Winter

The Great winter adventure through the Tien Shan

Backcountry Skiing Expedition and ski safari in the Heart of Kyrgyzstan

Duration
13 days
Travel window
Countries
Kyrgyzstan
Route overview
  1. 01 Chong Kemin
  2. 02 Tash Rabat
  3. 03 Naryn
  4. 04 Kochkor
  5. 05 Karakol
  6. 06 Ichke Jergez
  7. 07 Bokonbaeva
Discover the journey
Toguz Bulak
Private field journal 13 chapters

The story

The journey

Discover Untouched Peaks, Embrace the Nomadic Spirit.

Embark on an extraordinary journey through the heart of the Tian Shan mountains. Picture yourself carving through the pristine snow of the Kyrgyz Alatoo, Kungey Alatoo, Terskey Alatoo, and At Bashi ranges. These untouched, majestic peaks offer a playground for adventurers and nature lovers alike.

In this land of nomads, nestled in Central Asia, you'll discover a world of unexplored mountains and virgin landscapes. Over 13 days, immerse yourself in the thrill of intense skiing or snowboarding, uncovering the true essence of backcountry adventure and ski safari. Embrace the spirit of exploration and let the raw beauty of Kyrgyzstan captivate your soul.

Route map

The route

Day by day

The journey, day by day

13 chapters

Day 01 Arrival at Manas International Airport, transfer to Bishkek Guesthouse and transfer to Zil ski resort
Day 01

Arrival at Manas International Airport, transfer to Bishkek Guesthouse and transfer to Zil ski resort

Manas International Airport Zil Ski Resort

Once you arrive at the Manas International Airport, you will be welcomed by your guide and the adventure will start. You will be transferred to your guesthouse where you can take a rest after your long flight. After lunch, you will be transferred to the Zil ski resort where you can start skiing or snowboarding. Accommodation at the Zil ski resort.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Manas International Airport
Day 02 Fun day skiing at the Free Ride Toguz Bulak ski base
Day 03 Day ski touring at the free ride ski resort Toguz Bulak
Day 03

Day ski touring at the free ride ski resort Toguz Bulak

Toguz Bulak Mountain Ski Base Toguz Bulak Mountain Ski Base

After breakfast, you will be able to ski from your guesthouse and enjoy the slopes of the Toguz Bulak resort. The Toguz Bulak resort has 6 slopes of 2 km each and it's mostly ungroomed snow. Lunch and dinner will be had the resort. You will be accommodated at the Toguz Bulak ski resort.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Toguz Bulak Mountain Ski Base
Day 04 Half a day of skiing at the Toguz Bulak Ski resort with a transfer to the Orlovka ski resort
Day 04

Half a day of skiing at the Toguz Bulak Ski resort with a transfer to the Orlovka ski resort

Toguz Bulak Mountain Ski Base Orlovka Mountain Ski Resort

With an alpine start, you will be able to reach the summit of the Toguz Bulak ski resort and beyond with your own power.  Once the lifts open you will be able to ski the resort and enjoy the last moments of skiing at the Toguz Bulak ski resort.  After lunch, you will have the possibility to jump into the hot springs in Issyk-Ata gorge or visit the historic Burana Tower from the ancient city from the silk road.  Dinner will be at you're guesthouse in Orlovka ski resort where you will spend the night in a guesthouse.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Toguz Bulak
Day 05 Day skiing in the resort of Orlovka
Day 06 A day of skiing at the Orlovka Ski Resort with a transfer to the Chong Kemin National Park
Day 06

A day of skiing at the Orlovka Ski Resort with a transfer to the Chong Kemin National Park

Orlovka Mountain Ski Resort Chong Kemin

After breakfast, you will be able to enjoy skiing at the Orlovka Ski Resort for the whole day. As the lifts close you will be transferred to the Chong Kemin National Park. Chong Kemin National Park is a great place for touring and getting close to Kyrygz culture. Dinner and accommodation will be at a shepherd's house close to the mountains.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Chong Kemin winter
Day 07 Backcountry skiing or snowshoeing in the Chong Kemin National Park
Day 07

Backcountry skiing or snowshoeing in the Chong Kemin National Park

Chong Kemin Chong Kemin

Today you will be able to feel like a Kyrgyz Nomad because you will have a horse that you can ride to higher grounds. You will be able to ski different slopes and get many runs in today. But you can also choose to snowshoe on forest road. Lunch will be had in the mountains with the horseman and your guide. After a full day of horseback riding and touring you will head back to your guesthouse and share dinner with the shepherds family that you are being hosted by.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Winter sport activities in the Chong Kemin National Park
Day 08 Driving on the Silk Road to the Caravanserail in Tash Rabat
Day 08

Driving on the Silk Road to the Caravanserail in Tash Rabat

Chong Kemin Tash Rabat

Today you will be able to see a wide range of landscapes and cover a lot of ground.  You will be following in the foot steps of the great silk road.  Once you reach the At-Bashy Mountain range you will enter the Tash Rabat Gorge and be able to see the ancient caravanserai build in the XI century.  Once you arrive you will be greeted by your hostels at the yurt camp where you will be staying.  It's possible to see Yaks, snow-capped peaks and countless horses near the caravanserai.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Chong Kemin winter
Day 09 Full day of ski-touring / backcountry skiing in Tash Rabat near the 6th-century caravanserai
Day 09

Full day of ski-touring / backcountry skiing in Tash Rabat near the 6th-century caravanserai

Tash Rabat Tash Rabat

After breakfast, you will have a few options where you can go ski touring or you can go snowshoeing in the Tash Rabat area. Tash Rabat is an unknown place during the winter months and you will able to explore the area. It might even be possible to spend time with a local shepherd and join him on a hut for nearby wolfs. Lunch will be had in the mountains and dinner will be back at the base camp.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tash Rabat in winter
Day 10 Driving from Tash Rabat to Naryn city
Day 10

Driving from Tash Rabat to Naryn city

Tash Rabat Naryn

After breakfast, you will be able to see the Tash Rabat Caravanserai for the last time.  The first stop of the day will be the ancient fortress of Koshoy Korgon where the hero "Koshoi" saved his whole village by building a fortress where the village was protected from invading armies.  Another stop along the way to Naryn would be the village of At-Bashy where you can walk through the small bazaar and get a picture with Horse Head statue.  The next stop along the way would be the Ak-Tash waterfall.  It's a great stop to stretch your legs and see a nice waterfall.  Once you arrive in Naryn City you will be able to rest at the guesthouse and enjoy a dinner with your new hosts.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tash Rabat
Day 11 Free Ride or Snowshoe on slopes of Dolon pass 3,300
Day 11

Free Ride or Snowshoe on slopes of Dolon pass 3,300

Naryn Kochkor

Today you will say goodbye to your hosts in Naryn City and head to Dolon Pass at 3,030 m. At the Dolon Pass you will be able to ski the large pass and your driver will meet you at the bottom of the pass where you can jump in your jeep and be driven back to the pass. If you are on snowshoes you will be able to explore this area with your guide and be able to stretch your legs along the way. Tonight you will be accommodated in the village of Kochkor where your hosts will welcome you with hot tea and some amazing local dishes.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Dolon pass
Day 12 Transfer from Kochkor Village to Bishkek City
Day 12

Transfer from Kochkor Village to Bishkek City

Kochkor Bishkek

After a nice breakfast, you will pack your bags and make your way to Bishkek. The first stop along the way will be the artificial lake Orto Tokoi and then Issyk Kul lake. The road will follow through the Boom canyon and in no time you will be in Bishkek. If you wish you have the option to have a 3-hour hike though the Kyzyl Terek Canyon, visit Burana Tower, white water rafting in the Chuy river, or visiting the hot springs in Issyk-Ata. Once you arrive in Bishkek you will be able to have a walk through the city and see some of the many highlights of Bishkek. Overnight in a guesthouse in Bishkek.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Konorchek Kyzyl Terek canyon
Day 13 Transfer from Bishkek to Manas International Airport
Day 13

Transfer from Bishkek to Manas International Airport

Bishkek Manas International Airport

Depending on your flight time, your guide will join you to the airport and help you check in for your flight.  If your flight is later in the day your guide will show you more places in Bishkek before your flight. We hope you enjoyed your trip to Kyrgyzstan and we hope you come back again to explore other counties in Central Asia with us. 

Manas International Airport

Further reading

More from this journey

Practical information

Prepare for the journey

Reviews of Nomad's Land

Travelers, in their own words

Published reviews of our team and service.

“One word: THANK YOU! Two fabulous weeks experiencing nomadic life up close. Bakyt, without you, the journey would not have been the same. Thank you for your kindness and energy! Thanks to Youri, our amazing driver! In short, highly recommend this agency 100%.”

Laure Facebook

“"Visit to Kyrgyzstan = Nomad’s Land" Our stay in the country boils down to this. An unforgettable experience! The whole team is very competent and responsive. The country is amazing. We did 17 days and visited incredible and untouched corners. I recommend the nights with nomadic shepherds. Magical moments!”

Yann Décaillet

“An attention and a treatment of 10. Highly recommended. Kyrgyzstan, an unforgettable experience. I will return if you do !!!”

David Suarez Garcia

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From KGS111,063.68 per traveler at 8 travelers
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