Great ski touring in the Tian Shan range - Kyrgyzstan

Get together - Practical information

Flights to buy

Round trip to Bishkek (FRU) - Kyrgyzstan (about 400-500 €)

Due to price variations, this ski touring trip in Kyrgyzstan is sold without flights. We highly recommend Turkish Airlines: good company, very good ski/bike baggage handling (ski transport included in baggage allowance). Alternatively, you can find low fares on booking platforms such as MisterFly, Opodo, Kayak,...

Please note: Don't buy flights for this trip until we've confirmed that departure is guaranteed!

Group size

5 to 10 participants

Guiding

Azimut qualified mountain guide + local English speaking guide.

Local ski guide: he makes us discover his country, makes the link with the people, helps us to find the best runs and make the link with the local teams. He also skis with us.

All our mountain guides are certified. We choose them for their sympathy, their teaching and organisational skills. We stay tuned in, work hands in hands, and make sure their working conditions are the best.

Meet our guides just around the corner.

Daypack

Bring a small day pack large enough to carry your personal belongings for the day such as (extra) clothing, a few snacks, your picnic and security equipment. We strongly recommend that you wear an airbag.

Getting around

Comfortable minibus, 4x4 and snowmobile.

Ski lifts

Ski lifts on D2.

 

How technical does it get ? How fit should I be ?

• Skill level

The slopes may have some short steep passages. You should be at ease with ski touring techniques and skiing on all types of snow. We may also ski on glacier terrain. You should master uphill kick turns without hesitation. 

• Stamina level

Good physical condition is required, some uphill sections may have to be done on foot. Ascents and descents vary between 600 & 1200 metres per day. Depending on the chosen itinerary, there may be two outings per day. This allows those who want to pursue to do so and those who are tired to rest and relax.

Beware, you're not playing in the skatepark in your neighbourhood: even though you're extremely keen, are craving to make first tracks in the powder snow, don't forget that this trip is far away overseas, in remote areas and rescue services may be slow and often less well organised than in your home country. So keep cool and take it easy to fully enjoy...and please avoid a back flip without knowing what's behind.

Good to know: if you don't have the level required, the guide may ask you to leave the group for your own safety, that of the group or the well-being of the group as a whole. If any doubt, please do not hesitate to ask us !

 

Pricing and insurance

Pricing

The price includes

• Trip organisation & logistics upon arrival at meeting point
• Transportation on site
• Certified and expert mountain guide services (all his expenses are included: meals, accommodation, transportation, ski lift fares)
• Minibus transfers upon arrival at one of the indicated meeting points
• Accommodation and full board from night 1 until the picnic on day 7
• Ski lift on Day 2
• The Azimut Welcome Pack
• Quality cereal bars 
• 1 L Water Bottle per person per day

The price does not include

• International air transport to Bishkek and back
• Visits not included in the program
• All drinks including meals, extras in accommodation, personal expenses
• Personal expenses
• Ski rental if required
• Tips
• Personal insurance(s)
• Possibility to take a ski-dooduring the trip to shoot further (decision of the group on the spot)
• Any other expenses not mentioned under the above section “the price includes”

Payment

A 30% deposit, as well as the insurance cost if you choose to subscribe the latter, is required to secure your booking. You will receive a reminder email 30 days prior to departure for the outstanding balance that is due. 

Insurance

We strongly recommend you to be properly insured for the chosen activity. You should be covered for medical expenses, personal accident & liabilité, third party risks and rescue (helicopter), as well as trip cancellation or curtailment.

Repatriation and research insurance are mandatory when booking a trip with Azimut. We have a full range of iinsurances on offer to suit the trip you select and the risks that it may incur. 

Tipping

Tipping is no obligation. However usually participants hand round an envelope for those who wish to tip the guide. Do not forget the local guides and drivers.

 

Accommodation, meals and formalities

During your stay

• Depending on the size of group, you may share a room with someone of the opposite sex
• We will be accommodated in hotels in double room, in guest rooms in double room and in yurts (1 night in dormitory mode), sheets provided, towels provided in hotels and guest rooms. In yurt, sleeping bag provided.
• Dinners and breakfasts are taken in local restaurants and cafes or at the yurt camp. If you want to lose weight, change your destination.
• A single room supplement (hotels only) at 130€ is possible subject to availability. 
• Snacks : details are important, especially after such demanding physical effort ! We've chosen to supply tasty, high-quality cereal bars.

Cash & currency

The currency in Kyrgyzstan is the som (KGS). 1 € = 77.52KGS

Passport and visa 

• French, Belgians, Swiss and Canadians are exempt from visa and registration procedure for any tourist or business stay of less than 60 days (2 months). They must have a valid passport for the duration of their stay.
• Make sure that the passport has been stamped by a border guard.
• Passports must be in perfect condition (no stains, staples, paper clips, marks, tears...). 

Vaccines

No vaccinations are mandatory but some may be recommended. Make sure you are up to date with your usual vaccinations but also with those related to all the geographical areas visited.

Updating of the diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccine (DTP) is recommended, as well as the rubella-mumps-measles vaccine (MMR) in children. Vaccination against tuberculosis is also recommended.

Depending on local travel conditions, vaccinations against typhoid fever and viral hepatitis A and B may be recommended.

Vaccination against rabies may also be advisable in certain cases, depending on the conditions and location of the trip. Ask your doctor or an international vaccination center for advice.

For all other information concerning health risks... we invite you to consult: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr 

 

Phone & WiFi

In case of emergency or delay, you can either contact your guide (a phone number will be provided before departure) or contact Azimut on: (+ 33) 04 92 23 07 24.

Please inform your friends and family with these details before departure.

Wifi is available in our accommodation.

SIM cards at 4€ approx. on site called "Bee Line" which allow a good 4G coverage

 

Equipment - clothing & gear

Make sure to wear bright colours, it's good for the soul and gives photos a funky edge! 

Skiing material (all in excellent condition)

• Ski touring skis with appropriate bindings, ski skins, ski crampons, ski poles and alpine crampons. We recommend you to have freeride type skis (wider at waist) so you can fully enjoy powdery descents as well as descents in any kind of snow.
• Ski touring boots
• A 35-40 litre backpack. Security advice: avalanche airbag backpacks are highly recommended. They help to stay on the surface in case of avalanche and minimize the risk of burial. Azimut guides use them. These bags contain cartridges with compressed air - please contact the airline to check on air transport regulations as they may be classed as hazardous goods.
• Avalanche kit: transceiver, shovel and probe (please let us know if you have your own, if not we lend them for free)
• Padded ski bag for airline transportation
• Ski helmet highly recommended

If you don't have the adequate equipment for the trip, don't worry and travel light: we rent out the required gear and hand it over at the start of the trip ! Our equipment is relatively new, if not brand new, of good quality and adapted to your choice of activity.

Prices of rental equipment during the entire trip (these competitive prices only take into account the number of days of the trip, also includes excess bagage fare - your rental gear will be handed over on site):

Full Pack (ski, boots, skins, ski-crampons, poles)	335 €
Skis (skis, skins, poles, ski-crampons)	295 €
Airbag Backpack	160 €
Helmet	50 €

You can choose to rent equipment when booking your trip, or lateron by clicking on “my account”. If any of the equipment that you've chosen is out of stock you'll be notified and reimbursed.

Due to security restrictions on air transportation, we do not rent out airbags for overseas trips.

In case your skis and gear arrive late or are lost during transportation, we are not to be held responsible and do not apply a discount on rental gear nor pay for the cost of rental gear until your own gear arrives.

Clothes

This list of clothes is designed to give you an idea of clothes that it may be a good to have with you. No need to have the latest brands nor the latest gear, but if you need to refresh of refill your wardrobe, this guide would be a good start.

Headwear

• Warm hat or buff/scarf
• 2 pairs of ski goggles and sunglasses with UV factory 4 protective lenses. Photochromic glasses adapt to light intensity, and have filter index up to category 4, they are very useful
• Ski helmet (highly recommended) 

Bodywear 

• Under layer: breathable long sleeved tops to maintain heat. A tip: merino wool is breathable and has anti-bacterial properties and is therefore less likely to smell as opposed to synthetic fabrics. Take this into consideration if you need to update your wardrobe.
• Middle layer: a light polar or synthetic jacket for an extra layer of heat during breaks
• Outer layer: a Gore-tex or similar type of jacket with a breathable waterproof membrane. Make sure it's lightweight and compact so it doesn't take up too much space in your backpack
• Bottom layer: trousers with a breathable waterproof membrane (Gore Tex or similar) with long side zips allowing air to flow, recommended on climbs
• Hands: light fleece or soft shell gloves, a pair of silk glove liners to go underneath, warm gloves with a breathable and waterproof membrane. Mittens are always a good idea for really cold days of for those of you who feel the cold !
• Swimming gear: it takes up such little space, it would be a shame not to bring it just in case. Avoid swimming shorts or bermudas, they are not usually allowed.

Footwear

• Ski socks: merino wool socks are breathable and have anti-bacterial properties and are less likely to smell as opposed to those made of synthetic fabrics. Think about them if you need to stock up.
• Slippers / Crocs recommended for evening wear.

Odds and ends

• 1 litre flask (Thermos or Camelback)
• Pocket knife
• Duck tape
• Suncream, UV factor 50 
• Duffle type bag holding up to 110 litres to leave at the hotel or in the vehicle. No suitcases.

Toiletries and first aid kit

• Personal toilet bag
• To make up your first aid kit, please find all information on the Ifremmont website. 

In partnership with

Our guides use the following brands for their gear and you'll have the opportunity to test them during the trip:

• SCOTT
• Arva
• Fitschi swiss bindings

 

And last but not least...

Don't forget to

• Leave contact details with your friends and family
• Bring your papers and I.D. (passport and visa if necessary)
• Bring your contract number and documents related to your insurance (if you've chosen not to have insure coverage with us)
• Bring your “carte vitale” and your European health card (EU member states) - if you don't have one you can order one for free online  www.ameli.fr
• Check that you have the right equipment
• Take spare batteries and a charger for your electronic devices (camera, video recorder, tracking devices etc)
• Bring some cash and your credit card
• Leave in a good frame of mind: we're going to have a great time even if we may not happen to not make it to the summit !
• Before leaving: water the plants, empty the rubbish bin, turn off the water and gas, and tell your partner that you're going to have a good time (not by text message), that you well deserved... If you don't follow the latter recommendation, you'll most probably kick yourself when you get back !

 

See you on the slopes ! Have great runs with AZIMUT !