Karavshin Trekking Tour
Karavshin Trekking Tour – Heart of the Turkestan Mountains
TOUR DETAILS
-
Tour length
9 days / 8 night - Minimum group 1 person
- Meal Full board (B,L,D)
- Difficulty Moderate
-
Tour escort
English speaking guide
Trekking guide for trekking part - Price from €1100 per person in a group of 9-10 people
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Discover a brand-new trekking program through the dramatic gorges of the Turkestan mountain range, taking you deep into the heart of the Pamir-Alai system. This route leads adventurers to majestic peaks, including Ak-Suu (5,355 m) and Piramidalnyi (5,509 m).
The region’s rugged beauty is reminiscent of Patagonia – wild, windswept landscapes, pristine mountain streams, alpine meadows dotted with grazing yaks, and glaciers framed by 5,000 m+ peaks, all untouched by civilization. Yet unlike South America, these Asian mountains offer stable and warm weather, making trekking here a unique pleasure.
Trail highlights include panoramic canyon views, high-altitude paths along steep ridges, and unforgettable climbs to peaks like Slesova (4,240 m). This journey promises breathtaking scenery, pristine nature, and memories that last a lifetime.
Itinerary: Itinerary: Osh – Uzgurush village – Aksu gorge – Ak-Tubek pass – Ortochashma gorge – Kosh Moynok pass–Kara Suu gorge – Ak-Suu gorge – Egiz Jar – Ak-Tatyr village – Osh
TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1. Osh – Uzgurush village. (1450 m.)
Accommodation: Stay at a hotel. Enjoy free time to relax or explore the area at your leisure.
Day 2. Uzgurush Village – Aksu Base Camp
Hike upstream along the Laylak River, then continue along Ak-Machet to reach the confluence of the Ak-Suu (White Water) and Kara-Suu (Black Water) rivers.
Overnight: Aksu Camp
Distance: 14 km | Duration: 6 hours | Altitude gain: +1100 m
Day 3. Radial hike to the foot of Ak-Suu peak. 14km, 5 hours, +600m/-600 m.
The trail passes through a juniper forest and climbs a steep moraine up to a glacier, reaching the heart of the Pamir-Alai Mountains at Peak Ak-Suu (5355 m).
This pyramid-shaped peak is capped with snow and features a nearly 2 km vertical wall on its northern slope. The surrounding grand cirque is framed by peaks such as Two-Headed Iskander, Admiralteez, Petrogradez, and A. Block.
Overnight: Ak-Suu Tent Camp
Days 4: Passage across Ak-Tubek pass (4390m). Descent to the Orto-Chashma river valley. Altitude difference: +1890m / -1390m.
Are you ready to go higher? Of course, you are! Today promises a long but rewarding journey. Our horses have already moved ahead with our loads, and now we follow them as we ascend toward the high Ak-Tubek Pass. The trail today isn’t very long, but it gains significant altitude, so it’s important to pace yourself, preserving your energy to enjoy the climb and arrive at tonight’s lodging feeling refreshed, with only a pleasant hint of fatigue.
The descent to the Orto-Chashma River Valley is long but captivating, winding through alpine meadows to the confluence of the Ak-Tubek and Dukenek Rivers, both fed by glaciers of the same names. The glacier tongues slip down from the Turkestan Ridge, shrinking each year, while the rivers continue to sparkle over stones, full of lively water.
Tonight, we will camp near this confluence at the edge of a juniper forest. As the evening glow fades, the high summits will gradually blend into the darkening sky, disappearing into the night. Yet our group will not feel the darkness: everyone will gather in the spacious tent for a hearty dinner, sharing stories, laughter, and the cozy warmth of the campfire, scented with dry juniper twigs. Afterward, it’s time to rest deeply and recharge for the adventures ahead.
Overnight in Orto-Chashma Camp (12km; 5hrs). Altitude difference: +1890m / -1390m.
Day 5: Orto Chashma – Kara-Suu tent camp (2800 m.) 16 km, 7-8 hours, +960 m./ -960 m.
Crossing the Orto-Chashma River on horseback, we follow the watercourse along a well-maintained trail toward the Kosh Moinok Pass (3700 m). The serpentine trail winds through juniper forests, passes a refreshing spring, and finally reaches the saddle of Kara-Suu Pass (3760 m).
From the top, we are rewarded with a spectacular view: an “ocean” of pointed, snow-capped peaks stretching across the Turkestan Mountains. Before us lie the impressive “fortresses” of the northwestern faces of Kotin (4521 m) and the 1000th Anniversary of Kreshenie Rusi (4507 m) peaks.
Overnight: Kara-Suu Tent Camp
Days 6: Radial hike to the foot of peaks Asan Usan and Piramidalnyi. 8 km, 5 hours, + 300 m. / -300 m.
Radial Hike to Kara-Suu Gorge takes us to the foot of several majestic peaks: Piramidalnyi (5509 m), 1000th Anniversary of Kreshenie Rusi (Kyrkchilta, 4507 m), and Asan Usen (4378 m).
An old legend tells the story of an elderly man who lived in these mountains and had twin sons, Asan and Usen. He raised them as warriors and took great joy in their achievements. But when war came, both sons were tragically killed. In his grief, the father raised his arms to the sky and prayed to Allah: “Oh Allah! You give life, and You take it. Return my sons to me, and take my life instead.”
Touched by his prayer, the earth opened, and high peaks rose in place of his sons. To this day, the two bastions at the head of the Karavshin River are named Asan (4230 m) and Usen (4378 m). A little further stands the snow-capped Piramidalnyi (Tubek, 5509 m), towering against the blue sky—a silent reminder of the old man’s story.
Overnight: Kara-Suu Tent Camp
Days 7 Kara-Suu- Ak-Suu Base Camp 2900m 5km, 3 hours, +200 m. / -200 m.
Trekking to Ak-Suu Gorge takes us toward Slesov Peak (4240 m). From the gorge, this peak appears as a massive, monolithic rock wall, earning it the nickname “Russian Tower” among foreign climbers. Its official geographic name is 4240, but alpinists from Rostov, Russia, named it Slesov in honor of their compatriot, the famous mountaineer Ivan Slesov.
Along the way, we are treated to views of surrounding peaks, including Orto Tubek, Ptiza, and towering summits at 4774 m and 4810 m.
Overnight: Ak-Suu Tent Camp
Days 8: Ak-Suu Base Camp –To Egiz Jar (10 км 5-6 hours) From Egiz-Jar to Ak-Tatyr village (35 km 3hours)
As we look back, Slesov Peak stands in all its snowy grandeur, along with its stately neighbors along the Turkestan Ridge. But now it’s time to say goodbye to these magnificent mountains as we begin our descent.
The journey ahead is long, but far from dull. We first reach the confluence of the Ak-Suu and Karavshin Rivers, passing the ruins of the ancient settlement of Karavshin, and continue to the confluence with the Meshi River. Along the way, we will pause to rest, boil water for tea, and enjoy a snack, before proceeding to a tributary of the Karavshin River to meet our drivers.
From there, we transfer to Ak-Tatyr Village and stay in a comfortable guesthouse for the night.
Days 9. Transfer from Ak-Tatyr village to Osh. Transfer to Osh. 265 km. (5 hrs)
Day 10 – Departure
TOUR INFORMATION
Price Includes
- Accommodations
- Tents are pre-set, so you can rest immediately upon arrival.
- Hot meals are provided at each camp.
- Full board throughout the tour
- Accompanying guide during the entire program
- Pack animals for transporting your luggage (see details below)
- All transfers as per the program
- Ecological and entrance fees to museums included as per the program
Price Does Not Include
- Visa support and consular fees (if required)
- Any additions or variations from the basic program
- Food and drinks beyond the main menu
- Other personal expenses (overweight luggage charges, room service, medical expenses/insurance, photo/video fees, etc.)
Price Per Person
| Group | Price per Person (EUR) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1900 |
| 2 | 1500 |
| 3 | 1450 |
| 4 | 1400 |
| 5 | 1350 |
| 6 | 1300 |
| 7–8 | 1200 |
| 9–10 | 1100 |
- Accommodation:
- 1 night in a 3* hotel in Osh
- 1 night in a Kyrgyz family house in Uzgurush Village
- 1 night in a Kyrgyz family house in Ak-Tatyr Village
- 6 nights in tent camps with full board (3 meals a day: hot breakfast, dinner, and snack boxes for lunch)
Recommended Trekking Equipment
- Sleeping bag
- Solid trekking shoes
- Waterproof jacket and pants
- Warm gloves and hat
- Sunglasses
- Torch/flashlight with spare batteries
- Sunscreen
- Water container (1–2 liters)
- Daypack (approx. 40 liters)
Optional but recommended:
- Down jacket
- Trekking poles
Menu at camps during trekking
Always available on tables:
Honey, jam, sugar, condensed milk, dried fruits, cookies or sweets, salt, pepper, ketchup
Breakfast:
Porridge plus an additional dish such as omelet with bacon, omelet with cheese, fried sausages, pancakes, cheesecakes, scrambled eggs with sausage, or boiled eggs
Supper:
- Salad: Funchoza (starch noodles), rice with crab sticks, eggs with fish, cabbage with carrot, Greek salad, beans with onion, cod-liver with eggs
- Soup: Minestrone, kesme, lentil puree soup, rice soup, pumpkin puree soup, fish soup, or soup with dumplings
- Main dish: Kuurdak, pilaf, stew with spaghetti and cheese, dymlyama, stuffed pepper, lagman, beef stroganoff with rice
- Dessert: Cakes, waffles, fruits, or rolls
Level of difficulty:
This tour is recommended for people with good trekking experience (trekking time approximately 5-6 hours per day).
Health:
If you have some specific sicknesses you need to bring own first aid kit with necessary medicaments. Together with the booking of
the program please send us the copy of the tourists INSURANCE and your passport copy
CHECK VISA POLICY
Find your country from the list and check possible visa requirements for Kyrgyzstan
Other Fixed Date Trekking Tours in Kyrgyzstan
Updated 15.4.2025