Signature Tour: Another Planet — Madygen Geopark & Road to the Roof of the World (Pamir Highway)

Eight Days on Another Planet

A signature tour by the pioneers of Madygen!

This journey is a passage into another dimension — a different planet, where the earth is painted in shades of red, yellow, and purple, and the mountains resemble a divine artist’s canvas. It is an expedition into the unexplored regions of the southern Tien Shan.

This is a journey with intellectual depth. Accompanied by a geologist guide, you will learn about the origins of life on Earth, the formation of mountain systems, and ancient seas, with clear, visual examples of unique geological phenomena. You will discover how geology and landscape shaped human lifestyles and influenced the course of history. You will understand the true value of oases in the desert and make astonishing new discoveries for yourself. You will also learn how metals were mined and smelted in the Middle Ages.

Madygen is a world of geological wonders and natural heritage of global significance.

This is a link to a video about Madygen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs2t31MNS70&t=2s

The Best Tour of the Year to the Most Mysterious Region of the Tien Shan!

Embark on a journey with professional geologist guides — the founders and explorers of Madygen Geopark, who know every secret corner of this unique world. They will answer your questions and share insights from the unparalleled archive of Earth’s history.

Welcome to a place where the landscapes seem unreal!

Madygen is not just a trip — it’s an adventure that stays in your heart. Red canyons, fantastic rock formations, and ancient fossils that carry the breath of centuries. Here, the earth shines in every shade of ochre and sunset, while the night sky reveals its infinite depths over an authentic starry campsite.

The park feels like the Jurassic period — living history of the Earth, as if you can hear the echo of dinosaur footsteps in the silence.

What Awaits You? Why This Journey is Truly Special

— Geology Comes to Life
This is not just sightseeing — it’s understanding. Dive deep into the origins of world-scale natural wonders with professional geologists as your guides.

— Rare Landscapes and Phenomena
Discover fascinating stories about the rarest geological formations and natural mysteries that you won’t find in ordinary guidebooks.

— A Journey Through Time
One tour, millions of years of Earth’s history. Feel the pulse of geological epochs standing at the boundary of time.

— Legends and Secrets
Explore the legendary Kani-Gut Cave and immerse yourself in the mysterious world of Kalcha-Bashi — places rarely written about and missing from most maps.

— Untouched Corners
Venture into the most secluded spots of the geopark, where silence and pristine nature take your breath away.

— In the Mountains
Visit the mountain village of Zardaly — one of the most enigmatic settlements where time seems to have stopped in the 19th century. Authentic life set against the grandeur of mountain landscapes and rare natural beauty.

— A Special Finale
A masterclass in cooking plov. Learn the secrets from a local chef: whose plov is it, really?

Madygen Geopark — Where the History of Our Planet Comes Alive
This is not just colorful landscapes and authentic geo-cultural heritage. It’s a true journey through time, revealing the secrets of mountain formation, valleys, and the evolution of wildlife.

Pamir Highway — The Road to the Roof of the World

The Pamir Highway is more than just a lifeline for the Pamiris — it’s an open-air gallery of natural landscapes and geological marvels. It’s a path for explorers and a unique chance to witness the beauty of the Alay Range, live in a yurt, and enjoy authentic local cuisine.

Highlights of the Pamir Highway:

Leads to the Pamirs and the Alay Valley, passing through astonishing landscapes
Alay Valley marks the geographical and geological boundary between the Tien Shan and Pamir mountain systems
Endless discoveries and photo opportunities
Ahead lies Lenin Peak (7,134 m) — one of the planet’s iconic seven-thousanders

Tour Program

Day 1: Journey to the Homeland of Dried Apricots – Meeting Batken

08:00 – Departure to the foothills of the Turkestan Range, a land untouched by tourists. Our route leads to the small town of Batken, nestled between the mountains and the Fergana Valley.
09:00 – Stop at Dangi Canyon, home to endangered griffon vultures.
Visit Shahimardan Valley and admire the stunning landscapes of the Alay Range.
13:30 – Lunch at an authentic teahouse, a sacred spot by the river.
16:30 – Arrival in Batken, check-in at the hotel.
After a short rest, explore a natural gallery of rare rock carvings.
19:30 – Dinner at the hotel. Evening lecture by the geologist guide: Tien Shan and Central Asia – Millions of Years Before the Silk Road.

Day 2: Discovering Madygen Geopark – Batken to Madygen

08:00 – Breakfast at the hotel
08:30 – Departure to Madygen, with photo stops along the Tortkul Reservoir.
09:00 – Explore the geopark valleys. Learn about minerals and metals mined in the Middle Ages and see unique geological phenomena in Sphinx Valley, Unkur-Sai, Mollusks Valley, and Ancient Kilns. This is paradise for geologists, paleontologists, photographers, and nature lovers. Discover rare landscapes and endangered wildlife. Visit the ancient metallurgy yard where metal was extracted from Kani-Gut cave ore. Explore Dinosaur Valley, Koshum spring, ancient Musketo poplars, and the Madygen Oasis.
13:30 – Arrival at Madygen Oasis, a sacred site for the Naiman people.
14:00 – Lunch in the Madygen grove.
15:00 – Adventure trip to the panoramic viewpoint and Kalcha-Bashi Valley – a world of wild, unexplored places. Visit Tenge-Sai Canyon.
18:30 – Return to the oasis. Accommodation in yurts or tents in the luxurious poplar grove. Facilities include toilets and showers. No phone connection — complete silence and immersion in nature.
19:00 – Plov cooking masterclass, followed by dinner.

Evening experience: Bonfire, stars, and the sensation of time standing still. Madygen is a place where nature restores inner peace — no phones, no crowds, no noise, just the light, the wind, and the living earth. Here, you can truly hear tranquility.

Day 3: Millions of Years Before the Silk Road

08:00 – Breakfast in the camp
09:00 – Demonstration of ancient metal smelting at Kani-Gut cave, with stories of ore extraction and metallurgy in the 9th–10th centuries along the Silk Road.
12:00 – Lunch in the Madygen camp
13:00 – Visit the Dzhangakty canyons and continue exploring the colorful Sary-Tau Mountains.
16:00 – Travel to Samarkandek village, witness traditional handwoven carpets made from local materials, and participate in a masterclass guided by a cultural expert.
18:30 – Return to Batken
19:30 – Arrival at hotel
20:00 – Dinner

Day 4: Unknown Kyrgyzstan – Back to the 19th Century, 100 km

08:00 – Breakfast at the hotel
08:30 – Departure to the unexplored regions of Turkestan along mountain roads with dizzying turns and adrenaline-inducing serpentines. Explore the monumental landscapes of Soq Valley and the grand canyon of the same name. Discover tiny mountain villages perched on high terraces. Visit the ruins of Kan Fortress, home of Khudayar Khan of the Kokand Khanate. Explore the high-altitude authentic village of Zardaly, known for traditional naswar production.
14:00 – Lunch in an authentic Zardaly home
15:00 – Return to Batken, observing the landscapes from a new perspective
18:00 – Rest at the hotel
19:00 – Dinner at the hotel. Optional evening excursion to watch the sunset over Tortkul Reservoir

Day 5: Back to Reality

09:00 – Breakfast at the hotel
09:30 – Return journey to Osh, with a stop at Abshir-Sai Gorge to see a rare karst spring forming a spectacular waterfall from a cave.
13:00 – Lunch at a teahouse en route
14:00 – Continue to Osh
16:30 – Arrival in Osh, hotel check-in
17:30 – Guided tour of the sacred Sulayman Mountain — UNESCO World Heritage Site

Day 6: Meeting the Pamirs

08:00 – Breakfast at the hotel
08:30 – Departure along the Pamir Highway, a modern Silk Road route to China and the Pamirs. Experience the phenomenal diversity of landscapes and the cultural heritage of Alay — homeland of Kurmanjan Datka, the Queen of Alay.
12:30 – Lunch in a stunning arched gorge
Cross two mountain passes and enter Alay Valley. View the majestic Pamir and Lenin Peak (7,134 m). Accommodation in yurts.
Short acclimatization walk to Tulparkul Lakes at 3,500 m altitude. Overnight in a yurt.

Day 7: Return to the Fergana Valley

Early morning hike to a panoramic viewpoint. Breakfast and departure to Osh, observing landscapes from a different angle. Return to the hotel. Evening masterclass on traditional Beshbarmak, followed by dinner.