HIKING TO YUKHIN PEAK
This is an ideal itinerary for those who wish to combine Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. After hiking to Yukhin Peak (5,130 m), located near the famous Lenin Peak (7,134 m), it is possible to travel to Uzbekistan by land via a border checkpoint near Osh.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN BISHKEK
Meet and greet at the airport by your local team, followed by a transfer to the hotel. After a few hours of rest, set out for your first exploration of the city. Visit Ala-Too Square, the heart of the country’s cultural and political life, followed by a stroll through the Osh Bazaar market and a tour of other iconic sites in Bishkek.
Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 2: BISHKEK – KOCHKOR (200 km – 3 h 30)
Departure from Bishkek around 9 a.m. for Kochkor. En route, visit the Burana Tower (11th century), a remnant of an ancient Silk Road city.
Lunch with a Dungan family—a Muslim community of Chinese origin that has lived in Kyrgyzstan since the 19th century—to sample their traditional cuisine.
In the afternoon, hike (about 2 hours round-trip) through the spectacular Konorchek Canyons, located in the Boom Gorge.
Arrival in Kochkor, check-in at the guesthouse.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Elevation: +1,000 m
DAY 3: KOCHKOR – KYZART PASS – KILEMCHE (80 km – 1 h + hike)
About a 1-hour drive to the Kyzart Pass, the starting point of our 4-day trek to Lake Son-Kol.
We begin the hike accompanied by pack horses to carry our luggage. We cross the Chaar-Archa Valley and cross the pass of the same name before reaching the Kilemche pastures.
Dinner and overnight stay in yurts
Approximately 4.5 hours of hiking
Elevation: +200 m (after the transfer)
day 4: KILEMCHE – SON KOL (hike)
After breakfast, continue the hike toward Lake Son-Kol. A gradual ascent to the Jalgyz-Karagay Pass (3,300 m), offering superb panoramic views of the vast high-altitude pastures.
A gentle descent to the lake, with lunch in a yurt. Then, continue on to the Tuz Ashu area, on the lake’s shore.
Dinner and overnight stay in a yurt.
Approximately 5 to 6 hours of hiking
Elevation: +850 m / –300 m
dAY 5: tULPAR TASH (hike)
A peaceful day by Lake Son-Kol. An easy hike along the shore, passing through yurt camps and herds of horses and sheep.
Free time in the afternoon to enjoy the scenery, meet the nomads, or relax.
Dinner and overnight stay in a yurt.
Approximately 3 hours of walking
Elevation: +80 m / –80 m
dAY 6: TULPAR TASH – KYZART – KYZYL OI (hike + 95 km – 2 h)
Last day of the trek. Descent to the village of Kyzart over a mountain pass, with beautiful views of the surrounding valleys.
Lunch at a local home, then transfer by vehicle to Kyzyl-Oi along the Kökömeren River.
Dinner and overnight stay at a guesthouse.
Approx. 4 hours of hiking
Elevation: +300 m / –1,300 m
DAYS 7-8: KYZYL OI – OSH (610 km – 11 h, in 2 days)
Drive to Osh through varied landscapes, with an overnight stop along the way.
En route, stops near the Toktogul and Kurpsai dams, key components of the country’s electricity production.
Visit the historic monuments of Ozgon, including the mausoleums and tower dating from the Karakhanid period (11th century).
Upon arrival in Osh, explore the sacred Sulaiman-Too Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight stay at the hotel.
Elevation: –800 m
DAY 9: OSH – TULPAR KOL (260 km – 5 h)
Departure from Osh toward Tulpar-Kol, nestled at the foot of the majestic Lenin Peak (7,134 m), one of the iconic peaks of the Pamir Range. The road winds through the spectacular landscapes of the Alay Valley, passing vast pastures, isolated villages, and breathtaking vistas.
Upon arrival, settle into a comfortable yurt camp facing the snow-capped peaks.
In the afternoon, a short acclimatization hike (about 2 hours) around the lake, ideal for a first taste of high altitude.
Dinner and overnight stay in a yurt.
Elevation: +2,500 m (by vehicle)
DAY 10: PETROVSKY rIDGE (hike)
A day dedicated to acclimatization with a gradual ascent of the Petrovsky Ridge. This hike offers exceptional panoramic views of Lenin Peak, the Lenin Glacier, and the vast Alay Valley.
A moderate-paced hike with regular breaks to allow for a gradual adjustment to the altitude and to check equipment. Opportunity to observe local pastoral life with herds of yaks and horses roaming freely.
Return to camp at the end of the day.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Tulpar-Kol yurt camp.
Hike duration: 5 to 6 hours
Elevation: +900 m / -900 m
DAY 11: tULPAR KOL – CAMP 1 (hike)
Set off for a more challenging day’s hike toward Lenin Peak’s advanced base camp, located in the Achik-Tash region.
Hike through high-altitude landscapes featuring alpine meadows, moraines, and glacial rivers. Pass through the famous “Travelers Pass,” offering spectacular views of the Lenin Glacier, then continue across glacial terrain to Camp 1.
Set up camp in a high-mountain environment.
Overnight at Camp 1.
Hiking duration: 6 to 8 hours
Elevation: +900 m
DAY 12: ASCENT OF YUKHIN PEAK – RETURN TO CAMP 1 (hike)
Early morning departure for the ascent of Pik Yukhin (approx. 5,130 m), an accessible peak offering a high-altitude mountaineering experience.
Hike over varied terrain (trails, snow, and ice). From the summit, spectacular views of Lenin Peak, the Lenin Glacier, and the entire Pamir Range.
Descent to Camp 1 in the afternoon.
Overnight at Camp 1 (tents).
Duration: 6 to 9 hours round trip
Elevation: +750 m / -750 m
DAY 13: CAMP 1 – TULPAR KOL (hike)
A gradual descent to Tulpar-Kol along the same route. The landscape gradually changes, giving way to lush mountain pastures that contrast with the snow-capped peaks in the background.
Free time at the end of the day to rest or enjoy the lakefront.
Dinner and overnight stay in a yurt camp.
Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours
Elevation: – 900 m
dAY 14: TULPAR KOL – OSH (260 km – 5 h)
Departure from Tulpar-Kol toward Osh via the same route.
Upon arrival in Osh, check into a comfortable hotel for the night to depart for Uzbekistan the next day OR transfer to the airport and fly to Bishkek (domestic flight of approximately 45 minutes).
Meet and greet at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
Dinner at a restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel.
Elevation: –2500 m
DAY 15: TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT OR THE BORDER
Transfer to Bishkek Airport according to your flight schedule (or to the border with Uzbekistan)
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