Ski touring in Suusamyr valley, Arslanbob

Location:  North Tien-Shan, Kyrgyzstan

Duration:  10 days (tour duration can be changed according to the wishes and interest of participants)

Highly recommended! All group members must have medical insurance for the particular activities with the minimum coverage of USD 35 000.

What about to get a taste of the purest mountain air, to touch the real virgin snow, to travel along the Great Silk Road and check your ski skills? We offer you to visit places where all your dreams will come true.

The first destination is Suusamyr valley.  Gorgeous peace of mountain peaks, predictable weather conditions, historical value and relatively short distance from the capital of Kyrgyzstan makes this place one of the most popular between tourists and extreme sportsmen. The ski base operates here. It equipped with all that you may need for rest and comfortable stay when you are not skiing. A lot of itineraries have been explored in the valley, as well as routes for ski touring.

As soon as you enjoy the beauty of the Great Silk Road pearl Suusamyr valley, we will be happy to arrange your transfer to picturesque Arslanbob. It is located 175 km far from the Osh city. Arslanbob health resort is situated at the foot of Babash-Ata Range; it becomes more and more popular among the tourists. There are several reasons for the growing popularity of this place:  unique nature, relic nuts’ forests, dizzy views and new routes make this area an ideal place for free ride and ski touring.

Scheme of the program

This program can be interesting for both professional skier, and those who just discovered ski touring. The program duration is 10 days and it includes the following stages:

1^st Day. Bishkek – Suusamyr

We will meet you at the airport in the capital of Kyrgyzstan upon arrival by morning flight.  It is planned three-hour transfer by pre-arranged transport to the Suusamyr ski base then. Comfortable rooms, full board, warm sauna and other options will be provided for your comfortable staying at the ski base. You will enjoy magnificent views and feel part of Kyrgyz unique nature during the trip to ski base. Acclimatization skiing from the nearest slopes can be arranged just after check-in, some rest and lunch. As soon as you come back to the cozy atmosphere of the ski base, you will taste a delicious dinner, which includes dishes of national cuisine.

2^nd-3^rd Days.  Ski touring, exploration of new routes

This time is for gaining experience, new routes and slopes exploring, acquaintance with the territories and skitouring skills improvement.  Accommodation will be arranged in Suusamyr ski base.

Note: Participants choose routes for skiing by themselves, according to the group physical training, experience and actual weather conditions.

4^th Day. Suusamyr valley – Arslanbob area

We will arrange for you quite long transfer to the picturesque resort area, surrounded by walnut and fruit trees – Arslanbob village. It takes about 8 hours. The total distance is 430 kilometers. The road is mainly mountainous.

Arslanbob is famous with its curative mud, climate therapy, and just as a good place for rest.  According to the legend, Alexander the Great brought healing nuts from Arslanbob to Greece; nuts are known nowadays as "walnuts".

Accommodation on this day will be arranged in guest house, which offers all necessary services for comfort and full board.

5^th-8^th Days. Ski tour, exploration of new routes

The period of ski touring to new slopes, planned preliminary. Accommodation will be arranged in the same guest house.

As option you can order two-days ski trip to mountain area and pre-book accommodation in a mountain hut within the framework of the program. Ski equipment and meals will be delivered by horses. Extra service should be paid additionally.

9^th Day. Arslanbob – Osh city

You will early wake up this morning and have a delicious breakfast. Further we will arrange transfer to Osh city for you by a comfortable transport along the modern mountain highway. The trip will take about 3 hours. The distance from the village to the city is 135 kilometers.  You may have some rest upon arrival and later enjoy with exploring of local sites and choose something exotic from the menu of local cuisine in town restaurants.

10^th Day. Way home

You will have breakfast in the guest house on this day, further quick airport transfer and check-in for a flight that will deliver you and your pleasant impressions to your home country.

Notes:

• Participants should have their personal ski outfit , which should be checked preliminary;
• If the group prefers to send ski gear/outfit to Bishkek in advance, we (ITMC) will arrange customs clearance.