In honor of the second millennium, the Central Sports Club of the Army and Asia Tourism organized the first international festival for climbers and trekkers — "Festival Khan Tengri 2000" — from August 6 to August 27 in the Central Tien Shan Mountains.

About 520 people from 30 countries attended the festival, including many famous international climbers. These included Simone Moro from Italy, Alexander Lvov from Poland and Valery Babanow and Vladimir Karataev from Russia. Fifty-three professional climbers and 227 amateurs tried to reach the top of Khan Tengri (7010m). Only 79 reached the summit.

During the festival there were a series of climbing events intended to test the skill, stamina and courage of the participants.

Speed ascent to the top of Khan Tengri:
1. Denis Urubko (Kazakh Military Sports Club)
North Base Camp - Summit (7 hours 40 min),
North Base Camp - Summit - North Base Camp (12 hours 21 min).

2. Nikolay Chervonenco (Kazakh Military Sports Club)
North Base Camp - Summit (9 hours 45 min),
North Base Camp - Summit - North Base Camp (16 hours 00 min).

3. Andrey Puchinin (Kyrgyzstan)
North Base Camp - Summit (12 hours 00 min),
North Base Camp - Summit - North Base Camp (19 hours 02 min).

Paragliding from the summit of Khan Tengri:
Because of bad weather Vladimir Karataev jumped from the second camp (5600m) on August 19 and landed on the North Inilchek Glacier.

Climbing the North Face of Khan Tengri:
A team of Kazakh alpinists climbed the previously unconquered North Face of Khan Tengri. The ascent took eight days due to the danger from avalanches.

Solo climb:
Valery Babanov attempted to climb the North Face of Khan Tengri solo — a feat never before achieved — but was forced to abandon his attempt due to bad weather and the danger of avalanches.

Ski descent from the summit of Khan Tengri:
A Slovenian team tried the ski descent from the summit of Khan Tengri. Because of the avalanche danger, the team descent took place from the Chapaev route, (Camp 3, 5900m) by skiing to the South Inilchek Glacier.

Ascent of Pobeda Peak:
This season nobody was able to climb Pobeda Peak (7439m) because of very deep snow, high winds and extreme cold. A team of Kazakh climbers had to abandon its attempt only 400m from the summit due to attrocious weather conditions.

On August 26, the winners were rewarded with a banquet and Kazakh national games at the main base camp of Ak Kol, followed by a disco for all participants. The festival was a big step forward in the development of Kazakh climbing and opening up their mountainous regions to International teams of climbers.