Winter discovery of Kyrgyzstan on snowshoes
Activity
Difficulty
Duration
Dates
Price
From 3395.00 €
About winter discovery in Kyrgyzstan
Discover Kyrgyzstan as you’ve never seen it before: in pristine white winter landscapes.
This journey through Kyrgyzstan takes you to meet the Kyrgyz people and their way of life in winter. Visit livestock markets, follow the Silk Road, meet the descendants of Manas the Generous, brush up on the traces of history, savor Kyrgyz cuisine, immerse yourself in nomadic culture and share traditional tea with your hosts in an enchanting, unspoiled natural setting.
You will leave with :
Pierrick
Trekking Guide
“The most important thing for me is to allow walkers to discover new places, new cultures and to exchange with the locals.”
Photo gallery of our winter discovery of Kyrgyzstan
The Kyrgyzstan winter discovery tour
Upcoming departures
What's included in the formula
- International flight and airport taxes
- Supervision by a qualified French mountain leader and a local guide
- Ground transportation as described in the program, including luggage transfer
- Accommodation in standard hotels, guest houses, refuges or with local people (twin or double rooms)
- Full board throughout your stay
- Non-alcoholic beverages
- Rental of snowshoes and check-in of a second piece of luggage (containing the snowshoes) for the international flight
What's not included in the package
- Alcoholic beverages
- Activities, excursions and visits not mentioned on the itinerary or suggested as optional
- Personal hiking and travel equipment (shoes, poles, sleeping bag, personal first-aid kit…).
- Single room supplement
- Cancellation or comprehensive insurance, to be taken out at the time of registration.
- Anything not mentioned in “what’s included in the package”.
Day 1-2: Flight to Kyrgyzstan
Flight – 2 hours 30 minutes transfer – Overnight in hotel
Welcome to Kyrgyzstan! On landing, we are greeted by a member of the local team who takes us to our hotel in the heart of Bishkek, the Kyrgyz capital.
Later, we set off for the small, bucolic ski resort of Politech (2000m altitude) in the foothills of the Ala Too range, which boasts just three lifts. We set off on our first short outing to take the temperature of the Kyrgyz snow.
Day 3: Guesthouse in Karakol
6-hour transfer – Overnight in guest house
We head due east to reach the Burana Tower, a 45-metre-high minaret. We’ll stop to visit this UNESCO-listed site.
We continue our journey along the northern shore of Lake Issy-Kul (altitude 1600m), one of the largest lakes in Central Asia and one of the oldest in the world. Its name means “warm lake” and is due to its low salinity, which means it never freezes, despite the cold that hits the region in winter.
Finally we reach Karakol, the country’s fourth-largest city and our accommodation for the day.
Day 4: Snowshoeing in the Altyn Arashan valley
30-minute transfer – 4-hour walk – Overnight in refuge – D+: 700 m
After a short transfer, we set off on a snowshoe hike. Fifteen kilometers of walking separate us from the marvelous Altyn Arashan valley. We sleep in a mountain refuge where we can relax in natural hot springs.
Day 5: Day trip to Altyn Arashan
Night in refuge – D+: 200 m
Today, we venture into snow-covered expanses, capturing the purity and tranquility of this pristine winter landscape. We’ll have the chance to admire breathtaking panoramas while enjoying the calm and serenity of this remote region.
Day 6: Return to Karakol
30-minute transfer – Overnight in guest house – D- : 700 mWe return to Karakol on snowshoes.We’ll also have the opportunity to visit some of the town’s cultural sites, including the Orthodox church, the Dungan mosque and the town’s historical museum.
Day 7: Through the snowy valleys of Turgen Ak-Suu
1 hour 30 transfer – Overnight stay with local people – D+ : 1100 m
We leave Karakol early for an epic day of snowshoeing. Through the snowy valleys of Turgen Ak-Suu, we attack the summit of Austrian Kiss at 3200m, intoxicated by the purity of the air and the grandeur of the alpine scenery.
After a busy day, we reach Jyrgalan (2300m) where a warm guesthouse awaits us for an evening of relaxation and sharing.
Day 8-12: Snowshoeing in Jyrgalan
Overnight stay with local people – between 500 and 1500m ascent each day
We hike with snowshoes in a star formation around the accommodation. We leave on a full-day program with a picnic lunch in the mountains.
Day 13: Return to Bishkek
7.30 hours transfer – Overnight in hotel
Today we make our way back to Bishkek, the Kyrgyz capital, once again skirting Lake Issy-Kul. En route, we’ll be able to enjoy the open-air hot springs in the village of Chon-Oruktuu.
Day 14: Flight to France
30-minute transfer
After our transfer to Manas airport, we leave Kyrgyzstan for France..
Highlights of the trip
General information
SAFETY
You can find the Quai d’Orsay’s position on these countries on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: diplomatie.gouv.fr in the “Conseils aux voyageurs” section.
The information contained on the website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs is subject to change and is provided for information purposes only. Please note that no region of the world or country can be considered safe from the risk of terrorism.
REGISTRATION
By post:
Ask us for a registration form
- by phone: 06 65 93 29 29
- or e-mail: contact@watse.fr
Send us your registration with a copy of your passport, your postal address, telephone number and e-mail address, together with a deposit of 30% of the cost of the trip.
Also, if you wish to take out a Comfort or Comfort Multirisk cancellation insurance policy, this must be paid at the same time as the deposit when you register. You can consult our insurance contracts on our website.
By internet:
Book your holiday directly on our website: directly on the holiday page, choosing your dates and insurance options.
ATTENTION: air fares will be maintained until 3 months before departure and may be readjusted if necessary if you book during this period.
ASSISTANCE AND SAFETY
We strongly advise you to take out assistance insurance for the duration of your trip.
We offer two different types of insurance: Comfort Cancellation and Comfort Multirisk, to be taken out when you register for your trip.
Details of this insurance are available on request or can be viewed by by clicking here.
Other offers include Mondial Assistance, your own insurance company or the Club Alpin Français. Check that your snowshoeing activity is covered.
Make sure your insurance covers all medical expenses in the event of an accident.
You must make sure that you are covered for mountain rescue costs. If this is the case, you must provide us with the following information before you set off on your trek:
- a certificate from the insurance company covering mountain rescue costs.
- the contract number and telephone number of the assistance center
Beware of restrictive clauses in certain insurance policies (particularly those linked to Visa Premier, Gold or other cards), such as mountain insurance limited to snow activities, or altitude sickness not recognized as an illness requiring repatriation, which will be refused.
Please check the actual content of your insurance and take the necessary steps if necessary.
Health & climate
JET LAG
+ 5h compared with France in winter
+ 4h compared with France in summer
CLIMATE
Kyrgyzstan’s climate is continental, with cold, harsh winters and hot summers. Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country, and temperatures are cooler in the mountains but can be stifling on the plains.
HEALTH AND VACCINES
No vaccinations required. Just make sure you’re up to date with your usual vaccinations.
You should also take precautions to protect yourself against mosquito bites (repellent, loose-fitting clothing).
We recommend that you have a check-up with your dentist before you leave.
Transport and conditions
Ground transportation is by private vehicle.
AIR
Air fares will be maintained until 3 months before departure and may be readjusted if necessary if you register during this period.
LUGGAGE
Your personal belongings will be transported daily. We recommend that you pack your trekking gear in duffle bags, which are easier to carry.
The stay
MEALS
Meals are at your own expense during international flights.
The stay is full-board. Breakfast and dinner are taken in your accommodation. For lunch, we usually organize a picnic.
Please let us know if you have any food allergies when you register.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is in hotels, guest houses (double or twin rooms), homestays or refuges during snowshoe outings.
TRAINING
Supervision by a qualified French mountain leader and a local Kyrgyz guide.
Practical info
ELECTRICITY
Alternating current 220 Volts, 50 Hertz, as in France. Bring a battery for camps where recharging is not possible.
FORMALITIES AND VISA
For French, Belgian, Luxembourg and Swiss nationals
– Your valid passport.
As these formalities may change, please check with the country’s consular authorities. All travelers are responsible for complying with entry requirements in the countries they visit. Watse cannot be held responsible for changes in formalities.
BUDGET, CHANGE AND TIPS
The currency in Kyrgyzstan is the Som (KGS). The indicative rate is : 1 € = 91 KGS in August 2024.
Cash: you can travel with both euros and dollars. Exchange is available at exchange offices, banks and even hotels. It’s best to take bills of at least €50 for a better exchange rate.
Watse added value
TWO GUIDES FOR THE TRIP
Take advantage of complete and secure supervision by a French guide and a local guide throughout your stay.
This accompaniment allows us to adapt to everyone’s needs, guaranteeing you an unforgettable and enriching experience.
HOT SPRINGS ALONG THE ROUTE
Hot springs dot the landscape, rewarding your efforts with well-deserved relaxation.
WINTER STAY
This winter holiday lets you discover a region of the world in a completely different setting, and at a time when there are fewer tourists. A change of scenery guaranteed!