In Tian-Shan en Pamir (15 dagen)

Start of the trekking route. Trekking up along the South Aflatun river valley to its confluence with the Uyalma tract. A rather good dirt road runs along the canyon of the river among the picturesque spruce forests, it perfect fits for the first day of the route.

Lunch in the birch forest by the river. Then we continue the trekking up along the gorge to the confluence of the rivers, which forms a wide valley covered with green lawns and spruce forest.

Travel time: 7 hrs; altitude difference: +630 m.

Overnight in a tent (1930 m).

Uyalma River – Kuldambes Pass (2946 m) – Lake Sary-Chelek.

Trekking over Kuldambes pass (2946 m) and then descent to Lake Sary-Chelek via Ashuu pass (2551 m). 

Easy trekking over Kuldambes pass is done at the background of picturesque landscapes of Uyalma Valley and the Chatkal Ridge. After crossing Kuldambes pass we continue the way to Ashuu pass – the viewpoint with stunning views of lake Sary-Chelek and the valley.  

Descent from Ashuu pass to the lake Sary-Chelek valley. Lake Sary-Chelek is one of the most beautiful alpine lakes and the third deepest lake in Central Asia. Sary-Chelek resulted from an enormous landslide blocking the eponymous river, which happened about 10000 years ago.  

Travel time: 8 hrs; altitude difference: +1016 m; -1016 m.

Overnight in a tent (1880 m).

We leave lake Sary-Chelek shores and trek upstream the Sary-Chelek river to its confluence with the Makmal river. A path along the river will lead us first to alpine meadows, and then to the wide saddle-point of Makmal pass (2654 m). From the saddle of the pass it is possible to make a simple ascent to the nearby summit. Lunch at the pass.

Descent along the Kurumdu river to the Kara-Suu river valley. 

Travel time: 7–8 hrs; altitude difference: +774 m; -804 m.

Overnight in a tent (1850 m).

After two intense previous days, the descent along the river valley to the lake Kara-Suu (Karakamysh) is very light and slow. The lake is incredibly beautiful and is located in a very picturesque gorge. The main highlight is the stunning view from the shores of the lake to the Min-Teke mountain range. 

After lunch, horseback riding, acquaintance with the life of nomads. 

Travel time: 3-4 hrs; altitude difference: -50 m.

Overnight in a tent (1800 m).

After trekking along lake Kara-Suu we start an easy ascent to Kuturma pass (2446 m). A picturesque path runs between juniper trees and rocks. From the pass there opens a stunning panorama of southern part of lake Sary-Chelek. Descent from the pass is quite steep, but not too long, and soon we pass through the flowering fields and reach the banks of the lake Iri-Kol. We proceed our way to the place of overnight stay, which is located between picturesque lakes Tuyuk-Kol and Kyla-Kol.

Travel time: 6 hrs; altitude difference: +646 m; -546 m.

Overnight in a tent (1900 m).

Trekking to the southern part of the lake Sary-Chelek. The route runs through apple orchards along numerous turquoise lakes. Along the way, magical landscapes of the most beautiful mountains of Kyrgyzstan continue to open at each new turn.

Transfer to Osh. Time for walking around the city.

Travel time: 9 hrs; altitude difference: -940 m.

Overnight at a hotel.

­

Breakfast. A short briefing. Handing over of necessary documents and permits. Visit to a supermarket before departure.

Transfer along the Pamir Highway, which is ranked among the top 10 most beautiful roads in the world by National Geographic. The drive promises to be incredibly scenic, so grab a window seat: we’ll see red mountains and rivers, the vastness of the Alay Valley, and the dizzying serpentine road of the Taldyk Pass (3600 m), and finally, the snowy northern face of the seven-thousander, Lenin Peak (7134 m).

Upon arrival at the yurt camp, situated in the Edelweiss Meadow (3600 m) with the best views of Lenin Peak, we’ll check-in and enjoy lunch.

Afterward, we’ll take a walk to the Lukovaya (Leek) Meadow (3800 m) – a protected meadow that was once place for climbing camps but is now inhabited only by marmots and wild green onions. During the height of the swift Pamir summer, the meadow turns into a vibrant green carpet with a riot of colors, and by the end of August, it becomes a silent realm painted in ochre hues.

We'll follow a beautiful route along the edge of the Achik-Tash Canyon, where we’ll see whimsical pillar-like rocks, a conical pyramid, the confluence of two rivers, and colorful mountains. We’ll hear the rush of water and the resonant silence of the stones.

Walking time: 2 hrs; altitude difference: +250 m, -250 m.

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

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.