Unless your name is Andrzej Bargiel, chances are you haven’t skied above 4,000 meters. Now you have the chance to descend from an altitude that even heli-skiers in the Himalayas don’t reach!
We present a true ski touring expedition, during which we will climb the second-highest peak in the Pamirs, part of the Snow Leopard mountaineering challenge, on skis. During this three-week adventure, we will steadily gain altitude, mostly on skis, moving through four camps until we reach the summit at 7,134 meters. Once there, we’ll aim to ski down as far as Camp 1 – nearly 3 vertical kilometers!
The timing, route, and schedule are carefully planned to maximize the chances of both summiting and skiing down. The entire expedition will be led by a licensed local high-mountain guide, and we’ll take care of all logistics – meals, accommodation in camps, transfers, and a Polish team leader. You focus on your mission 😉
7000m+ summit
Small group
Backcountry
IVBV or KMGA certified guide
Price Includes:
- Internal flights: Bishkek – Osh – Bishkek
- 3 nights in 3-star hotels in Bishkek and Osh
- Accommodation in Base Camp (BC) and Camp 1 (C1): 2-person tents with mattresses
- High-altitude tents in Camps 2 (C2) and 3 (C3)
- Electricity outlets: in every tent at BC, generator in C1 (18:00–22:00)
- Three meals per day at BC and C1
- Access to dining rooms, toilets, luggage storage
- hot showers at BC, and washing facilities at C1
- High-altitude gear at C2 and C3: rope, stove, gas, freeze-dried food
- Mountain guide from C1 to the summit and descent to C1
- Walkie-talkie rental
- First aid kit and medical support at BC and C1
- Local taxes
- Border zone permit
- Extra days in BC waiting for better weather
- Supervision by a Polish team leader
- All local ground 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:
- International flights: Warsaw – Bishkek – Warsaw (approx. 2,500 PLN)
- Lunches and dinners in Bishkek and Osh
- Single room supplement in Bishkek and Osh (approx. 50 USD per night)
- Early check-in at hotels
- Porter fees
- 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
- For more information, check the TRIP PROGRAM tab
OFF PISTE, czyli specyfikacja terenowa:
- Starting at Base Camp (3600m) and trekking to Camp 1 (4400m), also known as Advanced Base Camp, carrying at least 20kg of gear
- Snow appears at C1 or slightly higher, allowing for an acclimatization ski tour to Pik Yuhin (5100m)
- The ascent to C2 is about 2/3 in crampons and 1/3 on skis, involving crevasses and seracs
- The ascent to C3 is 50/50 crampons and skis, with steep slopes of up to 40 degrees
- The route from C3 to the summit involves about 1200 meters of elevation gain, mostly in crampons along a ridge with snow blown off in many areas. Gradients vary between 30 and 40 degrees, with the steepest section (“The Knife”) at 50 degrees, requiring chains and climbing techniques
- Descent: The possibility of skiing directly from the summit is quite limited and involves significant risk. Depending on the prevailing conditions and the participants’ stamina, the guide will determine the safest route for the descent. It is likely that you will need to descend a portion of the ascent route on foot before starting the ski descent. In unfavorable conditions, it may be necessary to return to Camp 3 (6100m) on foot before beginning the ski descent from around 6200m.
- In total, the expedition should include several descents, such as: ski descent from Pik Yuhin to Camp 1 (approx. 500m); ski descent from Camp 3 to Camp 1 during acclimatization (approx. 1500m); descent from the summit to Camp 1 (2500m) or from Camp 3 to Camp 1 (1500m)
- Skiing and touring at these altitudes take significantly longer compared to skiing in “normal” mountains
Difficulty Level: 10/10
- This is an extremely challenging trip, both physically, mentally, and technically. The altitude and heavy pack can reduce performance by at least half. This adventure is not comparable to other trips – it’s for highly trained skiers with alpine skills (completed rock climbing and winter mountaineering courses), exceptional physical fitness, and strong off-piste skiing ability.
IMPORTANT: The trip may be extended due to bad weather and waiting time at BC or C1. No extra fees will be charged for additional days, but we recommend booking flexible flights.
Trip Profile
- You’ll spend significant time trekking with skis, particularly on the route from Base Camp to C1 and during steep summit approaches. While we can’t guarantee a ski descent from the summit, several parts of the journey offer exciting ski runs.
SAFETY
- We exclusively hire local guides who know the terrain like the back of their hand
- We provide one guide for every four participants
- Our high-mountain guide holds certifications from KMGA or IFMGA/IVBV
- Depending on the number of participants, we will try to divide into smaller groups to operate more efficiently in the field
- 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, which can be rented from us (reservation required)
VISA
- Not required.
Gear List:
Ski Touring Equipment:
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- Touring skis
- Boots (preferably with a front flap for easier use in very cold conditions)
- Poles
- Skins
- Helmet
- Ski crampons (harscheisen)
- Avalanche safety kit (beacon, probe, shovel)
- Goggles
- Optional: neoprene boot covers or electrically heated insoles/socks
Hiking/Trekking Equipment:
-
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- Lightweight trekking shoes (for change)
- Down jacket
- Down sleeping bag
- Thermarest-type sleeping mat
- Backpack (minimum 60L)
- Gore-Tex pants
- Gore-Tex jacket
- Fleece or Primaloft jacket
- Windstopper jacket
- Thermal underwear (2 sets)
- Gloves + mittens
- Warm hat
- Buff (2-3 pieces)
- Warm socks (3-5 pairs)
- Headlamp + batteries
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
- Pocket knife
- Thermos
- Cup + bowl + spoon (spork)
- Optional: Jetboil or other efficient stove (basic, heavy-duty set provided on site, with fuel canisters)
- Optional: light bag for deposit
- First aid kit (group to determine contents)
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High-Altitude Equipment:
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- Harness
- Locking carabiners (4-6 pieces)
- Standard carabiners (2 pieces)
- Ice screws (2 pieces)
- Belay device
- Ascender (“jumar”)
- Slings (60 cm – 2 pieces)
- Slings (120 cm – 2 pieces)
- Cord (3 meters)
- Crampons
- Ice axe
- Sunglasses (Category 4 protection)
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 (July 2)
Departure from Warsaw with one layover, arriving in Bishkek the next morning.
Day 2
Free day in Bishkek to rest after the journey. Opportunity to visit the local bazaar, buy any last-minute gear, and enjoy a meal at a Kyrgyz restaurant. Overnight in a hotel.
Day 3
Morning flight to Osh, followed by a drive to Base Camp at the foot of Lenin Peak (3600m).
Day 4
Acclimatization in Base Camp (BC). Light trekking to the waterfalls or along the ridge of Pik Petrovsky.
Day 5
Ascent on foot to Camp 1 (4400m).
Day 6
Start of ski touring. Ascent to Pik Yuhin (5100m) and overnight stay.
Day 7
Ski descent to Camp 1 for a rest.
Day 8
Rest day at Camp 1, preparing for the next stages of the expedition.
Day 9
Ascent to Camp 2 (5300m).
Day 10
Ascent to Camp 3 (6100m).
Day 11
Ski descent from Camp 3 (6100m) to Camp 1 (4400m), then return on foot to Base Camp.
Day 12
Rest and recovery day.
Day 13
Rest day, preparation for the final summit push.
Day 14
Ascent to Camp 1 (4400m).
Day 15
Ascent to Camp 2 (5300m).
Day 16
Ascent to Camp 3 (6100m).
Day 17
Summit attempt (7134m) followed by a ski descent (or part descent and part climb down) from Lenin Peak to Camp 1 (4400m).
Day 18
Descent to Base Camp (3600m).
Day 19
Reserve day, free in case of delays or rest day.
Day 20
Transfer to Osh. Overnight in a hotel.
Day 21
Flight back to Bishkek. Time to explore the city, buy souvenirs at the bazaar, and relax in the comfort of the hotel.
Day 22
Morning flight to Poland, arriving in Warsaw the same day.