International flights - Arrive Bishkek Transfer to the hotel. Expedition/Course briefing before we explore the city of Bishkek and purchase supporting food supplies. (H, B)

Bishkek – Ala Archa National Park – Racek hut
Transfer to the Ala Archa National Park. The approach path follows a beautiful track up through a forest of fir trees to a mountain plateau. Mid way through the day we arrive at the Ak Sai waterfalls, a lovely place for lunch. We continue to the Racek mountain hut at 3350m. Night in the hut.
Distance and travel time: Bishkek – Ala Archa 45km, 1hr 30min drive; Ala-Archa – Racek hut 5-6km, 4-5 hours walking. (B, R, D)

Racek hut – Glacier & Rock Training Day 1 -– Racek hut
Acclimatisation & Training Day - In the morning we practice/recap on ice axe and crampons combined with glacier training for movement in roped teams and crevasse rescue in preparation for moving up the Ak-Sai glacier to our planned peaks. The afternoon is spent on rock climbing & belay training. (R, B, L, D)

Racek hut - Uchitel Peak (4560m) – Racek hut
On the opposite side of the valley we make the ascent of Uchitel Peak, one of the highest peaks in the region again a technically easy summit over scree and rock increasing our acclimatisation ready to tackle the glaciated peaks later in the week. On a clear day you will get great views of Chu valley and the many peaks of the Ala Archa. (R, B, L, D)
Distances and travel time: to Uchitel Peak is 5-6 km, +1190m, 6-7h

Racek hut – Box Peak (4211m) or Rutsek Peak (3870 m) -– Racek hut
This peak is situated opposite Uchitel peak. The ascent of this peak allows you a great view of the Ak-Sai mountains including Korona peak (4860m) our final climb. We climb the normal route, the easiest one, which follows the South-East side of the peak. (R, B, L, D)

Distances and travel time: to Box Peak 7-8 km, +950m, 6-7hours.

Racek hut – Korona hut
Today we move to the higher Korona hut (3800m), a small metal cabin, standing on the side moraine of Ak Sai glacier at the base of Korona Mountain. The route takes us across the glacier, where crampons and harnesses are necessary. (R, B, L, D)
Night in the Korona hut – 3800m.
Distances and travel time: 7-8km, 3-4hours, +450m.
Please note the Korona Hut is extremely basic.

Trek & Training on the glacier
Acclimatisation Day for further glacial training and a glacier walk in the shadow of Ak Sai spectacular peaks  – Free Korea peak, Bailan Bashi peak, Korona peak. (R, B, L, D)
Night in the Korona hut – 3800m.

Ascent to Korona peak
Korona Peak is one of the most beautiful peaks on Kyrgyz Ala-Too Mountain range with six rock towers forming a crown and the summit. Our aim is to climb Tower 2 at 4800m. The ascent is almost entirely on glaciated terrain, so we climb as a roped team. The final 20 metres to the summit of the Tower is an optional rock-climbing ascent. The summit panorama from this beautiful peak is a spectacular climax to the Expedition training course. Descend the same way. (R, B, L, D)
Night in the Korona hut – 3800m.
Distances and travel time: 6km, 8-10 hours, +850m.

Reserve Weather Days. (R, B, L, D if staying in the mountains)

Korona hut to Ala Archa National Park, transfer to Bishkek
After breakfast we descend back to the Racek hut and then walk out to meet our transport for the journey back to Bishkek (R, B, L)
Trek 12 km, 6-7 hours, Descent 3950-2100-800m

In Bishkek (H, B)

Return International flights.