Muztag Ata (or Muztagata, Muztagh Ata, Mustagata, Muztaghata) is an isolated massif rising from the western end of the Takla Makan Desert in the Sinkiang (Xinjiang) Province of China. In Uygur language "Muztagh Ata" means "The father of icy mountains". It lies in the hub of the great mountain ranges of Asia, with the Karakoram to the south, the Pamir to the west and the Kun Lun and Tien Shan to the north. About 100 miles to the North is the mysterious city of Kashgar. The snowy slopes of Muztag Ata rise from a remote corner of the Central Asian Plateau, and the easiest approaches here is via the famous Karakoram Highway. The only settlements in the area lie along the highway while nomadic Kyrgyz people roam the vast plains with their camels and horses.
For the 1st time it gained the attention of climbers in 1891 when Sven Hedin, famous Swedish explorer, made an unsuccessful attempt. At 7,546 m (24,757 ft) Muztag Ata is perhaps the highest mountain suitable for ski mountaineering in the world. Of course, its early pioneers did not have skis and deep snow thwarted early attempts on it, including one by Eric Shipton and Bill Tillman in 1947. They ploughed a furrow to within 70 meters of the summit before being turned back. It was 1st climbed in 1956 by a large Chinese-Russian expedition, which placed total 31 climbers on the summit. Three years later even this success was topped when 33 members of a Chinese expedition climbed it, 8 of whom were women. The first ski ascent of Muztag Ata was made in 1980 by an American expedition led by Ned Gillette.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival to Bishkek. Meeting at airport. Transfer to hotel **, rest. Transfer Bishkek-Narin, yurt or Guesthouse accommodation.
Day 2: Trahsfer Narin-Torugart Pass. Crossing the Chinese border. Meeting with your Chinese guide. Transfer to Kashgar (3 hrs). Hotel accommodation ***.
Day 3: Transfer Kashgar-Subashi (bus, 200 km, 4-5 hours). Drive along the Karakoram Highway for several hours through the narrow gorge of the Gez river to the shore of Karakuri Lake at 3,900 m, 196 km from Kashgar. Horses, yaks and camels graze on the rich pastures. Yurt or tents accommodation.
Day 4: Camel caravan to Muztag Ata BC. First, drive 10 km to Subashi, wait for the caravan and trek over a level plane and then climb steadily through barren hills to Muztag Ata Base Camp, approximately a 4-hour walk. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Days 5-20: Climbing activity.
Day 21: Camel caravan back to Subashi. Transfer Subashi-Kashgar. Hotel accommodation ***.
Day 22: City tour at Kashgar, last day of the expedition. Tour includes the tombs of Abakh Hoja Tomb, well-known Kashgar Bazaar (local market), the famous Id Kah Mosque and the most unique old town with typical Uygur-styled homes. Visit of the various shopping alleys full of noodle shops, bakeries, teashops, blacksmiths and carpenters. Hotel accommodation ***. You can change the city tour with 1 day yurt (traditional nomadic dwelling) stay in Subashi.
Day 23: Transfer Kashgar- Torugart pass- Naryn. Yurt or Guesthouse accommodation.
Day 24: Transfer Naryn-Bishkek. Hotel accommodation.
Day 25 Transfer hotel-airport. Departure from Bishkek.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Visa support for China
- Visa registration
- Meeting/seen off and transfers in Bishkek
- Camel caravan and porters for carrying the gear to Muztag Ata BC and return
- Food on Subashi-BC trek and on return
- Accommodation in Bishkek
- All permits and local fees
- City tour in Kashgar (transfers, tickets, guide)
- Guide-interpreter for the entire trip.
Price Includes:
- Travel to and from Bishkek
- Visa fees
- Alcoholic beverages and other luxuries
- Personal items
- Insurance
- Food away from BC
- Climbing guide and porters.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
China
Kyrgyzstan
Outdoor: Mountain Ranger
Mountain/Rock Climbing
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
| Check out these similar vacation offers: |
|
|
