Best of Alay Mountains Trek, 8 Days

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Overview

Best of Alay Mountains Trek, 8 Days
Kyrgyzstan
Duration: 8 days
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Visit Alay
$800
Deposit: $300

About this trip

Beautiful mountain vistas crossing Sary Mogul Pass (4,306 m) and Jiptick Pass (4,185 m) filled with alpine lakes, endless peaks, and the feeling as though you’ve landed on another planet.
Stunning views of glacier-covered Lenin Peak (7,134 m), including up close at Lenin Peak 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 hearty home-cooked meals.

A commitment to community tourism so that your tour will benefit local communities and families in the Pamir-Alay Mountains.

Combine this trek with a Pamir Highway

 If you are interested in continuing on the Pamir Highway to or from Tajikistan, you can easily combine this trekking tour with one of our other Pamir Highway Trips. 

What's included

Proffesional Guide

English-speaking trekking guide

Accommodation

Shared accommodation: yurt and homestays (Note: 3-5 person shared rooms for yurt and homestays)

Meals

All meals as indicated in itinerary*

Transport

Transport from/to Osh, Kyrgyzstan. Transport to/from Tulpar Kol Yurt Camp

Horses + Horseman

Luggage service up to 15 kg/person (via horse)

Personal meals

Permits

Border permit for the Peak Lenin Base Camp (note: last-minute border permit requests require a surcharge)

What's not included

Hotel and meals in Osh

before and after the tour ends

Drinking water

Alcoholic drinks

Services outside of the

Travel/Health Insurance

Tips

Flights

domestic/international transport

Day 1

Day 1 image

DEPART OSH TO SARY MOGUL VILLAGE

 Depart from the historic city of Osh, Kyrgyzstan to the village of Sary-Mogul (3,000 meters). There is remarkable scenery along the way to Sary-Mogul, so enjoy the ride! After two and half hours of driving, we stop for a short 4-hour of hiking to the beautiful Isumrudnoe Lake. Have lunch and continue driving to Sary-Mogul. After arrival, you can enjoy the incredible views of the 7,000+ meter-high snow-capped Pamir Mountains in the distance. We will enjoy a home-cooked dinner and an overnight stay at a family-run guesthouse. In Sary Mogul, there are several small convenience stores for last-minute purchases.

Accommodation: Shared guesthouse
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Facilities: Wi-fi, electricity, hot shower, and Western-style toilets

Day 2

Day 2 image

ACCLIMATIZATION DAY – HIKE FROM SARY MOGOL TO ZHANYRYK YURT CAMP

 Trekking distance/time: 12 km / 4-5-hours,  Ascent / Descent: 300m 

After breakfast, we’ll begin our trek toward the first yurt camp, following an easy car road that winds through open valleys and passes by yurt camps, making the route enjoyable and accessible. Along the way, we’ll encounter grazing animals such as yaks, sheep, goats, and horses, while spotting eagles soaring overhead and marmots scurrying through the grass. Refreshing spring waters will offer scenic rest stops as we continue. The trek also provides a unique opportunity to observe the lifestyle of nomadic people, witnessing their herds, traditional dwellings, and daily routines up close. Upon reaching the yurt camp, located at 3,300 meters, you can relax and settle into your accommodation. Lunch at the yurt camp. After, take a short hike to nearby hills for proper acclimatization. As evening falls, enjoy dinner under the stars, soaking in the tranquility of the remote mountain setting before resting for the night in the cozy comfort of the yurt.

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Shared Yurt camp  
Facilities: No wi-fi, no electricity, no hot shower, outdoor toilets

Day 3

Day 3 image

TREK FROM ZHANYRYK YURT CAMP OVER SARY MOGUL PASS (4,306M) TO CAMPSITE

 Trekking distance/time: 15 km / 8-9 hours,  Ascent / Descent: 1059 m / 859 m

After breakfast, we will drive for 30 minutes from Sary Mogul village north to the starting point of the trek. We begin the trek by walking along for about an hour to the first viewpoint. Some parts are a bit challenging as the trail is narrow and the terrain is composed mainly of scree and small pebbles. We will take a break and enjoy the views of the Pamir Mountains from the viewpoint before descending into a valley for lunch. We will break for lunch by a riverbank with glacier views. After lunch, we will head to Sary Mogul Pass at 4,306 meters (1 hour). As you ascend, glaciated peaks and alpine lakes will begin to appear. At the top of the pass, we will see Besh Kol – this viewpoint has stunning views of the alpine lakes and nearby peaks. After descending we will walk down to the campsite at 3,557 meters. Enjoy your dinner under the stars at the yurt camp.

Accommodation: Shared yurt camp
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Facilities: No Wi-fi, no electricity, no hot shower, outdoor toilets

Day 4

Day 4 image

TREK TO KOSH MOINOK VALLEY VIA KYZYL SHORO VILLAGE

 Trekking distance/time: 19,4 km, 7-8 hours,   Ascent: 866 m,  Descent: 1596 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 tea. Break for lunch near these yurts. After a few kilometers, you’ll reach the farmlands of the nearby village, Little Sary Mogul village. Pass through the village and walk for 3,5km along the dusty road to Kyzyl Shoro village. Break for lunch in Kyzyl-Shoro village at a homestay. Take a quick hot shower*. After leaving your homestay, walk to the gorge to the east of the village. The trail slowly goes up 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). Dinner and overnight in a yurt camp at 2,800 meters.

Accommodation: Shared yurt camp
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic lunch, Dinner
Facilities: No Wi-fi, no electricity, no hot shower, outdoor toilets
*Wi-fi, electricity, and a hot shower available during lunch in Kyzyl Shoro village

Day 5

Day 5 image

TO JIPTICK YURT CAMP VIA KOZHOKELEN VILLAGE OVER SARY BELL PASS

 Trekking distance/time: 24 km, 9 hours, Ascent: 1299 m, Descent: 1095 m

After breakfast, cross over the stream and walk up to Sarybell Pass at 3,132 m (1 hour). 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. The red rock formations forming the “Three Dragon Gorge ” are one of the most beautiful spots in all of Kyrgyzstan. You can see the snow-covered Pamir landscapes in the distance with various grades of high-, mid-and low alpine landscapes along the way. The trail then descends through the red rocks and into a cliffed riverbed. You will follow the road through the cliffs until arrival in Kojokelen village (3 hours). Enjoy a late lunch in a guesthouse. Hot showers, electricity, and the internet are available in the village*. After lunch, there is an easy walk on an unpaved road along the river leading up to the yurt camp at the foot of Jiptick Pass ( 3 hours). 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 dinner with a local family and overnight in a yurt.

Accommodation: Shared yurt camp
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic lunch, Dinner
Facilities: No Wi-fi, no electricity, no hot shower, outdoor toilets
*Wi-fi, electricity and hot shower available during lunch in Kozhokelen village

Day 6

Day 6 image

TREK TO YURT CAMP AT DARBAZATASH VALLEY OVER JIPTICK PASS AT 4,185 ME

 Trekking distance/time: 16 km, 8 hours,   Meals: B, L, D,   Accommodation: yurt stay Ascent: 1150 m,  Descent: 931 m

From the yurt camp, the trail ascends gradually along the river to the foot of Jiptick Pass (1 hour). Take the switchbacks to the pass (2 hours). Jiptick Pass (4,185 meters) is breathtaking. In the distance, you can see the Pamir Mountains. Lenin Peak (7,134 meters) can also be seen in the distance during clear weather. Break for lunch. The path descends steeply down to Darbazatash Valley (3 hours). Arrive in the valley (3274 meters). Dinner and overnight stay at the yurt camp.

Accommodation: Shared yurt camp
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic lunch, Dinner
Facilities: No Wi-fi, no electricity, no hot shower, outdoor toilets

Day 7

Day 7 image

SARY-MOGOL VILLAGE – TULPAR KOL LAKE

 Trekking distance/time: 11 km,  3 hours, Meals: B, L, D,   Accommodation: yurt stay,  Ascent: 40 m,  Descent: 320 m

Walk to Sary Mogul village (3 hours). Arrive at your homestay and enjoy a home-cooked lunch. Take a shower and enjoy the WiFi*. After lunch, we will drive to the yurt camp at Tulpar Kol Lake near Lenin Peak Base Camp (1 hour). Tulpar Kol is a series of lakes set in the foothills of Pamir Mountain – it is a great spot for photography and easy walking. Dinner and overnight stay in a yurt.

Accommodation: Shared yurt camp
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic lunch, Dinner
Facilities: No Wi-fi, no electricity, no hot shower, outdoor toilets
*Wi-fi, electricity, and hot shower are available during lunch in Sary Mogol village

Day 8

Day 8 image

TREK TO TRAVLERS’S PASS (4100 meters) – OSH CITY

 Trekking distance/time: 20 km,  6 hours,   Meals: B, L,    Ascent: 760 m,  Descent: 760 m   Driving: 5 hours

Wake up early. After breakfast, we will head south from Tulpar Kol to the alpinist Peak Lenin Base Camp. After passing the Base Camp, we will begin the ascent to Traveller’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 Traveller’s Pass at 4,100 meters. Enjoy the magnificent views of glaciers tumbling off the massive peak. Go to the viewpoint 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 lunch there. Return to the yurt camp in the same way you came. Say goodbye to Pamirs and drive back to Osh city (5 hours).

Accommodation: Shared yurt camp
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic lunch, Dinner
Facilities: No Wi-fi, no electricity, no hot shower, outdoor toilets

About your organizer

VA
Visit Alay
Welcome to Visit Alay. We are a tour operator specialized in adventure travel and cultural, trekking, horseback riding and Pamir Highway tours in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and throughout Central Asia.

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