Arrival at Osh International Airport (OSS) – early morning flight recommended. Breakfast.

Transfer to Aflatun Valley, eastern Chatkal Range foothills – 350 km, ≈7 h. Drive through the Fergana Valley, then into the Chatkal Range (the largest range in the Western Tien‑Shan).

We set up camp at the confluence of the Aflatun and Utur rivers, in the shade of walnut trees. Gentle evening walk to acclimatise (1,300 m)

Camp altitude: 1,300 m. Gain: +340 m from Osh (963 m).

Overnight in tents.

Trek: 19 km, +630 m gain, ≈7 h.

Trek start along South Aflatun River canyon: a good trail follows the river canyon through picturesque spruce forests, birch groves, mountain streams – a perfect first day to warm up. Lunch in a birch forest by the river. Continue up the gorge to the confluence where a wide valley opens with green lawns and more spruce forest.

Camp altitude: 1,930 m amid fragrant juniper.

Overnight in tents.

Trek: 12.4 km, +1,016 m / -1,016 m, ≈8 h. The toughest but most rewarding day.

Ascend to Kuldambes Pass (2,946 m) – easy trekking with stunning views of the Uyalma Valley and the Chatkal Ridge.
After the pass, continue to Ashuu Pass (2,551 m) – the viewpoint that first reveals Lake Sary‑Chelek and its valley.

Descent to the lake shores.

Lake Sary‑Chelek facts:

• Length: 7,500 m, width: 2,280 m, depth: 234 m (third deepest in Central Asia).
• Formed by a massive landslide about 10,000 years ago, later modified by tectonic activity (≈2,000 years ago).
• Crystal-clear water reveals underwater landscapes on calm days.
• Located within the Sary‑Chelek Biosphere Reserve.

Camp altitude: 1,880 m (by the lake).

Overnight in tents.

Trek: 17 km, +774 m / -804 m, 7‑8 h.

Leave the lake shore and trek upstream along the Sary‑Chelek River to its confluence with the Makmal River. The trail passes through alpine meadows, then climbs to the wide saddle of Makmal Pass (2,654 m). From the pass, you can make a simple ascent to a nearby summit for even better views. 
Lunch at the pass.

Descend along the Kurumdu River into the Kara‑Suu River Valley.

Camp altitude: 1,850 m amid spruce & juniper.

Overnight in tents.

Trek: 3 km, -50 m, 3‑4 h - relaxed pace after two intense days.

A light, slow descent along the river valley to Lake Kara‑Suu (also called Karakamysh) – incredibly beautiful, set in a picturesque gorge. The main highlight: stunning views of the Min‑Teke mountain range from the shore.

Afternoon at leisure: optional horseback riding, cultural encounter with local nomadic families.

Camp altitude: 1,800 m.

Overnight in tents.

Trek: 12 km, +646 m / -546 m, ≈6 h.

Start with a walk along Lake Kara‑Suu, then an easy ascent to Kuturma Pass (2,446 m) – a path winding between juniper trees and rocks. From the pass, a stunning panorama of the southern part of Lake Sary‑Chelek.

Steep but short descent through flowering meadows to Lake Iri-Kol. Continue to our campsite between Tuyuk‑Kol and Kyla‑Kol – two smaller but equally beautiful lakes.

Camp altitude: 1,900 m.

Overnight in tents.

Short morning trek: ≈1.5 h to the southern part of Lake Sary‑Chelek. The route passes through apple orchards and along numerous turquoise lakes – magical landscapes at every turn. Final photo opportunities amid magical Tien-Shan landscapes.

Afternoon transfer back to Osh – 320 km, ≈9 h.

Arrive in Osh in the evening. Hotel check-in. Free time to walk around the city.

Overnight at a hotel.

Drive along the Pamir Highway – ranked by National Geographic as one of the world’s top 10 most scenic roads. 

• 5 hours, ascending from 963 m to 3,600 m.
• Traverse the vast Alay Valley.
• The serpentine of Taldyk Pass (3,615 m) – classic switchbacks with the first view of Lenin Peak north face (7,134 m).

Arrive at "Edelweiss Meadow" yurt camp located at 3,600m with uninterrupted views of the giant.

Afternoon warm up hike: Lukovaya (Leek) Meadow (3,800 m) & Achik Tash Canyon.

• Hiking: 7 km, +250 m gain/loss, ≈2 hours.
• Red rock pillars, multicoloured slopes, a conical pyramid, two rivers. 
• In July and August: funny marmots and carpets of edelweiss and wild leeks.

Overnight at "Edelweiss Meadow" yurt camp.

Easy hike through the "fjords" of Achik-Tash valley. The lakes change shape and colour every year.

Cross a footbridge to reach Tulpar-Kol, a lake revered by local shepherds as a place of healing. Tradition holds that its waters remain pure – no swimming, no livestock, no extraction, but you can pray at the shore or sprinkle water on sick joints. Walk the shoreline, visit nearby nomadic families, and learn about yurt craftsmanship and daily life.

Return to camp.

Overnight at "Edelweiss Meadow" yurt camp.

A shorter but intensely rewarding ascent to a 360° viewpoint. 

• Hiking: 3-4 hours, +550 m gain/loss, ≈5 km.
• The entire Alay Valley – 150 km wide, the jagged Trans-Alay Range.
• Lenin Peak up close.
• The labyrinth of Achik-Tash lakes and Tulpar-Kol from above.
• Snow-filled cirques of adjacent valleys.
• Base camps and the climbers’ trail to the summit of Lenin Peak. 
• Ideal for landscape photographers.

Return to camp.

Afternoon: rest and prepare for tomorrow’s trek to “Sunny” Camp 1.

Overnight at "Edelweiss Meadow" yurt camp.

Key sections:

• Trekking: 12 km, +800 m gain, 6-7 h.
• Route: Leek Meadow → Marmot Meadow → “Spirit Castle of Alay” → Puteshestvennikov (Traveller’s) Pass (4,150 m) → Lenin Glacier.
• At Traveller’s Pass: classic viewpoint of Lenin Peak’s north face and the Korzhenevsky Glacier (13 km long).
• After the pass: easy descent, then a long traverse along the left moraine.
• Cross a wild mountain river, then ascend the moraine to the glacier.
• Walk on the glacier’s edge (safe path, guided) to Camp 1 – located on the middle moraine at 4,400 m.

Camp 1 infrastructure: heated dining yurt, washstand, toilet, medical point, electricity, luggage storage. Sleeping in spacious camping tents with wooden decks, thermal insulation, and foam mattresses.

Overnight at “Sunny” Camp 1 (4,400 m).

Distance: 12 km, +730 m gain / -730 m loss, 6‑7 h.

Route breakdown (led by guide, no special gear needed):

• From Camp 1 (4,400 m) traverse the Lenin Glacier crosswise, then ascend the left (orographic) moraine.
• Ascend the moraine ridge – slopes 20‑25°. Enter a gentler area, cross towards the southern slope to a wide couloir leading to the summit.
• Climb the right side of the couloir – max steepness 30°. Mostly snow, some small/medium scree. After exiting the couloir, turn left and walk 15 m on a narrow snow‑covered ridge to the summit plateau.
• Summit! 5,130 m – panoramic view: Lenin Peak’s massive snow wall on one side, the entire Alay Valley on the other. Descend the same route.

Return to Camp 1, rest.

Overnight at “Sunny” Camp 1 (4,400 m).

Reverse the route: 12 km, -800 m descent, ≈5 h.

Overnight at "Edelweiss Meadow" yurt camp.

Morning at leisure: pack, reflect, final coffee with Lenin views

Afternoon transfer back to Osh:

• 5 hours, 280 km, descent of 2,680 m.
• Back over Taldyk Pass (3,615 m) and Chiyrchyk Pass (2,408 m).
• Epic landscapes from a new perspective.
• Hotel check-in; Farewell evening at leisure

Overnight at a hotel.

Hotel check-out before 12:00. Transfer to Osh International Airport. End of the program.