Ski adventure Kyrgyzstan

The Kyrgyzstan Ski Adventure is our most famous ski tour. In 8 days, we will explore the remarkable highlights of skiing in Kyrgyzstan. Don’t expect comfortable chairlifts, groovy after-ski pubs or Ceasar salads. Get yourself ready for adventure, yurts and shashliks.

Almost 90% of Kyrgyzstan lies above 3000 meters. The country has abolished visa regulations for the USA and most European countries. Ryce Travel is a foundation, and we are supporting Community Based Tourism (CBT). Booking a tour through Ryce Travel means local revenues and support of local projects.

On Sunday, the Kyrgyzstan Ski Adventure will start in the capital Bishkek. In the morning, we’ll have a quick city tour and head to the ski capital of Karakol. We will be taking a road trip along the northern shore of Lake Issyk Kul, where you can view the Tian Shan mountain range. Our lunch stop will be at Cholpon Ata, a small resort town along the way. Lake Issyk Kul is the second-largest alpine lake in the world. It’s known to be an environmental phenomenon as it doesn’t freeze due to the underwater hot springs. This lake creates a microclimate, causing considerable snow in the east of Kyrgyzstan, some of the best in the country for winter sports.

In Karakol, we are staying 5 nights in a local guesthouse. The local family will take care of the majority of the meals. It’s quite modern with twin rooms and ensuite bathrooms. They even have a wifi connection. 1 night will be spent in a shared yurt in our yurt camp. You will have a unique experience in the beautiful country of Kyrgyzstan. We will show you all the hot spots of the region and you’ll be amazed like we have been amazed so many times. Below, you can find a description of all activities.

Karakol Ski base

We will spend the first two days in the ski resort of Karakol. It’s just 15 km outside of the city. The highest point is at 3100 meters and the resort’s bottom is at 2200 meters. Karakol’s slopes are surprisingly well-groomed and serviced by some snow canons too. The area is quite challenging and very well-suited for freeriding and tree runs. Our evening activities entail an après ski night (with Karaoke) and a pool night in a natural hot spring along Lake Issyk Kul.

Cat Skiing

For two days we will have access to our private Pistenbully. The driver of this snow groomer will bring us to different peaks in the Jyrgalan valley. This is one of the most unspoilt areas of Kyrgyzstan with demanding terrain and views of Kazakhstan. You can ascend comfortably in our covered cabin. The runs are suited for everyone because intermediate skiers or boarders can stay on the gentle slopes and experienced freeriders can opt for higher and steeper terrain. We can have around 6-10 runs a day and lunch will be provided on the mountain. We even have our self-created snow bar.

Spend a night in a yurt camp

One of the highlights of the tour is spending the night in our yurt camp. At an altitude of 2200 meters, we have realized a yurt camp together with a local guide. The yurt is the traditional Kyrgyz home.

We have adjusted the yurts to the cold circumstances. There is a heater in all yurts and there’s a Russian banya (sauna) next to an ice-cold stream. Can you imagine? The sky will be full of bright stars.

Horse riding with downhill run

After a short walk in the Jeti Oguz valley, we will get ourselves ready for a magnificent tour along red mountains and deep snow. The horse will walk to an altitude of 2500 meters and we will see different landscapes. Then we’ll take our equipment from the horses and make a freeride run back to Kyzyl Suu. It’s an easy and not too challenging run. It’s more about the way up than the way down. But the scenery is absolutely stunning.

Saturday morning is optional. We organize a city tour in Karakol with a visit to the Russian Orthodox Church, the local bazaar and some souvenir shops. After lunch, we slowly drive back to the capital Bishkek. This time we take the southern route with an amazing stop at the Fairy Tale Valley. Once in Bishkek, we prepare ourselves for the unrivalled pyjama party.

Pyjama party

The pyjama party is our famous last night in Kyrgyzstan. We will go to the Besh Spa Complex, not far from the airport. Here we’ll go to the Russian banya again and relax in the Turkish hammam (men/women separated). After a shower, you will receive a pyjama from the Spa Complex and you can take the lift to the 5th floor. Here you’ll find a restaurant, bar, pool table and of course a karaoke stage. When you’re tired of all this you can have a massage on the 6th floor or take a nap on the 4th in the business class chairs. In the early morning, we have to go back to the airport for your return flight (flights usually depart around 10.00 am).

Ski Kyrgyzstan for you?

• Adventurers looking for something different than the Alps
• Easily tackle a ‘red slope’
• Lovers of other cultures and rituals

Included

• Transfer Bishkek – Karakol and vv
• 5 nights in a local guesthouse in Karakol
• 1 night in a traditional yurt
• Half board (breakfast/dinner)
• Short city tour Bishkek
• English speaking guide
• Local guides
• 2 days cat skiing
• Horse rent with guide
• Entrance fee hot springs
• Visit to Fairy tale valley
• Russian banya
• Ski passes

Not included

• Flights (€350-€450 from Europe)
• Lunch
• Alcoholic drinks
• Tips & souvenirs
• Ski or snowboard rental (€ 100 per week)
• Travel insurance

Booking flights

Don’t book any flights yet! As soon as we have reached the minimum amount of reservations (5) we will send you an e-mail. If we don’t have enough participants we will contact you at least 40 days before departure. (*) We recommend flying Turkish Airlines as the airline usually takes ski equipment free of charge. 

Recommended flights below:

DEPARTURE (Turkish Airlines)
SATURDAY
12:00 AMS Amsterdam Schiphol – 17:20 IST Istanbul
18:25 IST Istanbul – 02:35 +1 FRU Bishkek

RETURN (Turkish Airlines)
SUNDAY
03:40 FRU Bishkek – 06:40 IST Istanbul
08:50 IST Istanbul – 10:40 AMS Amsterdam Schiphol

* we didn’t have to cancel any trip due to a lack of reservations so far

Travel as a group?

If you want to travel as a group of at least 5 people, you can request a tailor-made trip. Other departure dates are usually possible in consultation. Please contact us via mail@rycetravel.com or WhatsApp at +31 6 48 72 90 47. 

Ski adventure Kyrgyzstan