🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan
Khan-Tengri Base Camp
12 days | Remote glacier trek | Small groups
Bishkek → Karakol → Echkili-Tash → Tyz Pass → South Enylchek → Merzbacher → Khan-Tengri Base Camp → Karkyra → Issyk-Kul → Bishkek
Photo: Partner-supplied Kyrgyzstan photography from Asel / Kyrgyz Guided Tours; exact route locations are not confirmed.
- Duration
- 12 days
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Highest point
- approx. 4,100m
- Best season
- June–August
- Style
- Small group / Private
- Accommodation
- Guesthouse, tents on glacier and moraine, resort
Overview
This is a serious expedition-style trek into one of the most remote corners of the Tian Shan. After crossing Tyz Pass (4,000m), the route follows the Enylchek glacier system for several days over moraine and ice to the South Enylchek base camp below Khan-Tengri, at around 4,100m.
Nights are spent in tents on and beside the glacier. After a rest day at base camp, the return is by helicopter to Karkara.
At a glance
- Duration
- 12 days
- Trekking
- 8 trekking days plus a rest day at base camp
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Highest point
- South Enylchek Base Camp — approx. 4,100m
- Season
- June–August
- Group style
- Small group / Private
- Accommodation
- Guesthouse, tents on glacier and moraine, resort
- Meals
- Full board during the trek
- Start / finish
- Bishkek / Bishkek
- Price
- Price pending confirmation
Operated locally by an experienced Kyrgyz trekking partner.
What makes this trek different
Travelling through the landscape itself
Glacier travel
Several consecutive days on the Enylchek, Komsomol and Proletarskiy glaciers.
Merzbacher
A camp near Merzbacher at 3,300m.
Khan-Tengri base camp
South Enylchek base camp (Zvezdochka) at around 4,100m.
Out by helicopter
A helicopter flight from base camp to Karkara.
Day by day
The itinerary
Day 1Bishkek to Karakol400km | 5–6 hours by 4WD
Drive along Issyk-Kul, with stops at Burana, the petroglyphs and Karakol. Meals are not included today.
- Accommodation:
- Guesthouse
Day 2Karakol to Echkili-Tash150km by GAS-66 | 4–5 hours | then 2–3 hours' trekking
Drive by GAS-66 truck through a border checkpoint, then trek to camp.
- Accommodation:
- Tent (3,200m)
Day 3Tyz Pass approach5–6 hours
Trek towards Tyz Pass.
- Accommodation:
- Tent (3,500m)
Day 4Tyz Pass to Enylchek Gorge5–6 hours | pass 4,000m
Cross Tyz Pass (4,000m) and descend to Enylchek Gorge.
- Accommodation:
- Tent (2,900m)
Day 5Enylchek Glacier5–6 hours
Trek onto the Enylchek Glacier and its moraine.
- Accommodation:
- Tent
Day 6Merzbacher camp5–6 hours | 3,300m
Continue to camp near Merzbacher.
- Accommodation:
- Tent
Day 7Southern Enylchek and Komsomol Glacier5–6 hours
Continue up the Southern Enylchek towards Komsomol Glacier.
- Accommodation:
- Tent
Day 8Proletarskiy Glacier5–6 hours | 3,900m
Continue to Proletarskiy Glacier.
- Accommodation:
- Tent
Day 9South Enylchek base camp5–6 hours | approx. 4,100m
Reach Zvezdochka / South Enylchek base camp below Khan-Tengri.
- Accommodation:
- Base camp tent
Day 10Rest day at base camp
A rest day at base camp.
- Accommodation:
- Base camp tent
Day 11Helicopter to Karkara, drive to Issyk-Kul
Fly by helicopter to Karkara, then drive by 4WD to a resort in Cholpon-Ata on Issyk-Kul.
- Accommodation:
- Resort
Day 12Airport and end of programme
Transfer to the airport.
Photo brief
Awaiting a genuine route-specific operator image
Photo brief
Awaiting a genuine route-specific operator image
Photo brief
Awaiting a genuine route-specific operator image
Photo brief
Awaiting a genuine route-specific operator image
Photo brief
Awaiting a genuine route-specific operator image
Difficulty & terrain
TREKS Central rating: Challenging
The operator grades this programme as Medium-Strenuous. TREKS Central presents it as Challenging: it's a remote glacier trek with several consecutive nights on ice and moraine, altitudes of around 4,000m and limited ways out.
- Tyz Pass 4,000m; base camp around 4,100m
- Multiple days on glacier and moraine
- Sleeping on glaciers in changing weather
- Good physical condition required
- Extreme-sports medical and evacuation insurance required
Where you'll sleep
Accommodation along the route
Bishkek accommodation is not included.
Karakol
Guesthouse
Trek and glacier
Tents
Cholpon-Ata
Resort
What's included
- Transport as described
- Border permit
- English-speaking mountain guide
- Cook for groups of 4–8
- Porters for communal gear
- Helicopter flight from base camp
- Accommodation as described
- Full board during the trek
- Taxes
What's not included
- International flights
- Bishkek accommodation and meals
- Medical and evacuation insurance for extreme sports with at least €30,000 cover (required)
- Extras and tips
- Sleeping bag and mats
- Personal porter
Small-group & private travel
Small groups, not tour parties
Suitable for small-group or private travel, operated on the ground by a Kyrgyz trekking partner.
You can
- Join a small group — TREKS Central generally plans for 3–6 travellers
- Travel as a couple or existing group
- Request a private trek
The operator supplies a cook for groups of 4–8; arrangements for smaller groups are pending confirmation. Porters carry communal gear; a personal porter is not included.
2027 departures
June–August 2027
Departure dates are not yet confirmed. Request your place and we'll respond personally — no payment is taken online.
Price pending confirmation
Operated locally by an experienced Kyrgyz trekking partner. TREKS Central is your UK-facing contact throughout.
Pending confirmation
Some details are pending confirmation
Pricing, departures and certain route details are pending confirmation with our local partner.
Days on ice beneath the Tian Shan's great peaks.
A serious, remote glacier journey.