UKC

I'm considering a trip to Kyrgyzstan next summer for a party of between three and six people. The likely itinerary would be technically easy (around PD) routes on peaks 4000 - 5000m high or thereabouts. The areas that have caught my eye from research done so far are Karakol Canyon and Ala-Archa Canyon.

I'd be very grateful for any information on the following:-

Recommended guidebooks/ maps

Recommended routes

Transport logistics (car hire?)

Recommended base camps

Places to stay in Bishkek

Any other useful information!

In reply to williemilne:

Take a look at the BMC Expedition reports for that area, there's a wealth of information available.

https://www.thebmc.co.uk/expedition-reports/Default.aspx

In reply to williemilne:

It could possibly be worth your while getting in touch with this bloke:
http://www.theroadfromkarakol.com/

If not, then it's definitely worthwhile watching his film!

In reply to planetmarshall:

I whent in 2009 - we used ITMC who where very good, and sorted us out in Bishkek with somwhere to stay for next to nothing, i'd link through to the BMC report but the download doesnt work.

In reply to ebdon:

I also used ITMC in 2008 they can sort out whatever you want at whatever level of support you are after. You can turn up at karakol and sort most things out yourself slightly cheaper but if you are going to use a helicopter best to book well in advance.

In reply to williemilne:

Krgzy tours run an excellent guesthouse in Karakol and are knowledgeable. They will also drive you up the Karakol valley, there's not much point in hiring a car. The valley sounds like an ideal place for what you are after

In reply to williemilne:

Scottish Mountaineer magazine this month has a good report on an all-female exped to Kyrgyzstan which you might want to reader if you have not already seen it.

In reply to williemilne:

Thanks to all for these responses. Lots of useful stuff! Please keep it coming. Any recommended maps, guidebooks and routes in the Karakol and Ala-Archa valley areas?

In reply to williemilne:

Download free maps from http://loadmap.net/

In reply to williemilne:

i was at khan tengri and ala-archa 2 years ago. ITMC were great for the karakol bit - but ala-archa has 3/4 easyish mountains regularly climbed. the hut is staffed and i had planty of guides etc to sdvise from there. great place!

In reply to williemilne:

As above, I'd recommend ITMC who we used about 15 months ago for an expedition to the Fergana range near the Chinese border. If you're aiming for Ala Archa it's easily done on your own without the need for a logistics company.

In reply to williemilne:

These guys went last summer, plenty of blog post links here, including their routes: https://www.facebook.com/navlikin2014?pnref=story