Trekking Kyrgyzstan: Alay Mountains Adventure

Trekking Kyrgyzstan: Alay Mountains Adventure

Explore the best of the Alay Mountains on this tour and discover one of the most stunning mountain regions in the world that are still unknown…for now. This off-the-beaten-track tour combines some of the best landscapes, trekking and nomadic cultural experiences in all of Kyrgyzstan, including:
- Incredible mountain vistas at Sary Mogul (4,306 m) and Jiptick (4,185 m) mountain passes where you’ll feel as though you’ve landed on another planet.
- Stunning views of snow- and glacier-covered Lenin Peak (7,134 m), including up close from Lenin Base Camp and Traveler’s Pass (4,100 m).
- Diverse landscapes, from turquoise alpine lakes and lush green valleys to high desert moonscapes and the red rock formations of “Three Dragons Gorge”.
- Sleeping in a traditional yurt where you’ll have an opportunity to meet Kyrgyz shepherds, learn about traditional nomadic culture, and enjoy home-cooked meals.
- Community-Based Tourism. Your use of us will contribute to local communities.

Itinerary

Day 1: Osh city - Sarymogul Village

Stop At: Alay Mountains, Osh Kyrgyzstan
Arrival in Osh*, the second largest city in Kyrgyzstan and once an important trading center along the Silk Road. Meet with your guide for a briefing about the tour and trek. After lunch, drive to Sary Mogul village at 3,000 meters above sea level (approx. 4 hours). Enjoy a home-cooked dinner and overnight at a local family homestay. Enjoy the view of the 7,000+ meter high snow-capped Pamir Mountains in the distance.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at homestay

Day 2: Sarymogul village – Sarymogul Pass 4,306m – Campsite

Stop At: Alay Mountains, Osh Kyrgyzstan
Distance: 12 km trekking

Ascent: 1054 m, Descent: 477 m

After a hearty breakfast, drive for 20 minutes from Sarymogul village to the starting point of the trek. Walk along the stream on a one-person trail all the way up to the first viewpoint (1 hour). Some parts are a bit challenging as the trail is narrow and the terrain is composed mainly of scree and small pebbles. Enjoy a break and views of the Pamir Mountains at the viewpoint before descending into a valley to follow the small stream all the way to a flat meadow. We break for lunch at the riverbank with glacier views all around. After lunch, we head to Sarymogul Pass at 4,306 meters (1 hour). As you ascend, the glaciated peaks and alpine lakes will begin to appear. Enjoy your accomplishment at the top of the pass with its otherworldly and stunning views. The descent from the pass is steep and covered in loose scree, so consider long sliding strides or “skiing” down in a zigzag motion as you navigate the snaking path. After descending, we walk down to the campsite and set up the tents at 3,934 meters. Enjoy your dinner under the stars.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at yurt camp

Day 3: Campsite – Kyzyl Shoro village

Stop At: Alay Mountains, Osh Kyrgyzstan
Distance: 15 km trekking

Ascent: 31 m, Descent: 1579 m

Compared to the first day, the beginning of the second day is relatively easy-going and mainly downhill. As the trek progresses through the valley, the trail cuts back and forth across the river several times. With the decline in elevation, the terrain begins to change from high alpine rocky and dry to mid-mountain green punctuated by the alpine lush of juniper bushes. Don’t forget to turn around from time to time to enjoy views of the surrounding glaciers and snow-covered peaks above and behind you. Pass through fields filled with grazing cows and shepherd’s yurts inviting you for a tea. Break for lunch near these yurts. After a few kilometers, you’ll reach the farmlands of the nearby village, Little Sarymogul village. Pass through the village and walk for 3,5km along the dusty road to Kyzyl Shoro village. Dinner and overnight in a homestay at 2,389 meters.
Duration: 6 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at homestay

Day 4: Kyzyl Shoro village – Koshmoinok Pass – Koshmoinok Valley – Kojokelen village

Stop At: Alay Mountains, Osh Kyrgyzstan
Distance: 22 km trekking

Ascent: 1303 m, Descent: 1124 m

After breakfast, leave your homestay and walk to the gorge to the east of the village. The trail becomes steep and ascends approximately 860 meters through grass meadows and pastures to Koshmoinok Pass at 3,210 m. After the pass, descend into Koshmoinok Valley (1 hour). There are several shepherd’s yurts and huts in this valley. Break for lunch near one of the shepherd’s yurts. After lunch, cross over the stream and walk up to Sarybell Pass at 3,132 m (1 hour). The magnificent views of the rugged Kichik Alay Mountains open up on top of the pass. From there, follow the path as it winds along the edge of the hills on your left and enjoy the expanse of unusual red rock formations forming the “Three Dragon Gorge.” The diversity of colors and landscapes is something travelers have called “The Best of Kyrgyzstan” where you can see the dramatic and snow-covered Pamir landscapes in the distance with various grades of high-, mid- and low alpine landscapes along the way. Eventually, the trail winds its way down into a small stream through evergreen trees and continues on the edge of the valley until it reaches Kojokelen village (3 hours). Enjoy a hearty home-cooked meal and overnight in a guesthouse.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at homestay

Day 5: Kojokelen village – Shepherd’s camp

Stop At: Alay Mountains, Osh Kyrgyzstan
Distance: 10 km trekking

Ascent: 833 m, Descent: 69 m

Today is an easy walk on an unpaved road along the river leading up to the foot of Jiptick Pass. Enjoy walking in this beautiful gorge with evergreen trees, and engage along the way with Kyrgyz nomads who are busy with their daily activities, including shepherding their animals. Arrive at the yurt camp. Enjoy a home-cooked meal with a local family and overnight in a yurt.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at yurt camp

Day 6: Yurt camp – Jiptick Pass at 4,185 meters – down to Darbazatash Valley

Stop At: Alay Mountains, Osh Kyrgyzstan
Distance: 16 km trekking,

Ascent: 1150 m, Descent: 931 m

From the yurt camp the trail goes easily up along the river all the way to the foot of Jiptick Pass (1 hour). Head up to the pass on a barely seen trail in a zigzag formation on loose scree (2 hours). Reach the breathtaking Jiptick Pass at 4,185 meters and enjoy the stunning view of the snowcapped Pamir Mountains with towering Lenin Peak at 7,134 meters in the far distance. Break for lunch on top. The path then goes steeply down to Darbazatash Valley (3 hours). Arrive in the valley at 3274 meters. Dinner and overnight are in yurts on the shore of the stream.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at yurt camp

Day 7: Darbazatash valley – Sarymogul village – Peak Lenin Base Camp

Stop At: Alay Mountains, Osh Kyrgyzstan
Distance: 11 km trekking

Ascent: 34 m, Descent: 286 m

Walk to Sary Mogul village on an unpaved road (3 hours). While walking, enjoy the expansive view of the Alay Valley and snowcapped mountain ranges of Pamir-Alay in a distance. Arrive at your homestay and enjoy a home-cooked lunch. Take a shower, check your emails if you wish. After lunch, drive to the yurt camp at Tulpar Kol Lake at Lenin Peak base camp (1 hour). Enjoy walking around this turquoise high alpine lake at 3,500 meters before you are invited for a home-cooked dinner. Overnight in a yurt.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in yurt camp

Day 8: Peak Lenin Base Camp – Traveler’s Pass – Osh city

Stop At: Alay Mountains, Osh Kyrgyzstan
Distance: 20 km trekking

Ascent: 760 m, Descent: 760 m

After a hearty breakfast, walk up about 10 minutes from the yurt camp to the south and cross the bridge to get to the Peak Lenin base camp where the mountaineers are staying. Pass by the tents of big mountaineering companies at the base camp and take the trail leading to Traveler’s Pass. The trail goes slowly up except for the last 20 minutes where it becomes a steep zigzag trail that ends up on the mountain pass. Reach the Traveler’s Pass at 4,100 meters and enjoy the magnificent views of glaciers tumbling off the massive peak. Go to the view point on the right of the pass and get an even better view of Lenin Peak at 7,134 meters, the highest peak in this Pamir-Alay Mountains. Break for the lunch there to continue enjoying the views. Return to the yurt camp on the same way you came. Drive back to Osh city (5 hours).
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Not included