times. Hospitable and friendly, they will welcome us to their summer huts (called yurts) and persuade us to try kumyz, the national fermented drink made of mare’s milk, and airan (a yogurt-like dairy product).

The gorges are laced by great 5000m summits whose glaciers feed numerous rivers, both large and small, with crystal clear water. We cross the range twice: via Alamedin pass (3964m) and Tuyuk Pass (4004m). The Alamedin gorge also has something special to offer: a soak in thermal springs! With the breakup of the former Soviet Union, this region is rarely visited, and we have good chances to see the diverse wildlife, including mountain turkey, mountain hen, golden eagle, mountain sheep, goat, and perhaps even a rare snow leopard. A caravan of packhorses carries all the gear (we hike with only a day pack).

Trip rating and details :

• 14 days

• 9 days (medium, intensive hike)

• maximum elevation – 4004 m

• 11 nights – camping

• 2 nights – hotels

• best time to visit – June 15 – September 20

• no climbing equipment is needed

Day 1: Arrival to Bishkek.

Day 2: Salyk River.

Day 3: Altyn-Tor River.

Day 4: Ashu-Tor. River.

Day 5: Upper reaches of Ashu-Tor River.

Day 6: Alamedin Vostochniy pass (3964 m).

Day 7: Karakol pass (3486 m).

Days 8-9: Tyuk pass (4004 m).

Day 10: Crossing over Kok-Moinok pass (2911 m). End of Trekking.

Day 11: Transfer to Boomskoe gorge (130 km). Kanar-Sai canyon.

Day 12: Rafting along Chu River.

Day 13: Transfer to Bishkek.

Day 14: Transfer to airport. Fly home.

Services :

All transfers; full board; double room accommodation in hotels and in tents during the trek; guide-interpreter; excursions in cities; visa support, registration at OVIR; horsemen with horses for carrying all trek equipment including cook staffs during the trek; group gear, etc.

Extra services :

Single supplement in hotels and in tents; extra horse during the trek; airport fee upon departure from the airport in Bishkek.

More detailed itinerary…

The mighty knot of Kokshal-Too, Meridianalny, Sary-Djazsky, Inylcheksky, Tengry-Tag and Kaindy ranges is called «Muztag» (“Ice Slope”) the most difficult part of the Kyrgyzstan. Not by chance this region was the last «white spot» on the Kyrgyzstan map, and exploring had been started only at the end of XIX century. The numerous variety of landscapes, majestic ranges, hanging glaciers, huge valleys and deep canyons with steep slopes, rising peaks Khan-Tengri (6995 m) and Pobeda (7439 m, the Northern seven-thousandth peak in the world!) all this, no doubt attracts trekkers all around the world. Visitors start from North spurs of Terskey Ala-Too range, overgrown with fir and juniper trees, and proceed toward Sary-Djaz valley, Inylchek and Kaindy rivers, crossing six passes with highest point – (4001 m), then explore the two biggest glaciers of Kyrgyzstan – Inylchek and Kaindy (64 km and 25 km long).The unique view of Central Tien-Shan will remain indelible impression about time spent here.

Trip rating and details :

•  21 days

•  16 day trekking

•  maximum height – 4001 m

•  16 nights – camping

•  4 nights – hotels

•  best time to visit- June 15 – Sept 20

•  medium trekking, no special equipment is needed.

Day 1: Arrival to Bishkek. Hotel.

Day 2: Karakol.

Day 3: Djergalan gorge. Begin trek.

Day 4: Upper reaches of Tyup River.

Day 5: Upper reaches of Chon-Djanalach River.

Day 6: Echkilitash.

Day 7: Upper reaches of Tyuz River.

Day 8: Tyuz pass (4001 m). Chon-Tash.

Days 9-10: Base camp «Inylchek». The Khan-Tengri (6995 m) and Pobeda peaks (7439 m).

Day 11: At-Djailou. Rest.

Day 12: At-Djailou pass (3474 m).

Day 13: Valley of Kaindy River.

Day 14: Kaindy glacier.

Day 15: Radial hike and exploring of Kaindy glacier.

Day 16: Return to the Kaindy River.

Day 17: Kaindy gorge. Camp in birch-tree grove.

Day 18: Base camp “Maida-Adyr”.

Day 19: Drive Maida-Adyr – Karakol.

Day 20: Drive Karakol – Bishkek along South side of Issyk-Kul Lake. Hotel.

Day 21: Fly home.

Services :

All transfers; full board; double room accommodation at hotels and in tents during the trek; interpreter-guide; cook, porters for carrying all trek arrangements and horses during the trek; all road and ecological fees; sightseeing as noted in the itinerary; helicopter flight to South Inylchek (round trip); visa support, registration at OVIR, border zone permit.

More detailed itinerary…