
Kyrgyzstan: Tian Shan High Route
“The Celestial Mountains. Glacial lake at 3,532m. Horses carry the gear. Hot springs at the end of the hardest day.”
Aug 7–16, 2028 · Karakol & Ala-Kul Circuit, Tian Shan








About this trip
The Tian Shan — "Celestial Mountains" in Chinese — rivals the Himalayas for visual scale and dwarfs the Alps for wilderness. Karakol sits on the eastern shore of Issyk-Kul, the world's second-largest alpine lake, with the 4,000m+ peaks of the Terskey Alatau rising directly behind the town. The Ala-Kul circuit is one of the world's great multi-day treks — and almost no one in the UK has done it.
The trip runs for 10 days. Two nights in Bishkek, two nights in Karakol, five nights camping in the mountains on the circuit, returning to Karakol before the journey home. Pack horses carry the tents and cooking equipment — you carry a day pack. The crux is the Ala-Kul Pass at 3,860m: a boulder-field ascent with a fixed chain on the technical section, and an extraordinary descent into the Altyn Arashan valley below.
Altyn Arashan means "Golden Springs" in Kyrgyz. The natural hot springs in the valley — at 40°C, surrounded by 4,000m peaks — are where you end the hardest day. A Kyrgyz family runs a yurt camp in the valley. You sit in the water as the mountains go dark around you. There are few moments in adventure travel that match it.
This is a genuine expedition. The altitude is real (3,860m on the pass), the camping is in the mountains for five consecutive nights, and Kyrgyzstan is central Asia — not a weekend hop. But the difficulty is within reach of any fit, experienced hiker who has done multi-day mountain trips. You come back with a story almost no one else has.
Highlights
- Ala-Kul Lake at 3,532m — turquoise glacial lake in a granite cirque, one of the most photographed places in Central Asia
- Ala-Kul Pass at 3,860m — the crux of the circuit, with a fixed chain descent and panoramic views of the Terskey Alatau
- Altyn Arashan hot springs — natural 40°C pools in a high valley after the biggest day on the mountain
- Pack horse support throughout — horses carry tents and heavy bags, you carry only your day pack
- Yurt camp visit — kumiss, Kyrgyz hospitality, and a fire in the high pasture
- Issyk-Kul lake crossing — drive along the shore of the world's second-largest alpine lake
- Bishkek farewell dinner — traditional Kyrgyz restaurant, the best meal of the trip
- Nights at altitude you'll remember — 3,532m lakeside camp, stars with zero light pollution
Itinerary
Flights from London to Bishkek Manas International (FRU) — typically overnight via Istanbul or Dubai (~8–9 hours). Arrive morning. Transfer to hotel in central Bishkek. Rest and explore: Osh Bazaar, Ala-Too Square, the Soviet-era boulevards. Briefing dinner together — meet the group, run through the week ahead.
What's included
- 9 nights accommodation — hotel Bishkek (nights 1 & 9), guesthouse Karakol (nights 2 & 8), mountain camping (nights 3–7)
- All meals throughout — full board from Day 1 dinner to Day 10 breakfast
- Pack horse support for all five mountain days — horses carry tents, stoves, and main bags
- Private jeep transfers throughout — airport, Issyk-Kul drive, trailhead access
- Licensed local mountain guide for all trekking days
- National park and permit fees
- Jove kit gift — merino base layer (Icebreaker or equivalent)
Not included
- Return flights London–Bishkek (typically £600–750 — full flight guidance in your pre-trip briefing pack)
- Tent and sleeping bag rated to -5°C minimum — required for the mountain camping nights. Jove provides kit discount codes in the pre-trip brief
- Personal travel insurance (required — must cover mountain rescue, medical evacuation, and remote location emergency)
- Drinks beyond standard meals
Good to know
- £1,750 per person — all in-country costs included, flights separate. £400 deposit to hold your place, balance due 8 weeks before departure.
- Maximum 10 people. Horse logistics and camp management work best at this size.
- This trip is planned for August 2028 (7–16 August), subject to our recce visit in summer 2027. Register your interest now — you'll be the first to hear when booking opens.
Physical requirements
This is Jove's most demanding trip. Five consecutive nights camping in the mountains, a high pass at 3,860m, and total daily distances of 12–20km with significant elevation change. You should be comfortable with multi-day mountain trekking carrying a day pack, and have experience of sustained ascent and rough terrain. The Ala-Kul Pass involves a boulder-field descent with a chain — no technical climbing, but genuine scrambling confidence required. Previous multi-day mountain experience is essential. A strong aerobic base is non-negotiable.
Meeting point
Bishkek Manas International Airport (FRU) on Day 1. Jove coordinates all in-country transfers from arrival. Full flight guidance — including best routes and timing — in the pre-trip briefing pack.
A note from Freddie
“I came across the Ala-Kul circuit by accident — someone mentioned it in a trekking forum as the best thing they'd ever done that nobody had heard of. I looked it up, saw the photos of the lake, and immediately thought: that's a Jove trip. Kyrgyzstan is completely off the radar for most UK travellers — and that's precisely the point. We're not chasing the well-worn routes. This one takes more preparation and a genuine commitment to do it right. That's why we're collecting interest now and doing the recce first. — Freddie, Founder of Jove Club”
Price per person
£1,750
Reserve with £400 deposit (non-refundable) · balance due 60 days before
Dates
Aug 7–16, 2028
Duration
9 days
Difficulty
Advanced
Location
TIAN SHAN · KYRGYZSTAN
Availability
10 places left
£1,750
£400 deposit to reserve
Google Reviews
What they said
when they got home.
“I had the best time on the Jove weekend trip to the Peaks. Got there and they helped set up my new tent — very friendly from the off. Zero judgement across the weekend for anything. It was about learning the skills needed to thrive outdoors, without any of the judgement you get with some providers. It gave me my confidence back outdoors, and I've booked onto my next trip already.”
Leah Brunskill
2 weeks ago
“Jove are fantastic. I've been going to their weekly strength sessions at Battersea park for a couple of months now and I've felt my confidence and strength for mountaineering and trail running come on in leaps and bounds. Their trips are incredibly good fun and genuinely valuable. Can't recommend highly enough — wish I'd joined sooner!”
Alex White
3 weeks ago
“Enjoyed a wonderful weekend of hiking, camping, trail running, navigation & fitness sessions (and some cracking pubs, pie & pizzas!) in the Peak District with a group of wonderful people. We all had different levels of previous outdoor experience & all were catered for. Thanks to Freddie & the Jove club team for leading us safely & challenging us.”
Claire
3 weeks ago
“I joined a Jove Weekender Trip to the Peak District for the weekend and had an amazing time! Freddie & the team were very welcoming and knowledgeable and it really gave me confidence to try and do more hiking in the future! I'll definitely be joining for some of the London sessions and hopefully a future trip. Would thoroughly recommend!!”
Bryony Kirby
3 weeks ago
“Joined Jove Club for an amazing trip to the Cairngorms to learn winter mountaineering skills! Small group of adventurous people, everyone was super supportive and keen to learn. Perfect weekend spent outdoors!”
Lizzie
2 months ago
“Huge shout out to Freddie for sorting out the winter skills training in the Cairngorms. We had an extremely knowledgeable instructor who took us through everything we needed to know about Scottish winter! I had a great weekend away and the group really topped it off as a stand out trip. Would also highly recommend the weekly social bouldering sessions in London.”
Tom Roberts
2 months ago
“I could not recommend Jove Club enough for anyone who wants to get outside, explore the country and test their physical and mental limits. I've done things in the past year I would never have done myself, with an amazing group of driven, friendly and kind people — and it's been an absolute blast.”
Richard Scothern
4 months ago
“I had such a great time on the Peak District climbing trip! Having joined for their London bouldering sessions for a couple of months, it was great to put my new skills to use outside. We had an amazing instructor who made me feel so at ease. The group was great fun — everybody was so positive and supportive of each other. Can't wait to join more trips next year!”
Emily Elizabeth
4 months ago
“I did the Welsh 3000s challenge with Jove Club in July and it was unreal. Freddie is a fantastic leader — he makes everyone feel comfortable and welcome. Looking forward to my next Jove Club adventure!”
Emily
8 months ago
“Before Jove, I never really thought of myself as a runner. But within weeks of joining, I was running 5Ks, then 10Ks. My first proper test was our Brecon trek — two days, 35km, 1,300m of elevation. It was brutal, but it was also the moment I realised how much the people around you shape the experience. Jove isn't just about getting fitter — it's about pushing your limits in a way that actually feels fun.”
Vevek Shah
8 months ago
“I love Jove Club. On paper, I had everything I needed to be happy, but it wasn't until I joined Jove that I realised something was missing — adventure! It's so easy in London to get stuck in a rut. Jove gets me out of the house with like-minded people and gives me things I didn't even realise I was missing. Join, you won't regret it.”
Christopher Sykes-Popham
1 year ago
“I went on the Peak District Climbing adventure not knowing any of the group but felt immediately welcomed by everyone. The group was very supportive given my lack of any prior climbing experience and definitely pushed my limits. The trip itself was extremely well organised — everything was covered from food and instructors to what gear to bring. Immediately came home and booked myself on another adventure!”
Olly
1 year ago
“I had an absolutely incredible experience on a walking adventure weekend with Jove Club! From start to finish, everything was brilliantly organised. Freddie's enthusiasm and leadership created such a positive, welcoming atmosphere — making the weekend about more than just the hike. If you're looking for a well-organised, exciting outdoor experience with great company, I can't recommend Jove Club enough.”
Henry Lort-Jones
1 year ago
“Can't express enough how glad I am that Freddie has created Jove Club! The recent Brecon trip was epic — a tough challenge that we all pushed through. In only a couple of months I've made significant strides towards my fitness goals. The regular adventure challenges add purpose to the training in London and the people in the club are top quality.”
Harry Webb
1 year ago
“The Peak District climbing weekend was meticulously planned by Freddie and Jove Club. I felt a massive sense of achievement on the Sunday afternoon walking off the crag. If you are considering a weekend away with like minded people to push yourself beyond your comfort zone then I wouldn't hesitate recommending Jove Club.”
Connor Herrington
1 year ago
“The mix of classes — in particular the run and fitness sessions outdoors — is absolutely amazing and unlike anything else I've found in London. The sessions are inclusive of mixed ability but with enough challenge for everyone. Really look forward to putting my fitness to the test during one of the trail runs and adventure trips!”
Francesca Richards
1 year ago
“Joining Jove is the best thing I've done for my fitness and health this year. Anyone looking to get fit, get outdoors and meet great people — this is where it's at. In just a few months I've met some great people, built confidence, and lost 3kg whilst getting stronger and running faster.”
Joseph McEachron
1 year ago
“Jove is the missing piece of London life. Such a welcoming and friendly club with a fantastic range of activities. Everything geared towards adventure trips is such a great way to train and get fit with a proper functional goal. The Peak District climbing weekend was fantastically well organised — can't wait to do another.”
Tom Frew
1 year ago
“I've had a great time with Jove — it's got a great mix of challenging and fun activities. The Peak District climbing trip was super well organised, great instruction provided, and a great way to get out of London for a weekend and learn some new skills.”
Vito Tomasi
1 year ago
“The Jove Club climbing weekend in the Peak District was a fantastic experience, filled with great routes and even better company. Everyone from beginners to seasoned climbers felt included and challenged. A brilliantly run weekend that captured the spirit of adventure.”
John Cain
1 year ago
“Great sessions which are well planned and adaptable to fitness levels. Welcoming atmosphere at meets and easy to use site for booking.”
Calvin Freese
1 year ago
“I have attended fitness and climb sessions and would really recommend Jove. Accessible and tailored to your fitness but with plenty of challenge and very social!”
sioned press
1 year ago
“Attended a session last week — great and welcoming atmosphere, the PT was very knowledgeable and provided alternative exercises. Will be back!”
Elin Wilde
1 year ago
More trips
View all →MAY 29-31 · LAKE DISTRICT
Academy
Mountain Hiking Skills — Lake District
Navigation, route-finding, terrain movement — taught on real mountains by Mountain Leaders. The foundation for every bigger Jove adventure.
£150 deposit (non-refundable) · cancel 60+ days out
GOING FASTJUN 5-7 · SNOWDONIA
Challenge
Welsh 3000s
45km. 15 peaks. 3,800m of climbing. One group, vetted to your level. We run this once a year because doing it properly takes everything we've got.
£150 deposit (non-refundable) · cancel 60+ days out
14 JUN · RICHMOND PARK
Social
Richmond Trail Run
A trail run through the Isabella Plantation and past the deer (~9km, social pace). Finishing at the Pembroke Lodge terrace with views across the Thames Valley.