Asian Patagonia 2019 SGL

Description

The nature of Kyrgyzstan is amazing. Its mountain landscapes are various in different corners of the Republic.  «Ak-Sai Travel» presents a new trekking program which goes along the gorges of Turkestan mountain range and takes you to the heart of Pamir-Alai mountain system, right to peak Ak-Suu. Turkestan mountain range region is quite interesting and unusual. It reminds South American Patagonia – same wilderness, winds blowing through, mountain streams with pure water, alpine meadows, herds of yaks grazing peacefully, glaciers surrounded with 5000+ meters Peaks and not a sign of civilization…

But still there is one significant advantage of Asian mountains from the South American analog –stable and warm weather. The mountain trails going above the steeps, wild nature, panoramic views of the canyons crowned by snow-white peaks and treks to the foot of peak Piramidalnyi (5509m), which is the highest point of Turkestan range, peak Ak-Suu (5355m), Slesova (4240m) – all these will leave an unforgettable impression on everybody!!!

Itinerary

Day 1 (23.07). Arrival to Kyrgyzstan – Bishkek.

Drive: 35 km. / 40 min.

Arrival to Kyrgyzstan early morning, meet in international airport “Manas”, transfer to Bishkek, early check in to the hotel. Rest. After lunch short sightseeing tour in the city.

The capital and industrial centre of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek is a city of wide avenues, handsome buildings and Soviet heritage. It is the permanently snow capped Kyrgyz Alatau mountain range which towers over Bishkek providing a quite stunning backdrop. Visit Manas Monument, the main national hero of the Kyrgyz people. Then excursion to the State History Museum and walking tour around main Ala Too Square to watch ceremony of changing of the Guard of Honor, Independence Monument, and finish at the Old Square with Government House. Transfer to the Victory Square to finish the city tour by short excursion there. After excursion tourists may go shopping in the largest department store in the city – ZUM and a colorful oriental bazaar.

Dinner and overnight in hotel (950 m. a.s.l.).

Day 2 (24.07). Bishkek – Osh – Uzgurush village.

Drive: 340 km. / 8-9 hours, + 500 m.

At early morning transfer to airport “Manas”, fly to Osh at 07:35 (by Pegasus airline – ZM 193), meet in airport, transfer to Uzgurush village. Trekking preparation.

Accommodation in a local Kyrgyz family house (1450 m. a.s.l.).

Day 3 (25.07). Uzgurush village – Ak-Tash tent camp.

Trek 15 km. / 7-8 hrs. / + 1250 m.

The first trekking day starts from the views of wild pistachio tree and walnut orchards. Wild trail stretches along Buldzhuma river and goes up to the pass with the same name – Buldzhuma (2894m). From the pass you can enjoy the wonderful view of the nearest gorges and Uponym pass from west. After we enjoyed the views, we start descending to the valley of Ak-Tash river. There is the tent Camp Ak-Tash hidden among the bushes on a green meadow.

Overnight in tents in Ak-Tash Camp (2700 m. a.s.l.).

Day 4 (26.07). Ak-Tash tent Camp – Dzhalgychy tent Camp.

Trek: 11 km. / 4-6 hrs. / +800 m. / – 680 m.

We traverse along Ak-Tash river on scree up to Dzhalgychy pass (3774m). From the top of the pass we enjoy the panoramic view of Turkestan mountain range, western face of Piramidalnyi peak (5509 m.) and Turo pass (4525 m.). Descend along a trail down along Dzhalgychy gorge to confluence with  nameless  gorge (next from the south-west).

Overnight in tents in Dzhalgychy Camp (3100 m. a.s.l.).

Day 5 (27.07). Dzhalgychy tent Camp – Orto Chashma tent Camp.

Trek: 7 km. / 3-4 hrs. / + 500 m. / – 700 m.

Today we begin trekking up along grass slope of range between Dzhalgychy and Kashka-Suu gorges. From upset point we enjoy the panoramic view of Orto Chashma gorge and Turo pass (4525 m.). Descent to Kashka-Suu gorge and along  river trekking till confluence with Orto Chashma gorge.

Overnight in tents in Orto Chashma Tent Camp (2800 m. a.s.l.).

Day 6 (28.07). Orto Chashma tent Camp – Kara-Suu tent Camp.

Trek: 16 km. / 7-8 hrs. / + 960 m. / – 960 m.

From camping place on a good trail trekking till the start of ascent to Kosh Moinok pass (3260 m). The serpentine trail goes through juniper forest, passing by a cool spring and finishes at the saddle of Kara Suu pass (3760 m). From the tor of the pass we have a wonderful view of an “ocean” of pointed snowcapped rocky peaks of Turkestan mountain range. We face a row of “fortresses” of North-Western faces of the peaks Kotin (4521 m), 1000-anniversary of Kreshenie Rusi (4507 m).

Overnight in tents in Kara-Suu Tent Camp (2800 m. a.s.l.).

Day 7 (29.07). Radial hike to the foot of peaks Asan Usan and Piramidalnyi.

Trek: 9 km. / 5-7 hrs. / + 300 m. / – 300 m.

Radial hike to Kara Suu gorge to the foot of peak Piramidalnyi (5509 m), 1000-anniversary of Kreshenie Rusi (Kyrkchilta) (4507 m.), Asan Usen (4378 m).

An old legend says: «It was in ancient times. An old man who lived in the mountains had two sons-twins. Their names were Asan and Usen.  He brought them up as warriors and was very happy with the result. What do you need more when you get old? But a war started and both sons were killed in the battles. And then the man who got out of his mind because of the grief and sorrow, rose his arms up to the sky and asked Allakh: Oh, Allakh! You give the lifes, you take them. Return my sons to me, and take my life instead. Let it be so!» And Allakh heard his pray, and the ground opened and high peaks rose up on the spot. Many centuries went on, and people call the two bastions, standing next to each other at the beginning of Karavshin river, the names of the two sons Asan (4230 m) and Usen (4378 m). A bit further you may see the snowy white peak Piramidalnyi (Tubek) (5509m) standing against the blue sky. It reminds of the old man…».

Overnight in tents in Kara Suu Tent Camp (2800 m. a.s.l.).

Day 8 (30.07). Kara Suu tent camp – Orto Chashma tent camp.

Trek: 16 km. / 8 hrs. / + 960 m. / – 960 m.

Over Kara Suu (3760 m) and Kosh Moinok (3260 m) passes we get back to Orto Chashma tent Camp again. This pass is very interesting: it is divided by a small flat spot in two parts.

Overnight in Orto Chashma tent Camp (2800 m. a.s.l.).

Day 9 (31.07). Orto Chashme tent camp  – Ak- Tubek tent camp.

Trek: 7 km. / 3 – 4 hrs. / + 800 m.

Moderate ascent along Orto Chashma river till confluence with Ak-Tubek gorge. Then we crossing by bridges two rivers and continue trekking along Ak-Tubek river, traverse up to foot of Ak Tubek pass. Camping near white rock.

Overnight in Ak- Tubek tent Camp (3600 m. a.s.l.).

Day 10 (01.08). Ak- Tubek tent camp  – Ak-Suu tent camp.

Trek: 11 km. / 5 – 6 hrs. / + 800 m / – 1400 m.

The hard ascent to Ak Tubek pass (4390 m.) is rewarded by a majestic panoramic view over Iskander peak region and Orto Chashma river valley. Our Camp is situated in the beginning of green zone at Ak-Suu river. On the way you can see alpinist walls of Iskander (5120 m), Petrogradez (5165 m), Admiralteez (5090 m), Aksu (5355 m), A.Block (5229 m), Aktubek (5125 m) peaks.

Overnight in Ak-Suu tent camp (2800 m. a.s.l.).

Day 11 (02.08). Radial hike to the foot of Ak-Suu peak.

Trek: 14 km. / 5-7 hrs. / + 600m / – 600 m.

The trail goes through juniper forest up a steep moraine to a glacier, to the very heart of Pamir-Alai – to peak Ak-Suu (5355 m). This pyramid like peak has a snow cap, and a vertical wall (almost 2 km) on the Northern slope. The grandiose circus is surrounded by such peaks as two-headed Iskander and Admiralteez, Petrogradez and A.Block.

Overnight in Ak-Suu tent camp (2800 m. a.s.l.).

Day 12 (03.08). Ak-Suu tent Camp – Uzgurush village.

Trek: 16 km. / 6 hrs. / – 1350 m.

Descent through juniper forest along Ak-Mechet river. We can observe the peak Iskander on the way. Then we trek along a picturesque green gorge till Uzgurush village.

Overnight in a Kyrgyz family in Uzgurush village (1450 m. a.s.l.).

Day 13 (04.08). Uzgurush village – Batken town – Osh – flight to Bishkek.

Drive: 340 km. / 7-8 hrs. / – 500 m.

Morning drive to Batken and then to Osh. After dinner transfer to “Osh“ airport, fly at 20:50 (by Pegasus airline – ZM 196) to “Manas” airport, meet and transfer to Bishkek.

Dinner and accommodation in a hotel (950 m. a.s.l.).

Day 14 (05.08). Home flight

Drive: 35 km. / 40 min.

Early morning transfer from the hotel to the airport. Home flight.

Map

Additional Info

EQUIPMENT

For this trip you will need the following:

• 4 season sleeping bag
• walking boots
• waterproof jacket and trousers
• fleece jacket or similar
• warm hat and gloves
• sunglasses
• a daypack of around 40 liters
• head-torch and batteries
• 2 x 1 liter water bottles
• sun cream.

A down jacket, pair of sandals and walking sticks are recommended.

MENU

Always on the tables: honey, jam, sugar, condensed milk, dried fruits, cookies or sweets, salt, pepper, ketchup.

Breakfast:

Each breakfast consists of porridge and additional dish.

Additional dish: omelet with bacon, omelet with cheese, fried sausages, pancakes, cheesecakes, scrambled eggs with sausage, boiled eggs.

Dinner:

Each supper consists of salad, soup, main dish and dessert.

Salads: funchoza(starch noodles), rice with crab sticks, eggs with fish, cabbage with carrot, greek salad, beans with onion, cod-liver with eggs.

Soups: minestrone, kesme, lentil puree soup, rice soup, pumpkin puree soup, fish soup and soup with dumplings.

Main dish: kuurdak, pilaf, stew with spaghetti and cheese, dymlyama, stuffed pepper, lagman, befstroganof with rice.

Dessert: cakes, waffles, fruits and rolls.

Lunch-box:

Consists of main dish, fruits or dried fruits, processed cheese, bread, chocolate, water (cold tea with lemon or compote)

Main dish: fried chicken, smoked chicken, smoked duck breast, cheese sandwich, cutlet, boiled eggs, meat pate.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

In season 2018 «Ak-Sai Travel» sets tent camps along the whole route. Travel with comfort! If you book the trek «Asian Patagonia », you use our tent camps and all the facilities! It gives us you s number of advantages:

1)    Your journey is easier and more comfortable than ever as you do not need to carry any food, tents, kitchen utensils,    etc.

2)    Your journey becomes cheaper, as there is no need to hire any porters, cooks, etc. Moreover, there is no crowd to spoil the views.

3)    The journey is safer, as you get a detailed map with the route description. There is means of communication in every tent camp.

4)    Your journey is a discover. You learn new things, try new dishes of the national cuisine, etc.

Itinerary:  Bishkek – Batken – Uzgurush village – Buldzhuma pass – Dzhalgychy pass – Ortochashma gorge – Kara Suu gorge – Kosh Moinok pass – Ak Tubek pass – Ak-Suu gorge – Uryam pass – Uzgurush village – Batken - Bishkek

Photos

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