To the Heart of Central Tien Shan

Day 1.  Almaty international airport – Karakol town (8 hrs, 400 km).

Arrival Almaty early in the morning. Meeting at the airport. Transfer Karakol town (Kirgizstan). Lunch on the way. Overnight and dinner in guest house.

Day 2. Karakol 1700m a.s.l.- At-Jailoo Base Camp 2500m a.s.l. (6hrs, 200km.)

After breakfast short sightseeing tour around Karakol, situated in the east of the Issyk Kul lake area, at the foot of the most picturesque mountains of Tien Shan. This town was first erected by Cossacks at the end of 19th century. Visit Dungan mosque, a unique construction in Chinese style. Also you will see an Old Russian Orthodox Cathedral made of wood without any nails.

Transfer to At-Jailoo base camp. Lunch on the way. Dinner and overnight in tents.

Day 3. At-Jailoo BC – Inylchek glacier (18 km, 6-8 hours). 2900m.

Trekking from At-Jailoo along Inylchek River to the beginning of Inylchek glacier. The Inylchek Glacier is the largest glacier of the Central Tien Shan. Extending 62 km in length with a width of over 3 km, the Inylchek Glacier is the third longest glacier outside the Polar Regions. Overnight in tents.

Day 4. Inylchek glacier – Putevodniy (8 km, 6-8 hours). 3100 m.

Trek up along left lateral moraine of South Inylchek Glacier to confluence with Putevodnyi Glacier. Trek across the glacier. One of the most difficult parts today (especially in the second part of the day) can be the crossing a wide stream situated closer to the right shore of the Glacier. There is a big smooth sandy ground at the coinfluence of the right moraine of Putevodnyi glacier and South Inylchek glacier.

Overnight in tents.

Day 5. Putevodnyi – Merzbakher Glade (8 km, 5-6 hours). 3400m.

Trekking along flank moraine of the glacier to Merzbaher's meadow. The passage during this day is not difficult and short. In the second part of the day having rest. Merzbacher glade - the last grassy place in the area located just across the unique Merzbacher Lake. There is a small metal cabin for

4 persons and a large green area around which is flat enough for our camp. After lunch – hiking to the lake.

Overnight in tents.

Day 6. Merzbakher Lake– Komsomolskiy Glacier (10 km, 6-8 hours). 3800m.

Visit to Merzbakher Lake.

It is a long day of trekking surrounded with beautiful landscapes – snow, rocks and multi-colored ice – black, white and sometimes even striped, we cross Ice Rivers and streams.

Overnight in tents.

Day 7. Komsomolskiy Glacier – Dikiy Glacier (7 km,4-6 hours). 3900m.

Trekking in this part of Tien Shan is absolutely fabulous. The distinctive characteristic of the region is a great number of nameless peaks, unclimbed yet, about 5000m above sea level high. There can be seen the traces of alpinist expeditions.

Overnight in tents.

Day 8. Dikiy glacier – South Inylchek base camp (5 km, 3-4 hours). 4100m.

Trekking Dikiy glacier – South Inylchek base camp.

Inylchek Base Camp is ideally situated in the heart of Central Tien-Shan at the South Inylchekglacier approximately at 4000 m. above the sea level. It has a picturesque view of Khan-Tengri ( 7010 m .) and Pobeda ( 7439 m .) peaks.

There is “sauna” with hot water, dining tent and friendship atmosphere to have a good relax after long trek. Overnight in tents on wooden platforms.

Day 9. South Inylchek base camp. Hiking around.

Radial hiking to Khan-Tengri Peak (7010 m) 3-5 hrs.

Overnight in tents.

Day 10. South Inylchek base camp. Hiking around.

Rest day at South Inylchek BC. Radial hiking to Khan-Tengri Peak (7010 m) 3-5 hrs.

Khan Tengri peak was first climbed in 1931, via the West Col and West Ridge. Overnight in tents.

Day 11. Helicopter flight to Karkara BC.

Day 12. Transfer to Almaty or Issyk Kul Lake (optionally).

12-days journey, including 7-days trekking along the biggest Glacier of Tien Shan Mountains, and 2-days hiking from BC on South Inylchek Glacier

Duration: 12 days

Period: July - August

Tour cost - TBC

Service includes:

- meeting and seeing off in Almaty airport

- transfer Almaaty – Karakol - Almaty

- guest house in Karakol town 1 night, BB

- transfer Karakol – At-Jailoo BC

- 10 nights in fixed trekking camps

- 3 meals\day

- helicopter charter flight South Inylchek BC – Karkara BC

- border permit

- trekking guide and interpreter

- porter

Service doesn't include:

- rescue

- first AID

- personal trekking equipment

- hotel accommodation and meals in Almaty

Option for  the trek “To the Heart of Central Tien Shan”                                                      

Day 11. Helicopter charter flight to Northen Inylcheck Glacier BC 4000 m.

Day 12. Hiking on Glacier up to the bottom of Karly Tau Peak. Camp 1 (4250.)

Day 13. Climb to Karly Tau Plateau . Camp 2 (4800 m.)

Day 14. Summit day. Camp  1 (4800m.) or  camp 2 (4250 m.)

Day 15. Descent to BC.

Day 16. Reserve for bad weather conditions.

Day 17. Helicopter charter flight to Karkara BC 2200 m.

Day 18. Transfer to Almaty or Issyk Kul Lake.

The price: TBC

Price includes: helicopter charter flight from South Inylchek Glacier to North Inylcheck Glacier, BC full board service, local climbing guide, group equipment will be provided: 2 and 4 persons high-altitude tents, ropes, gas cylinders and gas stoves, sets of cooking battery; high-altitude food, personal climbing equipment: harness, 2-meters rope, 3 carabines, jumar, ice axe, crampons.

The service does not Includes: rescue, bar bills.