12-day ski adventure in the untouched expanses of the Tian Shan Mountains

In the early morning hours, you arrive in Kyrgyzstan. After the transfer to the hotel, you have the opportunity to sleep in until noon and start this journey well-rested with a late breakfast. In the afternoon, we will explore the bustling market and the center of Bishkek together with our local guide. In a great restaurant, you will get to know the traditional cuisine. This is how we will end the first day in a relaxed manner.

After breakfast, we leave the city by vehicle to Karakol. During the approximately six-hour drive, we already get an impression of the vast, impressive landscape of Kyrgyzstan. Also impressive is the Kyrgyz hospitality, which we get to experience during lunch. In Karakol, we check into our hotel.

In Kyrgyzstan's largest ski area Karakol (2,300 m – 3,040 m), we can perfectly acclimatize today. Surrounded by the impressive mountain landscape at Issyk Kul, there are numerous slopes as well as freeride descents. At the bazaar, we will try the Uyghur cuisine with the famous Ashlan-Fu from Karakol after 'work'.

The vehicle takes us after about 60 minutes of transfer to the picturesque Yrdyk Valley, from where we ascend to our comfortable winter yurt camp at 2,500 meters. Numerous tour options of varying difficulty can be started from the camp. We decide each day which routes and peaks to tackle and where the best conditions lure. This way, we find the right mix for everyone. We end the ski touring days at the yurt camp. We are provided with delicious Kyrgyz cuisine, there is free beer and other drinks. At the latest in the hot sauna, it's time to relax. After three days, we return to the valley and continue by vehicle to Jyrgalan, located 70 kilometers to the east of Karakol. On the way, we stop at the hot springs of Aksu - a modern bathing facility in the open air, fed by hot spring water.

The former mining town of Jyrgalan is known in summer for its adventurous hikes and in winter for its abundant powder snow as a ski touring area. From our guesthouse on the outskirts, we start our tours every morning. We can follow established ski routes as well as climb the surrounding slopes and peaks off the beaten path. In the afternoon, we return to our cozy guesthouse and are treated to excellent Kyrgyz cuisine. In Jyrgalan, we will choose our destinations together depending on snow and weather conditions and the levels of difficulty. To conclude, we will indulge in pure freeride enjoyment on the last ski day and get shuttled to the mountains with the snowcat.

For the return trip to Bishkek, we take two days and spend the night in Bel Tam, a yurt camp right on the southern shore of Issyk Kul Lake. On the way there, we visit the spectacular canyon landscape at the lake (Fairy Gorge) and learn about traditional eagle hunting. We spend the night in yurts right by the lake.

Our journey is coming to an end. On the way back to Bishkek, we once again experience the rich culture and history of Kyrgyzstan. We visit the workshop of a yurt master and tour a minaret from the time of the great Silk Road. In Bishkek, we still have some time for last-minute souvenir shopping and conclude the trip with a shared dinner.

Transfer to the airport, return flight home.