Backcountry at Cosmo-station in Almaty (3 days)

Itinerary

Day 1. Almaty city – Cosmo-station

Meeting the guide in the lobby of your hotel at 6 o’clock in the morning. Transfer to Cosmo-station by comfortable 4WD vehicle. (40 km) Passing military check-point, where you will have to show your passports (boundary zone with Kyrgyzstan Republic). Arrival to the Cosmo-station at about 7 o’clock. Accommodation in the mountain hut with electricity, tab water, stove heating, rest room is outside. There are three bedrooms and dining room in the hut.

Backcountry to the nearest ridge of Almaty-Alagir mountains – western couloirs (north, north-east aspect) to the right side of old ski-lift. It will be possible to make three-four descents this day. Length of descents: up to 1 km each. Elevation gain/loss: 350-400 meters. Steepness of the slopes: from 15 to 40 degrees. After skiing, lunch in the mountain hut. Rest, walking around. Evening hiking to Big Almaty peak upon your wish. Dinner and overnight in the hut.

Meals included: L, D.

Day 2. Cosmo-station – Summits of Almaty Alagir Mountain Ridge 

Early awakening at 6 o’clock. Breakfast and preparing for ski-touring. At 7.30 start moving along the route towards Tourist peak. Elevation gain: 1600 meters. Length of descent: 1,5 km. Steepness of the slopes: from 15 to 40 degrees. Descent by north, north-west face of the peak to the middle section of the old ski-lift. One more ascent by the same line and descent to the east couloir of the peak to the neighbour gorge. Length of descent: 3 km. Elevation gain: 500 m. Elevation loss: 900 m. Steepness of the slopes: from 15 to 40 degrees. Coming back to the mountain hut. Lunch, rest, free time. Tour around Cosmo-station and meeting with researchers who study cosmic particles in their laboratories. Dinner, overnight in the hut.

Tourist Peak (3954 m.a.s.l.) is located in the Big Almaty Spur, south of the Big Almaty Peak, Zhosalykezen Pass and west of Turan Peak. The top is simple and accessible from all sides. In winter, a small ski drag-lift operates on its slopes from the side of Zhosalykezen Pass.

Meals included: B, L, D.

Day 3. Cosmo-station – Summits of Almaty Alagir Mountain Ridge – Big Almaty Lake – Tau Spa complex – Almaty

Early wake up at 06:00. Breakfast, preparing equipment for the route. Start is not later than 07:30. Getting to the start point of backcountry route to Turan peak, one of the summits of Almaty Alagir mountain ridge by car. Ski-touring to the top with descent along the line of ascent (north-east exposure). Elevation gain: 715 meters, descent length ~ 5 km, duration: 4-5 hours. Slope gradient: 15 – 40 degrees.

Turan Peak (3960 m.a.s.l.) is located in the Big Almaty Spur to the east of Tourist Peak and north-east of Momyshuly Peak (formerly Cornice). The peak belongs to the Almaty Alagir mountain range. The former name is INP (in honor of the Institute of Nuclear Physics). Later it was renamed in honor of Turan University.

After coming back to the start point and transfer back to Cosmo-station. Lunch, packing stuff and departure to the open-air mountain SPA complex. On the way visiting observation view point, where breathtaking panorama of the Big Almaty Lake surrounded by white snowy peaks will be opened.

Lake appeared about 2000 years ago because of the earthquake. The landslide fell from Big Almaty peak and formed essential dam, lake was appeared behind it. Nowadays pure water from the lake is used for the supply part of Almaty city with drinking water.

TAU SPA or “TAU Dastarkhan” (what means “mountains and welcome served table”) is a unique high-mountain entertainment complex. Located at the foothills of Trans-Ili Alatau mountains, in the picturesque Alma-arasan gorge. Nine different steam rooms will help you to relieve tension in tired muscles.

Meals included: B, L.

*Depending on weather, temperature and snow conditions, the guide can make adjustments to the program.

Please note that it’s required to have insurance for extreme sports to be able to participate in this program.