Chichar Pass

Chichar Pass is located at an elevation of 2830 meters at the intersection of several interesting routes. The easiest way to reach it is from the parking area of the Chunkurchak ski resort or from the Supara Chunkurchak complex. On the opposite side of the saddle begins a steep, long descent into the Alamedin Valley, which connects with the trail running along the Alamedin River roughly halfway to the Teke-Tor Waterfall. To the east, a short ascent leads to an unnamed summit at 2934 meters above sea level, offering a breathtaking view of the entire Alamedin Valley. Further to the west begins the ascent to Beshchalu Tash Mountain (also marked on some maps as Dyadyuchenko), 3305 meters high, as well as to Peak Zelenkovoy (3801 meters). Peak Zelenkovoy (along with Peak Komsomolets) is considered a moderately difficult climb and may be a good choice for hikers who are tired of foothill routes and want to try something a bit more challenging. But Chichar itself is also well worth a visit.

The easiest way to get here is to drive to the Chunkurchak ski resort and leave your car in the parking lot. The road from Arashan through Tatyr is under active reconstruction as of 2025 and is expected to be fully paved by the 2026 season. Keep in mind that after Tatyr a steep mountain serpentine begins, so drive carefully and follow road safety rules.

This route includes a fairly steep and lengthy ascent and therefore requires a certain level of physical fitness. There are no water sources along the way, so you must bring enough water. The ski resort remains active in summer — the café operates and you can get a meal before or after your hike. The Supara Chunkurchak complex with a restaurant is also nearby. However, don’t be misled by this proximity to civilization: at Chichar itself, unfortunately (or fortunately?), there is no tea or coffee, so you can rely only on what you bring with you.

Leave your car at the ski resort parking lot, have a snack if you wish, and start moving uphill along the track of first the white, then the green ski lift. Upon reaching the top station, continue along the trail that gradually takes you to the right into a narrow valley leading to the pass marked “First Saddle.” From here, you can make a quick detour to a small hill on the northern side of the saddle, from which there is a view of the Chunkurchak Valley. The further ascent can be done via two routes: the lower one (along the stream) or the upper one (along the slope of the mountain separating you from the Alamedin side). We recommend the upper route (as shown on the map), as it offers a gentler elevation gain. The only challenge is that the entry to the trail from the saddle may be hard to find, but once on the slope, the trail is clearly visible. Having reached Chichar, assess your strength: you can stop here or choose one of the nearby peaks (2934, 3305, 3801) and continue your ascent.