Region: China, Pamir, Xinjiang
Activity: mountaineering expedition, ski mountaineering
Trip Category: regular
Difficulty: difficult (5A UIAA), need of special skill and full set of mountaineering gear.
Season: July-August. Fixed departures: July, 27 - August, 20 (Bishkek-Bishkek, 25 days, full guided, all inclusive climbing optionally Urumqi-Urumqi or Kashgar-Kashgar); July, 06 - July, 30- standart package.
Special offer: Lenin peak + Muztag Ata peaks expedition.
Pamir - one of the interpretation of the origin of the word is "The Roof of The World" is one of the world's biggest mountain land on the south of Central Asia where virtually all kinds of mountain outdoors are possible - from medium trekking to extremely difficult mountaineering. The entire area keeps ecological purity and untouched wild nature so far because of practically absent of industrial development and very rare population. The highest summit of entire Pamir is Muztag Ata peak (7,547 m).
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.
For the 1st time Muztag Ata looks like dome with easy gentle slopes, but it is regarded as an excellent high altitude climb included few technical problems. The average temperature over 7200 m can be as low as -20°C (the lowest was -30°C ). The best season for climbing is June- August and 1st half of September. The position of the Muztag Ata is longitude 75.1° E and 38.5° N. As usual, you need to establish 3 high altitude camps above 5000 m. Vertical distance is 3100 m. Grade is Russian (UIAA) 5A.
If you come from America or Far East, we recommend you begin end end your journey in Beijing or Urumqi. From Europe it would be better to begin from Bishkek (the capital of Kyrgyzstan) or Tashkent (the capital of Uzbekistan). The final destination is Mustagh Ata basecamp, which is best reached from Kashgar City, in Xinjiang Province, China.
Itinerary (Variant 1, 26 days from Bishkek):
Day 1 Arrival to Bishkek. Meeting at airport. Transfer to hotel ** (DBL BB or optional SGL), rest. Transfer Bishkek - Narin, yurt or guest house (GH) accommodation.
Day 2 Trahsfer Narin- Torugart pass. Crossing the Chinese border. Meeting with your Chinese guide. Transfer to Kashgar (3 hrs). Hotel accommodation (***DBL FB).
Day 3 Transfer Kashgar-Subashi (bus, 200 km, 4-5 hrs). 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 FB.
Day 4 Camel caravan to Muztag Ata BC. 1st, 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 (BC), approximately a 4-hour walk (Incl: BLD) .
Days 5-20 Climbing activity. FB in BC.
Day 21 Camel caravan back to Subashi. Transfer Subashi-Kashgar. Hotel accommodation (***DBL FB).
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 (***DBL FB). Note. You can change the cititour with 1 day yurt (traditional nomadic dwelling) stay in Subashi.
Day 23 Transfer Kashgar- Torugart pass- Naryn. Yurt or GH accommodation (FB).
Day 24 Transfer Naryn-Bishkek. Hotel accommodation (GH DBL BB).
Day 25 Transfer hotel-airport. Departure from Bishkek.
Included: visa support for China, visa registration, meeting/seen off and transfers in Bishkek, transfer Bishkek - Naryn - Torugart Pass - Kashgar - Subashi and back, camel caravan and porters for carrying the gear to Muztag Ata BC and return (1 camel carries 80 kg for 2 persons), food on Subashi- BC trek and on return, GH DBL BB accommodation in Bishkek, GH or yurt in Naryn FB and Kashgar ***DBL FB, all permits and local fees, service in BC FB (2-persons tents accommodation, dining tent and kitchen utensil, cook service, 3 time a day hot meals), all the local staff (incl. liaison officer) supply (meals, wages, insurance, gear), city tour (transfers, tickets, guide) in Kashgar (may be changed for your wish with 1-day yurt stay in Subashi), guide-interpreter for the entire trip.
Not included: Travel to and from Bishkek, visa fees, alcoholic beverages and other luxuries, personal items, insurance, food away from BC, climbing guide and porters.
All inclusive option:
Included: the same as full package + the service of experienced climbing guide and expedition leader, BC-Camp 1- BC porterage, climbing food and fuel .
Options. The arrival and departure point can be changed with Kashgar. Hotel accommodation in Bishkekt (from * to *****), additional days and excursions in Bishkek and Kashgar, SGL accommodation, personal climbing guide service, radio communications (walkie-talkie), gasoline and butane gas for stoves, special climbing food supply, gear rental, additional days in BC, 2 summits climbing: Lenin Peak (7134 m) + Muztag Ata, 1 week pre-departure acclimatization tour in Ala Archa gorge near Bishkek (recommended).
Itinerary (Variant 2, 21 days from Kashgar):
Day 1 Arrival to Kashgar. Hotel accommodation (***DBL FB).
Day 2 Transfer Kashgar-Subashi (bus, 200 km, 4-5 hrs). 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 FB.
Day 3 Camel caravan to Muztag Ata BC. 1st, 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 (BC), approximately a 4-hour walk (Incl: BLD) .
Days 4-19 Climbing activity. FB in BC.
Day 20 Camel caravan back to Subashi. Transfer Subashi-Kashgar. Hotel accommodation (***DBL FB).
Day 21. 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 (***DBL FB). Note. You can change the cititour with 1 day yurt (traditional nomadic dwelling) stay in Subashi.
Included: visa support for China, visa registration, transfer Kashgar - Subashi-Kashgar, camel caravan and porters for carrying the gear to Muztag Ata BC and return (1 camel carries 80 kg for 2 persons), food on Subashi- BC trek and on return, hotel accommodation in Kashgar ***DBL FB, all permits and local fees, service in BC FB (2-persons tents accommodation, dining tent and kitchen utensil, cook service, 3 time a day hot meals), all the local staff (incl. liaison officer) supply (meals, wages, insurance, gear), city tour (transfers, tickets, guide) in Kashgar (may be changed for your wish with 1-day yurt stay in Subashi), guide-interpreter for the entire trip.
Not included: Travel to and from Kashgar, visa fees, alcoholic beverages and other luxuries, personal items, insurance, food away from BC, climbing guide and porters.
all inclusive full guided climbing:
Included: the same as full package + the service of experienced climbing guide and expedition leader, BC-Camp 1- BC porterage, climbing food and fuel.
Options. The arrival and departure point can be changed with Urumqi. SGL accommodation, personal climbing guide service, radio communications (walkie-talkie), gasoline and butane gas for stoves, special climbing food supply, gear rental, additional days in BC.
Itinerary (Variant 3, 22 days from Urumqi):
Day 1 Arrival to Urumqi. Meeting at airport. Domestic flight Urumqi-Kashgar. Hotel accommodation (DBL BD).
Day 2 Transfer Kashgar-Subashi (bus, 200 km, 4-5 hrs),. 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 pasturage. Here the camel caravan get start. Then 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 (BC), approximately a 4-hour walk (Incl: BLD) .
Day 3 Camel caravan to Muztag Ata BC. 1st, 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 (BC), approximately a 4-hour walk (Incl: BLD) .
Days 4-19 Climbing activity. FB in BC.
Day 20 Camel caravan back to Subashi. Transfer Subashi-Kashgar. Hotel accommodation (***DBL FB).
Day 21 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 (***DBL FB).
Day 22 Short domestic flight to Urumqi, transfer to hotel. Visit to the Xinjiang Minority Peoples' Museum. This museum houses an impressive collection of exhibits, covering artifacts and relics from more than 12 minority groups, including the preserved bodies of men, women and babies found in tombs in Xinjiang (3000 year old mummies!). Visit the lively market at Erdaoqiao, where anything from Uygur handicrafts, silk carpets to fruits and kebabs are sold. Visit the Old Town area, where you can see how Uygurs live in today's modern capital.
(Incl: BLD)
Day 23 Transfer hotel-airport. Departure from Urumqi.
Included: visa support, visa registration, meeting/seen off and transfers in Urumqi, flight Urumqi-Kashgar, transfer Kashgar - Subashi, camel caravan and porters for carrying the gear to Muztag Ata BC and return (1 camel carries 80 kg for 2 persons), food on Subashi- BC trek and on return, ** DBL BB hotel accommodation in Urumqi and Kashgar, all permits and local fees, service in BC FB (2-person tents accommodation, dining tent and kitchen utensil, cook service, 3 time a day hot meals), all the local staff (incl. liaison officer) supply (meals, wages, insurance, gear), city tour (transfers, tickets, guide) in Kashgar (may be changed for your wish with 1-day yurt stay in Subashi) and Urumqi, guide-interpreter Kashgar-Kashgar.
Not included: Travel to and from Urumqi, visa fees, alcoholic beverages and other luxuries, personal items, insurance, food away from BC, climbing guide and porters.
full guided climbing:
Included: the same as full package + the service of experienced climbing guide and expedition leader, BC-Camp 1- BC porterage, climbing food and fuel.
Options. The arrival and departure point can be changed with Beijing. Hotel accommodation in Beijing (from * to *****), SGL accommodation, transfers and excursions in Beijing, climbing guide and porters service, radio communications (walkie-talkie), gasoline and butane gas for stoves, gear rental, additional days in BC.
Note. For full guided all inclusive climbing we recommend Bishkek-Bishek Var. 1 option.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Minimum cost: Bishkek-Bishkek standart package, maximum cost: Bishkek-Bishkek full guided all inclusive. The payment should be done in 2 parts: USD 2000 upon booking, the rest 20 days prior to departure or upon arrival
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
China
Kyrgyzstan
Mountain/Rock Climbing
Cultural Journey
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
| Check out these similar vacation offers: |
|
|
