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
14 Days
Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Fit
Intermediate
* 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.
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!
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Transport during the trip
- Permit and entrance fees
- Clean drinkable water
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.
After meeting the guide at Almaty International Airport, transfer to the hotel and discuss the trip. The rest of the day is free.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
More info
Meeting point
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
Kumari
5.00
I’m extremely happy with the ease with which I could book via your site reliable and experienced guide. Thank you so very much, and I’ve started to recommend your site to my friends. Dimitris is not only an awesome guide, but a wonderful person who was always looking out to give me the best experience I can have when he found out how much I love climbing! He is the Best!
Niklas
5.00
I am very pleased with Explore-Share! This was my first international climb, and the communication and response time were great. Herbie is a very skilled guide and very efficient. The entire booking process & payment was smooth. I will definitely use Explore-Share again. Thank you.
Greg
5.00
I was looking for a local guide for a hike I was planning and came across Explore-Share. They seemed to have good reviews and so decided to give them a try. The experience was very positive and completely happy with their service. I will be using them again for next trip.
Colin
5.00
Easy to set up and find the perfect trip. Informative site that is easy to use. Guides are all great to work with and communicate all arrangements needed. As simple as can be!
Lesley
4.00
Thank you explore-share for a wonderful via feratta experience. We have been wanting to learn for a long time but don't have the facilities in Scotland. The guide Mitja was extremely helpful and knowledgeable, answering all my many questions and providing advice. On the day head to take another group but he quickly arranged another guide Borut, who was brilliant. We had a fantastic morning learning via ferrata at Hvadnik in the gorge. It gave us the confidence to later hire our own equipment and go out in Mojstrana. Altogether a five star + experience. Thank you.
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