Kyrgyzstan Engilchek Glacier & Tien Shan Mountains Camping Trek

Kyrgyzstan Engilchek Glacier & Tien Shan Mountains Trek
Day 1 – Arrive Bishkek | Transfer Hotel. Bishkek City Tour + Drive Cholpon-Ata
At the Manas Airport in Bishkek your guide +/or driver will great you and welcome you to Kyrgyzstan. Most international flights land at 3 or 4 am. Once you arrive at your hotel you will be able to have a rest after your long flight. Shortly after breakfast your guide will meet you and go over the Bishkek city tour. It will be mandatory for everyone on the trip to show their passport to their guide before leaving the hotel on the first day as the guide needs to check passports with border zone permits. Bishkek is well known for its green parks and countless tree covered boulevards. You will be able to see of the highlights of the city such as Ala Too Square, Panfilov Park, the White House, and Osh Bazaar. At approximately 2:00, you’ll start on the drive to Cholpon-Ata. Dinner will be at the hotel, a resort in Cholpon-Ata. Accommodation in a resort style hotel with private rooms and private bathrooms. (Driving time: 4 hrs)

NOTE | If guests wish to arrive in Kyrgyzstan a day before the trip starts, the cost for airport pick up and additional night stay at our Bishkek hotel is $65 dollars per person.

Day 2 – Drive Jyrgalan 1950m
After breakfast, everyone will be able to pack their bags and make their way to the small village of Jyrgalan. Before lunch, you will be able to enjoy the hot springs on the way with a great view of the snow caped peak mountains. It’s your choice if you wish to have lunch before or after the hot springs lunch will be had on the shoreline of Issyk Kul beach. If you wish to stop and take pictures it’s no problem please make sure to ask your guide.

Once you arrive in the village of Jyrglan village your host will welcome you with bottomless cups of tea. Please make sure to organize your equipment for the start of the trek tomorrow and get a good night’s rest at the guesthouse. Ala Kol Guesthouse, common rooms and shared indoor bathroom. (Driving time: 6 hrs)

Day 3 – Trek Tiup Valley 2800m | Cross Jyrgalan Pass 3332m
After your last tea with your hosts you will start your trek into the Tiup Valley. You will meet your horse porters that will carry your equipment for the first part of your trip. Please be patient with the horse men and please understand that it will take more than 1 hour to pack the horse porters. Once you start trekking enjoy the amazing nature all around you that will be a big contrast from the middle of your big trek where you will see snow covered peaks.

The trek will start in Jyrgalan and you will make your way through countless valleys and light forests. One of the highlights of the day will be the Jyrgalan pass. Later in the day the trail will bring you to the Tiup valley where you will spend the night in tents. (7-8 hrs trekking, 25 km, 1000m altitude gain, 400m altitude loss)

Day 4 – Trek Chong Djalangatsh Gorge 3100m | Cross Ashu Tor Pass 3600m
After breakfast, we’ll head out and start trekking through the Tien Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan! You’ll start the trek by crossing the the Ashu Tor pass, from where you’ll have an incredible panoramic view of this beautiful region. Your guide will show you the way to the Chong Djalangatsh gorge where camp will be set up for the night. (7 hrs trekking, 23 km, 700 m altitude gain, 400m altitude loss)

Day 5 – Trek Turuk Gorge 3100m | Cross Janalach Ashu Pass 3510m
After breakfast, you will make your way to the Turuk Gorge. You will reach the Janalach Ashu pass and make your way down to the Turuk valley. Today is an easier day where you will be able to meet people along the way. Share a tea and get a feeling for the mountain people of Kyrgyzstan. (6 hrs trekking, 18 km, 600 altitude gain, 700m altitude loss)

Day 6 – Trek Echkilitash (Sary Jaz Valley) 2900m | Cross Kara-Shu Pass 3307m
Today you will trek to the Sary Jaz valley to meet the human porters at the Echkilitash military base. The first mountain pass of the day is Kara-Shu pass. The Sary Jaz valley will open up and you will be able to see countless peaks from the Sary Jaz mountain range. Once you arrive in the Echkilitash Military post you will give a copy of your boarder zone permit to the border guards with a copy of your passport that matches your border zone permit. Please make sure have your passport with you at all times. Once all administrative paperwork is completed then you will cross the Sary Jaz River.

At this point you will say good bye to your horse porters and horse men from Jyrgalan and you will meet your team of porters from Karakol who will bring a re-supply of food from Karakol in the late afternoon. With your new team of human porters you will be able to enjoy a short hike where you will be able to camp just after the Echkilitash military base near the Jarry Jaz River.
(7 hrs trekking, 20 km, 300m altitude gain, 500m altitude loss)

Day 7 – Trek Chong Tash (Tyuz Pass Base Camp) 3885m
After breakfast and tea, you will be able to enjoy trekking the alongside the Tyuz river. You will be guided below the Tyuz Pass where camp will be built next to the Chong Tash. Today is a great day to have a pair of sandals with you because you will have to cross a few ice cold rivers along the way. For the photography lovers make sure to keep your eyes open for Marco Polo sheep and Ibex sheep in this area. (7-8 hrs trekking, 27 km, 900m altitude gain, 0m altitude loss)

Day 8 – Trek Chong Tash (Enilcheck Valley) 2900m | Cross Tyuz Pass 4000m + Climb Tyuz Peak 4150m
After a strong coffee, you will make your way to the pass of the Tyuz Pass. Make sure to full up your water bottles before going over the pass because the next place to get water is at the end of the days trek. Once you reach the summit of the Tyuz Pass you will have the chance to make a summit to the Tyuz Peak, an additional 150m. From the panoramic point, you will have a great view of the whole Enilcheck valley and a clear view to Khan Tengri 6995m and possibly Victory Peak at 7439 m. Hope for clear weather!

Don’t forget to capture a few nice pictures of the Nansen Peak 5697m, right in front of you, as well as countless other peaks in the distance. Lunch will be shared at the pass and then your guide will show you the best way to reach Chong Tash in the Enilcheck valley. Once you arrive at Chong-Tash you will be able to build camp and have dinner with your team. (6 hrs trekking, 15km, 400m altitude gain, 1400m altitude loss)

Day 9 – Trek At-Jailoo River 2600m | Cross Enilcheck Glacier 3900m
Today will a longer day but it’s a very flat day and quite exciting because you will be trekking on the Enilcheck Glacier at 3900m. When crossing the glacier, you’re guide will show you the best possible route to cross the glacier. You will be able to enjoy the ever-changing landscape of the glacier and the nearby mountains.

Once you cross the glacier you will head down the Enilcheck valley to the At-Jailoo valley where you will build camp for the night. At the At-Jailoo River you will be greeted by your 2nd team of horses and will have to say goodbye to your porters. Your horse team will bring a food resupply for the last part of your trip. Crossing the At-Jailoo river can be a challenge but your guide will help you and it’s no problem to take a horse to help you along the way. (7 hrs trekking, 25km, 150m altitude gain, 450m altitude loss)

Day 10 – At-Jailoo River 2600m
Today is a rest or extra day in case of bad weather to enjoy day hikes to and from base camp. Everyone will be able to enjoy a self-guided hike or you can go together to explore a new canyon in the area. If you wish to ride a horse, this is also a possibility. The horse men will be there with you and will have saddles ready to ride. The best idea is to ride the horse to the base camp of Maidar Adyr and back the same way. If you wish to enjoy the day in the mountains it’s also possible to relax and get to know your guide and learn about his culture.

Day 11 – Trek At-Jailoo Pass Camp 3600m
After an early breakfast, you will trek along the At-Jailoo river in the narrow gorge. You will be able to see the chaining landscapes of high altitude glaciers, high allude forest, and it’s also possible to see wild Ibex goats. Camp will be at the At-Jailoo pass next to the alpine lake. It’s possible to view the large glaciers under the Alexander Von Humbolt Peak 5016m. (7 hrs trekking 16 km, 1100m altitude gain, 0 altitude loss)

Day 12 – Trek Kaindy Valley 2700m | Cross At-Jailoo Pass 3674m
After breakfast, you will start trekking and don’t forget to see the countless glaciers, alpine pastures, and Ibex’s in the early mooring. In this very remote location it’s important to stay on the trail with your guide because there are countless sheep trails and many large cliffs. Once you reach the next valley you will follow the Kaindy river and build camp where the valley opens up. (7-8 hrs trekking, 27 km, 0 m altitude gain, 900 m altitude loss)

Day 13 – Trek Lower Kaindy Valley Camp 2400m
Today is going to be a great day deep in the wild mountains of Kaindy valley. You will be able to see a different landscape today with nice forest close to the Kaindy river. The whole day you will be losing altitude and it’s a great end to the trek. Once you reach the camp you will have dinner ready and you will have earned a good night’s sleep. (4.5 hrs trekking, 15km, 0 m altitude gain, 300 m altitude loss)

Day 14 – Kaindy Valley | Exploration Day
A rest day or safety day in case of poor weather to enjoy day hikes to and from the base camp. On this day everyone will be able to enjoy a self-guided hike or everyone can go together to explore a new canyon in the area, and horse riding will probably also be an option.

Day 15 – Drive Karakol 1600m
After a late breakfast, you will be able to enjoy the nice hike down to the hot springs on the way to the Enilchek village. It’s possible to have a tour of the old abandoned mining city of Enilchek. You’re driver will meet you group mid-day and drive you back to Karakol. During the long drive, to Karakol you will be able to make a few stops along the way to take pictures and to enjoy the views.

Once at Karakol, you will be able to clean up after your long trek in the mountains and wash your clothes. Dinner at a local café in the center of the city. River Side Guest House (Trekking 3 hrs, driving 5-6 hrs)

Day 16 – Drive Bel Tom | Via South Shore Route
There will be time to visit the lovely Karakol town and get a feeling for the local people. Visiting the small bazaar in the center of town is always a great idea. It’s also possible to pick up a few souvenirs for friends back home. Later, you’ll head out of Karakol and drive to the small town of Kyzy Suu where you will be able to have lunch with a local Uyghur family, a wide variety of dishes and an interesting mix of culture.

After lunch we suggest a few road side stops such as fairy tale canon, a great spot to enjoy a 1 hour hike inside the sandy canyon. Our final destination for the night is a yurt camp on the shores of the Issyk Kul Lake where you can enjoy a swim in the salty lake or enjoy the sunset. Yurts at Bel Tom (Driving 4 hrs, 130 km)

Day 17 – Drive Tamchy
After breakfast in the Kyrgyz Yurt, you will meet one of the local legends that hunts with eagles. It’s a great cultural experience and it makes for a great story for friends back home. After visiting with the eagle hunter you will be able to enjoy lunch with his family. Once the last cup of tea is finished, you will continue the drive to Tamchy, a small village on the north shore of Issyk Kul Lake. You will be able to get know your hosts and get a feeling for the north shore of the lake and to visit the beach. It’s a great place to relax and enjoy the amazing views all around. If you wish it’s possible to visit a small women’s and learn how they are making felt slippers for domestic market and for the international market as well. Dinner at the guesthouse with your hosts. Guest House in Tamchy (Driving 3 hrs, 180 km)

Day 18 – Trek Lake Kogur 2830m
After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to the head of the trial where you will meet your horsemen with the horse porters. The road getting to the head of the trial is in quite poor condition and in some places the driver might ask for everyone to step out of the car to pass a small path of rocks. One of the many highlights of the day will be the view from the top of the Kol-Tor pass at 3320m. From this pass, you will be able to see the panoramic view of Lake Issyk-Kul. If the weather is nice you will be able to enjoy lunch at the pass and take many pictures of the area.

After lunch, you will be guided to Kogur Lake in the Chong Kemin National Park. Once you arrive at our lake camp you’ll have plenty of time to relax, and possibly do a short hike around the lake. (Trekking 5-6 hrs)

Day 19 – Trek Doeboe Village (Chon Kemin Valley) 1400m
After breakfast, everyone will pack their gear on the horses and you will be guided down to the Chon Kemin valley. There will be many small and big passes that you will pass along the way before you reach the village of Doeboe and the Chon Kemin valley. En route, you will have time to enjoy lunch on the Chon Kemin River. Once you arrive in the village of Doeboe – Chon Kemin you will have time to rest at the cozy guesthouse and get to know your hosts over bottomless cups of tea. Kok Arcah Guesthouse

Day 20 – Drive Bishkek
Leaving Chon Kemin, your group will start the drive back to Bishkek, with a few stops along the way. The first stop of the day will be the Burana Tower, a great Silk Road site to visit. Once back in Bishkek, you will have a chance to visit the famous Osh Bazaar, and to have a walk thought the countless parks in the city center. Later you will meet for farewell dinner in the center of Bishkek, with plenty of time to pack your bags for your flight the next day. Rich Hotel Bishkek (Driving Time: 3 ½ hrs, 160 km)

Day 21 – Trip Ends | Transfer International Airport
After an early breakfast, everyone will be transferred to the airport. Most of the flights leave Kyrgyzstan at 3-4 in the morning. The drive from the center of the city to the airport is about 45 minutes and you should idea to arrive at the airport 2 hours before your flight so there won’t be much sleeping beforehand! Here at Nomad’s Land, we hope you enjoyed your journey to one of the more remote regions of wonderful Kyrgyzstan!