The shining of the Pamirs

• How to Come to "Edelweiss Meadow Camp"
• Visas and Permits

How to Come to "Edelweiss Meadow Camp"

A journey to our "Edelweiss Meadow Camp" on Edelweiss Meadow at the foot of Lenin Peak (3,600 m) takes 5-6 hours if you set out on it from Osh where you can easily get by air; international flights arrive in the city every day. We shall travel in a comfortable motor vehicle along the Pamir Highway over picturesque mountain passes, through cute native mountain villages and Alay Valley.
Russian nationals do not need visas to enter Kyrgyzstan; only their internal passports are required to visit the country. There are regular direct flights to Osh from Moscow and other Russian cities and CIS countries, so if you arrive in Osh in the morning, you will have dinner in "Edelweiss Meadow Camp" traditional Kyrgyz yurt in the Pamirs in the evening the same day already.
If you have time to stroll about Osh, you will be pleased with the views and colors of this Asian city. Osh is often referred to as ‘the southern capital’ of Kyrgyzstan. It is the country’s second largest city. You will meet kind and hospitable people and see green busy streets with a lot of cozy cafes. You will visit the exotic local bazaar, and Suleiman Mountain - the main Osh’s place of attraction and the only Kyrgyzstan’s World Heritage Site. The mountain rises in the middle of the city, which enhances its impressiveness and indicates that the Pamirs are not far already.

There are three ways to get to "Edelweiss Meadow Camp":

1. Via Osh, proceeding to the camp by road (Thanks to Kyrgyz visa-free regime regulations and the flights to Osh from Moscow and other CIS cities, including Turkish Airlines flights, this is the best way today, since it allows for saving money and, most importantly, time.)
2. Via Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, proceeding to Osh and thence to the camp by road (The journey from Tashkent to Osh will take 6-7 hours. On the way to Osh you will travel through the picturesque Kamchik Mountain Pass and Ferghana Valley. Nationals of non-CIS countries will need Uzbekistan visas to come via Tashkent.)
3. Via Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, proceeding to Osh by air and thence to the camp by road. (Note the flight baggage allowance is 15 kg, with additional weight to cost 0.7 EURO per kg.)

Visa to Kyrgyzstan

Under current rules visa-free stay within unlimited period on the territory of Kyrgyzstan is granted for the nationals of the following countries:

List of states granted visa-free stay up to 90 days: Mongolia, Ukraine.

List of states granted visa-free stay up to 60 days

Visa-free access to Kyrgyzstan up to 30 days: Malaysia.

Read more about visa to Kyrgyzstan here »»

Route Map

Route Map

EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHES

As already mentioned, the participants need not buy and bring with them heavy and bulky equipment for the tour, because we shall provide them for free with special equipment for the entire period of the program:

• Sleeping bag (for visiting "Sunny” Camp1);
• Telescopic ski sticks for walking;
• Raincoat;
• Headlamp;
• Sleeping pad;
• Metallic vacuum flask;
• High gaiters to protect boots from snow;
• First-aid kit (group);

The participants should bring themselves only suitable personal clothes, shoes and accessories to feel comfortable during the trekking part of the tour. As an example of comfortable hiking clothes and shoes, we recommend the following list (certainly, you can choose similar equipment to your preference):

1. What is Vacation in the Pamirs?
2. What is the best time to arrive for Vacation in the Pamirs?
3. What is the minimal age for the participation in ‘Vacation in the Pamirs’ program? Can children stay at high altitudes?
4. What is the night and day temperature in the camps?
5. What kind of clothes should I wear in the area?
6. Should I get travel insurance?
7. What are the chances of running into dangerous creatures such as venomous snakes, spiders, scorpions, ticks?
8. What services are included in the program?
9. Can people with health problems take the tour?
10. What should I do if I feel bad in Camps?
11. What facilities do the camps feature?
12. What currency is used in Lenin Peak area?

1. What is Vacation in the Pamirs?
   Vacation in the Pamirs is a unique tour allowing for combination of several recreational activities. While it provides a lot of adventure opportunities, such as hiking and horse riding, it is also intended for adults with no special training, and children. The tour program is optional; the campers will have complete freedom in planning their stays during the tour.
2. What is the best time to arrive for Vacation in the Pamirs?
   You can choose one of the four arrival dates to suit your convenience. See the table Dates above.You are to arrive in Osh early on the day chosen, or the day before. The time of departure from Osh to "Edelweiss Meadow Camp" is 06:00. If you arrive on the previous day we can reserve a room in an Osh’s hotel for you and meet you at the airport.
3. What is the minimal age for the participation in ‘Vacation in the Pamirs’ program? Can children stay at high altitudes?
   As the "Edelweiss Meadow Camp" is situated at an elevation of 3,600 m, we strongly recommend that you avoid taking children under 8 there.
   According to UIAA, only children aged 8 and older react to high-altitude conditions in the same way as adults do, and have the same symptoms of the mountain disease. As for younger children, their reaction is unpredictable and, therefore, they should not be brought to an altitude of more than 3,000 to 4,000 m, while their sleep altitude should not be higher than 2,500 m.
   If you take your child to high-altitude areas, you must make sure he/she is absolutely well. Please, consult your pediatrician before going to the mountains with your child.
   The particular risks of exposure of children to high altitude have not been thoroughly studied and much of the advice must necessarily be extrapolated from adult data with due considerations of the influence of growth and development. As known so far children are not under more restrictions to acute exposure to altitude than adults.
   Note: Young children are generally poor at communicating their physiological discomfort, i.e. unlikely to say they are dangerous cold, can’t feel their fingers (assuming they have enough language skills). They would probably just become very quiet and still. A child’s thermal regulation is immaturely developed, as is their ability to adapt to hypoxic exposure when compared to an adult.
   Reflection from snow and a thinner atmospheric layer at high altitude make the risk of solar ultraviolet radiation burns more likely than at sea level. Children are more likely to burn than adults if exposed to excess sun. Appropriate sun-block creams (protection from UVA and UVB, SPF at least 30, applied before sun exposure), hats, long sleeves and goggles are required to prevent sunburn or snowblindness.
   Adequate clothing is essential to prevent misery, hypothermia, and frostbite.
   Brochure UIAA with recomendations for parents.
4. What is the night and day temperature in the camps?
   The day temperature in "Edelweiss Meadow Camp" in July-August varies from +5°С to +30°С; at night it is from +3°С to +15°С. The season is usually sunny and precipitation-free at this altitude. It might snow, rarely; if it does, the snow fallen melts quite quickly.
   It snows more often in "Sunny Camp", since it is located at an altitude of 4,400 m. It is up to +25°С in sunny weather and around 0°С in bad weather there.
5. What kind of clothes should I wear in the area?
   We recommend that you have the following clothes and gear:
   • A moderate-sized backpack to hike with (30-40 l);
   • Transport trunk. Not essential, but it facilitates the transportation of the things to "Edelweiss Meadow Camp" and further horseback transportation to "Sunny Camp".
   • Sun cream (SPF 25-40).
   • Sunglasses.
   • Trekking boots (Scarpa kailash GTX, Salomon Quest 4D GTX, The North Face Wreck Mid GTX or similar).
     Scarpa kailash GTX Scarpa kailash GTX Salomon Quest 4D GTX Salomon Quest 4D GTX Salomon Quest 4D GTX The North Face Wreck Mid GTX SALEWA MTN Trainer GTX SALEWA MTN Trainer GTX Teva Keen Garmont Dragontail MNT GTX Garmont Dragontail MNT GTX Garmont Dragontail MNT GTX
   • Hiking shoes (SALEWA MTN Trainer GTX, Garmont Dragontail MNT GTX or similar), andor sandals (Teva, Keen or similar) to travel within and between the lower camps ("Edelweiss Meadow Camp" and "Sunny Camp"). Besides, you need a pair of light and open footwear for Osh, which features high summer temperatures.
     Scarpa kailash GTX Scarpa kailash GTX Salomon Quest 4D GTX Salomon Quest 4D GTX Salomon Quest 4D GTX The North Face Wreck Mid GTX SALEWA MTN Trainer GTX SALEWA MTN Trainer GTX Teva Keen Garmont Dragontail MNT GTX Garmont Dragontail MNT GTX Garmont Dragontail MNT GTX
   • Downy jacket / PrimaLoft or ThermoBall synthetic insulated jackets (BASK Valdez or similar)
   • Assault jacket GORE-TEX (RedFox Vector GTX III or similar).
   • Assault trousers GORE-TEX or Bib and brace overalls GORE-TEX (RedFox Vector GTX III or similar).
   • Suit POLARTEC (for instance, jacket BASK Kondor V3 + trousers BASK Vinson Pro V2).
   • Skin tight linen thermals POLARTEC - two sets: thin thermals to wick moisture away from the skin (for instance RedFox Dry Zone) and thick ones for insulation (for instance, jacket + trousers BASK)
   • Thin Gloves, Fleece, Polartec, WindBloc and thick insulated gloves (for instance, RedFox Ice)
   • Peaked cap or panama hat + insulated winter hat. A light sun runner cap(Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap, Outdoor Research Activeice Cap or similar) or panama hat (Outdoor Research Conzumel Sombrero, Outdoor Research Helios Sun Hat or similar) + insulated hat (Outdoor Research Windwarrior Hat, Outdoor Research Peruvian Hat or similar).
     Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap Outdoor Research Activeice Cap
   • Knitted T-shirts.
   • Socks-POLAR, thermal socks, like Boreal TREK Thermolite or similars + ordinary socks.
   • Lip balm.
   • First-aid kit (personal).
6. Should I get travel insurance?
   Yes, it is even necessary. Before setting off, you should get it covering the sum of 10,000 - 15,000 USD. Though the tour is safe, you understand it is important to be insured against possible risks.
7. What are the chances of running into dangerous creatures such as venomous snakes, spiders, scorpions, ticks?
   Our experience in the area proves such chances are very slim.
8. What services are included in the program?
   The services included are aimed at providing as much comfort as possible. The cost of the tour includes:
   • Meeting / seeing off at airport
   • All transfers as per program
   • One-night accommodation in Osh’s best hotel (3*) with breakfast (the last day)
   • Accommodation in "Edelweiss Meadow Camp" in spacious camping tents (with double share)
     (Tents feature with electricity, beds, mattresses, blankets, pillows and linens - blanket covers, pillowcases, sheets.)
   • Full board (including hot dish courses; vegetarian meals possible) by professional chefs
   • Heated guests yurts in "Edelweiss Meadow Camp" and "Sunny Camp" for leisure, meals and entertainment
   • Mountain guide
   • Free transfer of personal baggage (under 15kg) from "Edelweiss Meadow Camp" (3600m) to "Sunny Camp" (4400m).
   • Necessary equipment rental:
     • Sleeping bag (for visiting "Sunny Camp");
     • Telescopic ski sticks for walking;
     • Rainwear;
     • Headlamp;
     • Sleeping pad;
     • Metallic vacuum flask 0,5 - 1,0 litres;
     • High gaiters to protect your feet from snow;
     • First-aid kit group.
   • Preparation of all necessary documents required to visit border guard zone, ecotax
   • Storage boxes in both Camps
   • Sauna and shower cabins in "Edelweiss Meadow Camp"
   • Electricity consumption (220 V; 50 Hz).
9. Can people with health problems take the tour?
   You should take into account the altitude of the 3,600-meter in our "Edelweiss Meadow Camp". It is the altitude where some people may find symptoms of mountain sickness. That is why those suffering from cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure and asthma should see their doctors for advice about taking the tour.
10. What should I do if I feel bad in Camps?
    There is always a doctor on duty in both Camps and you can ask him. Both camps have stores of medicines for most probable cases of sickness there.
    If a guest has a serious condition requiring hospitalization, he/she will be transported to the nearest hospital. This person’s travel insurance is to cover all the expenses in this case.
11. What facilities do the camps feature?
    "Edelweiss Meadow Camp" (Base Camp) on the picturesque Edelweiss Meadow features the following:
    • Traditional Kyrgyz yurts, including one for communal use, where campers have meals, socialize and enjoy various entertainments (The yurts have heating stoves lighted daily, chairs and tables, electricity supply, audio and video equipment, as well as a bar to buy snacks and various beverages in the communal one.)
    • Comfortable and spacious 4-pax half-barrel tents on special platforms, with sleeping boards, mattresses and all necessary bed clothes
    • Sauna (operated daily in the afternoon)
    • City standard flush toilet
    • Tap stands with soap and mirrors
    • Storage yurt
    • Volleyball court, ball
    • Full board (including hot dish courses; vegetarian meals possible) by professional chefs
    • Electricity supply, Internet access, two-way radios, satellite phone.
    "Sunny Camp" (Camp 1) on Lenin Peak moraine has the following:
    • Two yurts featuring heating stoves (lighted daily), with tables and chairs, electricity supply, audio and video equipment, as well as a bar to buy snacks and various beverages in one of them
    • Specious half-barrel tents
    • Toilet (always kept clean)
    • Storage yurt
    • Satellite phone, two-ways radios, battery charging facility
    • Sauna.
12. What currency is used in Lenin Peak area?
    US dollars, euros, Russian rubles and Kyrgyz soms are all accepted. However, US dollars are preferable.

If you have any other questions about the tour, do not hesitate to contact our managers. We are always ready to help.

Contact Details:
E-mail: adventure@centralasia-travel.com