Yukhin Peak Group tour
Accommodation, guides, transport included. 10% deposit, balance 30 days before tour starting date.
Yukhin Peak Group tour Highlights
Yukhin Peak (5,130 m) rises in the northern spurs of the Trans-Alay Range, close to the towering Lenin Peak. This 8-day group trek from Osh begins in the foothills: from the village of Kozho-Kelen, with its canyons, grotto and waterfall, you trek through high summer pastures to the foot of Dzhyptyk Pass and cross the pass (4,185 m) into the Alay Valley, with Lenin Peak and the Trans-Alay Range ahead.
These first days are your acclimatization for the second part at Achyk-Tash Base Camp: a hike to the ridge of Petrovsky Peak (4,200 m), the crossing of Traveler’s Pass (4,150 m) to Camp 1 at 4,400 m and the ascent of Yukhin Peak by its classic route, with no steep rock or ice and no special equipment. From the summit you look straight at the north face of Lenin Peak and out over the Alay Valley.
Nights are spent in a village guesthouse, a yurt camp and comfortable tent camps, with full board and pack animals carrying your luggage. The tour suits travelers with moderate hiking experience, good fitness and good health.
Difficulty: Challenging For fit hikers with moderate trekking experience: two high passes (Dzhyptyk 4,185 m, Traveler’s Pass 4,150 m), a summit day to Yukhin Peak (5,130 m), trekking days of up to 25 km (7–9 hours) with up to 1,245 m of ascent, a river crossing and five nights in tent camps at 3,600–4,400 m. No technical climbing is needed, but good fitness, health and acclimatization are essential.
Guaranteed departures
Every date runs as scheduled. Same price on all departures.
Guaranteed tour dates 2027
| Dates | Days | Price | Book |
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| – Available | Sat – Sat | $950 |
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| – Available | Sat – Sat | $950 |
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| – Available | Sat – Sat | $950 |
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| – Available | Sat – Sat | $950 |
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| – Available | Sat – Sat | $950 |
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| – Available | Sat – Sat | $950 |
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| – Available | Sat – Sat | $950 |
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| – Available | Sat – Sat | $950 |
|
| – Available | Sat – Sat | $950 |
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| – Available | Sat – Sat | $950 |
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Tour Itinerary
In the morning we drive from Osh to the village of Kozho-Kelen. The road follows the Ak-Buura River between green, juniper-covered mountains, past meadows, flower fields and shepherds' camps, and passes the Papan Reservoir, which supplies Osh with water and irrigates farmland in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. On arrival in Kozho-Kelen (2,270 m) we stay with a local family and set off on a 2–3 hour acclimatization walk, with lunch boxes. The trail leads through narrow canyons with unusual rock formations to the Blue Grotto and a waterfall. Back at the guesthouse there is time to rest before dinner. Drive: 100 km, about 4 hrs. Hike: 8 km, 2–3 hrs, +350 m.
Kozho-Kelen
- Osh → Kozho-Kelen (100 km)
Overnight: Kozho-Kelen (Guesthouse)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we start trekking along the mountain river to the foot of Dzhyptyk Pass. This is a jailoo – a high summer pasture – in the truest sense: a wide valley with snow-capped peaks on the horizon, mountain spruce and junipers, clean air and natural patterns on the rocks. Dinner and overnight at a shared yurt camp (3,050 m). Trek: 11 km, 5–6 hrs, +780 m.
Overnight: Yurt camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we cross Dzhyptyk Pass into the Alay Valley. An easy walk through alpine meadows to the upper Dzhyptyk gorge is followed by a steep climb on scree to the pass, about 4–5 hours in all. From the top you look out over the Alay Valley and the Pamir; in good weather you can see the 7,000-meter Lenin Peak and the panorama of the Trans-Alay Range. After lunch we descend through the gorge along an old, closed road to the "Rock Gate", where the car is waiting. Transfer to Achyk-Tash Base Camp, rest, dinner and overnight in tents. Trek: 25 km, 7–9 hrs, +1,245 m, –885 m.
Alai Valley, Sary-Mogol, Achyk-Tash Base Camp
- Kozho-Kelen → Sary-Mogol (25 km)
- Sary-Mogol → Achyk-Tash Base Camp (31 km)
Overnight: Achyk-Tash Base Camp (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you can climb to the ridge of nearby Petrovsky Peak (4,200 m) for spectacular views of the valley below and the Achyk-Tash area. If you prefer, you can spend the whole day at the base camp to rest and pack for the climb to Camp 1 – or try a paddle board. Dinner and overnight at the base camp. Hike: 8 km, about 4 hrs, ±600 m.
Petrovsky Peak, Lenin peak
Overnight: Achyk-Tash Base Camp (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we head towards the foot of Lenin Peak, crossing Traveler’s Pass (Puteshestvennikov Pass, 4,150 m) on a good path in about 1–1.5 hours. From the pass there are excellent views of Lenin Peak and the Lenin Glacier; sometimes there is snow on the pass. We then descend to the left moraine of the Lenin Glacier and trek on for about 3 hours. On the way a river has to be crossed carefully – early morning is the best time, as the water rises quickly during the day. Along the left moraine we continue to Camp 1. Dinner and overnight in tents at Camp 1. Trek: 14 km, 4–5 hrs, +800 m.
Lenin peak
- Achyk-Tash Base Camp → Lenin Peak Camp 1 (14 km)
Overnight: Lenin Peak Camp 1 (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we climb Yukhin Peak (5,130 m). The classic route involves no steep rock or ice climbing and needs no special equipment. From the summit there is a breathtaking view of the north face of Lenin Peak and the Alay Valley. After the ascent we return to Camp 1 for dinner and the night. Trek: 8 km, 5–7 hrs, ±730 m.
Yukhin Peak, Lenin peak, Alai Valley
Overnight: Lenin Peak Camp 1 (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we return to the base camp: a short climb first, then almost 4 hours of descent. At the base camp a well-deserved drink and a hot shower await. Dinner and overnight at the base camp. Trek: 14 km, about 4 hrs, +100 m, –800 m.
- Lenin Peak Camp 1 → Achyk-Tash Base Camp (14 km)
Overnight: Achyk-Tash Base Camp (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we leave the mountains behind and drive back to Osh, where the tour ends.
Osh
- Achyk-Tash Base Camp → Osh (300 km)
Meals: Breakfast
Download the itinerary
Tour Price
Group Tour Price
Single room supplement: $100
What's included
Included
- Accommodation on a twin/double basis in a guesthouse, a yurt camp and tent camps – 7 nights
- Full board (7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners), including cook services on the trekking days
- All transport from arrival to departure (Mercedes Sprinter minibus with A/C; two minibuses for groups of 10–14)
- English-speaking trekking guide
- Drinking water on the trek (1 liter per person per day, boiled water – please bring your own bottles)
- Horses and pack animals for your luggage on the trek (up to 12 kg of personal belongings per person; 20 USD per extra kg for the whole tour)
- Entrance and ecological fees for the whole tour
- Border zone permit
Not included
- Single supplement in the tents at Base Camp and Camp 1: 100 USD
- Meals not mentioned in the program, alcoholic drinks
- Insurance
- Sleeping bags
- All flights
- Photo and video fees at museums
- Personal expenses, tips, porterage at hotels
- Visa and visa support fees (if necessary)
Nargiza is the office manager of Central Asia Guide and mostly responsible for multi country "Stan" tours.
Where you'll stay
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Night 1
Kozho-Kelen
Local family guesthouse in Kozho-Kelen (2,270 m) or similar
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Nights 3–4
Achyk-Tash Base Camp
Achyk-Tash Base Camp tents or similar
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Nights 5–6
Lenin Peak Camp 1
Lenin Peak Camp 1 tents or similar
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Night 7
Achyk-Tash Base Camp
Achyk-Tash Base Camp tents or similar
Good to know
The first night is spent in a family guesthouse in Kozho-Kelen (2,270 m) and the second in a shared yurt camp at the foot of Dzhyptyk Pass (3,050 m); the remaining five nights are in tents with basic comforts at Achyk-Tash Base Camp (3,600 m) and Camp 1 (4,400 m). Accommodation is on a twin/double basis – a single tent at Base Camp and Camp 1 costs an extra 100 USD. There is no internet access or air conditioning. The route may change due to weather or safety conditions; an English-speaking trekking guide accompanies you and looks after your comfort and safety.
Transfer times are approximate and depend on road conditions and weather. Walking days range from 8 km (2–4 hours) to 25 km (7–9 hours) on the Dzhyptyk Pass crossing, depending on the terrain and the group’s fitness. The first days over Dzhyptyk Pass (4,185 m) serve as acclimatization for the ascent of Yukhin Peak (5,130 m), which needs no technical climbing or special equipment, but good fitness and health. The river on the way to Camp 1 is best crossed early in the morning, as the water rises quickly during the day.
Meals are full board, with a cook on the trekking days. Please bring your own water bottle – boiled drinking water (1 liter per person per day) is provided on the trek to reduce plastic waste. Sleeping bags are not included.
Tent camps along the route
Achyk-Tash Base Camp and Camp 1 are permanent tent camps, set up since 2010 and improved every year. You use all camp facilities, so there is no need to carry food or camping equipment, and every camp has communication facilities and a detailed route map.
- Tents designed for 2 people (room for up to 4)
- Dining tent for 10–20 people
- 5 cm mattresses and sleeping mats
- Electricity from a generator from 7:00 to 10:00 PM for charging devices
- Toilet and shower tents (warm water when weather permits)
- Free tea, coffee, sweets and cookies
- Bar with alcoholic drinks at extra cost
- Kitchen utensils, tables and chairs
Luggage
- Horses and pack animals carry your luggage on the trek
- Baggage allowance: 12 kg of personal belongings per person
- Each additional kilogram: USD 20 for the entire tour
What to bring
Must have during the hike
- Waterproof trekking boots with ankle support
- Waterproof jacket or raincoat
- Hat or cap with ear flaps and neck flap
- Backpack of 30–40 liters with a rain cover
- Warm hat
- Sleeping bag (comfort temperature –5°C)
- Trekking poles (highly recommended for stream crossings and steep ascents and descents)
- Basic first aid kit: antiseptic and antihistamine cream, throat lozenges, diarrhea medication, painkillers, bandages and blister plasters, insect repellent and rehydration salts
- Sunscreen (including full protection for ears and nose)
- Fleece jacket or warm sweater
- Good-quality sunglasses
- Warm gloves
- Trekking pants
- Two 1-liter water bottles (refill them rather than using disposable plastic bottles)
- Water purification tablets
- Several dry bags to keep clothes, laptops and phones dry
- Lip balm
- Headlamp and spare batteries
- Thermal underwear
Optional
- Shoes for walking around town
- Sandals for crossing rivers
- Socks (1 pair for every 2–3 days of hiking)
- Waterproof pants
- Scarf or head covering for visiting mosques and churches
- Shorts and/or swimsuit
- Buff or scarf against dust and cold
- Wash bag with toiletries
- Antibacterial hand sanitizer
- Small quick-drying towel
- Thermarest sleeping mat or similar (5 cm mats are provided in the camps)
- Penknife (pack sharp objects in your checked baggage)
- Repair kit (needle, thread, adhesive tape)
- Earplugs
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.
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