In this section we offer climbing and mountaineering programs with ascents to peaks over 4,000 meters above sea level, located in the Zailiysky Alatau range of the Northern Tien Shan.

All routes presented here are technical mountaineering routes, not trekking. They require the use of special equipment and specific skills. Some programs are suitable for participants without prior mountaineering experience, as they include a preparatory training course on rock terrain before the ascent. Other routes require existing mountaineering skills, which cannot be taught within a single day.

We are proud of our professional team of climbing and mountaineering instructors led by senior guide Alexey Raspopov — a Kazakhstani climber and summiter of eight 8,000-meter peaks (out of the world’s fourteen).

At the same time, it is important to understand that mountaineering is a physically and technically demanding sport. A mountain ascent is not a one-day hike or even a challenging trek. Every climb involves objective risks related to terrain, altitude and weather conditions.

 

    Difficulty scale

♦ easy hiking / sightseeing tour with short walking distances at lower height. Does not require any specific skills or good physical shape ♦♦ easy tour, which can although include walking for up to 3–5 hours on good trails up to 3000 meters above sea level; short activities or camping in nature ♦♦♦ moderate level tour with long walks (4–6 hours), sometimes without trails, up to 3500 meters. May include long drives and camping in nature. No specific skills, but normal or good physical state is required ♦♦♦♦ advanced level tour. May include long hikes (5-7 hours a day) in different weather conditions, on different terrain - sometimes without trails and at an altitude above 3500 meters above sea level. The route may contain some technical difficulties like climbing, altitude hiking, river crossing, multi-night camping etc. Good physical state and possibly some specific trekking/climbing skills are required ♦♦♦♦♦ hard level tour, which includes long hikes (5-7 hours a day) in different weather conditions, on different terrain without trails and at an altitude above 3500 meters above sea level. The route contains technical difficulties like climbing, altitude hiking, river crossing, multi-night camping etc. Good physical state and some specific trekking/climbing skills are required

 

     Related destinations

     Panorama of the peaks of Maloalmatinsky gorge

Mountaineering is not a recreational activity in the usual sense — it requires physical fitness, technical competence, psychological stability and the ability to make responsible decisions in a mountain environment.

We work only with small private groups and carefully assess each participant’s background before confirming a climb. For some routes, prior mountaineering experience is mandatory; for others, we provide structured preparation and skills training as part of the program.

Our priority is not the summit itself, but safety, sound judgment and proper risk management in high-altitude terrain. If you are considering your first technical ascent or planning a more challenging objective in the Northern Tien Shan, we encourage you to contact us to discuss your experience and expectations before choosing a route.