Mountain Hikes in 5 stans

Starting from a traditional village near Karakol, you'll trek through the Jurgalan Valley with its swelling glacial river and climb to 3,671m at Ailanysh Pass. Horse handlers lead well-trained steeds through grassy areas—great for beginners or experienced riders looking for canters across open terrain.

You'll trek through Tian Shan Mountains for six days, crossing five passes—Jurgalan (3,500m), Tyrgon (3,500m), Bosuchuk (3,400m), Ailanysh (3,671m), and Ortok (3,609m)—with supported wilderness camping the whole way. The route takes you to remote Ailanysh Lake where the water's so clean you can drink straight from it, then drops down into Altyn-Arashan Valley where natural hot springs wait after your 14km walk. You'll spend five nights camping wild in YellowWood tents and one night in a traditional felt yurt with a wood burner.

Trek to the 2nd Kolsay Lake sitting at 2,252m, walking through thick Tienshan forests, then cross the Akbaital Pass at 4,655m—the highest spot you'll reach on this trip. Later, hike around the red limestone formations at Yangikala Gorge and the Aktau Mountains in Altyn-Emel National Park.

You'll trek through the Terskey Alatau mountains, crossing the Telety Pass at 3,780m and then the Alakul Pass at 3,880m where you get panoramic views of snow-capped peaks over 5,000m like Pik Palatka and Pik Aksu. Camp beside the turquoise Alakul Lake at 3,560m, hike to the Ratzek hut beneath Ak-Say glacier in Ala Archa National Park.

This 17-day trip through Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan combines camping at Merzbacher Meadow at 3400m with nights in yurts at Karkara Base Camp at 2200m and relaxation at Issyk Kul Lake, the second deepest lake in the world at 700m depth. Cross the Putevodnyi Glacier through pathless terrain with constant views over mighty ice flows, then descend to see Lake Merzbacher's ice towers and deep crevasses where the mysterious glacial lake drains underground each July or August. After trekking through the Tienshan wilderness, unwind with swimming at warm Issyk Kul at 1700m altitude and visit the lively Osh Bazaar in Bishkek before heading home.

You'll trek through Kyrgyzstan's Tien Shan Mountains, climbing to Kel-Tor Lake at 2,725m where turquoise waters sit surrounded by peaks, then hike over the 2,805m Kok-Jar Pass for views of 5,216m Karakol Peak. Sleep in yurts at Son-Kul Lake (3,000m high) and wander through Skazka Canyon's red sandstone formations and Jety-Ögüz Gorge.