The Heights of Alay
11-day trekking expedition across the Pamir-Alai range — Lenin Peak base camp, Tulpar-Kol Lake and remote pastoral villages.
Who it's for
Strong hikers with prior altitude experience above 4,000 m. Daily 5–7 hours walking, several big ascent days.
Guides
Mountain-certified lead guide, French-speaking; local horseman team for pack horses.
Accommodation
Tents on most trek days; yurt camps at Tulpar-Kol; village homestay before/after.
Luggage
Soft duffel + day pack. Pack horses carry main luggage.
The Heights of Alay
11-day trekking expedition across the Pamir-Alai range — Lenin Peak base camp, Tulpar-Kol Lake and remote pastoral villages.
The Heights of Alay — 11 days
The most committing trek in the EcoNomad portfolio: a south-Kyrgyzstan expedition through the Pamir-Alai range, including Lenin Peak base camp at 4,400 m, Tulpar-Kol Lake, and the high passes of the Chon-Alai district. For experienced trekkers in good condition.
13 days, 13 camps
Osh arrival
Arrival in Osh (direct flight from Bishkek or international). Briefing and gear check.
Osh to Sary-Mogol village
Long drive south along the Pamir Highway. Stop at the Sary-Tash crossroads — the white Pamir wall rises ahead. Continue to Sary-Mogol village at 3,150 m.
Sary-Mogol to Sary-Mogol Pass
Acclimatisation walk to the Sary-Mogol Pass viewpoint with views of Lenin Peak.
Sary-Mogol to Kosh-Moinok Pass
Trek over Kosh-Moinok Pass (3,800 m). Descent to camp.
Camp to Kojo-Kelen village
Continue down to Kojo-Kelen village. Apricot orchards, traditional mud-brick homestay.
Kojo-Kelen to Jiptik Pass
Climb Jiptik Pass (4,185 m). Big day with sweeping panorama south to the Pamir.
Jiptik to Darbaza-Tash
Continue down through narrow gorges to Darbaza-Tash camp.
Darbaza-Tash to Sary-Mogol to Tulpar-Kol
Descend to Sary-Mogol, transfer by 4×4 up to Tulpar-Kol Lake at 3,650 m at the foot of Lenin Peak.
Tulpar-Kol to Lenin Peak base camp
Acclimatisation hike up to Lenin Peak base camp at 4,400 m. Unobstructed view of the south wall of Lenin Peak.
Tulpar-Kol to Sary-Mogol to Osh
Descent and long drive back to Osh. Hot showers and a city night.
Osh — Sulayman-Too — departure
Morning visit to Sulayman-Too sacred mountain (UNESCO) and Jayma Bazaar. Afternoon transfer to airport for departure.
International return flight
Arrival home.
Notes
- Border-zone permit required (EcoNomad arranges).
- Altitude up to 4,400 m — bring altitude meds if you have used them before.
6 stops · 105 km
Included
- National-park permits and entry fees
- Accommodation throughout the trip
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Local guide on each day
- All ground transport during the trip
Not included
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips for guides and drivers
Where you sleep
Hotel in Osh (3*); village homestays in Sary-Mogol and Kojo-Kelen; tents on the trek (3 nights); yurt camp at Tulpar-Kol (2 nights).
Ulan
Ulan is the co-founder and executive director of our tourism company. Passionate about mountains, nomadic culture, and sustainable tourism, he has been guiding travelers across Kyrgyzstan for many years, sharing both the natural beauty of the country and the daily life of local communities. Specialised in adventure travel, trekking, horseback expeditions, and ski touring, Ulan combines deep field experience with strong organisational skills and a modern vision of responsible tourism. Fluent in Russian, French, and English.
See all tours led by this guide →Things people ask
To book an EcoNomad tour, fill out the contact form with your dates, group size and the tour you have in mind. We send a tailored quote within 48 hours. Your booking is confirmed once a 30% deposit is paid; the balance is due 30 days before departure.
A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date is required. Citizens of the European Union, Switzerland, Canada and Australia travel visa-free for stays of up to 60 days. Some border zones (China, Tajikistan) require a special permit — EcoNomad helps you arrange these.
The main season runs from May to October. June–August is ideal for nomadic tours and high-altitude jailoos (summer pastures). July–August suits the high passes (above 3,500 m). March and April offer quieter spring landscapes. EcoNomad also runs ski-touring trips from December to March.
Our tours come in three grades: Easy (2–4h of walking a day, little elevation gain, family-friendly), Moderate (4–6h of walking or riding a day, passes above 3,000 m) and Demanding (technical hikes of 6–8h a day, passes above 3,500 m). Each tour page states the level required.
Accommodation varies by tour and stage: traditional yurts in the high mountains (summer), guesthouses or homestays in the villages, and 3-star hotels in the cities. This mix is intentional — it brings you closer to local people and the nomadic way of life.
All our tours include full board. Kyrgyz cuisine is generous: soups, grilled meats, fermented dairy and home-baked bread. Vegetarian diets are catered for on request at the time of booking. In the mountains, meals are prepared at camp by our team.
Travel insurance covering medical costs, repatriation and outdoor activities is mandatory. We recommend providers such as World Nomads, Allianz Travel or an equivalent. Make sure your policy covers horse riding and high-altitude trekking.
Several of our tours reach passes or camps above 3,500 m. Altitude sickness (AMS) is rare when acclimatisation is gradual — our itineraries build in gentle ascent days. Your guide explains the symptoms from day one and carries a first-aid kit and a pulse oximeter.
The local currency is the Kyrgyz som (KGS). Bishkek, Karakol and Osh have ATMs accepting Visa and Mastercard. In the mountains and remote villages, only cash is accepted. Bring the equivalent of €200–300 in soms for personal expenses.
4G covers Bishkek and most towns. Remote valleys and yurt camps have little or no signal. Your guide carries a satellite phone for emergencies in areas without coverage. Take the chance to truly disconnect.
Bring a day pack (20–25 L) and a soft duffel or travel bag for baggage transfers. A detailed packing list tailored to your tour is sent once your booking is confirmed. Golden rule: walk in already broken-in boots, not new ones.
Standard cancellation terms: 30% non-refundable (deposit), 50% of the total between 60 and 30 days before departure, 100% under 30 days. Free changes before the deposit is paid. In case of force majeure (extreme weather), we offer a postponement or a credit note.
