Ski touring in Char

Best season: December – March

Location:  Inner Tien-Shan, Kyrgyzstan

Highly recommended: All group members should have medical insurance for the particular activities with the minimum coverage of USD 35 000

Majestic and difficult to access, dangerous and therefore even more attractive – it is the Naryn-Too Range; it occupies about 130 km of the Inner Tien-Shan and stretches along the left shore of the Big Naryn River. Karakol River is the Eastern border of the Range. It stretchers for another 90km long from this watershed. The nameless part of this land, enclosed by the rivers Jaljyr and Ulan, is also relates to the mountain range.  There are a lot of complicated routes in this area in terms of extreme sport fans.

The highest peaks in the area are about 4530 m here. The average altitude of the region is 4,200m above sea level. We would like to offer you skiing in picturesque Char gorge which is located in the southern part of the massif in the wide At-Bashi valley.  Gentle slope are more common for this area.  Mountain and steppe meadow landscapes with sandy and clayey parts at the foot of hills dominate here.  Spruce forests grow in the gorges. Some slopes here are rocky and steep. You should be ready for such adventures.

Virgin snow, crazy views of winter Kyrgyzstan, fresh air and a lot of places to find new objects for ski touring – here are just the minimum reasons to visit this place.

Only a few expeditions visited the gorge for all the years since it was discovered.  They opened new routes for exploring and left the opportunity for new discoveries which can be done by you.

Notes:

Participants should have their personal ski outfit , which have to be checked preliminary;

If the group prefers to send ski gear/outfit to Bishkek in advance, we (ITMC) will arrange customs clearance.

1st Day. Arrival to Bishkek

Early in the morning, the international class aircraft will take you to the capital airport of Kyrgyzstan.  Our representative will meet the group and arrange your transfer to a three-star hotel in Bishkek. Check-in and some rest in the hotel. This day you will have time to walk around the largest city of Kyrgyzstan, see the sightseeing of Kyrgyz capital, buy food and any other things necessary for the trip, as well as taste culinary delights of national cuisine in local restaurants.

Attention! Meal in hotel does not include.

2nd Day. Bishkek – Char gorge

Quite long transfer to Char Gorge by the vehicle adapted to local road conditions will be arranged for the group. Time of driving is about eight hours; it is enough time to enjoy the country side nature and unique atmosphere of these places.

Cozy cottage which was built in 2017 here will open the doors for you in the heart of the gorge. Additional comfort from your days of your staying here will be created with warm atmosphere, pleasant interior and incredible view from the windows. Full board will be arranged for the group here, the menu will include dishes of Kyrgyz cuisine. You will certainly be satisfied with the meals, especially if you are not a vegetarian. And for sure we have what to offer for vegetarians.

3rd-8th Day. Ski tour, new routes explore

You will explore new routes for ski tour these days according to preliminary elaborated individual plan based on the level of personal skills and physical condition, as well as taking into account weather conditions. Moreover this program offers change ski location every day, visit new gorges and explores new slopes. Ski location depends on your choice. It is expected that cross-country vehicle will take the participants to chosen ski area in the morning collect the group to deliver to the cottage in afternoon. The maximum altitude of the ski area is three and half thousand meters above the sea level; difference of altitudes varies from 500m to 1000m. Team will be accommodated in cottage for all the days. Full board is included in the programme price.

Important! Participants have to have their own ski outfit.

9th Day. Char Gorge – Bishkek

The group will pack the baggage after breakfast, take lunch-boxes and take back transfer to the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The distance is about 380 km, transfer takes about 8 hours, long day trip. So, you will have enough time to discuss your experience in Char gorge.

We will arrange your accommodation in three-star hotel for the night. Breakfast will be provided in the morning before check-out. You can go out for this evening and walk along the streets of the main city of Kyrgyzstan.

10th Day. Bishkek – Airport

Breakfast will be provided early in the morning today.  Participants will take short transfer to the airport after, register for flight and fly back home.

Group of 8 people + 1 free guide – USD 715 per person

Group of 9 people + 1 free guide – USD 685 per person

Group of 10 people + 1 free guide – USD 655 per person

Group of 11 people + 1 free guide – USD 630 per person

Group of 12 people + 1 free guide – USD 605 per person

Single supplement for accommodation available in Bishkek – USD 105 per person per programme

Service included in the price

• Tour leader (guide) is free of charge
• All land transfers according to the program:
• – Airport-Bishkek-airport, city sightseeing tour by minibus
• – Bishkek – Char – Naryn-Too Range – Char – Bishkek by 6WD vehicle URAL
• Twin accommodation in the hotel in Bishkek, triple/four persons in a room accommodation in the cottage in Char
• English speaking guide for city sightseeing tour in Bishkek on day 1
• Meals:
• – breakfasts in the hotel in Bishkek
• – full board in Char in cottage
• Bottled water en-route

Price does not include

• Single supplement for tour leader
• English speaking liaison guide for 8 days in the mountains (not for skiing) – $560
• Meals in Bishkek – $10-15 per person per lunch or dinner
• Personal skiing gear
• Alcohol drinks, additional service in the hotels, all other service which is not mentioned as “included service”