Ascent to Skobelev Peak-5051 m (9 days)

Trekking along the Kashka-Suu River valley (9 km; 3–4 h).

We drive along the legendary Pamir Highway into the Alay Valley to the starting point of the active part of the route, located between the villages of Kara-Kabak and Kashka-Suu.

From here, we continue on foot, hiking up the scenic Kashka-Suu valley. We’ll set up our first camp on the riverbank, with a fantastic view of the Zaalay Range and its crown jewel – Lenin Peak (7134 m).

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight in Tent camp 1 (3100 m).

We gradually gain altitude following a well-trodden trail up the Kashka-Suu gorge, toward the source of the Kokjar River. Camp is set at the confluence of two mountain streams.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight in Tent camp 2 (3500 m).

We continue up the wide, scenic Kokjar Valley to a plateau where we set up our base camp for the summit push.

After lunch, those interested can hike toward the glacier we’ll cross during tomorrow’s ascent or explore the upper part of the valley.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight in Tent camp 3 (4044 m).

Early morning start. We hike up through the gorge, first on the eastern and then on the western side of the river that flows from the Skobelev Glacier, continuing up to an elevation of 4200 m.

After 6–7 km, we ascend a steep scree slope of the moraine to reach the glacier. From there, we continue across the gentle glacier with few crevasses up to an altitude of 4700 m on the western slope of Skobelev Peak.

From this point, we begin our ascent to the summit of Skobelev Peak (5051 m) via its snowy western slope. In good weather, the summit offers breathtaking views of Lenin Peak (7134 m), Communism Peak (7495 m), and Korzhenevskaya Peak (7105 m).

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight in Tent Camp 3 (4044 m).

We’ll explore the surrounding area and practice glacier techniques near the glacier’s edge, where steep ice couloirs lie between towering rock formations.

If the weather is favorable, we’ll use the reserve day to visit the upper Damdzhailoo lakes — remnants of a relict glacier located at elevations above 4000 m. We’ll see the first of these lakes during our descent into the Damdzhailoo Valley after the summit day. Further up the valley, there are several more lakes, both large and small, with the highest one located just below 4500 m.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight in Tent camp 3 (4044 m).

We ascend the scenic Kokjar Valley towards the Kokjar Pass. The trail is well-trodden, and the gradual climb to the 4165 m pass is manageable. We then descend into the Damdzhailoo Valley via an easy path.

In the afternoon, we hike uphill along the river toward the first Damdzhailoo Lake (4000 m), nestled beneath scree slopes. A short walk around the lake offers great views.

Later, we descend to the tent camp, which our support team will have set up in advance.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight in Tent camp 4 (3875 m).

Today we descend to the Alay Valley, reaching an altitude of 3500 m, where our transport awaits. The Alay Valley is one of the most picturesque regions of the Pamir-Alay — a vast tectonic depression nestled between the Alay and Trans-Alay ranges, ranging from 2240 to 3536 m in elevation.

Transfer to Osh. Hotel check-in. Free time in Osh without guided excursions or transportation.

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Overnight at the hotel.

Transfer to the airport. The end of the program.

Meals: breakfast.