Hiking 100km Across the Heights of Alay Mountains in Kyrgyzstan

In this cinematic trekking video, we hike the Heights of Alay Mountains in Kyrgyzstan, which is considered by many as the best hiking in Kyrgyzstan, as well as a few other small hikes including Travelers Pass at Lenin Peak on the Tajikistan Border. The entire adventure took place in September of 2023 and took us 14 days with 6 days of travel (we had flight problems).
#kyrgyzstan #hiking #trekking
👍 Please like and subscribe if you enjoyed it! I will actually be doing a video with more details on how you could do this hike too. Please let me know in the comments below what were your favorite parts!
Journal of Nomads blog - info & recommended Visit Alay
www.journalofnomads.com
@journalofnomads
Visit Alay - Who helped with logistics once in Osh
visitalay.com/
​⁠@visitalay5811
Heights of Alay Route:
www.alltrails.com/trail/kyrgy...
www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails...
00:00 - Intro
01:32 Where is Kyrgyzstan?
03:58 Travel from Home to Sary Mogul, Kyrgyzstan
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Start of Heights of Alay
07:16 - Day 6
Sary Mogul over Sary Mogul Pass (14130ft / 4306m) to Yurt Camp
11:11 - Day 7
Kosh Moinok Valley via Kyzyl Shoro Village
16:34 - Day 8
Kojokelen Village over Sarybell Pass
21:23 - Day 9
To Jiptick Yurt Camp
24:29 - Day 10
To Yurt Camp at Darbazatash Valley over Jiptick Pass
31:11 - Day 11
To Sary Mogul Village - Drive to Tulpar Kol Lake
34:09 - Day 12
Traveller's Pass - Lenin Peak
List of Current Gear: lighterpack.com/r/2bsr8i
Let me know if you found this video helpful and if I missed anything in the comments below.
--
Instagram: / ryan.j.schmitz

[@kraigadams]

Just wild. Insane views, super remote feeling and that bonus hike up to the snowy pass looked tiring haha

[@RyanJSchmitz]

It was out there for sure. When you go, I'd love to see it in late June early July when everything is green instead of the autumn colors. I had snow spikes that I left back in Osh, would have been nice for that last day.

[@Ludwig2342.]

When are you gonna come here?

[@wonderfullife7520]

На просторах ютуба это другой уровень среди видео о Кыргызстана 🔥

[@my_newKingdom]

Alay is the homeland of my ancestors. Today, this is the coolest video about the Alays Mountains! Thank you for the video. Subscribed and liked. Come again friend.

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the video. It was an amazing experience.

[@Emirlan-px6fp]

It's unbelievable, speaking from the perspective of a local, never thought KG would be as beautiful. Appreciate the effort that you put into making this film, you are truly amazing.

[@RyanJSchmitz]

What a great complement. I’m glad I was able to capture such a beautiful country in a way that makes a local proud.

[@cala9199]

Алайцы молодцы!! Все четко организовано все чисто. Юрты ухоженны и красивы

[@Kemabek]

Одно из лучших видео о Кыргызстане. Мои аплодисменты!

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Спасибо, мне понравилось снимать видео в такой прекрасной стране.

[@ulan_umetov]

Dear Ryan, Thank you very much for your efforts to show the beauty of our wonderful country. The video is 🔥🔥🔥

[@RyanJSchmitz]

So happy I was able to visit and capture your beautiful country.

[@robertritz5532]

Amazing cinematography! Really great work.

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

[@greylutchenko3040]

The depth of this work left me in tears. Stunning views, great shots!

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Glad you enjoyed it. It was emotional for me too!

[@demininyandanyemisi]

What a magnificient film! Thank you a mill!!

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@HarveyG.]

Man Kyrgyz is really a gem. Cant wait to go back again seing this 40min incredible film.

[@RyanJSchmitz]

It really is something else. What a journey!

[@nooken85]

Class👍🇰🇬

[@BigMrAC]

Great video. Algorithm recommended me, saturation and how you captured the extreme wide shots puts it into an epic perspective.

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Glad to hear the algorithm is working! It was an epic hike for sure.

[@kevinliu7186]

Truly spectacular, this would inspire anyone to take on the Heights of Alay

[@RyanJSchmitz]

That’s great to hear, wasn’t much out there regarding videos on the trek, I did my best to capture it for others. Thanks for watching

[@user-rq4wz4lo7l]

Мааш Аллах субхаанАллах Альхамдуллилахи Аллооху Акбар Керемет!!! Аллахым ыраазы болсун оомийин Аллооху Акбар!!!

[@DamirAsanov]

3 соз кыргызча, калганы арап. Аллах эле аллах, аллах. Аллах дедим беле?

[@hypno6164]

wow i was just recommended your youtube channel by the algorithm and this is amazing! beautiful cinematography, awesome storytelling and just complete professional stunning work!!

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Hey the algorithm works sometimes! Welcome and thanks for checking out my channel.

[@Lime33335]

Алга Кыргызстан🇰🇬🇰🇬🚀🚀

[@user-of9zn6kt3m]

Amazing 👏

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Thanks!

[@gull9695]

My contry ❤❤

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Beautiful country!

[@ervinslens]

Absolutely stunning work my friend! Masterpiece!!!

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Thank you for the feedback. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@angelagomez1151]

Hermosoooo y majestuosa la naturaleza❤❤

[@grazhdanka_mira]

Алайым-алтын бешигим ❤

[@acolyte1951]

incredible footage and scenery

[@RyanJSchmitz]

@acolyte1951 glad you enjoyed it!

[@yasminuurya]

This is insane! I was just going through Visit Alay tours and needed to see videos and you actually captured your trek with them. Everything is so beautiful, every step is like a painting, completely remote and untouched. Thank you for this.

[@RyanJSchmitz]

You sound like me 4 months ago. Looking for a video that covered the hike. Couldn’t find it, so I made one! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@kwatyk]

O WOW! PRZEPIĘKNE MIEJSCE 😍 Dziękuję za podzielenie się twoją przygodą 💖

[@cln965]

Perfeito lindo lugar magnífico vídeo

[@terrycanales23]

Thank you for this beautiful video, stupendous, huge landscapes, snowy mountains, valleys, rocky and meandering streams, and few but beautiful people. Waiting for your next trek!

[@RyanJSchmitz]

So glad you enjoyed it. It really was a breathtaking journey.

[@Jet_Li.1988]

Вауу красота Небесных гор

[@grengrad]

Absolutely stunning scenery. I really appreciate your videography/editing skills. Thank you for sharing.

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Glad you enjoyed it! I enjoyed making it!

[@plecakispodnica]

This movie is amazing! ❤ Kirgistan 🇰🇬 is my next destination 😊

[@RyanJSchmitz]

It’s quite the experience. It was such a memorable trip.

[@user-in4fj8zq3p]

Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬🇰🇬🇰🇬❤❤

[@keithjones1]

Nice shots!! I was there in August and just missed you. Looks like a great trip! I'm definitely going back.

[@RyanJSchmitz]

It was certainly an adventure. Looking forward to the next one.

[@bendubourg2718]

Powerful views in this adventure wow just wow

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Ready to join me on one?

[@terrycanales23]

So beautiful, I had a lump in my throat thru part of it.

[@tartstudio3272]

Insanely beautifully shot!🔥🔥🔥 Thank you for the wonderful video! maybe you will come to Kyrgyzstan again? look at our pearl Lake Issykkul.

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Definitely thinking about heading that direction again! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@AlexGodard]

The color grading is insane. And what about the snow day!!! It really add something unique to the film. Love it!

[@RyanJSchmitz]

The variety of the terrain and the weather was really awesome. We still need to try and get something planned, although at a bit slower pace than what you just did in Lofoten. Ha

[@AlexGodard]

@@RyanJSchmitz of course, it would be a pleasure. Have a good trip in Mexico !

[@UlukOsmonov]

beautiful, Ryan! Loved the video. Enjoyed! I crossed Jyptyk Pass in 2022 during the Silk Road Mountain Race. Remember those places, especially the Kojokelen village, which seemed super cozy for me.

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Silk Road Mountain Race sounds like an amazing adventure!

[@someanimation6807]

My ancestor’s are from Alay region.

[@user-lc8vx1nf8b]

amazing videography wow

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Thanks, I’m really pleased with how it turned out!

[@MrSuljoker]

Beautiful landscape. Good luck further!

[@RyanJSchmitz]

It really is gorgeous! Thanks for watching.

[@vdc2266]

Thank you Ryan for sharing this video that I have been waiting for impatiently. It is stunning. Your video really made me relive the trek. Greetings from one of the hikers of the Belgian group :-)

[@RyanJSchmitz]

I was thinking about you guys the other day. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@tomwhite9740]

Amazing

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Thanks Tom! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@bozidarpucnik6543]

Thank you, Ryan, for this beautiful video. It is professional. Respect! I plan a trip to Kyrgyzstan with my family in June and July this year, and, of course, hiking/trekking is our priority. Watching your video, I have an idea that trekking can be done without a guide (I looked at the prices of Visit Alay and found it a bit pricy for my budget-family of 4). I thought of booking a stay with CBT. Do you think is doable?

[@RyanJSchmitz]

CBT is the way to go. I do not think you need a guide at all but a porter certainly makes the trip more enjoyable. Should be an amazing family trip. Enjoy!

[@visitalay5811]

Nailed it! It was a pleasure to organize this trek! Come see us again in the future, Ryan☺

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Thanks @visitalay5811 with helping with the logistics, it was a memorable trip!

[@herschelgreimenheimer1739]

really awesome, what a journey! Of course kraig here with the first comment, legends.

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Definitely a journey! Kraig and I have been talking about this trek for a bit, it'll be fun to see his take on it.

[@C4sp3r123]

Ryan this is a spectacularly put together video, recently found your channel when your Madeira video was a KZbin recommendation video. I really feel your videos deserve so many more views as they quality is astounding! You mentioned at the start of this video that you are going to do another video for this trip, a guide video as such, like you did for the Madeira video. I hope you still plan to do this as I found the Madeira video you did like this really interesting and useful. Fingers crossed you have time to put it out at some point! Thanks for sharing your trips!

[@RyanJSchmitz]

@C4sp3r123 if I was a younger man, without a wife, and without kids, I would love to put a big push behind doing this a little more full time. But I do enjoy making these videos as a hobby. Hopefully I will be able to do them more often! I keep saying I am going to put together a how to video, I'll try and get it done soonish.

[@C4sp3r123]

@@RyanJSchmitz Thanks for the reply Ryan, it is much appreciated. As I said previously, your videos are exceptional, I hope you do find the time eventually to put together the "how to video" for this trip. Safe travels!

[@oscarrysaly2825]

La beauté magnifique !!!

[@OSMOneStepMore]

Unreal shots from the air. Nature is amazing in its beauty. Spectacular! 🔥 Congratulations! 🏆What drone did you shoot with?💯

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Glad you enjoyed it. Drone shots were with a Mavic Air 3.

[@OSMOneStepMore]

@@RyanJSchmitz Oh great. 👍I asked because we are thinking about to travel in Kyrgyzstan this year and we didn't find anything about the drone law there. Thank you for info.

[@relaxingnature2617]

WOW WOW WOW impressive video - great drone footage and editing

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@PeterSmithDrone]

OMG - such a great video!!!

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Thanks for the feedback. Glad you enjoyed it

[@kyrgyzexplorers214]

Best video about kyrgyz mountains

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Thank you. So glad I had the opportunity to visit there.

[@piano-js]

Wow !!! What a movie

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@thepeacerunners]

All your films are great ! But this is a masterpiece...perfect! You are a great filmmaker.. congratulations! Loved it !

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Thanks for the feedback. Pretty proud of this one!

[@thepeacerunners]

@@RyanJSchmitz as you should be...it's the real deal !

[@NomadPeaks-Travel]

I’m proud of watching this video It was masterpiece video and well-explained 👍🏻👍🏻 I appreciate it ❤

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Thank you for the feedback! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@NOMADKGZ86]

I welcome you to my country you liked it there are many more mountain places a good picture in one breath watched good luck to you and your loved ones take care of yourself come and conquer the peaks

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Beautiful country and people.

[@pungarehu]

Kyrgyzstan was a place on my radar for walking and mountain biking at some point. This video however, just put it right up there with places to go. A brilliant story told without excessive voiceovers and inappropriate music. Just a really great piece of cinematography and a testament to a great deal of work done in post production I’m sure. Well done and I look forwards to more.

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Mountain biking out there would be great. Is there a certain area that is known for their biking in Kyrgyzstan? May be worth another trip….

[@mapadebolsillo]

What an amazing video. The views are so incredible and all the effort to deliver such a good cinematic video. This just inspires me to hike and record. Thank you a lot

[@RyanJSchmitz]

It’s definitely a bit of a hassle to record while hiking, but it’s all worth it once the video is pulled together. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@kyrgyzexplorers214]

Great!

[@jesperbach1]

This is unreal mate. Thanks for taking me on a virtuel beautiful ride! waoow.

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Thanks, man! Glad you enjoyed it. Are you planning on making any other films, loved your first one!

[@calfinmurrin2019]

Wow, the quality of the images is just astonishing...

[@RyanJSchmitz]

The beautiful landscape helped. Thanks!

[@ozgurtaylana]

Congratulations

[@samuraiyamamoto-fg2cv]

Welcome to KYRGYZSTAN / Кош келдинер Кыргызстанга 🇰🇬💔

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Thank you, lovely country!

[@HikerJerry]

看到视频的标题和简介都是中文倍感亲切。是从Kraigadams麦理浩径那一期视频认识并关注了你，身在中国，竟然不知道与中国接壤的吉尔吉斯坦竟如此美丽，从你的镜头中领略了邻国的风光，也激励自己不断走出去，有机会一定要去更多的地方看看。

[@user-cv4ch5le1m]

Hello Ryan, I am from south of Kyrgyzstan not far from Osh you have been, breathtaking footage of yours. I am really glad you have visited and view you captured is spectacular. Next time please feel free to contact me if you if you come. Me and my friends are planning to do hiking to remote mountain range of Alay and Enilchek to see snow leopard and ski on a glassier.

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for the invite. It sounds amazing! I may take you up on it.

[@WasatchWendigo]

The mountains of Bhutan next? Easier to suggest than attempt I'm sure. :) Stunning videography, thanks for the scenes of the Kyrgyzstan visit.

[@RyanJSchmitz]

The new Trans Bhutan hike is on my radar. A bit long for me, but would love to do a section. I was lucky enough to make it out there once before but just for a few days to check out the highlights of the country. I was able to do the Tigers Nest Monastery hike which is breathtaking.

[@lucagandolfo4997]

I saw that you travelled quite light. Who brought all the stuff? Your guide? thank you

[@RyanJSchmitz]

No guide, we did hire a porter with Visit Alay though.

[@michaelvo]

Are you going to make a "guide" video like for Madeira? That video was super helpful for me when I went 2 months ago. Thanks again!

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Awesome! How did you like Madeira? Sure, I’ll try to get something pulled together in the next couple weeks.

[@michaelvo]

@@RyanJSchmitz The views were some of the most unique and awe inducing. Being above the clouds in all directions was special during the Pico to Pico section. I had some of my favorite hiking moments. The gradient of elevation was insane though. That was a super tough hike and you guys did some crazy mileage each day.

[@maryannbramhall-nk4fk]

amazing video

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Glad you guys enjoyed it!

[@user-je7fy3nu6c]

😍🤩

[@jmcgloo]

Your cinematography is incredible. May I ask what all equipment you shot with? Did you shoot in log on DJI? And lastly, what do you edit in? Sorry for all of the questions, I’m an amateur and I’m visiting Kyrgyzstan for the second summer in a row, and want to take away some lessons from this masterpiece.

[@RyanJSchmitz]

No worries on the questions. A7S3 with a 20-70mm f4 shot in slog-3 and a Mavic Air 3 also shot in log. Edit in FCPX w/ color finale. Lock down tripod shots and slow movements on drone are key.

[@jmjmblue7987]

Amazing shots..what month did you go there?

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Late September. After that, many of the seasonal yurts and home stays are shut down.

[@jmjmblue7987]

@@RyanJSchmitz hopefully next year I can go there. It is not yet jump pack with tourist which is really good

[@RyanJSchmitz]

I think you’ll be ok for awhile. They have some work to do with infrastructure before they can really support any qty of tourists.

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

Amazing hike but even more amazing color grading. How are you achieving this? Looks natural, cinematic, blacks just right, shadows, highlights all of it.

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Glad you enjoyed it! I shot everything in log as I am usually pretty sloppy when shooting the video, under/over exposing etc, and this gives me some flexibility in post. I use fcpx with color finale for all color corrections. Usually just boost the blacks a bit, lower the highlights and get something that I think looks good, then try to carry that look throughout the video. It's a lot of work, but I think it's worth it!

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

@@RyanJSchmitzare you adding a bit of blue to the highlights? You are doing something to your fall off and colors it looks damn good. I sent ya an IG message as well.

[@RyanJSchmitz]

I lock my white balance at around 5200k which seems to pull in the blue a bit. Boost the blacks up to around 10 IRE and whites down to 90 IRE using waveform scope in fcpx then I play with midtones a bit to get the look I want. Sometimes I need to adjust the color temp since my white balance is locked in while shooting. I do typically bring my saturation down a bit. Occasionally I will need to mask certain parts of a shot and expose it differently because there is just too much contrast. I’ll reach out to you on IG if you have any other questions.

[@NOMADKGZ86]

I liked the music. I couldn't find it. You can leave me a link. Thank you in advance and good luck to you.

[@RyanJSchmitz]

I use Musicbed for my music

[@NOMADKGZ86]

@@RyanJSchmitz thank you for your reply, but I did not find the music that you used on your film. I really liked it. I would be grateful if

[@Zieloniwpodrozy]

Amazing video! What drone did you use?

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Just started using the Mavic Air 3. Really enjoy the two lenses and the new charging block that drains whatever is left in one battery and sends it to another is a game changer.

[@dnaly13]

Looks amazing! When did you go for the hike?

[@RyanJSchmitz]

We went in late September. Great to catch the colors and in our case a bit of snow. Earlier in the season the mountains are a gorgeous green. Would be great to see it then too!

[@TOSSS01]

Hey! Firstly, this video and journey is incredible!! I also saw Kyrgstan pop up on social media and am considering it to be my next adventure. Quick question about the route: How tough was the hike? I've done a lot of travelling the past year and some 1 or 2 day tour hikes, but nothing with gear and all, therefore I am still definitely an amateur. Did you need to prepare your fitness level for it? Thanks and keep it up!

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Hey! Thanks for watching. I honestly am not to sure how hard the hike was. I got sick the day before the hike and struggled the first few days. I recommend hiring a porter. It was cheap, helps the local economy, and allows you to just carry a day pack. Other than the daypack and your clothing, visit Alay can provide everything you need and get you booked into home stays and yurts so you don’t even need to bring a tent/cooking supplies etc. Now if you want to do this hike fully self supported, it could be easily done, and you pass through villages frequently, not necessarily for restocking, but if you got yourself into trouble. I try to always keep myself in fighting shape, not ultra marathon shape, but I can bang out some big days if I need to. I’ll put a video together with more details.

[@sobolham]

Hi Ryan,. My plan is to repeat your trek together with my two cousins. Could you give us some advice. We will be traveling with Alay in mid-June. What should you unconditionally take with us. How to pack so we can load it on the horse later. Do we need water filters, power banks etc?

[@RyanJSchmitz]

I’m pretty minimalist when I hike. I recommend filters, the other groups we ran into, who got boiled water at the homestays, all ended up having stomach problems but we faired ok. If you get a porter you can pack a ton but we still kept our stuff pretty light, pretty much one change of clothes and sleeping bag/pad. Mind you we were during the snow season, a simple liner probably would be enough in summer as the homestays/yurts have blankets. I pack a lot of batteries for my camera gear but we were able to recharge at the halfway point homestay. Yurts have a little power but not enough for any bigger items such as drone or camera batteries, even phones may have trouble.

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Vast landscape, a memorable trip. Where should I look next?

[@piano-js]

Can I find somewhere the track list ?

[@RyanJSchmitz]

I licensed all the music via Musicbed. Check them out they have some great artists on there.

[@user-ue5wn6hq7x]

My dad is 🔥

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Your dad is a good dude

[@Rayvi]

Anywhere i can find the music used?

[@RyanJSchmitz]

@musicbed

[@Rayvi]

@@RyanJSchmitz thankyou absolutely amazing! How safe did kyrgistan feel im planning on going to climb pik lenin next year!

[@RyanJSchmitz]

@Rayvi I thought it was completely safe, but I’ve travelled a ton and feel safe in most environments as I am a 6’7”, 2 meter, male.

[@givemeanameywontthiswork1865]

"some smaller countries such as KAZAKHSTAN"

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Ha, yeah, not exactly tiny, I guess just relative to China.

[@cala9199]

Alay sounds like LA (Los Angeles )😊😂

[@RyanJSchmitz]

Facts