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Jengish Chokusu above South Engilchek Glacier in warm evening light, with stony moraine in the foreground
Walk on the glacier

Karakol → Engilchek Glacier by helicopter, 1 day

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A day trip by helicopter from Karakol to Engilchek Glacier

Place: Engilchek Glacier

  • One dayNo overnight, back to Karakol
  • A walk at 4,000 mAbout 4,100 m, little walking
  • July–Augustalso possible June–September
  • KarakolAbout 2 h to the helipad
  • KarakolStart
Kyrgyz SeasonsPlanning a trip?Ask about a triphello@kyrgyzseasons.com

In order

5 stages in one day

The map shows separate sections, rather than the entire trip. Numbers mark known landmarks; agree exact stops before travelling.

  1. The Karkyra river valley with a wide gravel bed and green slopes beneath a mountain range01.08.2021

    Day 11 / 5

    Karakol → Karkyra valley

    Karakol

    by car≈2 h

    Early in the morning by car west to the helipad in the Karkyra valley; by the tour description about 120 km.

    Next Flight to the glacier →
  2. View from the helicopter of snowy peaks and the crevasses of South Engilchek Glacier in the Central Tian Shan01.08.2021

    Day 12 / 5

    Flight to the glacier

    Takeoff around 8:00 towards the foot of Khan Tengri and Jengish Chokusu; on the way you can see Engilchek Glacier and Lake Merzbacher.

    Next Walk on the glacier →
  3. Jengish Chokusu above South Engilchek Glacier in warm evening light, with stony moraine in the foreground01.08.2021

    Day 13 / 5

    Walk on the glacier

    on foot

    Landing at the base camp at about 4,100 m and a short walk on the glacier; the length and duration of the walk are not specified.

    Next Return flight →
  4. Photo coming soon

    Day 14 / 5

    Return flight

    The helicopter returns to the helipad in the Karkyra valley; the departure depends on the weather.

    Next: Return to Karakol →
  5. Photo coming soon

    Day 15 / 5

    Return to Karakol

    Karakol

    by car

    Transfer back to Karakol along the same road.

    Next Engilchek Glacier by helicopter: four seasons ↓

Seasons

Engilchek Glacier by helicopter: four seasons

Season: July–August. Monthly temperatures at the destination are averages for 2016–2025, not a forecast.

  1. Spring

    March–May
    • Marchout of seasonat the destination −4° / −12°
    • Aprilout of seasonat the destination 0° / −8°
    • Mayout of seasonat the destination +4° / −4°

  2. Summer

    June–August
    • Junepossibleat the destination +8° / 0°
    • Julyseasonat the destination +12° / +3°
    • Augustseasonat the destination +12° / +2°
  3. Photo coming soon

    Autumn

    September–November
    • Septemberpossibleat the destination +8° / −2°
    • Octoberout of seasonat the destination 0° / −10°
    • Novemberout of seasonat the destination −7° / −14°
  4. Photo coming soon

    Winter

    December–February
    • Decemberout of seasonat the destination −10° / −16°
    • Januaryout of seasonat the destination −11° / −17°
    • Februaryout of seasonat the destination −8° / −16°

Before you go

Getting there and what to know before you go

How to get there

  • From Karakol

    About 120 km, 2 h

    By car west along the highway, then into the Karkyra valley to the helipad; on the day of the flight it is best to arrive by 6:00. check for your date

  • Flight

    Helicopter to the glacier

    Takeoff around 8:00; on the way you can see Lake Merzbacher. Landing at the base camp at 4,100 m, then a short walk on the glacier. check for your date

  • Back to Karakol

    Helicopter and road

    Return flight to the Karkyra helipad and transfer to Karakol. check for your date

Money, SIM cards and help

  • Cash. Cash for personal expenses; check the tour payment terms for your travel date.
  • Overnight. No overnight stay is needed on the one-day tour; the three-day option includes two nights in camps. check for your date
  • The border-zone permit is arranged through the operator, at least a week ahead, for about 3,000 som ($35–40); confirm with the operator.

112all emergencies

What to bring

Keep with you

Ticks are saved in this browser only.

Check before departure

  • Border-zone permit and processing time Operator
  • Weather and departure Operator
  • Landing site: South or North Engilchek Operator
  • Exact processing time and cost of the permit
  • Flight schedule for the season
  • Entry fee to the nature park
Kyrgyz SeasonsPlanning a trip?Ask about a triphello@kyrgyzseasons.com

All photos

Engilchek Glacier by helicopter in photos

Real photos, each with the date it was taken. Tap or click to enlarge.

  1. 20.07.2009
  2. 10.03.2012
  3. 25.07.2014
  4. 01.08.2021
  5. 01.08.2021
  6. 01.08.2021
  7. 02.08.2021

Places on the route

Engilchek Glacier by helicopter on the map

5 stages

© OpenStreetMap

Separate mapped sections and known landmarks are shown. The full route has not been confirmed; agree exact stops before travelling.

Trip inquiry

Karakol → Engilchek Glacier by helicopter, 1 day

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