Heights of Alay Valley Trek, 5 Days

Trekking in Pamir - Alay Mountains

Destination: Pamir – Alay Mountains, southern Kyrgyzstan

Duration: 5 days / 4 nights

Accommodation: 2 nights guest house / 2 nights yurt camp

Trekking Distance: 74 km

Max Elevation / Min Elevation: 4,306 meters / 2,186 meters

Total Ascent / Descent: 3147 meters / 4241 meters

Months Possible: June – early September

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

Start/End Point: Osh city

Itinerary: Osh city – Pamir-Alay Mountains – Osh city

Combine this trek with a Pamir Highway Trip: If you are interested in continuing on the Pamir Highway to or from Tajikistan, you can easily combine this trekking tour with one of our other Pamir Highway Trips. 

DAY 1: DEPART OSH TO SARY MOGUL VILLAGE

Driving distance/time: 220 km, 4 hours  

Depart from the historic city of Osh, Kyrgyzstan to the village of Sary-Mogul (3,000 meters). There is remarkable scenery along the way to Sary-Mogul, so enjoy the ride! After arrival, you can enjoy the incredible views of the 7,000+ meter high snow-capped Pamir Mountains in the distance. Meet your guide, get ready for next day. You will enjoy a home-cooked dinner and an overnight stay at a family-run guesthouse.

Accommodation: Shared guesthouse
Meals included:
Dinner
Facilities: Wi-fi, electricity, hot shower and western-style toilets

DAY 2: TREK TO TRAVELLER’S PASS (4150 METERS)

Trekking distance/time: 20 km, 6 hours  Ascent: 760 m Descent: 760 m Driving: 5 hours

Wake up early, have breakfast, and drive for an hour to Tulparkol Lake. Begin an acclimatization hike to Traveller’s Pass, passing the climbers’ base camp. The trail gradually ascends, with a steep, zigzag path in the final 20 minutes leading to the pass at 4,150 meters. Enjoy views of glaciers and visit the viewpoint on the right for a stunning view of Lenin Peak (7,134 meters). Break for lunch, hike back to Tulparkol Lake, and return to Sary Mogul village. End the day with a local dinner at the guesthouse.

Accommodation: Shared guesthouse
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Facilities: Wi-fi, electricity, hot shower and western-style toilets

DAY 3: TREK FROM SARY MOGUL VILLAGE OVER SARY MOGUL PASS (4,306M) TO CAMPSITE

Trekking distance/time: 15 km, 7-hours   Ascent / Descent: 1059m, 859m

After breakfast, we will drive for 30 minutes from Sary Mogul village north to the starting point of the trek. We begin the trek by walking along for about an hour to the first viewpoint. Some parts are a bit challenging as the trail is narrow and the terrain is composed mainly of scree and small pebbles. We will take a break and enjoy the views of the Pamir Mountains from the viewpoint before descending into a valley for lunch. We will break for lunch by a riverbank with glacier views. After lunch, we will head to Sary Mogul Pass at 4,306 meters (1 hour). As you ascend, glaciated peaks and alpine lakes will begin to appear. At the top of the pass, we will see Besh Kol – this viewpoint has stunning views of the alpine lakes and nearby peaks. After descending we will walk down to the campsite at 3,557 meters. Enjoy your dinner under the stars at the yurt camp.

Accommodation: Shared yurt camp
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Facilities: No Wi-fi, no electricity, no hot shower, outdoor toilets

DAY 4. TREK TO KOSH MOINOK VALLEY VIA KYZYL SHORO VILLAGE

Trekking distance/time: 19,4 km, 7-8 hours   Ascent / Descent: 866m, 1596m

Compared to the first day, the beginning of the second day is relatively easy-going and mainly downhill. As the trek progresses through the valley, the trail cuts back and forth across the river several times. With the decline in elevation, the terrain begins to change from high alpine rocky and dry to mid-mountain green punctuated by the alpine lush of juniper bushes. Don’t forget to turn around from time to time to enjoy views of the surrounding glaciers and snow-covered peaks above and behind you. Pass through fields filled with grazing cows and shepherd’s yurts inviting you for tea. Break for lunch near these yurts. After a few kilometers, you’ll reach the farmlands of the nearby village, Little Sary Mogul village. Pass through the village and walk for 3,5km along the dusty road to Kyzyl Shoro village. Break for lunch in Kyzyl-Shoro village at a homestay. Take a quick hot shower. After leaving your homestay, walk to the gorge to the east of the village. The trail slowly goes up, and ascends approximately 860 meters through grass meadows and pastures to Koshmoinok Pass at 3,210 m. After the pass, descend into Koshmoinok Valley (1 hour). Dinner and overnight in a yurt camp at 2,800 meters.

Accommodation: Shared yurt camp
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Facilities: No Wi-fi, no electricity, no hot shower, outdoor toilets
*Wi-fi, electricity and hot shower available during lunch in Kyzyl Shoro village

DAY 5: TO KOJOKELEN VILLAGE OVER SARYBELL PASSES THEN DEPART TO OSH

Trekking distance/time: 14 km, 5 hours  Ascent / Descent: 464m, 1026m

After breakfast, cross over the stream and walk up to Sarybell Pass at 3,132 m (1 hour). Views of the rugged Kichik Alay Mountains open up on top of the pass. From there, follow the path as it winds along the edge of the hills. The red rock formations forming the “Three Dragon Gorge ” are one of the most beautiful spots in all of Kyrgyzstan. You can see the snow-covered Pamir landscapes in the distance with various grades of high-, mid-and low alpine landscapes along the way. The trail then descends through the red rocks and into a cliffed riverbed. You will follow the road through the cliffs until arrival in Kojokelen village (3 hours). Enjoy a home-cooked lunch. Depart to Osh city 3-4 hours driving. Get dropped off at your hotel. End of the trek. 

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Guided price all-inclusive:

Number of people 1 2 3 4 5
Price per person in USD 860 590 480 450 430

Included: 
Tour guide
Transport from/to Osh
B&B + dinner in Sarymogol village
Shared accommodation: yurt and homestays (Note: 3-5 person shared rooms for yurt and homestays)
Transport to drop at the start point
Lunch, dinner, and breakfast during trekking days
Meals of personal

Not included:
Bottled water
Hotel and meals in Osh City

Tips
Travel and Health Insurance
Flights or other domestic/international transport
Luggage horse
Horsemen
Sleeping bag
Border permit

*Please let us know in advance if you are vegetarian/vegan or if you have food allergies.

Join the following groups for summer 2025 (If the following dates do not suit your travel plans, please contact us, we will post a new tour with your dates and try to collect more people to join you)

 

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