Lenin Peak Base Camp is located at the foot of Lenin Peak (7,134 meters / 23,405 feet) in the Pamir Mountains at an elevation of 4,400 meters above sea level. Lenin Peak towers an additional 2,734 meters above the camp. Lenin Peak regarded as the easiest of Central Asia’s 7000-meter peaks to climb, taking on average ten to 12 days to summit. Mountaineers spend several days acclimatizing at the Lenin Peak Base Camp before beginning their journey towards the peak.
This page will provide you with information about Lenin Peak Base Camp and ideas for treks and hikes to Lenin Peak Base Camp and nearby for a high altitude adventure you won’t forget.
Base Camp Lenin Peak
Accommodation at Lenin Peak Base Camp
Several private companies operate all-meals-included yurt and tent accommodations at the Lenin Peak Base Camp. These camps target their services towards mountaineers, and consequently, tend to be more expensive than most local alternatives. The Base Camp can be reached by car from Kashka Suu village (four to five hours south of Osh). Private transportation to the camp is usually arranged in Osh.
An alternative to camping at the mountaineering base camp is to stay near Tulpar Kol Lake. Tulpar Kol is at the same elevation as the Lenin Peak Base Camp but on the other side of the Kyzyl Suu river. Accommodations here are similar to those at the base camp, featuring a CBT-operated yurt camp and several locally-run competitors. Several hikes to nearby, lower peaks as well as alpine lakes start from Tulpar Kol. Additionally, a short walk across a bridge brings you to the Lenin Peak Base Camp.
Treks to Lenin Peak
Most people come to Lenin Peak to reach the highest peak Lenin standing at 7134 meters. Mountaineers usually join groups collected by companies. You can see the group tour dates and prices on their websites. The day by day itinerary can be found as well. It usually takes 10 to 12 days to reach the peak depending on your readiness and physical fitness.
However, you can also do lower peaks.
Here are our recommended treks around Lenin Peak and Lenin Peak Base Camp:
1. Trek to Travelers Pass at 4,100 meters.
If you have 1 day, then you can take a day hike to Traveller’s pass from either Base Camp or Tulpar Kol Lake. It takes 3 hours to reach the top and 2 hours back to your camp. Getting to the Traveller’s Pass gives a massive view of glaciers of snow-covered Lenin Peak, but you don’t touch glaciers.
2. Trek to Yukhina Peak at 5,130 meters.
If you have 2 to 3 days around, then you can trek to Yukhina Peak beyond Traveler’s Pass. Hikers should be physically fit to reach Yuhina Peak as it is a high altitude and difficult trek.
You should reach first Camp one (4,400 meters) from your accommodation at Tulpar Kol lake. Next day from Camp 1, you can take a day hike to Yukhina Peak. Trek in the opposite direction from Lenin Peak to Yuhin Peak to get a breathtaking view of towering Lenin Peak and the Alay valley. The trail doesn’t need any climbing gear. You can do with good trekking shoes.
Mountaineers often climb Yuhina Peak from Camp One to continue their acclimatization for their climp up to the top of Lenin Peak, so the way is well marked. Descend to Camp One and return to the Tulpar Kol Lake the following morning.
You may hike over some snows on the slopes, so be a little bit careful. This tour can be arranged with the guide or self-guided. You need to book your accommodation at Camp 1 that runs overnight camps there. A trek to Yuhina Peak is included in our 8-day Peak Lenin Base Camp Trek.
3. Trek to Peak Razdelnaya at 6148 meters.
If you have 4 to 5 days, you can try Razdelnaya Peak. Compared to treks 1 and 2, it needs climbing gears since you walk on a glacier. The following itinerary can be followed. You can do the trek through mountaineering agencies. Know that you should do acclimatization before trekking up to Razdelnaya Peak.
Day 1. Base Camp – Camp 1
Day 2. Camp 1 – Yukhin Peak Hike – Camp 1
Day 3. Camp 1 – Camp 2
Day 4. Camp 2 – Razdelnaya – Camp 2 or 1
Day 5. Camp 2 – Base Camp
List of required equipment for Peak Razelnaya:
1. Backpack – 85 liters
2. Sleeping bag -1
3. Sleeping pad – 1
4. Harness – 1
5. Carbines – 4
6. Jumar – 1
7. Crampons– 1
8. Repshnur (6-7 mm) – 5 m
9. Ice axe – 1
10. Sun glasses – 1 or 2
11. Torch (headlamp) -1 + set of spare batteries
12. Ice screw -2
13. Folding knife – 1
14. Down jacket/parka -1
15. Gortex: pants, jacket – 1 suit
16. Polartec: jacket 200 -1; pants – 1 17. Thermal underwear – 1 suit
18. Polartec 100 – 1 suit (jacket, pants)
19. Polartec gloves -1
20. Overmitts – 1.+ windproof -1
21. Warm hat -1
22. Balaclava -1
23. Warm socks -2 pairs
24. Socks
25. Gamashi
26. Sun protection crèam
27. Figure-8 descender – 1
28. Telescopic Sticks (poles) – 1
29. Avalanche shovel –1
30. High altitude boots – 1
31. Trekking boots -1
All the above gears can be obtained or rented from mountaineering agencies right from the Base Camp.
Gas Cartridge for Cooking
There are different types of gas cartridges. However, most companies and travelers use the Kovea Gas Cartridge. You can obtain from companies since it is not sold in bazaars. You can get from CBT Office in Osh city. Here is the link to see the features of the Kovea Gas Cartridge. The 230 gram is 8 USD and 450 grams is 13 USD.
Tulpar Kol Lake and Yurt Camp
How to get to Tulpar Kol Lake
Transfer from Osh to Sary Mogul village by shared taxi, mashrutka or private transfer. From Sary Mogol village head south-east towards a large bridge in a gorge. After crossing the bridge, follow the dirt road. Small signs at various intervals will direct you towards Tulpak Kol. The lake and yurt camps are 25 km from Sary Mogol village.
- By foot. The eight to nine hour hike starts in Sary Mogol village. Face towards Lenin Peak and walk to southeast edge of the village. Cross the river and follow the unpaved road across the valley to the south. Climb the foothills, and as you close in upon the lake, the hills will begin to roll. A CBT sign will take you to the various yurt camps.
- By horse. Weather permitting, rent a horse in Sary Mogol for the a four to five hour ride up to the lake. The CBT Sary Mogol and CBT Osh offices can help you find a horse and arrange for a guide.
- By vehicle. The fastest way to reach the lake is by a hired car or SUV. The 45 minute trip from Sary Mogol village can be arranged at the CBT Sary Mogol office. Fares start from 1,500 som per car.
Accommodation at Tulpar Kol Lake
Yurt stays start from 1000 soms per night and include breakfast and dinner. Visitors tend to pack their own lunch for hiking. Additionally, you can pack a tent and pitch it for free in the designated areas. Meals in the yurt camps are available for purchase. Due to the elevation, Tulpar Kol nears freezing very night, so warm sleeping bags and clothes are recommended for overnighters in tents.
Hiking around Tulpar Kol
If you are at Tulpar Kol Lake, you can do the same treks as from base camp. The first day hike takes you to Traveller’s Pass and the glaciers lying underneath Lenin Peak. At the highest point, 4,100 meters, enjoy a fantastic view of Lenin Peak. It takes three hours to hike up to the pass and glaciers and two hours to return.
Permits and Paperwork for Peak Lenin Base Camp
The Kyrgyz Republic Border Zone Permit is necessary to visit the Lenin Peak Base Camp. It takes 10 to 20 days to issue the permit, so you will need to apply and pay in advance. CBT Osh / Visit Alay can help you obtain a permit.
Many tourists go to Tulpar Kol and the Lenin Peak Base Camp without a permit, since they do not have significant time in the area. While a permit is required and enforced by military checks, there are no official border zone checkpoints. However, mountaineers typically purchase permits through their climbing agency.
Horse and Yak Games Festival at Lenin Peak Base Camp
An annual horse games festival is arranged at Tulpar Kol by CBT Sary Mogol. Competitions include rope games, arm wrestling, yak wrestling, and the national sport, Kok Boru. Local artisans display and sell hand-made crafts, and local dishes are offered for lunch. The festival is held during the third weekend in July.
Wrestling on a yak