Peak Lenin Expedition
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1: Rendezvous at the group hotel in Bishkek. A timed group transfer from the airport is provided. In the afternoon or early evening we will have briefing from the trip guides who will also look over our equipment. KE Land Only package services begin with this briefing. We stay overnight in Bishkek at the group hotel.
Day 2: We return to the airport to take the domestic flight across Kirghiztan to the town of Osh which is 450km. from Bishkek. Osh is a very traditional town with a lively mix of open air cafes and souks which are fascinating to wander through. Overnight in an hotel.
Day 3: Loading up the 4X4 vehicles, we set off on a 7 - 8 hour journey across the Pamir steppe. We cross the Taldyk Pas (3615m.) and stop at a traditional Yurt for lunch. The Achik Tash base for Lenin Peak is a fixed camp with dining and sleeping tents, a restaurant and even a bar. We will have our own kitchen here. Overnight at the base camp.
Day 4: A day to acclimatise to the base camp altitude (3600m.). There are plenty of options for walks. The Achik Tash base camp is located in meadows surrounded by glacial lakes and with a spectacular view of Peak Lenin. Overnight in base camp.
Day 5: We move up to Advance Base Camp. This is another fixed camp located at 4400m. on a moraine of the Lenin Glacier just under the north-facing slopes of Peak Lenin. This camp has a dining tent, kitchen and also a clinic and rescue post. Overnight in ABC.
Day 6: Depending on the group's acclimatisation we will move up to Camp 1 (5300m.) on the mountain today. As we get to grips with Peak Lenin a section of ice slope at around 30 degrees is passed using fixed lines. Overnight at Camp 1.
Day 7: Over the next few days we will equip and stock this camp and Camp 2 at 6100m., sleeping at various altitudes depending on the task and acclimatisation of each team member on the day.
Day 8: To reach the site of Camp 2 we climb 25 -30 degree snow slopes to reach the ridge and then traverse the peak of Razdelnaya (6200m.) before descending to the camp. Depending on acclimatisation we may carry some equipment up to this camp and spend the night here.
Day 9: Ferrying loads up to Camp 2. Overnight in Camp 1 or Camp 2.
Day 10: Return to ABC. The camps should now be stocked and it is time to come down for a rest before the attempt on the summit. We stay overnight in the Advance Base Camp.
Day 11: A second day of rest and recuperation. Some people may opt to continue down to the meadows of Achik Tash for base camp food and the sauna! Overnight in ABC or BC.
Day 12: Move up to Camp 1 or resting in BC.
Day 13: Move up to Camp 2 or from BC to ABC.
Day 14: First summit day. An early start for the climb to the summit of Peak Lenin (7134m.). The route itself is not technical and all the difficulties are those of a high glaciated mountain. Provided the weather is good, the ascent should be straightforward. After the summit we will descend to Camp 2.
Day 15: Descend to ABC. If we have opted to rest at basecamp we will today move up to Camp 2.
Day 16: Second summit day or a day for dismantling the high camps.
Day 17: Contingency day. If all has gone to schedule we will spend today resting at Achik Tash Base Camp or dismantling the high camps and descending to ABC.
Day 18: By today everyone should be in the Achik Tash Base Camp and camps 1 and 2 stripped. Time to enjoy the sauna and a celebration meal from our Russian camp chef.
Day 19: We have a long drive across the steppe back to Osh where we check in to our hotel.
Day 20: We take the short flight back to Bishkek and check in for our final night in Kirghizstan. There are lots of excellent restaurants in Bishkek and we will no doubt wish to go out and celebrate this evening.
Day 21: KE Land Only package services end after breakfast. A group transfer to the airport is provided.
