For anyone who likes travel, experience adventure, especially mountain climbing, then you should make your next trip to Central Asia. Central Asia consists of a group of countries which include, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, that offer adventurous climbing throughout the region. Throughout this article, we will guide you through the best mountains to climb for your next visit to Central Asia!
Pamir-Alay Mountains, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan
Pamir-Alai climb. Photo by Nenad Rava, Pinterest
To start off, Pamir-Alay Mountains is a wonderful place to consider visiting. It is located within Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, and has different regions of mountains to climb. These mountains have become a popular western tourist climb. But what makes Pamir-Alay one of the best mountains to climb in Central Asia? They offer a mixture of crystal-clear air, untouched glaciers, snow, bright colours and sharp tall peaks around the foothills and valleys within the mountains, that is said to be breathtaking. There is something for everyone!
Mt. Peak Lenin, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan
Slopes of Peak Lenin. Photo by Climb Big Mountains
Next on the list is the Mt. Peak Lenin Mountain which is located on the border of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. This mountain is the second highest point in the region, a very high mountain sitting at 7134 metres. But what makes this a hot destination spot for tourists would be that it is one of the easiest mountains to climb plus the exposure to the culture. What makes it even more of a destination spot is because unlike Nepal, Peak Lenin is easy to access with a base camp which could be reached in an amount of hours rather than days! Score on that one! Obviously, like any other high mountain hike, be sure to have knowledge and training since the winds can get harsh up at Peak Lenin and the 40 degree ice slop is said to be the most challenging part of the climb.
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The Altai Mountains, Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan
Altai Mountains in Autumn. Photo by kudrin.co.uk
This place takes the next spot on the list with its rich, unspoiled natural beauty and rare species which are not disturbed by the modern world. This mountain sits about 4506 meters and though it may not be as high as Peak Lenin, it should be taken note that it is a physically demanding climb. It is located in one of the most secluded places in the world and holds such beauty and immaculate features such as stunning snow-covered peaks of high mountain landscapes and big open spaces. Here, you can explore the beautiful culture Altai Mountains have to offer through warm welcomes and great hospitality. It may not be one of the most popular tourist spots as due to its remote location but it’s definitely one worth visiting!
K2, Pakistan
K2 mountain climb. Photo by Tommy Heinrich
If you have or ever wanted to climb Mount Everest, then you should definitely consider going to climb the K2 Mountain which comes second in terms of height after Mount Everest, therefore the second highest mountain in the world. K2 comes at 8,611 metres high and is part of the Karakoram Range in central Asia, making it the highest peak in that range and also one of the hardest mountains to climb. But keep in mind, the difficulty of climbing this mountain is no easy task! And the small number of people to reach the top just proves this. There are many routes to reach K2’s peak but it is to be pointed out that there is very high altitude meaning a lack in oxygen (thus recommended to use bottled oxygen) and the mountain can experience extreme weather such as storms of several days duration. Therefore to climb this mountain is set at Difficult!
Noshaq peak, Afghanistan and Pakistan
Hindu Kush, Noshaq peak. Photo by wikimedia.org
The last mountain to mention is the Noshaq peak. This mountain is located Afghanistan reaching a high of 7492 metres and is part of the Hindukush mountain range. It’s a beautiful mountain when covered in snow during the winter with beautiful breathtaking views. You can access this mountain through Pakistan or Afghanistan, though it is more convenient and cheaper when entering through Pakistan. The best times to visit the Hindukush mountain range, Noshaq is June, July, August when the winter weather including snow is present. Lastly, many expeditions take place to climb the mountain and many, camps and hotels available around the Hindukush Mountains for those on a budget.
