Highlights: 7 days on skis, 3 skiing spots, winter yurt camp, hot springs, Issyk Kul Lake, Konorchek Canyon, Eagle hunting, Kyrgyz culture.
Ride the Tien Shan mountains virgin slopes. Discover 3 different skiing spots in Kyrgyzstan. You will experience the freeride ski base of Ak Tash, our winter yurt camp on the south shore of Issyk Kul, its nearby forest and slopes, as well as the ski touring spot of Jyrgalan. Apart of skiing, you will be embraced by the most amazing traditions of the Kyrgyz culture and its hospitality, relax in hot springs, visit contrasted historical monuments and hike in a red Colorado-like canyon.
Our driver will meet you at the airport. Transfer to our guesthouse in Bishkek City where you’ll have breakfast.
Drive to the picturesque small ski base of Ak Tash, the freeride spot near Bishkek.
After a first briefing with your guide, you take the pulse of the Kyrgyz snow by skiing your first descents on the ungroomed slopes of Ak Tash.
Diner and night at the small hotel of the ski base.
Driving 100 km. 2h.
Skiing 2050 m. 3-4 h.
Day 2: On the way to Issyk Kul
This morning we leave the region of Bishkek and drive to the south shore of Issyk Kul lake, the second largest mountain lake in the world.
On the way, we meet a famous eagle hunter of the region, who will show us how he trains his golden eagle for the hunt, an ancient tradition of the Kyrgyz folk.
We arrive at the end of the day to our winter yurt camp on the foot of the slopes, where we meet the local team around a traditional nomadic dinner.
Driving 490 km. 7 h.
Alt. 2050 m.
Days 3 & 4: Ski touring in the Terskey Ala Too
Walk out the yurt put the skis on and enjoy 2 full days ski touring with your guide on the northern slopes of the Terskey Ala Too range.
First equipment and snow condition check then make a plan for the day.
Several itineraries available, depending conditions.
Lunch in the mountains.
Back to the yurt in the afternoon and free time to enjoy the site, participate to the family’s activities, or even ride horses (optional).
Possibility to relax in the banya (Russian sauna) or in the hot springs.
Dinner and night in the yurt.
Skiing 6h00 m.
Alt. 2050m-3500m.
Day 5: Ski session, Karakol and arrival in Jyrgalan
Last morning skiing session before leaving the yurt camp and driving to Karakol town.
Lunch in town and visit of this charming Russian colonial style town.
We discover the orthodox cathedral and the Dungan mosque, two contrasted building symbolizing the diversity of Karakol.
In the afternoon, we drive to Jyrgalan village, the most famous freeride spot of Kyrgyzstan.
Diner and night in a cosy family guesthouse in the village.
Driving 125 km. 3h30
Alt. 1900m. Skiing 4h.
Days 6 & 7: Ski touring in Jyrgalan
Enjoy 2 full days of ski touring on the forestry slopes overhanging the small village.
First equipment and snow condition check then make a plan for the day.
Several itineraries available, depending on conditions.
Lunch in the mountains.
Back to the house in the afternoon and free time to explore the village and participate to the village’s life.
Dinner and night at the guesthouse.
Skiing 6-8 h.
Alt. 2250m-3500m.
Day 8: Last ski session and relaxing at Issyk Kul
Last morning skiing session before driving to the North Shore of Issyk Kul Lake.
We enjoy a delightful moment at the open-air springs, a perfect way to relax our bodies after one week on the skis.
We get accommodated in a guesthouse on the shore of Issyk Kul lake.
Dinner in town and night in the guesthouse.
Driving 230 km. 4h30
Alt. 1600 m. skiing 4h.
Day 9: Hike on the way back to Bishkek
We leave Issyk Kul after breakfast
Hiking in Konorchek canyon, in a landscape contrasting with the pure white slopes of the Terskey Ala Too and Jyrgalan.
Arrival in Bishkek in the afternoon, and short visit of the city center and the bazaar.
Farewell dinner and night at our cosy guesthouse.
Driving 250 km. 4h
Alt. 800m. Walk 3h.
Day 10: Kosh bolunguz (goodbye) Kyrgyzstan…
Drive to the airport
Flight back home with the head full of memories… at least we hope so!
Price per person
2 pax: 2,060$ / per
3 pax: 1,625$ /per
4 pax: 1,410$ /per
5 pax: 1,275$ /per
6 pax: 1,190$ /per
Sometimes it is possible to join other people in our scheduled tours. Check via the form!
Included:
Airport transfers
Accommodation as mentioned in the program
Full board during the whole trip (3 meals per day)
All transportation in private vehicle
Drinking water and tea
English-speaking ski touring guide
All activities mentioned in the program
Entrance fees for monuments and parks mentioned in the program
Your contribution to our sustainable development projects
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
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.
Accommodation:
In Ak Tash ski base, twin/double room. In Jyrgalan and on the northern shore of Issyk Kul, comfortable beds in a shared room in a cosy guesthouse.
At the yurt camp, classic beds in an insulated winter yurt with stove and wooden floor.
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.
Weather
In winter, the days are short but mostly sunny. Temperatures can drop below -20°C during the night. In the high altitude areas, the weather can change very quickly. In case of unsafe snow or weather conditions, we will do our best to propose alternative activities.
Required equipment (non-exhaustive):
● Avalanche beacon, shovel and probe
● Powder or Freeride skis or split board (90mm under foot)
● Skins + ski helmet
● Travel bag (70-80L)
● Airbag ski touring backpack
● 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
● Powerbank/battery
● 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!