La Routes de la soie et la découverte du Pamir

You are to arrive in Osh early in the morning so that all the members of the group could depart from Osh together at 6:30 a.m. To transfer from Osh to the Base Camp (280 km) takes from 6 to 7 hours. Before leaving Osh we shall call at a supermarket, so that everyone could buy whatever they may need during the trip or in the mountains. We shall provide each participant with a lunch box and a bottle of mineral water, so that they could have a snack on their way, while at the Base Camp you will have a nourishing hot meal made by professional cooks.

The road from Osh to the Base Camp runs across two mountain passes - Chyyyrchyk (2,408 m) situated near the village of Gulcha and Taldyk (3,615 m) near the village of Sary Tash forming ‘gates’ that mark the end of the downhill into the Alay Valley.

The Kyrgyz portion of the M41 Pamir Highway, which it was once so difficult to construct at such high altitudes, has recently been renovated, and now you will surely enjoy driving on its perfectly smooth asphalt.

Gradually driving up along the M41 road to the Taldyk Pass, then down to the bottom of the Alay Valley and then again up to our Base Camp in the Achik Tash Valley, you will make the first acclimatization steps.

Our Base Camp is located on the Edelweiss Meadow (3,600 m); however, we recommend that you reach the Lukovaya (Leek) Meadow (3,800 m, +200 m) to minimise the symptoms of the altitude sickness. Some may have a walk down the Achik Tash valley to lakes, which are in numbers scattered around the hilly area. They are highly picturesque and even allow for swimming.

Upon arrival at the Base Camp (3,600m) you will be accommodated in comfortable in four- berth base tents per 2 members. Tents feature with electrical outlets, individual lighting - desk camp, wooden deck flooring, mattresses, covers, pillows and furnishing: blanket cover, pillowcases and bed sheet.

Distance covered during the Jour: 14-15 km.
Altitude difference: +1,130м; -1,130m.
Altitude of the lowest point (Base camp): 3,600m according to the GPS
Altitude of the highest point (Petrovskiy Peak): 4,730 m according to the GPS
Category of difficulty: I (F)

Step 1: Departing from the Base Camp on the Edelweiss Meadow; traversing the Achik Tash River Valley crosswise; crossing the numerous broad branches of the Achik Tash River; approaching the foot of the grass-covered slope, on which we shall go up to the ridge.

Step 2: Starting to climb the slope towards Petrovsky Peak; the steepness of the slope reaches 35° in some places; getting onto the ridge and further along it on a long path; the relief consists of grassy slopes, which then pass into a mixture of grass and scree and then scree alone.

Step 3: As you reach the portion of the route consisting of mixed rocks and snow, you must put on belay systems, crampons and high gaiters and make your ice-axe ready at hand; the guide carries the main rope; attention: the slope’s steepness reaches 50° in places.

Step 4: As soon as you reach the snow-and-ice portion of the slope, you must make rope teams (if the guide regards it necessary to do so); from this moment on you must set the pace by the weakest member of your group; all the members of the group must climb close to each other; as the team reaches Petrovsky Peak, all must stay together, no one is allowed to detach from the body of the group; the group may stay on the summit for 20 to 30 minutes, in case there is no wind; in windy weather people must not remain there for more than 10 minutes; climb the mountain in thunderstorm or snowfall is strictly prohibited.

Step 5: The group will descend the mountain along the same route as they climbed it; the descending technique consists in doing what you did when you were ascending, only in reverse order.
Congratulations on your First Summit of the Pamirs!

The ascent to Puteshestvennikov Pass (4,200 m) on a well-trodden track usually takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours - depending on the physical conditions of the participants. It’s always windy on the pass, which may also be snow-covered. Take a deep breath of air into your lungs as the panoramic view that opens up before you from the “Marmots’ Glade” lying just below the pass is astonishing. Local residents of the glade - marmots - whistling out different tunes dart in and out their holes, heedless of observing visitors.

Descent from the pass is simple and does not take long. Carry on along the track that goes nearly horizontally, keeping in parallel to the left-hand side moraine. Cross a rapid stream and carry on uphill along the path leading to the Lenin Glacier - approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. Crossing the stream can sometimes be difficult because of high, violent water. Further along the body of the Lenin Glacier takes only 30 to 40 minutes. Mind crevasses! Note the bolder with a cross image and walk along the moraine to Camp 1 for 20 to 30 minutes.

Total ascent time is about 3 to 4.5 hours.

Our Camp 1 is set up on the moraine of the Lenin Glacier and truly is most comfortable camp of the area. Three spacious and comfortable yurts provide nice and constant warmth. In 2007’s season we have managed to couple (!) two yurts - an achievement unheard of even by experienced Kyrgyz shepherds!

The yurt is the place you can get a delicious meal, cup of tea or brewed coffee. Listen to music, guitar playing, or use your PC to look through your photos or maybe even organize a party for a special occasion: completion of a successful assent, for instance!

You are accommodated in the same kind of comfortable base tents.

So, our tour is over. After breakfast we pack our things and drive back. The iridescent hills of the Achik Tash valley… The boundless Alay valley… the bridge across the Kyzyl Suu River and the uphill serpentine road to the Taldyk Pass… then the downhill serpentine to the Gulcha River valley… the city of Osh. Check-in at the hotel in twins/double rooms, with breakfast.

In Osh you can walk about the city, visit the Sulaiman-Too Mountain and the Museum organized just within the hill or call at the Osh bazaar to buy a couple of souvenirs. The most popular souvenirs are handmade felt items, which vary greatly in type and color and are nice to the eye and heart.