Trekking to the Lenin Peak with climbing Yukhin Peak (5130 m). (Osh-Osh)

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

We’ll start this morning with an easy hiking along the picturesque "fjords" of the Achik-Tash Valley, dotted with a variety of beautiful, colorful lakes. Some of them even join together, changing shapes every year. Their sparkling turquoise surface reflects the impressive peaks of the Pamirs, and herds of yaks often graze along the shores.

Next, we’ll head to the large, pristine Tulpar-Kol Lake. We’ll descend to the river and cross a bridge to the other side, where the sacred lake lies. The locals believe one shouldn't take water, bathe, and feed cattle or fish. According to shepherds, it's best to come to the lake with a clear mind. You can pray on the shore, dip sick parts of your body or sprinkle them with water, and you'll definitely receive healing. We’ll walk around the lake, taking in its winding shapes from different view points, and learn about the daily life and traditions of the nomadic Kyrgyz whose yurts are 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 yurt camp. 

Overnight at “Edelweiss Meadow” yurt camp (3600 m).

Trekking time: 3-4 hrs; altitude difference: +500 m, -500 m.

Petrovskiy peak (4700 m) is one of the easier and closer peaks in relation to the Base camp. Hiking up to the altitude of approximately 4100 m where you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the picturesque Alay Valley, the majestic Zaalaysky Ridge, and its highest peak, Lenin Peak (7134 m). From this view point, we’ll see the whole labyrinth of lakes in the Achik-Tash Valley that we explored yesterday, along with numerous Base Camps, Tulpar-Kol Lake, and the neighboring snowy gorge.

Return to the yurt camp. Rest and preparation for tomorrow's ascent to “Sunny” camp 1.

Overnight at “Edelweiss Meadow” yurt camp (3600 m).

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

The route to the "Sunny" camp runs through the Lukovaya (Leek) Meadow, the Marmot Meadow, the Spirit Castle of Alay, the Puteshestvennikov (Traveller’s) Pass (4150 m), and the magnificent Lenin Glacier. On this trail, you might meet groups of climbers either ascending or descending from the upper camps or the summit of Lenin Peak. 

At the Puteshestvennikov (Traveller’s) Pass, we’ll enjoy a break and one of the best views of the magnificent Lenin Peak (7134 m) and its glacier, as well as the nearby six-thousanders and five-thousanders.

Following is the descent from the pass – it is pretty easy and quick. After that, the trail turns into a virtually horizontal surface and stretches in parallel to the left moraine dump over a very long distance. We then cross a wild mountain river and ascent the trail that leads to the Lenin Glacier. Afterwards, we move along the body of the glacier until we reach Camp 1, which is located on the middle moraine.

Arrival in the “Sunny” camp 1 (4400 m), accommodation, and rest. 

Overnight at “Sunny” camp 1 (4400 m).

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

The route is led by a guide, without special equipment.

Stage 1: Starting from Camp 1 (4400 m) on the middle moraine of the Lenin glacier. Traversing the glacier crosswise and beginning to ascend the left (orographically) moraine of the Lenin Glacier.

Stage 2: Ascending the moraine’s ridge. The slope’s steepness reaches 20–25°. Entering a gentler area and crossing it towards the southern slope – to a wide couloir leading directly onto the summit of Yukhin Peak (5130 m).

Stage 3: Ascending the right (in the direction of the movement) side of the couloir, the slope’s steepness reaches 30° in some places. Most of the time we walk on snow, in some places on scree of small or medium-size stones. Left turn after the emergence from the couloir. After walking for some 15meters on a narrow snow-covered ridge we reach the upper plateau just beneath the peak and the summit proper.

Stage 4: The group will descend the mountain along the same route as they climbed it.

Return to the “Sunny” camp 1 (4400 m), and rest.

Overnight at “Sunny” camp 1 (4400 m).

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

Descent to the “Edelweiss Meadow” Base camp (3600 m) by taking the familiar trail through the Traveler’s Pass. Enjoy stunning colored rocks, stone towers and the "Land's Edge" canyon in the Achik-Tash river valley.

On arrival in the Base camp – dinner and rest. 

Overnight at “Edelweiss Meadow” yurt camp (3600 m).

Travel time: 5 h; distance: 280 km.

After lunch transfer to Osh through the famous Alay Valley, high-altitude Taldyk pass (3645 m) and Chiirchik pass (2408 m).

Arrival in Osh. Check-in at the hotel. Leisure time.

We recommend taking a self-guided walk through the city center. You can visit the local bazaar where you can buy national souvenirs or the shopping street filled with dozens of shops and street food options. If you’d like, you can also take the stairway trail up to the sacred Suleiman-Too Mountain, which takes about half an hour to reach the viewpoint at 1092 meters. From there, you'll enjoy stunning panoramic views of the entire city of Osh. At this viewpoint, you'll find a massive flag of Kyrgyzstan waving and a small mosque called Babur's house (15th-16th centuries), who was the grandson of Tamerlane. The setting of this mountain right in the city center adds to its appeal, and if you go closer to sunset, you'll catch the most breathtaking views.

Overnight at the hotel.

Transfer to the airport. The end of the program.

Meals: breakfast