Sary-Mogol to Tulpar-Köl and the Lenin Peak Viewpoint

About the Sary-Mogol to Tulpar-Köl and the Lenin Peak Viewpoint trek

Lenin Peak is 7,134 m and often called the most accessible seven-thousander in the world. You do not climb it here — you ride to the foot of it, which is a very good bargain. Three days out of Sary-Mogol in the Alay valley: twenty-two kilometres across the Kyzyl-Suu on day one to the yurt camps at Tulpar-Köl, an out-and-back to the glacier and base-camp area on day two topping out around 4,120 m, and thirty kilometres home through the Tuyuk canyon on day three with a stop for tea at a shepherd's. The yurt camps at Tulpar-Köl have twin beds and heating; the final night is a village guesthouse with indoor facilities. The altitude is the thing to take seriously. You start around 3,000 m and day two goes above 4,100 m, so arrive acclimatised — most of the Alay sits above 3,000 m and altitude sickness is a real risk if you fly in and ride out the next morning. Snow and ice are possible on the high ground from June into early July. A border-zone permit is officially required for the base-camp area, costs around US$35-40 and takes one to three weeks; there are no fixed checkpoints but military patrols do check, so arrange it. Getting to Sary-Mogol: one daily marshrutka from Osh at 2pm, 300-400 som, four to five hours; a shared taxi is about 500 som, a private car around 4,500. There is 4G in the village itself, but do not expect it at the lake.