Top 10 Glaciers in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan is half mountains and a third of its mountain area is glaciated. The Tien Shan in the east and the Pamir-Alay in the south hold thousands of glaciers, including some of the largest in Central Asia. Permits are required for the border zones, but the country has opened up steadily for trekking parties and now sees regular foreign expeditions every summer.
Inylchek
The big one — the South Inylchek is some 60 km long, flowing from the foot of Khan Tengri and Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobeda) toward the Inylchek valley. Heli-supported base camps make it accessible for serious mountaineers.
Engilchek (North)
The other arm of the Inylchek system, separated from the south by the seasonally appearing Lake Merzbacher. The lake drains catastrophically each summer.
Lenin Glacier
Drains the north face of Lenin Peak (7,134 m) on the Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan border. Base camp at Achik Tash is reachable by 4WD from Osh and is one of Central Asia's classic 7,000 m hubs.
Korzhenevsky and the Fortambek
Border region with Tajikistan; large glaciers feeding the Muksu river. Heli access is the norm for climbing parties.
Karakol Glacier
In the central Tien Shan above Karakol town, drains into the Karakol valley and the namesake national park. Reachable from Karakol by 4WD plus a multi-day trek.
Ala-Archa glaciers
A cluster of small glaciers in the Kyrgyz Range south of Bishkek. Easy access from the capital makes them the everyday training ground for the country's climbing community.
Adygene
Inside the Ala-Archa national park; one of the most-monitored glaciers in the country. The walk in from the road takes a long day.
Akademika Adykhayeva
A large valley glacier in the Akshyirak massif of the inner Tien Shan — remote and rarely visited, but spectacular.
Petrov
In the Akshyirak region, terminating in Lake Petrov above the Kumtor gold mine. Highly studied because of the mining-glacier interaction.
Kashka-Suu
A short, accessible glacier in the Ala-Too range near Bishkek. Often used as the first glacier exposure for new climbers.
Plan your next trip
The interactive map highlights the access roads, border-zone boundaries and basecamp pins for each of the ten — useful when planning the permits.