Trekking in the Kyrgyz Alay Pamir
Activity
Difficulty
Duration
Dates
Price
From 2995.00 €
About Trekking in the Kyrgyz Pamir Alay
Watse’s tour takes you to the Alay mountains, north of the Pamir, to visit the Kyrgyz nomads.
Vary the scenery, from lush green valleys and sweeping alpine vistas to turquoise lakes, lunar landscapes, red rock formations and glacial peaks. Discover unspoilt natural beauty in one of the world’s most spectacular mountain regions.
You will leave with :
Pierrick
Trekking Guide
“The most important thing for me is to allow walkers to discover new places, new cultures and to exchange with the locals.”
Kyrgyz Pamir Alay Trekking photo gallery
Trekking in the Kyrgyz Alay Pamir
Upcoming departures
What's included in the formula
- International flight and airport taxes
- Round-trip domestic flights between Bishkek and Osh
- Supervision by a qualified French mountain leader and a local guide
- Ground transportation as described in the program, including luggage transfer
- Accommodation in guest houses (twin or double rooms), homestays, tents or yurts
- Full board throughout your stay
- Non-alcoholic beverages
What's not included in the package
- Alcoholic beverages
- Activities, excursions and visits not mentioned on the itinerary or suggested as optional
- Personal hiking and travel equipment (shoes, poles, sleeping bag, personal first-aid kit…).
- Single room supplement
- Cancellation or comprehensive insurance, to be taken out at the time of registration.
- Anything not mentioned in “what’s included in the package”.
Day 1-2: Flight to Kyrgyzstan
Flight to Bishkek then domestic flight to Osh – 30-minute transfer – Overnight in guest house
We set foot on Kyrgyz soil and are greeted by our local guide. We soon board a new flight to Osh (40 minutes), the country’s second-largest city.
After a short rest, we’re off to explore this city on the Uzbek border. We’ll visit several cultural sites before heading for Suleimann-Too, Solomon’s Throne Mountain, which offers a panoramic view of the city of Osh.
Day 3: Drive to the village of Sary Mogul
6-hour transfer – 4-hour walk – Overnight stay with local people
We leave Osh heading south for the village of Sary Mogul, perched at an altitude of 3,000 metres. The road offers remarkable scenery along the way.
After two and a half hours on the road, we stop to hike to the magnificent Lake Isumrudnoe.
We continue our journey towards Sary Mogul. To the south, the snow-capped Pamirs mark the border with Tajikistan at 7,000 meters.
Day 4: Over the Sary Mogul pass
30-minute transfer – 7-hour walk – Overnight in tents – D+ 1060 m / D- 860
We leave Sary Mogul for a short transfer to the starting point of our trek. It’s an uphill day, with some tricky sections over scree and scree. During the day, we enjoy views of the snow-capped Pamir peaks.
After lunch, we begin the final ascent to the Sary Mogul pass, perched at 4306 metres above sea level. From here, we can see Besh Kol, a breathtaking view of the surrounding peaks and lakes. All that remains is to descend to our camp (3550m).
Day 5: Valley descent
8h walk – Overnight in a yurt – D+ 870 m / D- 1600m
We return to the valley floor and cross the river several times. As the altitude drops, we move from the rocky, dry conditions of the high mountains to a greener environment with juniper bushes. We may encounter herds and shepherds who invite us to drink tea. We pass several hamlets before reaching Kyzyl Shoro for lunch.
We leave the village and climb through meadows and pastures to the Kosh Moinok pass at 3210m. Finally, we make our final descent to a yurt camp in the Kosh Moinok valley (2800m).
Day 6: Facing the Kichik Alay massif
5-hour walk – Overnight stay with local people – D+ 460 / D- 1030 m
This morning, we climb to the Sari Bell pass at 3132m. At the summit, we enjoy a grandiose panorama of the Kichik Alay massif. In the distance, we see the snow-covered Pamirs and the topographical variations of the terrain. The trail descends through spectacular red rock formations until it reaches a riverbed. We continue across the cliffs to the village of Kojho Kelen (2800m).
Day 7: In the daily life of Kyrgyz nomads
4 hours’ walk – Overnight in a yurt – D+ 840 m / D- 70m
Today’s walk along the river is relatively easy until we reach the foot of the Jiptick pass in a beautiful gorge filled with leafy trees. Along the way, we observe Kighiz nomads busy with their daily activities, including shepherds and their animals.
After reaching our yurt camp, we’ll have the chance to watch shepherd’s bread being made in a large heated Kazan, which we’ll enjoy this evening.
Day 8: Jiptick Pass
8 hours’ walk – Overnight in a yurt – D+ 1150m / D- 930m
From the yurt camp, the trail climbs steadily along the river. Then we follow a series of switchbacks that finally lead us to the Jiptick pass at 4185 meters. The view from here is breathtaking. In the distance, our eyes are drawn to Pic Lenin, 7134 metres above sea level.
The path then descends steeply towards the Darbazatash valley and our yurt camp (3274m).
Day 9: On the shores of Lake Tulpar Kol
3-hour walk – Overnight in a yurt – D+ 40m / D- 320m
Easy three-hour walk to Sary Mogul.
After lunch we drive to the yurt camp at Tulpar Kol Lake (3300m), close to the base camp of Pic Lenin. Tulpar Kol comprises a series of lakes in the foothills of the Pamir. It’s an ideal spot for photography and short, easy hikes.
Day 10: Facing Pic Lenin
6-hour walk – Overnight stay with local people – D+ 760m / D- 760m
We leave the yurt camp early this morning, heading for the Pic Lenin base camp, and continue up the Traveller’s pass. The trail climbs steadily up to the last section of steep zigzags that finally take us to the pass. We’re at an altitude of 4100 metres. From here, we enjoy a magnificent view of the glaciers clinging to this massive peak, the highest summit in the Pamir-Alay region.
Return to Tulpar Kol on the same trail, then on to Sary Mogul.
Day 11: Return to Bishkek
4-hour transfer – 45-minute flight – Overnight in guest house
From Sary Mogul we make our way back to Osh, from where we catch a flight to the capital, Bishkek.
Day 12: Bishkek
Night in guest house
This day will be devoted to visiting the Kyrgyz capital. You can also do a little shopping.
Day 13: Flight to France
30-minute transfer
We have a 30-minute transfer to Manas airport. Departure for our international flight home.
Highlights of the trip
General information
SAFETY
You can find the Quai d’Orsay’s position on these countries on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: diplomatie.gouv.fr in the “Conseils aux voyageurs” section.
The information contained on the website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs is subject to change and is provided for information purposes only. Please note that no region of the world or country can be considered safe from the risk of terrorism.
REGISTRATION
By post:
Ask us for a registration form
- by phone: 06 65 93 29 29
- or e-mail: contact@watse.fr
Send us your registration with a copy of your passport, your postal address, telephone number and e-mail address, together with a deposit of 30% of the cost of the trip.
Also, if you wish to take out a Comfort or Comfort Multirisk cancellation insurance policy, this must be paid at the same time as the deposit when you register. You can consult our insurance contracts on our website.
By internet:
Book your holiday directly on our website: directly on the holiday page, choosing your dates and insurance options.
ATTENTION: air fares will be maintained until 3 months before departure and may be readjusted if necessary if you book during this period.
ASSISTANCE AND SAFETY
We strongly advise you to take out assistance insurance for the duration of your trip.
We offer two different types of insurance: Comfort Cancellation and Comfort Multirisk, to be taken out when you register for your trip.
Details of this insurance are available on request or can be viewed by by clicking here.
Other offers include Mondial Assistance, your own insurance company or the Club Alpin Français. Check that your snowshoeing activity is covered.
Make sure your insurance covers all medical expenses in the event of an accident.
You must make sure that you are covered for mountain rescue costs. If this is the case, you must provide us with the following information before you set off on your trek:
- a certificate from the insurance company covering mountain rescue costs.
- the contract number and telephone number of the assistance center
Beware of restrictive clauses in certain insurance policies (particularly those linked to Visa Premier, Gold or other cards), such as mountain insurance limited to snow activities, or altitude sickness not recognized as an illness requiring repatriation, which will be refused.
Please check the actual content of your insurance and take the necessary steps if necessary.
Health & climate
JET LAG
+ 5h compared with France in winter
+ 4h compared with France in summer
CLIMATE
Kyrgyzstan’s climate is continental, with cold, harsh winters and hot summers. Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country, and temperatures are cooler in the mountains but can be stifling on the plains.
HEALTH AND VACCINES
No vaccinations required. Just make sure you’re up to date with your usual vaccinations.
You should also take precautions to protect yourself against mosquito bites (repellent, loose-fitting clothing).
We recommend that you have a check-up with your dentist before you leave.
Transport and conditions
Ground transportation is by private vehicle.
AIR
Air fares will be maintained until 3 months before departure and may be readjusted if necessary if you register during this period.
LUGGAGE
Your personal belongings will be carried daily by men and horses. We recommend that you place your belongings for the trek in duffle bags, which are easier to attach to mules or porters.
The stay
MEALS
Meals are at your own expense during international flights.
The stay is full-board. Breakfast and dinner are taken in your accommodation. For lunch, we usually organize a picnic.
Please let us know if you have any food allergies when you register.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is in guest houses, homestays, tents or yurts.
TRAINING
Supervision by a qualified French mountain leader and a local Kyrgyz guide.
Practical info
ELECTRICITY
Alternating current 220 Volts, 50 Hertz, as in France. Bring a battery for camps where recharging is not possible.
FORMALITIES AND VISA
For French, Belgian, Luxembourg and Swiss nationals
– Your valid passport.
As these formalities may change, please check with the country’s consular authorities. All travelers are responsible for complying with entry requirements in the countries they visit. Watse cannot be held responsible for changes in formalities.
BUDGET, CHANGE AND TIPS
The currency in Kyrgyzstan is the Som (KGS). The indicative rate is : 1 € = 91 KGS in August 2024.
Cash: you can travel with both euros and dollars. Exchange is available at exchange offices, banks and even hotels. It’s best to take bills of at least €50 for a better exchange rate.
Watse added value
TWO GUIDES FOR THE TRIP
Take advantage of complete and secure supervision by a French guide and a local guide throughout your stay.
This accompaniment allows us to adapt to everyone’s needs, guaranteeing you an unforgettable and enriching experience.
UNFORGETTABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
We have chosen our accommodations for their unusual and original aspects, which will make your trip an unforgettable experience.
MEETING THE NOMADS
During your stay, you’ll have the chance to meet and talk with the local inhabitants of the areas and villages you’ll be visiting, and discover their traditions, lifestyles and customs.