Here's an ultimate travel guide to exploring the Alay Region of southern Kyrgyzstan.
Here’s an Experiential Travel Guide by Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott to Alay Region, Kyrgyzstan, famous for its attractive views with mountain background everywhere.
Horses gathered in their own orchestrated processions, layers of freshly snow-draped mountains as their backdrop. The light bent as it tends to do in this part of the world, arcing into the otherworldly. The wind kicked up, delivering a floating, faraway sensation.
Credit: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
Dramatic mountains and yurts cut the sky, as local families and roving shepherds offer a sense of what it means to be human here. For visitors, peak experience with a touch of nomadic grounding.
Credit: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
Layers of the Alay Mountains, from Ak-Tor Pass.
Credit: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
Trek in the Alay Mountains to experience nature and Kyrgyz culture together.
There’s no shortage of stunning mountains and landscapes in a multi-day Alay Mountain trekking experience. This section of the Alay Mountains is further north in the region and a bit closer to the city of Osh. The trek trailheads begin near the town of Gulcha. Landscapes tend to be green, textured by layers of valleys and hills, and accented by granite peaks.
Credit: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
Otherworldly Sary Mogul Pass in the high Alay Mountains. This is the more southern segment of the Alay Mountain range, whose trailheads tend to cluster near Sary Mogul village.
Credit: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
As you ascend into the Pamir Mountains, and once you leave the yurts of Tulpar-Kol Lake, the atmosphere becomes less coupled to Kyrgyz culture and more connected to the survival demands of professional alpinism.
Credit: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
Wake up early the next day to begin climbing up to Yuhina Peak. It’s a challenging, steep ascent through scree to get to the peak. Be sure to proceed slowly and steadily. Allow your body to adjust to the altitude. At the top, you’ll cross a snowfield to reach the peak.
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