Granite walls rising 2,000 m above green meadows, glaciers and 5,000-metre peaks — the Karavshin area of the Turkestan Range is called the Asian Patagonia, and very few trekkers ever get here. This 10-day expedition from Osh takes you on foot through the Ak-Suu and Kara-Suu gorges, over the Ak-Tubek pass at 4,390 m and past legendary climbing peaks such as Ak-Suu, Piramidalnyi and the Russian Tower. Pack horses carry the gear, our crew sets up camp and cooks. For fit hikers who want true wilderness without crowds.
Price per person, depends on group size
Included • All transfers by program: Osh → Uzgurush, trailhead → Ak-Tatyr, Ak-Tatyr → Osh, airport transfer • English-speaking trekking guide and camp crew • Pack horses (up to 20 kg per person) • Tents and camping equipment • Full board during the trek • 2 nights in guesthouses (Uzgurush and Ak-Tatyr) • Entrance and ecological fees Not included • International and domestic flights • Hotels in Osh and Bishkek • Visa fees (if required) • Travel insurance (mandatory, see Good to know) • Extra luggage over 20 kg: $7 per kg for the whole trek • Personal expenses Prices are per person and valid for the 2027 season.
Moments that stay with you
Season and weather July to September. Days are mostly sunny and warmer than in the Tien Shan, but nights in camp drop to around 0 °C and on the pass it can snow even in summer. Altitude and fitness Camps are at 2,700–2,900 m, the Ak-Tubek pass at 4,390 m. Previous multi-day trekking experience is strongly recommended. Drink plenty, walk slowly and tell your guide if you feel unwell. Remote area and safety The trek runs in a remote mountain region near the Tajik border; the nearest town is Batken and medical care there is basic. In an emergency the usual way out is on horseback to the road, by car to Batken and a flight to Bishkek (about $500). A helicopter of the Ministry of Emergency Situations can cost over $10,000. Travel insurance — mandatory Your insurance must cover trekking up to 4,500 m and mountain rescue including helicopter evacuation, ideally $50,000–100,000. Please send us the policy before the trip. What to bring • Broken-in trekking boots and trekking poles • Warm sleeping bag (comfort −5 °C) • Down jacket, warm hat, gloves, waterproof jacket and trousers • Sandals for river crossings • Sunglasses, sun hat and strong sunscreen • Headlamp, power bank, water filter or purification tablets, personal medication Luggage Horses carry up to 20 kg per person in soft bags; you walk with a daypack. Extra weight costs $7 per kg for the whole trek. Flexible program Daily stages and camp spots may change with the weather, river levels and the group’s pace. Distances on the map are approximate.
It is a challenging expedition trek: 5–8 hours of walking a day on mountain trails, one big pass at 4,390 m and a second at about 3,760 m. Two radial days without bags give you time to recover. You need good fitness and some multi-day trekking experience.
No. Pack horses carry tents, food and your bag up to 20 kg. You only walk with a daypack for water, snacks and a jacket.
2 nights in village guesthouses (Uzgurush and Ak-Tatyr) and 6 nights in tents in the Ak-Suu, Orto-Chashma and Kara-Suu valleys. The crew sets up camp and cooks; there are no showers on the trek. Hotels in Osh are not included.
Yes, the Karavshin area is open to tourists and our guides know the region well. The main risk is remoteness: help is far away, so we require travel insurance with mountain rescue up to 4,500 m and our office stays in contact with the guide.
The price per person depends on group size: $3,100 for a solo traveller, $1,750 each for 2, $1,150 for 4, $1,000 for 6 and $900 for 9–10 — see the price table. Flights, hotels in Osh and insurance are extra.
Osh has an international airport with flights from Russia, Turkey and other countries, plus daily flights from Bishkek (about 1 hour). We pick you up in Osh on day 1 and bring you back to the airport on day 10.
Tell us your dates and group size. You get a personal offer within 24 hours, no commitment.
