Khan Tengri Trekking Tour
Accommodation, guides, transport, 2 flights included. 10% deposit, balance 30 days before tour starting date.
Khan Tengri Trekking Tour Highlights
Trek deep into the Central Tien Shan on this 13-day group tour to the foot of Khan Tengri (7,010 m) and Pobeda Peak (7,439 m). From Bishkek you drive along the shore of Issyk-Kul to the Karkara base camp, fly by helicopter into the Engilchek Valley and follow the Engilchek Glacier past Merzbacher Lake to the South Engilchek Base Camp at about 4,000 m, with views of Khan Tengri, Pobeda and many unclimbed 5,000 m peaks.
After six days of trekking on moraines and glacier ice, a helicopter takes you back to Karkara. The tour ends gently with a free day on the shore of Issyk-Kul, the ancient rock carvings of Cholpon-Ata and the Burana Tower on the way back to Bishkek.
During the tour we work with local communities and service providers who reduce and recycle plastic waste and use locally produced materials. You can help by bringing a reusable water bottle, reducing waste where possible and disposing of items properly.
Difficulty: Challenging For trekkers with moderate hiking experience above 4,000 m and good physical condition: six trekking days of 8–12 km (3–6 hours) on moraines and glacier ice, with steep ascents and descents, rockfall sections and stream crossings. Nights in tents at 2,900 m up to about 4,100 m; porters carry your trek bag (max. 12 kg) and a helicopter flies you in and out.
Guaranteed departures
Every date runs as scheduled. Same price on all departures.
Guaranteed tour dates 2027
| Dates | Days | Price | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| – Available | Sat – Thu | $3,200 |
|
| – Available | Sat – Thu | $3,200 |
|
| – Available | Sat – Thu | $3,200 |
|
| – Available | Sat – Thu | $3,200 |
|
Tour Itinerary
Upon arrival at Manas International Airport you are met by your guide and driver. Transfer to Bishkek (about 30 km, 45 minutes) and check in at the hotel (early check-in included), with time to relax after the journey. The city tour begins at Osh Bazaar, one of the most colorful markets in Central Asia, where you can stroll among stalls selling aromatic spices, dried fruits, handmade crafts and many other goods that reflect the culture and traditions of the region. Next comes a walking tour of downtown Bishkek. On Ala-Too Square you see the Manas Monument and the national flag, where the changing of the guard takes place, and nearby the 2010 Revolution Monument and the White House. Continue to Old Ala-Too Square with the Lenin statue and Soviet-era buildings, then through Oak Park with its open-air gallery and the monument to Kurmanzhan Datka, a legendary female leader. The walk ends at Victory Square, dedicated to those who died in the Great Patriotic War. Lunch and dinner in cozy local cafes. Overnight at the hotel in Bishkek (800 m).
Bishkek, Osh Bazaar (Bishkek), Ala Too Square, Bishkek Oak Park, Bishkek Victory Square
Overnight: Bishkek (Hotel)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we leave for the Karkara Valley. The drive from Bishkek takes about 7 hours: the road passes through the Boom Gorge and then along the shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. Lunch at a cafe in Cholpon-Ata. After lunch we drive through the village of Tyup and continue east to the Karkara base camp. Accommodation is in a camp with buffet-style meals where you can choose your own food. On arrival you can take a walk around the camp or towards the Chymyn-Sai Pass (2,700 m), or simply relax. Dinner and overnight at the Karkara base camp.
- Bishkek → Karkara base camp (480 km)
Overnight: Karkara base camp (Yurt camp)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
An easy walk through alpine terrain to the Chymyn-Sai Pass. We walk along the border between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and then climb to the 2,700 m pass, which offers views of the entire Karkara Valley, the Char-Kuduk area and the Tyup Gorge. The hike is not difficult and helps you prepare for higher altitudes. The trail runs through a wide gorge with nomad yurts, a good opportunity to see the way of life of a disappearing culture. Dinner and overnight at the camp. Hiking: 10 km, about 3 hours, ascent +400 m / descent –400 m.
Overnight: Karkara base camp (Yurt camp)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast an exciting helicopter flight takes us to the starting point of the trek in the Engilchek Valley, a place called Prijim. From here we hike up the valley to the foot of the mighty Engilchek Glacier, with impressive views of Nansen Peak (5,690 m) and Tyuz Pass (4,001 m). Nansen Peak was first noted in 1902 by the German geographer Gottfried Merzbacher. Having seen the Alps, the Caucasus, the Himalayas and the Karakoram, he was struck by the grandeur of the southern ridge that closes the Engilchek Valley: mighty snow-capped peaks of bizarre shapes stretching from west to east, in his words one of the most impressive alpine panoramas on earth. In the afternoon we arrive at the Iva tent camp, where the friendly staff welcome us. Dinner and overnight at the camp. Trekking: 10 km, 3–4 hours, ascent +700 m.
- Karkara base camp → Iva camp
Overnight: Iva camp (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we pack our lunch and leave the camp. Today's route follows the lateral moraine of the Engilchek Glacier to its confluence with the Putevodny Glacier, the first big glacier of the trek. Steep ascents and descents make this day particularly intense and require extra stamina; wherever possible we follow the right slope. Some sections of the trail have rockfall, so extra care is needed, and the route constantly goes up and down. Lunch is right on the glacier, surrounded by majestic mountain scenery. After a rest we climb another steep terrace on a narrow path. At Glina camp, on a green clay plateau, we enjoy a cup of hot tea or coffee and relax after a busy day. Dinner and overnight in the tent camp. Trekking: 8 km, 5–6 hours, ascent +200 m.
Overnight: Glina camp (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we hike along picturesque terraces with ascents and descents. The distance is about 9–10 km in a straight line, but the route is intense. We cross a small glacier once, ford a river and have lunch on the shore of a cozy mountain lake. After the break it takes about an hour to reach the camp. On arrival we are greeted with hot tea or coffee and a breathtaking view of Merzbacher Lake. Merzbacher Glade is the last grassy spot in the area, directly opposite the lake. On the glacier there is a research station where scientists from all over the world come every summer to study glacier movement, the climate of the region and the lake itself. The flat green meadow around the station is ideal for camping. Dinner and overnight in tents under the starry sky. Trekking: 9 km, 5–6 hours, ascent +300 m.
Merzbacher Lake
Overnight: Merzbacher Lake (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we take our lunch boxes and start a long hike through majestic landscapes: snowy slopes, steep cliffs and amazing multicolored ice – black, white and even striped – with views of the Petrovsky, Kolyady, Tyurina and Bronenosets peaks. The first part of the route runs along the right side of the terraces, and before the huge Shokalsky Glacier the trail gently descends. We then reach the glacier and the dark moraine formed by the Komsomolets Glacier and follow it to the ice. The terrain is varied and full of obstacles – mountain streams, deep crevasses, steep ascents and descents – and getting around them takes time, effort and attention. Tonight is our first night on the glacier. Strong winds usually come up after 4 p.m. and the temperature drops noticeably, so hot drinks are especially welcome. Dinner and overnight in the tent camp. Trekking: 12 km, 5–6 hours, ascent +400 m.
Overnight: Komsomolets camp (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast at the camp and departure. Trekking in this part of the Tien Shan is mesmerizing in its pristine beauty; a distinctive feature of the region is the large number of unnamed peaks of around 5,000 m that are still unclimbed. From the camp we cross the moraine of the Proletarsky Glacier, climb to the middle of the Dikiy Glacier moraine and follow it to the glacier itself. The first part is uneven, with ascents and descents, but closer to the glacier the moraine becomes smoother and the crevasses and small streams disappear. During the lunch break we enjoy a great view of Khan Tengri, Pobeda, Gorky, Chapaev and Trekhglavaya peaks. Dikiy camp was once the starting point for climbers heading to Pobeda Peak; hot tea or coffee awaits. Dinner and overnight in the tent camp. Trekking: 10 km, 4–6 hours, ascent +100 m.
Overnight: Dikiy camp (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is a relatively short day. After breakfast we cross the whole glacier to the central moraine where the base camp is located. The trail passes rocks, icy sections, streams, lakes and crevasses, but can be walked without ropes or crampons. We reach the base camp in time for lunch and hot drinks. The South Engilchek Base Camp lies in the heart of the Central Tien Shan on the South Engilchek Glacier at about 4,000–4,100 m, with breathtaking views of Khan Tengri (7,010 m) and Pobeda Peak (7,439 m), which attract climbers from all over the world every year. An optional radial hike leads towards the foot of Pobeda Peak. Dinner and overnight in tents at the base camp. Trekking: 8 km, 5–6 hours, ascent +200 m.
Overnight: South Engilchek Base Camp (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast at the base camp, then a helicopter flight along the Central Tien Shan range – with a chance to see Merzbacher Lake from the air – to the Karkara camp. From there we drive to Issyk-Kul Lake (about 200 km, 3 hours), stopping for lunch at a local cafe on the way. We also visit the famous Stone Garden at Cholpon-Ata, an open-air temple with rock carvings associated with the Scythian and Xiongnu cultures, dating from the 9th–8th centuries BC to the 3rd–4th centuries AD. The carvings lie at the foot of the Kungey Ala-Too range, with a magnificent view over the whole lake. Afterwards a short transfer to the hotel on the shore of Issyk-Kul (1,600 m). Dinner at the hotel restaurant and overnight.
Cholpon Ata petroglyphs museum, Cholpon Ata
- South Engilchek Base Camp → Karkara base camp
- Karkara base camp → Cholpon Ata (200 km)
Overnight: Cholpon Ata (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A full day of rest on the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake, the second-largest mountain lake in the world. No transfers or organized activities – just free time to relax, swim in the clear water, stroll along the shore or simply enjoy the fresh mountain air and the silence of nature. In the evening dinner at the hotel restaurant and overnight.
Issyk Kul Guide
Overnight: Cholpon Ata (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we drive to Bishkek with a stop at the Burana Tower, one of the oldest surviving minarets in Central Asia, near the town of Tokmok. It stands on the site of Balasagun, one of the capitals of the Karakhanid state, and nearby is a collection of balbals – ancient Turkic stone sculptures that hold the secrets of the distant past. Lunch on the way, then we continue to the capital. Check in at the hotel, dinner and overnight in Bishkek. Drive about 270 km, 5–6 hours.
Burana Tower, Bishkek
- Cholpon Ata → Bishkek (270 km)
Overnight: Bishkek (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Early in the morning, transfer to Manas International Airport (about 30 km, 45 minutes) for your departure flight. End of the program.
Meals: Breakfast
Download the itinerary
Tour Price
Group Tour Price
Single room supplement: $260
What's included
Included
- Accommodation on a twin/double basis in hotels and tents
- Full board, with cook services on the trekking days
- All transport from arrival to departure
- Helicopter flights from the Karkara camp to the Engilchek Valley and back
- Border permit for the Engilchek border zone
- English-speaking guide / trekking guide for the trekking part
- Porter services on the trek (up to 12 kg of personal belongings per person; 20 USD per extra kg for the whole tour)
- Drinking water on the trekking days (1 liter per person per day, boiled water – please bring your own bottles)
Not included
- Single supplement: 170 USD in the tent camps, 90 USD in hotels
- Meals not included in the program; alcoholic drinks
- Insurance
- Sleeping bags
- All flights
- Photo and video fees in museums
- Personal expenses, tips and porterage at hotels
- Visa fee and visa support fee, if applicable
Nargiza is the office manager of Central Asia Guide and mostly responsible for multi country "Stan" tours.
Where you'll stay
-
Night 1
Bishkek
B Hotel or similar
-
Nights 2–3
Karkara base camp
Karkara base camp (yurts or double tents, shared toilets and showers) or similar
-
Night 4
Iva camp
Tent camp (double tents with kitchen, dining and toilet tents) or similar
-
Night 5
Glina camp
Tent camp (double tents with kitchen, dining and toilet tents) or similar
-
Night 6
Merzbacher Lake
Tent camp (double tents with kitchen, dining and toilet tents) or similar
-
Night 7
Komsomolets camp
Tent camp (double tents with kitchen, dining and toilet tents) or similar
-
Night 8
Dikiy camp
Tent camp (double tents with kitchen, dining and toilet tents) or similar
-
Night 9
South Engilchek Base Camp
Tent camp (double tents with kitchen, dining and toilet tents) or similar
-
Nights 10–11
Cholpon Ata
Karven Issyk-Kul Hotel or similar
-
Night 12
Bishkek
B Hotel or similar
Good to know
- Fitness: The tour is for trekkers with moderate hiking experience at altitudes above 4,000 m and with good physical condition and health. Trekking time is about 5–7 hours (10–18 km) a day, depending on the weather and the group; the maximum altitude is about 4,100 m.
- Group size: 4–11 travelers.
- Guide: An English-speaking guide escorts the group, with a trekking guide for the trekking part.
- Luggage on the trek: Porters carry your trek bag. Its packed weight should be no more than 12 kg of personal belongings; each extra kilogram costs 20 USD for the whole tour. Travel clothes and other items not needed on the trek can be left in our office and are delivered to the Karkara camp for your return from the base camp.
- Lunch on the trek: After every breakfast on the trekking days, each participant packs a lunch box from a variety of ingredients provided by the camp staff.
- Water: A personal flask is highly recommended, as we provide boiled water during the trek to reduce plastic waste.
- Camps: At the Karkara base camp you sleep in yurts or double tents with shared outdoor European-style toilets and showers. On the trek, each fixed tent camp has Red Fox tents (four-person tents used by two people) with 5 cm mattresses and sleeping pads, a Team Fox dining tent for 10–20 people, a toilet tent and a shower tent (a small basin, a ladle and warm water – in bad weather warm water may be difficult to provide), a generator from 19:00 to 22:00 for charging phones and batteries, tea, coffee, sweets and biscuits, and a bar with drinks at extra cost. Comfort is basic (no internet, no air conditioning) and you share a tent with another participant.
- Changes: Some trekking days may change for safety or weather reasons, and transfer times depend on the road and weather conditions.
- Health and insurance: If you have a specific medical condition, bring your own first aid kit with the necessary medication. When booking, please send us a copy of your travel insurance and your passport.
- Tipping: Tips are not obligatory in Kyrgyzstan but are welcomed, and they are usually not included in prices. A 10–15% service charge on café bills is the staff’s pay, not a tip. As a guideline, about 7–10 USD per person per day for all staff (drivers, guides, porters); the amount is always up to you.
What to bring
Obligatory on the trek:
- Waterproof trekking boots with ankle support
- Waterproof jacket or rain cape
- Sun hat or cap with ear and neck flap
- Daypack of 30–40 liters with rain cover
- Warm hat and warm gloves
- Sleeping bag (comfort rating –5°C; please ask us about temperatures)
- Trekking poles (highly recommended for stream crossings and steep slopes)
- Basic first aid kit: antiseptic and antihistamine cream, throat lozenges, diarrhea treatment, painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, insect repellent and rehydration salts
- Sun protection (including total block for ears and nose) and lip balm
- Fleece jacket or warm sweater
- Good-quality sunglasses
- Trekking trousers and thermal underwear
- Two 1-liter water bottles (we encourage refilling rather than single-use plastic) and water purification tablets
- Dry bags to keep your trek bag contents, phone and electronics dry
- Head torch and spare batteries
Optional:
- Tennis shoes or shoes for city walking
- Trainers or sandals for river crossings
- Socks (1 pair for every 2–3 days of trekking)
- Waterproof overtrousers
- Scarf to cover your hair when visiting mosques and churches
- Shorts and/or swimwear (camps near lakes, hot springs or rivers)
- Buff or scarf against dust and cold
- Washbag, toiletries and antibacterial hand wash
- Small quick-dry towel
- Thermarest or similar sleeping mat
- Pocket knife (pack sharp objects in your hold baggage)
- Repair kit (e.g. needle, thread, duct tape)
- Ear plugs against river noise and snoring neighbors
Kyrgyzstan travel information
Practical essentials for travelling in Kyrgyzstan. Open a topic to read more.
Visa policy
Find your country from the list and check possible visa requirements for Kyrgyzstan before booking.
The official currency is the Kyrgyz som (KGS). Bishkek has plenty of ATMs, but outside the larger towns and the northern shore of Issyk-Kul cash is how almost everything is paid.
ATMs and cards
Some ATMs in Bishkek dispense US dollars as well as som. Beyond the capital, ATMs are found in the few largest towns but mostly not in smaller ones, except on the northern shore of Issyk-Kul. Mastercard works in all ATMs, but Visa is still the more widely accepted card. Demirbank's red ATMs have lately been the best option for foreign cards, with moderate fees.
Exchanging money
Exchange offices in the major cities change US dollars, euros and roubles into som. Notes must be clean, fresh and without any signs of wear. Exchange offices prefer larger notes from 50 USD and 50 EUR, and sometimes give a better rate for them.
Paying by card
Cards are accepted in major hotels, restaurants, large supermarkets and some museums in Bishkek and Osh, and occasionally even in taxis. Elsewhere, apart from the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, paying by card is not practical.
Kyrgyzstan is generally safe for travellers and tourism is growing fast, but the usual precautions matter.
Documents
Always carry your passport or a notarised copy. Without proper identification you can be detained by the police.
In towns
- Robberies, some of them violent, and thefts happen especially in crowded places such as the bazaars. Take care after dark.
- Sexual harassment has been reported on public transport. Avoid walking or travelling alone, especially at night.
- Book taxis in advance from established services.
- Stay away from crowds and demonstrations.
- Watch where you step: some streets have large holes and pavements are often uneven.
Laws and customs
- Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religious practices.
- Possessing or using narcotics is strictly prohibited.
- Do not photograph anything related to the armed forces or security services.
- Same-sex relationships are legal but not widely discussed or publicly recognised.
Border areas
Smuggling makes the southern border zones with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan unstable and best avoided.
Kyrgyzstan is visa-free for travellers from many countries. Others can apply for an electronic visa or through an embassy.
Visas
For a tourist visa, most passport holders need an invitation letter from a tourism company. Kyrgyzstan has had an electronic visa system since 1 September 2017.
Border regions
Visiting border regions requires a special permit.
The best times to visit Kyrgyzstan's lower areas are May–June and September. In the high mountains, July and August are best.
Lower areas: May–June and September
In late spring and early autumn the valleys, Issyk-Kul's shores and the towns are green or golden, days are pleasant rather than hot and there are fewer visitors.
High mountains: July and August
This is when the high pastures, yurt camps and mountain passes are open, and trekking and horse-riding routes that are under snow the rest of the year can be reached. Days in the valleys can reach about 30°C, and nights at altitude can still be close to freezing. Summer is also the time of festivals celebrating Kyrgyz traditions.
Winter
Winters in the highlands are long and close the high passes, but it is still a captivating season. Hiking, horse riding and skiing are all possible, and yurt stays are available too.
Healthcare in Kyrgyzstan is basic and medical facilities are scarce, so comprehensive medical and travel insurance is essential.
Medicines
If you rely on regular medication, bring enough for the whole trip: it can be hard or expensive to find locally.
Insurance
Arrange comprehensive medical and travel insurance before you arrive. A serious accident or illness may mean emergency air evacuation to a neighbouring country.
Food and water
Treat tap water and other local water as contaminated and boil it before drinking; bottled water is the safest choice throughout your stay. Be careful with unpasteurised dairy and other animal products.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations against polio and tuberculosis are recommended before entering the country, and others may also be advisable. Ask your doctor or travel clinic.
Similar tours
Other tours in Kyrgyzstan you might like.
The Best of the Five Stan Tour
Embark on a 22-day journey through all five countries of Central Asia, beginning in Bishkek and ending in Ashgabat. In…
Five Stans of Central Asia Tour
Start on an extraordinary adventure across the heart of Central Asia with our Five Stan Tour, exploring the unique…
Four Stan Tour through Central Asia
Discover the legendary Silk Road on this 18-day small-group tour through Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and…
Tour updated