Tour details
- Period
- December – March
- Trip length
- 10 days
- Tour specialist
- Bakyt – 20 reviews
- From
- 1263$
We would like to introduce you to a fascinating region perched in the middle of the Tien Shan. Kyrgyzstan, a country of nomads, in the heart of Central Asia, largely unexplored mountains offers a wonderful playground for all nature lovers and virgin lands. The Kyrgyz people which has preserved its tradition of hospitality lives peacefully in a surprising variety of landscapes and made this country the pearl of Central Asia steppes, prairies, deserts but also canyons, high alpine valleys, lakes with turquoise waters.
This discovery takes you to ski in the western part of the country, the Kyrgyz range to Ferghana.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Bishkek and first half day on skis at Ak-Tash Ski Resort
Your driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to a guesthouse in Bishkek City.
You will be able to rest after a long flight at a guesthouse in Bishkek. (Most flights land at 4:00 am.)
At 10 am you will meet your ski guide and go over everyone’s required insurance cards and required safety equipment for ski touring.
After completing the safety checks you will make your way to the mountains for the first day on skis.
The wheels on the van will be turning at 10:30 am make sure to dress for a day of ski touring.
Once you make it to Ak Tash ski resort you will be able to jump on the ski lift to reach higher grounds and start touring from the top of the nearby mountains. It’s important that your ski guide gets to know you and see how you are skiing.
After a few fun runs you will have dinner at the ski resort with a great view of the snowy mountains surrounding you.
Time Skiing: 2-3 hours
Driving time: 2.5 hours
Accommodation in a guesthouse at Ak-Tash Ski resort.
Day 2: Bishkek to Suusamyr + half a day of skiing
After an early breakfast, you head south-west to the snow-covered Suusamyr valley.
Once you reach the Too-Ashuu mountain pass of 3500m you will be able to enjoy the panoramic view of the Suusamyr valley.
Upon your arrival in Suusamyr 3120m where you will be able to rest and get acclimated to your new base camp.
You will be able to get in a few turns after the long snowy drive to the Suussmyr valley. It’s possible to ski from the top of the ski base down to the road and meet your driver at the bottom of the valley to get a few fun rides in.
Suusamyr is a paradise for skiers looking for big turns and deep powder. Suusamyr has its own type of unique snow, sugar flakes.
Today you will scout out the possible locations for touring for the next days ahead.
Dinner will be had at the base camp where you will be accommodated.
Time Skiing: 2-3 hours
Driving time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation at the Too Ashu ski resort.
Day 3: Full day of ski touring in Suusamyr
After an early breakfast, you will gear up and head into the mountains.
First, check to make sure everyone has all of their safety equipment and check the condition of the snow and then make a plan for the day.
The rest of the day will be spent in the mountains.
Lunch in the mountains.
At the end of the day head back to the base camp where dinner will be ready.
Time Skiing: 5 to 6 hours
Driving time: 1-2 hours
Accommodation at a the Too Ashu ski resort.
Day 4: Full day of ski touring in Suusamyr
After an early breakfast, you will gear up and head into the mountains.
First, check to make sure everyone has all of their safety equipment and check the condition of the snow and then make a plan for the day.
The rest of the day will be spent in the mountains.
Lunch in the mountains.
At the end of the day head back to the base camp where dinner will be ready.
Time Skiing: 5 to 6 hours
Driving time: 1-2 hours
Accommodation at the Too Ashu ski resort.
Day 5: Ski touring in Suusamyr and then driving to Toktogul
After an early breakfast, you will gear up and head into the mountains with all of your equipment in the van.
First, check to make sure everyone has all of their safety equipment and check the condition of the snow and then make a plan for the day.
Half of the day will be spent in the mountains on the west side of Suusamyr valley.
Lunch in the mountains.
At ~3:30 pm you will meet your driver and you will make your way to the small town of Toktogul. For the brave travelers it’s possible to dip into the Toktogul reservoir for a swim.
Time Skiing: 4 to 5 hours
Driving time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation in a hotel in Toktogul
Day 6: Driving from Toktogul to Arslanbob + Horseback riding to the Base Camp
Today you will say goodbye to your hosts in Toktogul and take the long but interesting drive to the village of Arslanbob.
You will be able to see the Naryn River with its turquoise colors.
Then you will enter the Ferghana Valley before you head into the world’s largest walnut forests in Arslanbob.
Arslanbob is an amazing place for skiing and for getting to know the Uzbek population.
Once you arrive you will meet your horses which will take you to a simple alpine hut called Jaz-Jarim where you will spend the night.
The alpine base camp Jaz-Jarim is quite basic and it’s also possible to spend the night in tents at the base camp as well.
Horseback riding: 2-3 hours
Driving time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation at an alpine hut Jaz-Jarim or in tents in the mountains behind Arslanbob.
Day 7: Full day ski touring in Arslanbob
After an early breakfast, you will gear up and head into the mountains.
First, check to make sure everyone has all of their safety equipment and check the condition of the snow and then make a plan for the day.
The rest of the day will be spent in the mountains.
Lunch in the mountains.
At the end of the day head back to the base camp where dinner will be ready for you.
Time Skiing: 5-6 hours
Driving time: 0 hours
Accommodation at an alpine hut Jaz-Jarim or in tents in the mountains behind Arslanbob.
Day 8: Full day ski touring in Arslanbob
After an early breakfast, you will gear up and head into the mountains.
First, check to make sure everyone has all of their safety equipment and check the condition of the snow and then make a plan for the day.
The rest of the day will be spent in the mountains.
Lunch in the mountains.
At the end of the day head back to the base camp where dinner will be ready for you.
Time Skiing: 5-6 hours
Driving time: 0 hours
Accommodation at an alpine hut or in tents in the mountains behind Arslanbob.
Day 9: Half day ski touring in Arslanbob and driving to Osh
Today you have the option to have a very early alpine start and get a few turns in before breakfast.
After breakfast, your horseman brings you down to the village of Arslanbob.
Leaving Arslanbob, you will be transferred to Osh, one of the oldest cities in Kyrgyzstan.
On the way, you will have lunch in the village of Uzgen where you will be able to visit a minaret and mausoleum from the 10th century.
Osh is over 3000 years old and you will be able to see the highlights from the Silk Road in Osh.
In Osh, you will be able to enjoy a farewell dinner at a typical Uzbek café and enjoy a bit of local music.
Time Skiing: 2-3 hours
Horseback Riding: 2-3 hours.
Driving time: hours
Accommodation at a guesthouse in Osh.
Day 10: Osh flight home
After breakfast, you will be able to discover the city of Osh or fly back home. Everything depends on the time of your flight back home.
This day is created to give people flexibility for their flights home.
We hope you enjoyed your tour and come back to Kyrgyzstan in the summer to enjoy an amazing trek into the mountains.
Prices
Price per person
- 2 pax: 2,342$
- 3 pax: 1,803$
- 4 pax: 1,533$
- 5 pax: 1,371$
- 6 pax: 1,263$
Sometimes it is possible to join other people in our scheduled tours. Check via the form!
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Airport transfers
- Accommodation as mentioned in the program
- Full-board during the whole trip (3 meals per day)
- English speaking ski touring guide
- All transportation in private 4×4 vehicle
- Drinking water and tea
- All activities mentioned in the program
- Entrance fees for monuments and parks mentioned in the program
NOT INCLUDED
- Single room supplement = $85
- International flights
- Visas (if applicable)
- Travel insurance
- Repatriation insurance
- Alcoholic beverages / sodas
- Tips (always optional, but always appreciated)
- Personal expenses
- Any charged activity not mentioned in the program
- International banking fees
Notes
Our Guides:
We work with several experimented ski touring guides who love their mountains and the Kyrgyz culture. 1 guide for 6 riders maximum! Here are the profiles of 2 of our guides who might guide your trip:
Lidya is a local alpine ski champion and ski instructor, working for us for already 3 winters. She is finishing the KMGA (IFMGA member) course and she has avalanche training from the Mammut Alpine School.
Giona is a certified international ski/snowboard instructor from the Swiss mountains of Arosa. In Kyrgyzstan for 3 years already, he shares his passion for the Tien Shan mountains with the kindness and professionalism that features him.
Level:
This discovery is aimed at skiers mountain confirmed in good physical condition with no need for local mountaineer guide. The outputs can be adapted according to the level of the participants but leaving a wide choice for more experienced skiers. Be aware of conditions of confinement in which the stay is.
Accommodation:
In Ak Tash you will be accommodated at a ski base, with a twin/double room.
In Suusamyr you will be accommodated in a ski base with shared room and private bathroom.
In Toktogul you will be accommodated in a beachside resort with a twin/double room.
In Arslanbob, you will be accommodated in a simple alpine hut or in tents.
In Osh, you will be accommodated in a shared room in a guesthouse in the center of Osh.
Hygiene:
In Bishkek, Suusamyr, Toktogul, and Osh you will have, shared western style bathroom and toilets.
In Arslanbob you will have a simple drop toilet tent.
Food:
In Bishkek, good quality restaurant.
Homemade local dishes at our hosts places for breakfasts and dinners.
Lunches will be picnics taken in the mountains during the activities or in local cafés during transfers.
Required equipment (non-exhaustive):
● Avalanche beacon,
● shovel and probe
● Powder or Freeride
● skis or split board (100mm underfoot)
● Skins + ski helmet
● Travel bag (60-70L)
● Goggles/sunglasses
● Hiking shoes
● 50+ sun cream Personal hygiene set Headlamp
● Bag liner or light sleeping bag
● Winter clothes Slippers / flip flops
● Swimming suit Towel
● Power bank / battery
● Airbag ski touring backpack (recommended)
● Your good mood!
It’s nice to bring small presents for the local families that you will meet during your trip. Cosmetic samples for the ladies, knives for the men and colouring books for the kids are usually appreciated.
Health
During your whole trip, we will do our best to follow the customs regarding body acclimatization in altitude in order to avoid altitude sickness. We will also adapt to your physical condition and rhythm. Despite all these measures, altitude sickness can happen. Travelers could feel headaches, insomnia, loss of appetite, general tiredness, or even nausea.
Your trip has been also designed to avoid immediate exposition to local food and its preparation methods because the hygiene standards are not always meeting western ones.
Nevertheless, as everyone’s body reacts differently, it is common to feel the effects of an “exotic” cuisine. Therefore, it is recommended to see a doctor prior departure, as he is the only one who can prescribe an appropriate travel pharmacy. Besides, a pharmacy will always be available in our vehicles.
We kindly ask you to communicate us any medical contraindication or food allergy, so that we could adapt to it.
A travel insurance policy covering the practice of ski touring and rescue in high mountains in Kyrgyzstan as well as repatriation is MANDATORY to join our trips. Medical infrastructures and rescue capacities out of Bishkek are limited!
Hope to meet you in the land of Celestial Mountains soon!
