Alay Travel Guide

Trekking and hiking in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is one of the best trekking destinations in Central Asia, offering diverse landscapes, from alpine meadows and glacier-covered peaks to vast steppe and remote valleys. With 90% of the country covered in mountains, there are numerous trekking routes for all levels of hikers.

Best Trekking Regions in Kyrgyzstan

In the north aside

1. Ala-Archa National Park (Near Bishkek) – Short and long treks with stunning alpine scenery.
2. Issyk-Kul Region – Jeti-Oguz, Karakol Valley, and Ala-Kul Lake offer beautiful multi-day hikes.
3. Song-Kul Lake – A high-altitude lake with rolling grasslands and nomadic culture.
4. Naryn & Kel-Suu – Remote trekking routes leading to dramatic mountain landscapes.

In the south region of Kyrgyzstan

5. Pamir- Alay Valley – Some of the most rugged and breathtaking trekking areas in southern Kyrgyzstan.
6. Jalal-Abad-Arslanbob
7. Sary-Chelek-Toktogul

Alay Trekking Tours

The Alay Valley in southern Kyrgyzstan is a top destination for adventure trekking, featuring spectacular landscapes, high-altitude passes, and views of Peak Lenin (7,134m).

Popular Trekking Routes in the Alay Mountains

1. Lenin Peak Base Camp Trek (3–5 Days)
   • A moderate trek leading to the famous Achik-Tash Base Camp (3,600m).
   • Offers panoramic views of Peak Lenin and surrounding glaciers.
   • Good for those who want to experience high-altitude trekking without technical climbing.
2. Tulpar-Kol Lake Trek (1–3 Days)
   • A beautiful alpine lake near Lenin Peak Base Camp.
   • Ideal for short hikes with opportunities to stay in yurt camps.
3. Sary-Mogol to Kojokelen Trek (4–6 Days)
   • A challenging route with high passes and remote Kyrgyz villages.
   • Passes through lush green valleys, red rock formations, and alpine meadows.
4. Jiptik Pass Trek (3–5 Days)
   • A trek crossing the 4,185m Jiptik Pass, offering breathtaking views of the Alay Valley.
   • Ends in Sary-Mogol, a great base for further exploration.
5. Alay Panorama Trek (1–2 Days)
   • A shorter trek near Sary-Mogol with stunning views of the Pamir Mountains.
   • Perfect for trekkers looking for a light adventure.

Why Choose Alay Trekking Tours?

Less Crowded – Unlike popular trails in northern Kyrgyzstan, the Alay region offers a more authentic and remote trekking experience.

High-Altitude Landscapes – Trekking here provides breathtaking views of 7000m+ peaks and deep valleys.

Cultural Experience – You can stay in traditional yurts and experience Kyrgyz nomadic life.

Trekking in Alay valley is considered to be of moderate difficulty, depending on the altitude, which ranges from 2,000 to 4,000 meters. However, we have designed trekking routes with approximately six hours of walking per day and overnight stays, making them suitable for hikers of all levels.

In Alay, the two most popular trekking routes are widely used and highly favored by tourists:

1. A 3-day easy hike around Lenin Peak in the Alay Valley.
2. A 5-day moderate-level trek through the Kichik-Alay Mountains in the northern region.

If we look at the history of trekking tours in Alay, it all began in 2007, when I was young and started exploring routes for tourists. I quickly established two main trekking routes:

• Sary-Mogol – Sary-Mogol Pass – Kosh-Moinok – Kozh-Kelen – Osh (3 days) or an alternative 5-day route passing through Jiptik Pass back to Sary-Mogol.
• A 2–3 day trek in the Alay Valley, around Lenin Peak, covering Sary-Mogol – Tulpar-Kol – Tuyuk – Bouke – Sary-Mogol.

Since their opening, these trekking tours have remained extremely popular, attracting more travelers every season. What fascinates hikers the most is the constantly changing landscape at every step of the journey.

Accommodation and meals

Through continuous experience and practice with trekking overnight stays, we eventually partnered with local residents to establish yurt accommodations closer to the trekking routes. Now, yurt camps have been set up at all overnight stay locations.

Around Tulpar-Kol Lake and Lenin Peak, the quality of yurt camps has significantly improved. They now offer:

• Comfortable sofa beds for two people in a yurt
• A dining area for meals
• A shower
• A well-maintained outdoor toilet

In the northern trekking areas, yurt accommodations are not yet at the same level but still provide:

• Mattresses and blankets inside the yurts (share beds 2-4 person)
• Toilets (some with showers)
• Most importantly, delicious local food

These improvements have made overnight stays in Alay more comfortable while still preserving the authentic nomadic experience.

Drinking Water

Camp owners can provide boiled water upon request. Along the trail, you can drink from mountain rivers, but it is advisable to carry a water filter or purification tablets for safety.

Accessibility of Trekking Tours in Alay

Due to its high-altitude location, the trekking season in the Alay Valley, where Tulpar-Kol, Tuyuk, and Lenin Peak Base Camp are situated, begins in mid-May when the snow starts to melt. The season extends until late October, after which heavy snowfall (30-50 cm) makes the area inaccessible by car and leads to the closure of all camps.

In the northern region, two key passes—Sary-Mogol Pass (4,280m) and Jiptik Pass (4,185m)—become accessible from June 15-20. These passes are traversable from June 20-25 and remain open until mid-September. Therefore, the trekking season in this region typically starts in late June and lasts until the end of September.

Connectivity

In the Alay Valley (Tulpar-Kol, Lenin Peak Base Camp, and the surrounding area), a signal station ensures mobile network coverage for Megacom, O and Beeline operators. The base camp has electricity, while camps around Tulpar-Kol Lake primarily rely on solar power for lighting and phone charging. Tulpar CBT yurt camp also offers satellite Wi-Fi.

In the northern region, where the Sary-Mogol trekking route passes, there is no electricity or mobile network for two nights after the Sary-Mogol and Kosh-Moynok passes. We recommend carrying a power bank or portable charger. As you descend into the villages of Sary-Mogol and Kyzyl-Chara, Beeline service becomes available. Further down, near Kozho-Kelen, Megacom coverage resumes. However, after entering the Jiptik gorge while passing Jiptik pass, there will not be communication (for two-days.) until reaching Sary-Mogol,

Clarity of Trekking Routes

The two popular trekking tours in the Alay region are well-marked and frequently traveled by numerous tourists. If you have prior mountain hiking experience and your budget does not allow for hiring a local guide, you can trek independently. However, you will need to rent a car to reach the starting point of the trek and book yurts in advance. For groups, we highly recommend hiring a local guide through us to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Local Guides for Trekking

Hiring a local guide enhances your trekking experience. We recommend a guide if you meet any of the following criteria:

• You are trekking alone and unsure about managing the route.
• You are a female traveler seeking additional security.
• You have little experience with high-altitude acclimatization.
• You are trekking with children.
• You are exploring remote or less-traveled routes.
• You are part of a group that requires coordination.

For trekking in the northern region, we highly recommend hiring a guide if any of the above conditions apply. In the Alay Valley, a guide is less necessary as trails are clearer and more frequently traveled by other hikers.

Clothing:

As a mountainous country, Kyrgyzstan experiences a wide range of temperatures, from below 0°C to +40°C, depending on the region. Therefore, it’s essential to pack both light and warm clothing. Bring jackets, trousers, warm socks, and sturdy, comfortable shoes suitable for walking on various slopes and in different weather conditions. For easier hikes, T-shirts and sneakers are also useful.

Don’t forget sun protection items such as sunglasses, sunscreen, and other essentials. Additionally, carry necessary medications, including those for stomach issues, altitude sickness, and blood pressure.

Porters for Heavy Gear

Porters can significantly ease your trek by carrying heavy loads, allowing you to focus on enjoying the journey. Some porters also serve as guides. We recommend hiring a porter if:

• You are trekking alone and need assistance with luggage.
• You are a female traveler.
• You are not fully acclimatized to high altitudes.
• You are trekking with children.
• You are an infrequent mountain hiker.
• You are part of a group carrying extensive gear.

In Kyrgyzstan, porters can be on foot or horseback. The average cost is $40-$50 per day for a porter on foot and around $60 per day for a porter with a horse.

On our popular routes, we recommend hiring a porter if you have a lot of gear for using in the trek. Otherwise, you can leave unnecessary items at our guesthouse, Alai Travel House, and carry only the light essentials. Overnight stays provide food, blankets, and mattresses, allowing you to travel lighter. Depending on your needs, we can arrange porters—either on foot or horseback—as well as local guides to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable journey.»