Imagine granite peaks bursting out of the ground to a height of more than 4,000 meters with kilometer walls. Imagine raging rivers originating in melting glaciers. Imagine a place that, in fact, few people have ever heard of. The journey will take place along the Turkestan ridge, located in the far south-western part of Kyrgyzstan. The Turkestan ridge is determined by its unique relief and abundance of granite. The Karavshin Valley, also known as the Kara-Suu Valley, is probably the most famous place in the district. It attracts climbers and climbers from all over the world, she and our team attracted. The peaks of Asan and Usen, the peaks of Pyramid and Ak-Suu, Iskander and Blok, the Kara-Suu and Ak-Tyubek passes – all this we will see on the route.
There are not so many places in the world with similar landscapes as the Turkestan Ridge. Towering granite peaks, raging blue rivers, stone walls that resemble Yosemite or Torres del Paine national parks. All this seems fantastic, not reality. Everyone likes this place: climbing champions, travelers and adventurers like us.
This is an autonomous hike – the participant needs to have good physical fitness and endurance. You need to be prepared for long transitions in steppe, wooded and rocky areas, height differences, changeable weather. A huge plus will be the presence of asses that will accompany our group throughout the route – they will carry all the products, public equipment and some of the participants’ personal belongings. Only a backpack weighing no more than 10 kilograms will remain behind your shoulders, which will allow you to fully enjoy the surrounding scenery
1 Day - 05.08 Morning arrival (until 9:30 a.m. local time) to the city of Osh. Meeting at the airport. Moving to the village of Ozgorush, which will take about 7 hours .When you arrive at the hotel in the morning or evening ,the food will be ready in the village of Ozgorush guest house Nuridin Accommodation in a guest house, acquaintance, packing of personal backpack. Dear guests, we have portable tents! Overnight at the guest house.
2 Day - 06.08 The beginning of the active part of the journey in the village of Ozgorush (1412 m). Relatively not steep, but a long and viscous ascent to the Buljuma Pass (n/k, 2795 m). The trail is clear and runs mainly through a forest with pistachio and walnut trees. We set up a camp for one night in a picturesque tract on the bank of the Aktash River (3016 m). Daytime crossing: ~ 15 km. Height difference: + 1700 m, - 150 m. Overnight in tents.
3 Day - 07.08 We go up the gorge of the Aktash River, which will lead us to a new pass - Aktash (n/k, 3751 m). From the pass point there is a panoramic view of the Turkestan ridge, including one of the highest peaks of the ridge - Kara-Suu Peak (5309 m). Descent from the pass on a rocky scree. We set up tents in the gorge on the bank of the Dzhalgychi River (3319 m). Daytime crossing: 7 km. Height difference: + 900 m, - 800 m. Overnight in tents.
4 Day - 08.08 A sharp rise on a grassy slope and a rocky scree to the crest separating the gorges of Jalgychy and Kashka-Suu. The pass point overlooks the upper valley of the Orta-Chashma River. Descent down the valley of the Kashka-Suu River to the confluence with the Orta-Chashma River, crossing the river over a wooden bridge. We camp on the bank of the Orta-Chashma River with a view of the peaks of Blok (5229 m), Zvezdny (4822 m). We'll spend two nights here. Daytime crossing: ~ 7 km. Height difference: + 700 m, - 900 m. Overnight in tents.
5 Day - 10.08 Ascent to the Kosh-Maimok pass (n/a, 3280 m). Kosh-Maimok is only about 400 meters of climb, and it serves as a preface to the much higher Kara-Suu pass, located almost immediately after it. After Kosh-Maimok - climb up to the Kara-Suu pass (n/a, 3722 m). The pass is a gentle saddle and is quite wide, it overlooks the many pointed rocky peaks of the Turkestan ridge, to which we will walk in the following days. A long descent with a large elevation drop into the valley of the Kara-Suu River (2755 m), where we will camp for three nights near the cat of the local shepherd family with a view of several peaks of the area. Daytime: ~ 11 km. Height difference: + 1200 m, - 1300 m. Overnight in tents.
6 Day - 11.08 Radial exit to the amphitheater under the Pyramidal Peak (5509 m). The first hour of the trail runs through a beautiful grassy area and follows along the river up the valley. In about an hour we will approach the language of the glacier - a place where the landscape is really amazing. On the right we will see the Yellow Wall (3800 m), on which the famous American rock climber Tommy Caldwell climbed. On the left is Asan (4230 m) - the smaller of the fraternal peaks, whose 900-meter slope is similar to the top of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park both in complexity and grandeur. As we climb higher and higher on the glacier, the mountains will begin to surround you from all sides. Behind Asan is the older brother, Usen (4378 m), the peak of Odessa (4810 m) and a couple of their satellites. Pyramidal Peak is right in front. Return to the camp after viewing the valley. Daytime crossing: ~ 9 km. Altitude difference: + 400 m, - 400 m. Overnight in tents.
7 Day - 12.08 A spare day in case of bad weather or radial exit to the neighboring valley of the Ak-Suu River to the granite peaks of Oktober (3850 m), Slesova (4240 m), Kyrchilita (4,507 m). Daytime crossing: ~ 15 km. Altitude difference: + 800 m, - 800 m. Overnight in tents.
8 Day - 13.08 Repeat the route of the fifth day in the opposite direction - up Kara-Suu and down Kosh-Maimok, until we are again in the Orta-Chashma Valley. Daytime: ~ 11 km. Height difference: + 1300 m, - 1200 m. Overnight in tents.
9 Day - 14.08 Rise up along the Orta-Chashma River to the confluence with the Ak-Tyubek River. Then we will continue along the Ak-Tyubek River, and camp at the foot of the pass of the same name. The highest (3650 m) and cold, but also the most beautiful, according to many participants of previous hikes, parking on the route, without the possibility of lighting a fire. Daytime: ~ 8 km. Height difference: + 900 m, - 50 m. Overnight in tents.
Hidden in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, Karavshin Valley is a true paradise for climbers, often compared to Patagonia for its majestic granite walls and breathtaking landscapes. Located in the Batken region, this unique area offers world-class climbing routes, pristine nature, and a true sense of wild freedom.
Climbers from all over the world come here to conquer the Ak-Suu Peak (5,355 m) and Pyramid Peak (5,509 m), known for their sheer vertical walls and challenging technical routes. The high-quality granite and untouched alpine environment make Karavshin one of the top climbing destinations in Central Asia.
Beyond climbing, the valley welcomes travelers with lush green meadows, crystal-clear rivers, and diverse wildlife. It is a place where extreme adventure blends with the tranquility of nature, offering an unforgettable experience.
For those seeking real challenges and adventure, Karavshin is a must-visit destination.
Meeting at the airport by our driver with an Ozgorush Travel sign. Transfer to Uzgarysh village, the starting point of our expedition. Accommodation at Guest House Nuridin.
Early morning trek from Uzgarysh to Buljuma Pass.
Lunch break – near Ak-Tash Pass.
Overnight stay – in Jalgychy Gorge.
Trek through Kashka-Suu Gorge.
Lunch break – at Kosh-Moinok Pass.
Overnight stay – in Karavshin Valley.
Start of the ascent.
Acclimatization and alpine activities.
Return trek to Uzgarysh village and transfer back to Guest House Nuridin. Accommodation at the guest house.
Transfer to the airport and flight back home.
