Heart of the Celestial Mountains
Our ultimate aim is to stand before the massive, marble peak of Kan Tengri - one of the most northerly peaks over 7000 metres on our planet. To achieve this, we undertake a fantastic trek which involves hiking through majestic alpine scenery, possible encounters with nomad people in wild Kazakhstan valleys, and a helicopter flight to Inylchek Glacier to walk in the shadow of Tien Shan's highest peaks.
FROM ALMATY TO KARKARA
Leaving Almaty, balanced between the endless plains to the north and snow-capped mountains to the south, we drive to the ochre red landscape of the deep Charyn gorge. After a short walk in the gorge, we'll drive to the Karkara base camp where we begin our trek.
LAND OF GORGES & NOMADS
Heading up a long gorge on horseback or on foot, we follow the Kokjar river which we have to navigate in places. Once over a high pass, we come to a wild, beautiful area where we may see the yurts of nomads pitched on the plateau. Then, descending through forests and along the Tyouk Kokpak Canyon, we enjoy stunning views of untamed snowy peaks as we trek towards Akkol Lake.
KAN TENGRI & POBEDA PEAKS
Finally, we make an exhilarating helicopter ride up to our base camp on South Inylchek Glacier (4000m) - one of the longest glaciers in the world. From this incredible setting we trek beneath the imposing snow-covered wall of Pobeda Peak (7439m) and to the very foot of Kan Tengri summit (7010m).
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Details |
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Price Includes |
(HK-3622-P) |
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International connections from London |
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Accommodation |
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13 breakfasts, 13 lunches & 12 dinners |
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Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s); mountain guide; porters and pack horses on trek, plus camp staff and cook. |
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Equipment: Tents, all cooking and kitchen gear |
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Price Excludes |
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Local Payment of 315 EUR. |
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Suitability / Level |
Demanding |
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Theme |
Small Group Travel
(Click to Search All) |
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Max Group Size |
4 |
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Itinerary
& Highlights |
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Among the many highlights on this trip we particularly mention:
ALMATY
Sightseeing of the main city of Kazakhstan including the Central museum.
CHARYN RIVER CANYON
Walk into this spectacular canyon.
TREKKING IN THE HIGH TIEN SHAN
Remote trek through high mountains passing glacial lakes and high pastures of nomads.
HELICOPTER TO INYLCHEK GLACIER.
Camping on the longest Glacier in Tien Shan.
KAN TENGRI AND POBEDA PEAKS
Walks on the glacier and moraines towards these incredible peaks.
DAY 1. SUNDAY. ARRIVE ALMATY
The trip begins in Almaty, the main city of vast Kazakhstan. This former Soviet Republic is the same size as the whole of Western Europe. Nine tenths of the country is steppe – flat grassland – which separated Russia from her Asian empire. Between 1920 and 1940, Kazakhstan experienced dramatic industrialisation, often at the expense of the Kazakh people who watched as immigrants attempted to cultivate what they knew was non arable land.
This vast empty stretch of land also served as a Russian test ground for nuclear experiments. However, unlike the steppes, the south-eastern fringe of the country, the transition zone between Russia and Asia, is breathtaking. This afternoon we make an orientation tour of the city. Almaty is a pleasant capital with wide tree-lined streets and a laid-back feel. We include a visit to the well thought out Central Museum, which covers the archaeology, natural history and anthropology of Kazakhstan.
An invigorating city, Almaty is green, spacious and offers views of glinting glaciers – the perfect place to appreciate the stark contrast between the barren lowlands and the snow capped mountains of the Tien Shan in the distance.
DAY 2 . DRIVE TO KARKARA BASE CAMP VIA CHARYN RIVER RED CANYON
Leaving the city behind, we head out for a long drive to the vast plains skirting the Tien Shan to the south. A rather fertile area due to intense irrigation, grapes grown in these low foothills produce some first class wines. As the road begins to climb up into the mountains we get our first view of one of the most striking places in Kazakhstan – the Canyons of Charyn River.
Here the river cuts through the Turaigyr mountains forming mighty red, yellow and black canyons. We aim to descend into the canyon and enjoy a walk through this weird ochre red landscape. We continue our journey and take a rough road up to Karkara base camp, which at 2200m is equipped with a sauna, fixed wash block and restaurant building. Food is delicious and typically includes hot soup, salad, vegetables, cheeses and fruit.
DAY 3. TREK AND DRIVE TO KOKJAR GORGE
We begin our trek into one of the least well known mountain areas in the world by making our way along the gorge of the Karkara River for 13km. We then travel by 6WD along the Kokjar River Valley – passing the Kokjar Gorge, we hope to meet nomadic families along the way, their round felt yurts pitched on the remote grassy plateau, smoke spiralling up from the central chimney.
Theirs is a hard but free life, moving between the pasture lands of the lower and upper slopes of the Tien Shan according to weather patterns. Many herd horses, some tend yaks and others pasture sheep – it’s a magical ride through forests and lush alpine meadows filled with colourful flowers in season. Our camp tonight is at 2900m (3 hours trekking).
DAY 4. TREKKING IN THE HIGH TIEN SHAN
Today the horses carry our luggage and we set off on foot for a long but gradual ascent to one of the easier passes – Kurbegenty Pass (3580m). Once over the pass, a short descent brings us to a wide plateau (3100m). We hike an ancient nomadic migration route which criss-crosses a river through the Tyouk Kokpak canyon.
It is necessary to cross these rivers on our way, so do ensure you carry some old sandals with you today! The colours of the canyon rocks vary offering a changing tableau. We camp at 2900m on the border of the forest near the river. (7 hours trekking).
DAY 5. TREK TO ULKEN KOKPAK GORGE
Our route ascends from the gorge to a steep unnamed ridge and the Kokpak pass at a height of 3050m. Then we descend to the green gorge of the Ulken Kokpak river. We camp at an altitude of 2450m. (7-8 hours trekking).
DAY 6. TREK TO KARAKOL LAKE
Following the river we ascend a less strenuous pass at a height of 3120m. Upon reaching the summit, the beauty of Karakol Lake, meaning the Black lake, lies before us. We follow a scenic path alongside the lake to our camp at 3000m. (5-6 hours trekking).
DAY 7. TREK TO AKKOL LAKE
We soak up the fabulous setting and relax a few hours by the lake, enjoying the reflections in clear water and, for those fortified by the scenery, time for another icy dip before setting off on the trail again! We hike up to another lonely but startling lake lost in the Tien Shan – green blue Lake Akkol. We camp here at 3100m. (5-6 hours trekking).
DAY 8. TREK TO ASHUTOR GORGE
We make an ascent to our highest point yet – North Ashutor Pass at 3800m. Then its a long and sometimes steep descent down through the Ashutor valley to a wide open area where again we may see nomads camped in the meadows, as this is one of their summer grazing areas (3350m). (8 hours trekking).
DAY 9. TREK INTO THE SARY DHAS VALLEY
Our final day trekking in this superb region involves a gradual climb up to the Ashutor pass (3900m). The views from here over Sary Dhas valley are again superb. The Sary Dhas River flows through Kyrgyzstan and on to China. We hike down the Sary Dhas valley and camp near the river. (5-6 hours trekking).
DAY 10. HELICOPTER TO SOUTH INYLCHEK GLACIER BASECAMP
An exciting day as we travel by helicopter up to the fantastic glacial area of Inylchek. The helicopter ride affords spectacular views over the peaks of the Tien Shan, some of the highest in the world, and also brings out the different colours of the landscape when seen from above. As we approach the glacier base camp, we see the sheer mountains around Kan Tengri (7010m) and Pobeda peak (7439m). This icy wonderland is made up of vast vertical ice sheets, snowy mountains and of course the crinkly form of one of the worlds longest glaciers.
Our base camp is at an altitude of 4000m so you must take it easy on arrival and let your body acclimatise – you may even feel the effects of the altitude during the helicopter ride as it is not pressurised (full briefing will be given). We spend the rest of the
day exploring around the base camp area on the glacier, drinking in the amazing setting.
Please note that the helicopter journey is dependent on good weather in both the landing and take off points and in the unlikely event of inclement weather we may have to delay departure for a day.
Days 11 & 12. AT SOUTH INYLCHEK; DAY WALKS TOWARDS KAN TENGRI AND POBEDA PEAKS
The early morning light reveals an amazing view, the south face of the marble mountain Kan Tengri, and north face of Pobeda can both be seen. The colours of the rock and ice on these massive mountains change with the light during the day. The next two days will be spent making radial walks to the foot of both Kan Tengri (7010m) and Pobeda (7439m) peaks. We will need to walk for several hours over the glacier, which is largely made up of ice and moraine, and is also traversed by crevasses.
Though non-technical, we will always be accompanied by a mountain guide who is experienced in the terrain and altitude and will dictate the route of our hikes, according to local conditions. Safety is paramount and his decision is final. Returning to camp later in the day, we still enjoy excellent food even in this snowy setting, prepared by our cooks and taken in the temporary mess tent. Please note – if heavy snow has fallen, it may not be possible to do these glacier walks for safety reasons.
DAY 13. HELICOPTER TO KARKARA
The helicopter will come up from Karkara to pick us up and take us back to the base camp. Our flight may take us by the high altitude lake of Gottfried Merzhaber. Often inaccessible, the lake is a kilometre wide and six kilometres long and is locked in by the north side of the Inylchek glacier. Every summer, usually in August, an ice plug melts and the entire lake drains in three days.
DAY 14 . TO ALMATY
Today we drive back across the plains to Almaty.
DAY 15. SUNDAY. TOUR ENDS ALMATY |
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Accommodation
& Centre Details |
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2 nights hotel
5 nights fixed camp
7 nights wild camp
13 breakfasts, 13 lunches & 12 dinners included. |
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Holidays
Extras |
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Included
