Virgin Peaks Expedition 2026 Information

GROUND ARRANGEMENTS

As in previous years these will be co-ordinated by ITMC Tien Shan, Kyrgyzstan’s leading expedition company. The director, Vladimir Komissarov, was one of the leading mountaineers of the former Soviet Union and is now President of the Association of Mountain Guides of Kyrgyzstan. Vladimir, his camp staff, and porters (some of whom are strong mountaineers in their own right) will be working with us throughout the expedition. Through them we can share some of the 'Russian traditions' which have given Central Asia a unique mountaineering history. Nowhere else is Base Camp life so enjoyable!

FLIGHTS

Turkish Airlines operate regular flights to Bishkek (capital of Kyrgyzstan) via Istanbul from London, Manchester, Geneva etc. Wherever you depart from, it would be great if the expedition then all booked the same onward flight with Turkish Airlines from Istanbul to Bishkek so that we all arrive there together.

Note - Please contact Adrian for more detailed flight information before booking.

EXPEDITION ITINERARY

The expedition will convene at the Hotel Rich in Bishkek on Sunday 16 August at 6pm. It runs over 19 days and finishes on Thursday 3rd September. All accommodation is included from the night of 16 August until the morning of 3rd September.

Day 1

(Aug 16) Arrive early morning, after an overnight flight from Istanbul into Manus Airport, Bishkek, where we have a transfer to take us into the capital where we are booked into the Hotel Rich. After some rest, we'll have lunch and then spend the afternoon at the local markets and getting a feel for Kyrgyzstan's history sightseeing around Bishkek, before everyone coming together again at 7pm for a final briefing and evening meal at a local restaurant.

Day 2

Final equipment check, then travel to Barskoon on the southern shores of Lake Issyk Kul, where we'll spend the first night.

Day 3

From Barskoon we'll take the very scenic drive retracing an old Silk Road route heading south along the Barskoon valley towards China, through the beautiful TerskeyAla Too mountains. We continue on over theBarskoon and Seok Pass's on towards Kara-Say. From Kara-Say the road continues on to Ak-Shyyrak and Engilchek, but we leave the road at this point heading further south into the Borkoldoy-Too. New may need to stopen-route somewhere and camp overnight before continuing on to BC the following day.

Day 4

I can image that we'll still be en-route to BC arriving there at some point today. We'll spend the rest of the day orgainising BC

Day 5 - 16

Mountaineering in the Borkoldoy Range - Typically we head off to explore the surrounding glaciers and peaks which helps with acclimatisation but also gives us the information we need to plan the first half of the trip, eyeing up virgin peaks and routes to attempt, from a possible high Advanced Base Camp (ABC). We then set up an ABC in our chosen location high up in a valley or on a glacier. From this high point we'll spend the next few nights attempting the surrounding Virgin Summits and routes. We then normally break ABC, returning to Base Camp (BC) for a much needed wash and rest. We then repeat this process, initially exploring another valley and glacier before setting up another ABC and again climbing more peaks. BC can also be a great source of unclimbed peaks and it may be that we have a couple of days just exploring unclimbed peaks from here. Base Camp generally stays as a constant, but our ABC's will move around giving the team the best chances of any Virgin Summit success. We keep radio or satellite phone contact with BC both for safety reasons and to also ensure that supplies are kept flowing up to ABC as required.

Day 17

Travel back to Barskoon where we'll spend the final night camping next to Lake Issyk Kul

Day 18

Travel back to Bishkek where we'll have a 'farewell dinner' that evening and final night at the Hotel Rich

Day 19

(Sept 3rd) Expedition officially ends after a very early breakfast at the hotel. Members flying home directly transfer to Bishkek Airport, or ITMC can make and arrangements should you wish to extend your holiday in Kyrgyzstan.

SAFETY AND RESCUE

ISM will provide the main medical kit, individual members need only bring a small personal first aid kit. We will have a satellite phone at base camp to give us weather reports and to enable us to summon a rescue helicopter in the unlikely event that it is needed. Vaccinations are not obligatory for the area, however some may be recommended by your GP.

As always we pay careful attention to ACCLIMATISATION and rarely, if ever, have any serious problems. Some people may choose to use Diamox on the trip - if so please consult your GP for advice.

INSURANCE

All expedition members must have mountaineering insurance to cover medical and rescue expenses. For UK residents, suitable cover can be arranged through the following organisations/companies:

Please call Jim at the BMC Tel: 0161 445 4747 Web: www.thebmc.co.uk

I have spoken to Jim at the BMC and outlined in detail the ISM Virgin Peaks Expedition to Kyrgyzstan and it's been agreed that the Alpine & Ski BMC Insurance cover is perfect.

Please contact Jim at jim@thebmc.co.uk for further information.

Austrian Alpine Club Tel: 01707 324835 Web: aacuk.org.uk

Non-UK residents. If full insurance cover such as provided by the BMC and Snowcard is not available in your home country, non-UK residents can obtain cover by joining the Austrian Alpine Club.

EQUIPMENT

ISM will provide all climbing hardware, ropes, cooking equipment, lightweight tents for the mountain and the main first aid kit. Individual members must bring:

• Sleeping bag (expedition or ‘5 season’ quality)
• Closed-cell foam sleeping mat and/or Thermarest
• Rigid mountaineering boots (a warm B3 boot is recommended)
• Rock climbing shoes (comfortable and large enough to take a thickish sock)
• Mountain Pants
• Mid Layer fleece and thin insulated jacket/fleece/soft shell jacket
  
• Long sleeve thermal and thermal legs
• Warm Duvet Jacket and insulated pants
  
• Goretex waterproof jacket and pants
• 2 x Mountain gloves heavy weight and warm pair plus a lighter more dextrous pair.
  
• 2 x Ice axes (1 x technical & 1 x general mountaineering)
  
• Crampons
  
• Helmet, harness, 3 locking carabiners, belay plate
• 2 long slings (120cm), 3 prussik loops
• Headtorch with spare batteries,
• Climbing rucksack (50 litre), second holdall or kitbag,
• Trekking poles (collapsible for carrying whilst climbing) with snow baskets,
• Glacier glasses, sun protection cream and lipsalve
• Water bottle
• Mug, bowl, knife, fork, spoon
• Shorts
  
• Sunhat
• Lightweight 'trekking' boots or approach shoes
• Personal ‘travellers’ first-aid kit (headaches, diahorrea, minor cuts, blisters etc)
• 'Wet Wipes'/alcohol hand gel for personal hygiene
• Maybe also 1 or 2 books, plus a tot of something warming to drink at ABC!

In addition if you own a lightweight mountain tent (2 or 3-man) this is helpful in giving everyone some privacy at base camp and room to spread out their gear etc. Please let us know on the Booking Form.

Please see our Kyrgyzstan Equipment page for an article on equipment by Kyrgyzstan 'veteran' Steve Taylor.

VISAS

Kyrgystan Visas: Citizens of many countries (including all of the EU and the US) no longer require a visa to visit Kyrgyzstan for less than 60 days. Full information at: Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic, London, Tel: 0207 935 1462, email: email@kyrgyz-embassy.org.uk. Members from countries requiring a visa can get a letter of invitation from ITMC - just let us know.

COST

The all-inclusive IN COUNTRY price for the expedition is £3595.00 This covers everything apart from drinks and restaurant meals in Bishkek. Single rooms are available for all hotel nights by paying a supplement of £50.

BOOKING

To book a place on the expedition, please email Adrian Nelhams to check availability and to receive an expedition booking form. Please complete the booking form and email it back to Adrian at adriannelhams@alpin-ism.com A deposit of £600.00 must then be made to secure a place on the expedition. Adrian will email you the appropriate bank details to confirm your place.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

After your place has been secured by the deposit, we require a second payment of £600 by the end of March and the balance payment by June 3rd. In case of cancellation, these payments are non-refundable so please ensure that you arrange your cancellation insurance immediately once the first payment has been made.

We look forward to welcoming you to this next ISM adventure!

Please WhatsApp or email Adrian with any further questions:
Tel: + 44 (0)7771 868471 Email: adriannelhams@alpin-ism.com