Giants of the Pamir
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Kashgar. We are met at the airport by our guide. KE Land Only package services begin with a group transfer to the hotel in downtown Kashgar. The city is famous for its huge Sunday market and there is the opportunity to visit this today. In the evening we have dinner and a briefing from our guide on the week ahead. Overnight at the group hotel in Kashgar.
Day 2: We have a free day in Kashgar which is a stark mix of old Uigar and modern Chinese. The bazzaars of Kashgar are also a fascinating place to wander around. Overnight at the group hotel.
Day 3: Today we drive via Karakol Lake to Xinde where we make our first night's camp and meet our trek crew and camels.
Day 4: Trek to Lungar. Camp at 3475 metres. 4 to 5 hours walking.
Day 5: We make an acclimatisation hike across open pasture climbing gently up to 4000 metres before returning to our camp at Lungar.
Day 6: Today we cross the Tchitchiklik Pass (4700m) and drop down to a plateau dotted herders’ camps at around 4500 metres. 5 to 6 hours walking
Day 7: Trekking across the Tchitchiklik plateau, we then ascend to the Yango Pass (4800m) with the option to reach a viewpoint at 5000 metres. Descnding to the summer settlement of Yanbulak (4250m), we make our camp. 6 to 7 hours walking.
Day 8: We cross the Torbulong Pass (4915m) and descend to our next camp at Karajirka (4500m). 7 hours walking.
Day 9: A day of mostly downhill as we descend the Torbulung Valley with views of Mustagh Ata ahead. We make camp at around 3840 metres. 6 hours walking.
Day 10: Continueing down the valley, we reach a narrow canyon that leads to Kengshuwar. There are several river crossings today on the way to our next camp at the Kirghiz village of Togouzbulak (3950m). 6 hours walking.
Day 11: A shorter day of around 4 hours today as we descend the Kengshuwar Valley with spectacular views of Mustagh Atta and Kongur. We make camp at Mazar de Serjagaq (3900m).
Day 12: We climb several sandy hills and cross a canyon via a high bridge to reach the slopes of Kongur. We camp tonight at Kongur basecamp (4720m). 7 hours walking.
Day 13: Today can be taken as a rest day if required. There is an optional day hike via glacial lakes to the site of advanced basecamp. 5 to 6 hours walking.
Day 14: This morning there is another optional walk, following a yak trail to a viewpoint above the Jangmanjar Glacier. After lunch, we descend to our next camp at Sardjigatch.
Day 15: Leaving camp we climb to a viewpoint for Karakol Lake, with Mustagh Ata beyond, reflected in the waters. We then descend to the large village of Supash and we make our amp close by at 3665m. 5 hours walking.
Day 16: Our walk today takes us towards the glaciers of Mustagh Ata and to the climbers' base camp. (4420m). 5-6 hours walking.
Day 17: This morning it is possible to make the steep climb up to camp 1 on Mustagh Atta which is located just beneath the ice cliffs of the glacier. After lunch we make the short descent to our waiting vehicles and drive via Karakol Lake to Kashgar where we check into our hotel.
Day 18: A spare or contingency day in case of delays to our programme. If not used to this point, this will be a free day in Kashgar
Day 19: KE Land Only package services end after breakfast in the hotel. A complimentary group transfer to the airport is provided
Altitude
This holiday involves going to very high altitude. During the course of your trip you will be spending at least one night above 4000 metres and/or trekking to 5000 metres or above. This is not something that you should worry about; the human body is quite capable of adapting to a very wide range of altitudes, but it is important that we follow some simple rules in order to acclimatise successfully. Before coming on this holiday you should read the advice on trekking at high altitude.
