Ski mountaineering expedition with training in the Tien Shan mountains, led by the Director of the Kyrgyz Mountain Guide Association!
If you’re a fan of winter exploration, majestic remote places, and new challenges, we have an incredible offer for you.
This spring, we are organizing a true expedition aimed at exploring the untouched areas of the Tien Shan mountains and summiting one of the many peaks up to 5000m. Kyrgyzstan has hundreds, if not thousands, of mountains with no documented ascents or ski descents.
Our journey will begin with a light acclimatization by Issyk-Kul Lake before heading south into the mountains to reach our specially set-up yurt camp at an altitude of around 3800m. We aim to provide as much comfort as possible with heated yurts, a kitchen tent with a chef, and a Russian banya (sauna)! From our base, we will explore wild mountain terrain for the next 7 days.
Most importantly, our safety and the success of the expedition will be overseen by one of Kyrgyzstan’s top high-mountain guides, IFMGA/IVBV certified, and a participant in the first winter ascent of Snow Leopard! He will be joined by a second guide.
After the mountain adventure, there will be time for a short rest by the emerald Issyk-Kul Lake.
Join the expedition and make your mark on the pristine Tien Shan mountains!
Backcountry
Untouched terrain
Expedition
Two guides, including one IVBV
Yurt camp
Price Includes:
- Accommodation: Bishkek – 3* hotel; Issyk-Kul – guesthouse; mountains – heated yurts
- Camp set-up in the mountains and logistics
- Full board throughout the stay in Kyrgyzstan
- IFMGA/IVBV certified Kyrgyz guide
- Second mountain guide
- Access to a Russian banya (sauna) in the mountain camp
- Supervision by a Polish team leader
- All road transfers
- Standard travel insurance including medical expenses, accident coverage, and personal liability. Additional insurance covering off-piste skiing is required. Many of our clients already have year-round high-altitude policies. If you don’t have one, we can provide coverage for the trip at a cost of 370 PLN.
Price Does Not Include:
- Flights (around 3000 PLN)
- Ski or snowboard equipment – you need to bring your own
- Avalanche safety equipment (beacon, probe, shovel) – available for rent, reservation required
- Extreme sports insurance, including off-piste skiing
- Tips
- Anything not mentioned in the program
ACCOMMODATION AND TRANSPORTATION
- Our Kyrgyz friends will set up the camp at around 3800m in the Kara-Sai valley, which will be our private base for daily ski tours
- This will be a premium base camp with yurts for sleeping, a sauna tent, a kitchen, a dining area, and other comforts
- We will travel through Kyrgyzstan in a Mercedes Sprinter 4×4
- By Issyk-Kul Lake, we’ll stay in a local guesthouse
- For more information, check the TRIP PROGRAM tab
OFF PISTE – Terrain Details:
- From Issyk-Kul Lake, we will travel south into the heart of the Tien Shan – the Kara-Sai Valley
- Our base will be a yurt camp at around 3800m, prepared specifically for this expedition. We’ll explore untouched terrain with access to many peaks in the Ak Shiirak and Borkoldoi ranges.
- We plan daily ascents of 600-1200m
- We’ll attempt several nearby summits ranging from 4400-4900m
- Having two guides allows flexibility in case one participant needs to turn back, while the rest can continue the tour
- We will primarily operate on glacier terrain, and our guide, Mischa, will conduct training on rescue and belaying techniques
- Below are two map screenshots showing the route into the central Tien Shan and our exploration area around the base camp
- Final decision regarding the exact location of the camp and mountain activities will be made by our guide
Difficulty Level: 9/10
- This trip is for experienced ski mountaineers in good physical condition
- Basic knowledge of belaying, rope techniques, crampons, and ice axe use is required
- The main challenges are altitude, heavy loads, and variable snow conditions during descents
- List of required gear is provided below
Trip Profile
- Ski touring gear or splitboard required
- As we’ll be on glacier terrain, basic mountaineering equipment is also needed (see the “Gear List” below)
- Knowledge of basic belaying techniques is recommended
SAFETY
- Our safety will be overseen by one of Kyrgyzstan’s top mountain guides, IFMGA/IVBV certified, assisted by a second guide
- The final decision on camp location and mountain activities will be made by our guide
- Operating in high-mountain terrain involves risks, which are discussed with each participant before confirming reservations. We reserve the right to decline participation in special cases
- The trip will be overseen by a Polish team leader
- INSURANCE:
- The trip price includes basic travel insurance. Additional coverage for off-piste skiing is required. This can be purchased from us for 370 PLN per person. We do not include this in the base price as many of our clients have their own year-round high-altitude policies.
- There is also an option to purchase Trip Cancellation Insurance, which provides a refund in case you are unable to join us due to illness or other unforeseen events.
- Participants must have avalanche safety equipment and know how to use it
- We also recommend an avalanche backpack (minimum 30L), which can be rented from us (reservation required)
VISA
- Not required.
Gear List:
- Ski touring/splitboard equipment
- Helmet
- Trekking boots
- Avalanche safety gear (beacon, probe, shovel)
- Down jacket
- Backpack for ski touring (30-40L), optionally avalanche backpack
- Gore-Tex pants
- Gore-Tex jacket
- Fleece or Primaloft jacket
- Windstopper
- Thermal underwear (2 sets)
- Gloves + mittens
- Warm hat
- Buff
- Warm socks (3-5 pairs)
- Climbing harness
- Carabiners (6 pcs, at least 3 locking)
- Ice screws (1-2 pcs)
- Descender
- Belay device (Grigri)
- 3m cord
- Crampons
- Ski crampons
- Ice axe
- Sunglasses/goggles
- Headlamp + batteries
- Sunscreen (50+)
- Multi-tool/knife
- Thermos
- Sleeping bag (optional – bedding provided in yurts)
- Thermarest-type mat (optional – mattresses provided in yurts)
HOW TO JOIN THE TRIP
- Fill out the reservation form
- We will contact you to sign the contract
- Pay a 30% deposit
- We’ll complete the group, handle the formalities, flights, details, etc.
- Pay the remaining amount 30 days before departure
CANCELLATION POLICY
- If you cancel up to 60 days before departure, you can transfer your deposit to any other trip – we will issue a voucher valid for 2 years.
- We recommend additional insurance in case of illness or an unforeseen event preventing you from traveling. You will then receive a full refund for the trip. Ask us about Trip Cancellation Insurance.
- We reserve the right to change the program due to circumstances beyond our control, such as insufficient participants, snow or weather conditions, or political situations. In case we need to cancel the trip (even for reasons beyond our control), we will promptly refund all payments made.
Day 1 (April 5)
We’ll depart from Warsaw with a layover, flying to Bishkek, where we’ll land the next morning.
Day 2
After landing and enjoying a hearty Kyrgyz breakfast, we’ll head to Issyk-Kul Lake, nestled between the mountain ranges of the Tien Shan. The rest of the day will be spent relaxing after the journey at a local guesthouse.
Day 3
After breakfast, we’ll venture into one of the nearby valleys for an acclimatization trek, aiming to summit an easy 3000-meter peak. The afternoon will be reserved for relaxation by the lake.
Day 4
Today, we head into the serious mountains! We’ll cross two solid mountain passes to reach the heart of the Tien Shan – the Kara-Sai Valley, where our Base Camp will be set up with yurts, a sauna, and a field kitchen. In the afternoon, we’ll take a short acclimatization ski tour.
Days 5 - 10
We’ll explore the Ak-Shiirak or Borkoldoi mountain ranges, gradually ascending to higher elevations. Each morning, we’ll have breakfast in the camp, followed by a full-day ski tour with packed lunches. We plan to return to camp around 3-4 PM for dinner, followed by an essential sauna session, with a finish in the snow! We’ll also have the chance to learn about the ancient nomadic traditions of the Kyrgyz, who set up similar camps for herding purposes. You can read more about our mountain activities in the “Terrain Specifications” section. On the afternoon of Day 10, we’ll return by car to Issyk-Kul Lake for a night in a guesthouse.
Day 11
We’ll enjoy a relaxing morning by the lake, and on the way back to Bishkek, we’ll stop at a felt craft workshop. In the capital, we’ll visit a local bazaar and pass by some historical landmarks. Overnight stay in a hotel.
Day 12
In the morning, we’ll fly back to Poland, landing in Warsaw the same day.
