Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan skiing in 14 days

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Join a KMGA-aspirant guide for this eclectic, scenic and fun ski touring and sightseeing adventure in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Over the course of 14 days, head to various ski resorts as well as out into the backcountry, taking advantage of high-quality powder and empty slopes. Visit various sites and cities along the way, exploring the culture and landscapes of these incredible places.

Private

Tian Shan

14 Days

Jan - Mar, Nov, Dec

High

Intermediate

Highlights

* Enjoy the stunning scenery of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

* Head to a different part of the mountains in these two countries each day.

* Visit one of Kazakhstan's unique natural monuments: Charyn Canyon.

Description

Whether you are looking for some early season skiing or simply trying to escape the crowds at all the usual ski touring hotspots, come to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan!

Over the course of 14 days, we will explore the many incredible landscapes of these two unique central Asian countries, getting in some great ski touring as well as seeing some of the incredible sites.

The adventure begins shortly after you touch down in Almaty, Kazakhstan, which sits at the foot of the mighty Tian Shan mountains.

The first half of the trip will be spent exploring the various ski resorts nearby. Each day that we head out into the resorts, we will enjoy plenty of long and scenic runs over pristine powder.

Unlike more popular skiing hotspots, there should be fewer crowds to compete with here, meaning more slopes and powder just for us.

We will conclude the Kazakhstan portion of our trip by visiting the incredible Charyn canyon and exploring this amazing natural monument as well as heading on a half-day city tour of Almaty.

After we've had our fill of Kazakhstan, we will transfer to Kyrgyzstan and the fun continues.

As we make our way to the capital and then to the mountainous region in the east of the country, we will explore some more cultural sites – such as the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Dungan Mosque and Russian Quarter and Gingerbread Houses – of several mountain towns. Afterwards, we will plunge into the backcountry.

The following days will be spent exploring the Turgen-Aksuu gorge, Jyrgalan valley and Tyup gorge. Based out of yurts, we will head into a different parts of these landscapes each day, enjoying some amazing views and making numerous incredible runs.

Overall, expect to spend about 8 hours on the slopes each day that we ski, ascending about 1,000 meters and enjoying 5 to 8 kilometer-long runs back down to where we started. This trip is best saved for intermediate-level ski tourers.

Our trip comes to a close after we return to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Here, we will enjoy another half-day city tour before returning to Almaty and saying goodbye.

So what are you waiting for? Book now for this once-in-a-lifetime ski touring adventure in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan!

If you like the look of this program, but you want to spend more time exploring Almaty, then we think you may enjoy our 12-day ski touring trip to Almaty!

Price includes

- Accommodation included

- Guiding fee

- Breakfast

- Lunch

- Transport during the trip

- Permit and entrance fees

- Clean drinkable water

Price details

Tour Price INCLUSIONS:

1. Accommodation in Almaty in 4* hotel.

2. Accommodation in Bishkek in 4* hotel.

3. Accommodation in Karakol in 3* hotel.

4. Accommodation in Yurt Lodge in Jyrgalan valley.

5. All transfers according to the program by comfortable vehicle.

6. Daily ski-passes on Shymbulak and Ak-Bulak resorts.

7. English-speaking skiing guide services in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

8. Day tour to Charyn canyon.

9. Almaty city tour (5 hours) with lunch.

9. Bottled water (1,5 liters) for each day.

10. Ecological and environmental fees.

11. Bishkek city walking tour (3 hours) with visiting Osh market.

12. Meals according to the program.

13. Karakol walking city tour (3 hours).

14. Lunch-boxes in days 3 and 4.

15. Entrance fee to the hot-springs.

16. Launch to the high Yurt Lodges in Jyrgalan by snowmobiles.

Tour Price EXCLUSIONS:

1. Accommodation in Almaty before or after the tour.

2. Rental of ski and avalanche equipment.

3. Meals not indicated in the program and/or not included into the tour price.

4. Visa support and registration on the territory of Kazakhstan, if required.

5. Personal expenses and other expenses not indicated in the program.

6. Insurance policy.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival

After meeting the guide at Almaty International Airport, transfer to the hotel and discuss the trip. The rest of the day is free.

Day 2: Medeo Gorge

After meeting with the guide at 8:30 am, we will transfer to Medeo Gorge (1690 m) and head to Shymbulak ski resort via cable car. We will spend the day skiing here before returning to Almaty in the evening.

Meals included: B, L

Day 3: Ak Bulak ski resort

We will transfer to the Ak Bulak ski resort, which is located 45 kilometers away from Almaty and spend the day skiing here. We will return to Almaty in the evening.

Meals included: B, L

Day 4: Trans-Ili-Alatau mountains

After meeting at the hotel first thing in the morning, we will transfer to one of the beautiful gorges of Trans-Ili Alatau. Here, we will have several options, depending on your skill level and preference. These are listed below:

Kimasar gorge and Panorama ridge. Maximum altitude 3260 meters. Elevation gain: 1300 meters, descend length ~ 6 km, duration: 6-7 hours.

Kok Zhailyau valley and Three Brothers peak. Maximum altitude 2850 meters. Elevation gain: 1250 meters, descend length ~ 6 km, duration: 5-6 hours. Slope gradient: 15 – 35 degrees.

Kotyrbulak gorge and Bukreev peak. Maximum altitude 3010 meters. Slope gradient: 15 – 40 degrees. Elevation gain: 1200 meters, descend length ~ 5 km, duration: 5-6 hours.

Tersbutak ridge and Young Geologist peak. Maximum altitude 3200 meters. Elevation gain: 1200 meters, distance of descend ~ 10 km, duration: 6-7 hours. Slope gradient: 15 – 40 degrees.

Mynzhylky ridge and Memory peak. Maximum altitude 3700 meters. Elevation gain: 1150 meters, descend length ~ 5 km, duration: 5-6 hours. Slope gradient: 15 – 40 degrees.

Meals included: B, L

Day 5: Charyn canyon

This day will be more about sightseeing than skiing. In the morning, we will make the 3.5 hour drive to Charyn canyon, learning about the area’s history and culture en route.

Once at the canyon, we will enjoy some exceptional views from the top before hiking through the canyon, exploring this stunning national monument as we go.

Meals included: B, L

Day 6: Almaty to Bishkek

We will spend the morning heading out on a city tour of Almaty and seeing all of this lovely place’s most iconic sites. After the tour, we will transfer to Bishkek, in Kyrgyzstan.

Meals included: B, L, D

Day 7: Bishkek to Cholpon-Ata to Chon-Oruktu to Karakol

We will spend the day slowly traveling through Kyrgyzstan, visiting some of the country’s various tourist sites en route to where the ski touring fun will continue. As we go, we will visit various cultural spots and learn about the history and culture of the country and its people.

Meals included: B

Day 8: Karakol to Turgen-Aksuu gorge to Jyrgalan valley

We will begin the day by transferring to the Turgen-Aksuu gorge. Here, we will ski tour up to the summit of the “Austrian Kiss” before making our way back down into the valley below and transferring to the Jyrgalan valley.

Maximum altitude is 3120 meters. Elevation gain: 1060 meters, descend length ~ 6 km, duration: 6-7 hours. Slope gradient: 25 – 45 degrees.

Meals included: B, D

Day 9: Jyrgalan valley to Tyup gorge

We will head into the Jyrgalan valley and enjoy two to three runs in this pristine part of the backcountry.

Maximum altitude is 3150 meters. Elevation gain: 900 meters, descend length ~ 7 km, duration: 6-7 hours. Slope gradient: 15 – 45 degrees.

After a long day out on the slopes, we will return to the yurt and enjoy the sauna.

Meals included: B, L, D

Day 10 to 12: Jyrgalan Heights

We will spend the next three days exploring more of the backcountry in the Jyrgalan region. Each day, we will head out onto the slopes and enjoy the solitude of the mountains as well as great skiing.

Maximum altitude is 3600 meters. Elevation gain: 500-800 meters, descend length ~ 5-7 km, duration: 6-7 hours. Slope gradient: 15 – 45 degrees.

Meals included: B, L, D

Day 13: Jyrgalan to Bishkek

We will start the day by transfering to Aksuu village on snowmobiles. From here, we will enjoy the natural hot springs before transferring to Tosor village on the shores of Issyk-Kul lake.

After exploring the lake shores for a bit, we will transfer on to Fairy-Tale canyon, exploring the bizarre and rocky landscape.

We will then transfer on to Bishkek.

Meals included: B

Day 14: Bishkek to Almaty

We will start the day with a city tour of Bishkek before transferring back to Almaty in the afternoon, where we will leave you at the hotel and say goodbye.

Meals included: B, L

Details

More info

Required equipment and clothing:

Safety

Avalanche equipment (air bag system and avalanche safety kit: shovel, probe, transceiver)
Freeride backpack with ski/snowboard fixation
Helmet and goggles with a spare lens for bright sunlight and cloudy weather
Personal AID kit

Clothing and accessories

Ski/snowboard boots (for skiers with system of switching to walking mode)
Comfortable functional clothing for riding and ski-touring (base layer - thermal underwear, gore-tex jacket and pants, additional layers of clothing for insulation, downy sweater or vest)
Extra set of warm clothes, extra pair of shoes (sneakers or lightweight trekking shoes)
Warm sleeping bag with a temperature below zero in comfort zone, camping mat
Gloves
Hat, cap, neck gaiters.
Sunscreen, sunglasses
Swimsuit, towel and flip-flops for visiting hot-springs

Equipment

Mountain skis/snowboard with ski-touring bindings
Snowshoes (for snowboarders without splitboard)
Skins
Poles
Ski crampons
Thermos for the hot tea, water tank.
Head torch
Personal hygiene stuff

Food

Snacks (bars, muesli, special mount nutrition)

Meeting point

Almaty International Airport

About the guide

ACT

Aspirant Guide

ACT ADVENTURE is the adventure department of ACT KAZAKHSTAN - one of the largest and fastest-growing inbound tour operator companies in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Established in 2008, and having two offices in the largest cities of Kazakhstan - Almaty and Nur-Sultan, we specialize in providing tourist and related services in more than 20 cities and 5 resorts in Kazakhstan.

We offer a wide range of outdoor activities in Kazakhstan:

- Resort skiing/freeride/backcountry/heli-skiing
- Trekking/hiking
- Horseback riding tours
- City cycling and MTB tours
- Water rafting
- Off-road expeditions
- Photo tours
- Other kinds of activities upon request

Why choose us?

• Our region is wild and less explored, you will not meet here many tourists, but find untouched nature and harmony.
• Different kinds of landscape: from canyons and deserts, to river valleys, forests, rocky mountains and glaciers.
• Opportunity to learn about the historical and cultural heritage of our ancient nomadic land.
• All our tour programs have been developed and tested by us.
• Our guides are our proud; they all are professionals in their field.
• We have all the necessary stuff for organizing our outdoor programs.
• Archive of amazing memorable pictures after each tour.
• We care about your safety and guarantee a high level of service.

Members of ACT Adventure Team
Darya Ponomaryova & Alexandr Zadneprovskiy

Languages

Russian | English

Certificates

KMGA

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