In Tian-Shan and Pamir mountains

Today our trekking starts and we move up along the Yuzhniy (South) Aftalun river. The first day always overwhelms with new sensations, fascinating landscaped vistas. Lush multicoloured alpine vegetation contrasts the austere grandeur of mountains. A rather good earth road runs along the canyon of Yuzhniy Aftalun river among the picturesque spruce forests.

After lunch we continue the trekking up along the gorge to the confluence of Aflatun and Uyalma river. In the Aflatun gorge as well as Uyalma hollow the bottom and northern slopes are hosts to spruce forests, whereas the southern slopes are abundant in desert-candle. The steep slopes of the gorge are formed of limestone. The upper part of the gorge is rocky with overhanging ledges.

At the confluence of Aflatun and Uyalma rivers the wide valley is covered with grassy plots and spruce forests; further up the two gorges get narrower. The left side of Uyalma gorge is gently sloping, there are traces of landslip and mudslide, while the right slope is rather steep and is covered with spruce forests.

Trekking further upstream, we reach the place where Camp 2 (2100m) is to be set on the bank of Uyalma river.

Today we leave the lake banks and trek upstream the Sary-Chelek river. After 1 km the river narrows and turns north. The slopes become steeper, at times broken by grassy areas with cones of spruce trees. Everywhere from the cliffs there run streams. By the riverbed there stand lonely birth trees. The gorge narrows and it seems that the cliffs reach for each other. But the path is well within view and soon we ascend to easy Makmal pass. From here we can glance again at the grandiose water basin of lake Sary-Chelek surrounded by rocky cliffs and woody slopes where pointed tops of pyramid-like Tien-Shan spruces reach for the blue sky, and floating clouds reflect in the quiet waters of the lake.

Feast your eyes on the scenery and start the descent to Kyzyl-Suu river. Soon we reach the Kurumdu river - tributary of Kyzyl-Suu river, and set up Camp 4 (2000m) on a cozy forest clearing.

After trekking along the eastern bank of lake Kara-Suu we start an easy ascent to Kuturma pass (2446m). Here the landscape is really amazing: grey cliffs covered with clefts and dints are reflected in still green-bluish surface of the lake water. The road bends along the pinkish rocks and leads to the southern part of the lake that turns into the riverbed of the Kara-Suu river. Soon the current becomes turbulent. This can be clearly seen from the path that runs up to Kuturma pass. The ascent is relatively easy and rather rewarding: from the pass there opens the wide panorama of huge southern part of Sary-Chelek hollow with Lake Sary-Chelek itself. To the left there are the oblong contours of another lake - Iri-Kol whose banks will accommodate our camp for the night.

Descent from the pass does not take much time and soon we reach the banks of lake Iri-Kol located at the altitude of 1800-2040m. Here we set up our Camp 6 (1300m).

Lake Iri-Kol is formed by rock obstruction and is fed by springs. Bathing in its cool water brings relaxation and takes away the fatigue after day’s trekking.

It will take 5-6 hours to get to Yurt Camp in a comfortable motor vehicle along Pamir Highway (M41 highway). Almost immediately beyond the city the terrain becomes hilly, as if informing us of what we are to expect further on the way. And the further we went, the more grandiose and magnificent everything around us was becoming. After you have moved over Taldyk Mountain Pass (3,600 m), you will see the stunning scene of Alay Valley with the majestic snow-capped Zaalay Range of the Pamirs towering over it. The Alay Valley is characterized by extensive green fields, marmots occasionally running across the road, grazing horses, a bottomless sky and blue mountain chains on the horizon.

Upon arrival at the Base Camp (3,600m) you will be accommodated in comfortable base tents. Tents feature with electricity, wooden flooring, mattresses, blankets, pillows and linens - blanket covers, pillowcases, sheets.

Today we are hiking to Lukovaya (Leek) Meadow 200 meters above the Mountain camp where wild leek grows. A lot of marmots live there; the meadow is pockmarked with their burrows. They are so curious that you can photograph them at a distance of about 3-4 meters. They are big and shaggy, and when finally scared, they rush back to their burrows with screeches, showing their fluffy tails - cute and funny animals.

Pamirs summer is very short but awesome. You can see amazing variegated flowers on the glades near Base Camp (3600 m).

Return to the Base Camp and a dinner in yurt (a yurt is a portable, felt-covered, wood lattice-framed dwelling structure traditionally used by nomads in Central Asia).

We invite you to ascend the ridge running from Petrovskiy Peak (4,830 m). The hike will not be difficult and yield a lot of pleasure, especially if you are a lover of photography. To reach an altitude of 4,400 m would be enough; from here you can obtain a great panorama: the base camps in full view, the Alay Valley on the horizon, multicoloured slopes on the other side, the Travellers’ (Puteshestvennikov) Pass and the glacier of Lenin Peak behind it going up, like a broad white road, to the snowy caps of the peak proper.  

The nature triumphs there over the man, in a confident, regal way. A vast space that cannot be tamed, one can only adapt oneself to it. And contemplate. The majesty of the local nature arouses in men a strong desire to create, to express that inconceivable feeling that arises in the depths of the human soul. Experts say that everyone can draw. Even those who think they can’t. Professional artists will bring home masterpieces, while amateurs - sketches, which, famed, will occupy their place on the wall to arouse the warmest memories in their creator’s soul. Will you try? There will be enough time for it at the Base Camp.

Upon returning to the camp from a trip you will participate in a master class in cooking authentic plov (also spelled pilaf, pilaff, pilau, pilav, polow, pulaw, pulao), which you will then enjoy. To make the popular dish under the guidance of a professional cook is a perfect chance to learn all its cooking secrets and to include it in your list of specialities.

Today you have two options: some can walk up with a guide to a nearby ridge and further to a low summit 4,750 m high, from where they can obtain a wonderful view of the grandiose landscape; others can spend their time at their discretion - photographing, having light walks in the neighbourhood of the camp or just resting.

Due to its structure, the ridge leading to the 4,750-metre summit that you are to climb has no snow on its slopes, which makes its ascending quite easy. On the other hand, walking up you will have an extremely extensive snow-covered slope to your left, with long lines of mountaineers with heaviest rucksacks behind their backs going up and down it. And ahead you will have an approaching white wall, which is one of the incredibly tall sides of Lenin Peak. This giant rises so high into the sky that you cannot discern its top, however hard you lift up your head. You just see an infinitely tall, perfectly beautiful white wall, and you cannot believe it is real.

In the evening you will again be enveloped in the warmth of a yurt, eating most delicious food and enjoying the unforgettable atmosphere in a circle of like-minded people united by the contact with the wonderful and mysterious Roof of the World.

Saying goodbye to the majestic mountains, you will set out on a journey back to warm Osh city. The grand Lenin Peak Mountain and its siblings will probably always be part of your most pleasant memories… On arriving in Osh, you will check in at the hotel and have a good rest before going on back home. Leisure time.