Echoes of the Pamirs Expedition

Highlights:
- South capital of Kyrgyzstan – Osh city;
- One of the biggest reservoirs of Kyrgyzstan – Tortkul reservoir;

In the morning we transfer to the international airport “Manas” and take a local flight to the city of Osh. Upon arrival to the south capital meet trekking guide and start drive to Uzgurush village, located in the youngest oblast (region) of Kyrgyzstan - Batken region. There are a lot of beautiful small villages and orchards with peaches, apricots, apples and cherries. On the way we make a stop at Batken village to have a lunch at a local chaikhana (teahouse). After lunch continue drive to the village and on the way we pass Tortkul reservoir that was built in 1971 by Soviets. On arrival to the village accommodation at a local Kyrgyz family house. Preparation for trekking. Dinner and overnight.

PLEASE NOTE: Put all stuff (extra payment for more than 12 kg per person) into a special rucksack provided by us and give it to the horseman in the morning. The horses carry the luggage from one tent camp to another, and upon arrival to a tent camp after trekking day, you will take your luggage.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Driving: + 650 m, 340 km, 7-8 hours

Highlights:
- Wild pistachio tree and walnut orchards;
- Buldzhuma river and Buldzhuma pass (2900);

After breakfast we give our luggage to the horseman (he will put it on horses) and start trekking day walking though the village to the south. As we left the village we find ourselves in a wild pistachio and walnut orchards. Wild trail stretches along Buldzhuma river and goes up to the pass with the same-name – Buldzhuma (2900 m). From the pass there is a wonderful view of the nearest gorges and Uponym pass from the west side. Further, start descending to valley and here is a nice spot for having lunch break near Ak-Tash river. After lunch continue trekking along the river and cross it in several places (advisable to have sandals).

Arrival to the tent camp, which is hidden among the bushes on a green meadow. Dinner and overnight (2700 m).

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Trekking: +1450 m, -200 m, 15 km, 6-7 hours

Highlights:
- Opportunity to meet several families of nomads;
- Dzhalgychy pass (3780 m);
- View of Turkestan mountain range;

After breakfast we begin trekking day, cross Ak-Tash river near the tent camp and walking along the river to the foot of the Dzhalgychy pass (3780 m). Start ascent to the pass, we traverse several hundred meters and than zigzag trail leads us to the top. From the top we can see panoramic view of Turkestan mountain range, western face Piramidalnyi peak (5509 m) and Turo pass (4525 m). Descent down by the trail along the Dzhalgychy gorge to the confluence with nameless gorge, which is next from the south west. As we descended from the pass we turn left and cross nameless river (advisable to have sandals), then we go up to a small hill and reach the tent camp (3100 m).

Dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Trekking: +1100 m, -700 m, 11 km, 4-6 hours

Highlights:
- Sauna at Orto Chashma tent camp;

In the morning we start trekking up along the grass slope between Dzhalgychy and Kashka-Suu gorges. We hike along the river and cross it at some point (advisable to have sandals), further we follow the trail hidden among the bushes of juniper and start ascent to the pass. When we reach the top we trek along the range to the other side. From this point we enjoy the panoramic view of Orto Chashma gorge, also this place is perfectly fits for lunch. Descent to Kashka-Suu gorge along the narrow trail. Here we cross the small river and trekking till confluence with Orto Chashma gorge.

Dinner and overnight at the tent camp (2800 m) with sauna that helps to relax muscles and spend the evening enjoying the nature.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Trekking: +500 m, -800 m, 7 km, 3-4 hours

Highlights:
- An opportunity to see the stone houses of shepherds;
- Two passes for one day: Kosh Moinok pass (3260 m) and Kara-Suu (3760 m);

In the morning we start trekking along Orto Chashma river till the foot of the pass. Further, start ascent on a good trekking trail through the forest to Kosh Moinok pass (3260 m). An easy descent from the pass and further crossing of a small river (advisable to have sandals). As we crossed the river start ascent to the second pass Kara-Suu (3760 m). From the top of the pass we have a wonderful view of an “ocean” of pointed snow-capped rocky peaks of Turkestan mountain range. In front of us there will be a row of the "Great Fortresses-like" north-western faces of the peaks Kotin (4521 m) and 1000th-anniversary of Kreshenie Rusi (4507 m). Descent till Kara-Suu river and cross with bridge.

Here we have several hundred meters more along the river till the tent camp. Dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Trekking: +960 m, -960 m, 16 km, 6-8 hours

Highlights:
- Twin peaks – Asan Usen;
- Meet the "stone walls" of Asian Patagonia;

Today, we have a radial hike along Kara-Suu gorge to the foot of peaks of Piramidalnyi (5509 m), 1000th-anniversary of Kreshenie Rusi (Kyrkchylta) (4507 m) and Asan Usen (4378 m). Also it is possible to see legendary “Yellow wall”, famous for the most complex mountain routes. In the morning we leave the tent camp and have an easy trekking along Kara-Suu river. Further trail leads us to moraine and we start trekking along it till the foot of the peaks. Climbers from all over the world treat as a very high achievement to climb on any of peak of the gorge, since all peaks of that gorge are famous for it`s complexity.

Later, we return to the tent camp the same way. Dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Trekking: +350 m, -350 m, 10 km, 6 hours

Highlights:
- Old military helicopter;

In the morning we leave the tent camp and going back to Orto Chasma gorge the same way. As we ascended to Kosh-Moinok pass we can see the highest pass of the trek Ak-Tubek (4300 m). After descent from the pass we continue trekking to the tent camp and one kilometer before the camp we can find out a small stream flowing into Orto Chashma river, down the stream we can find a local sight, which is a broken military helicopter, one of the evidence of historical events happened in the region more than 20 years ago.

Dinner and overnight at the tent camp.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Trekking: +960 m, -960 m, 16 km, 6-8 hours

Highlights:
- Highest camping during the trek;

After breakfast we leave the camp and start trekking up along Orto Chashma river for several kilometers till a wooden bridge. Here we cross the river and further we cross another stream (advisable to have sandals). After crossing we start moderate ascent to Ak-Tubek pass (4390 m) along the river with the same name. The trail to the tent camp is going through the stone house of nomads where we can stop to visit them and try Kyrgyz cheese – kurut (white balls, salty flavour) and airan – yogurt. Further, we can continue the ascent, crossing stream and reach the tent camp (3600 m) in a several hundred meters.

Dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Trekking: +800 m, 7 km, 3-4 hours

Highlights:
- The highest pass during the trek;
- Wonderful view to the peaks fivethousenders;

After breakfast start ascent to Ak-Tubek pass (4390 m), which is rewarded be a majestic panoramic view over Iskander peak region. There is an observable trail that leads to the highest point of the trek. As we reached the top we can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view to the peaks of Iskander (5120 m), Petrogradez (5165 m), Admiralteez (5090 m), Ak-Suu (5355 m), Alexander Block (5229 m) and Ak-Tubek (5125 m). Later, descent along zigzag trail that ends at the moraine of Ak-Tubek glacier. We cross the moraine to get the other side of the gorge and continue trekking further along the stream till confluence with Ak-Suu river.

Here we turn right and trek along Ak-Suu river till the tent camp (2800 m). Dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Trekking: +800 m, -1600 m, 11 km, 5-6 hours

Highlights:
- Stone wall of Ak-Suu peak;

In the morning we start trekking towards Ak-Suu peak (5355 m), the top of that peak is clearly observable from the tent camp. The trail goes through juniper forest up a steep moraine of the glacier, to the heart of Pamir-Alai. This pyramid-like peak has a snowcap and vertical wall (almost two kilometers) on the Northern slope. Such peaks as two-headed Iskander and Admiralteez, Petrogradez and Alexander Block surround the grandiose circus.

Later, we walk back to the tent camp the same way. Dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Trekking: +600 m, -600 m, 14 km, 6-7 hours

Highlights:
- The longest descent of the trek;
- Observe Iskander peak;

After breakfast descent through the juniper forest along Ak-Mechet river. We can closer observe peak Iskander on the way.

Then we trek along a picturesque gorge till Uzgurush village. Dinner and overnight at a local Kyrgyz family house (1450 m).

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Trekking: -1350 m, 16 km, 6-7 hours

Highlights:
- Saint mountain – Suleiman Too;

In the morning we start drive to Batken town and then to Osh city. Lunch en route. On arrival to the city of Osh, we can have a short sightseeing tour before the flight to the capital. We visit Suleiman Mountain, historical museum, located in the biggest cave. After excursion in the museum follow the way of all pilgrims up to the top of the hill and visit a little mosque of Babur, The Great Mogol Dynasty founder, and take a bird eye’s view of the city.

Further, transfer to the airport and flight to the city of Bishkek. Upon arrival to the city dinner at a local café. Overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Transfer: - 650 m, 340 km, 7-8 hours

Early in the morning transfer to the airport. Departure back home.

Meals: Breakfast

Driving: 30 km, 45 min