There are undoubtedly adventures that you think you will never have. Skiing big mountain lines by day and huddling around a wood-burning stove in a cozy Kyrgyz yurt by night is probably one of them. Offering the only program of its kind in Asia, 40 Tribes invites adventurous, experienced skiers and riders to explore Kyrgyzstan’s remote Tien Shan Mountains while staying at any of our winter-ready yurts. All of our yurts are run in collaboration with local partners, contributing an irreplaceable intercultural element to the skiing experience.
It’s your choice to join us as an “Independent Traveler” or a “40 Tribes Traveler.”
Independent Travelers
If you’re up for a true adventure, we invite you to coordinate the logistics of your travel independently; all you’ll need to do is make your way to the well-known resort town of Karakol (about 6 hours by road from Bishkek) and our guides will greet you there. This option is great if you’re looking to save a bit of cash or if you’re a seasoned vagabond and confident in negotiating the ups, downs, and runarounds that are characteristic to travel in the developing world.
40 Tribes Travelers
Maybe you need to adhere to a tighter schedule, or you’re simply ready for a vacation and want to let someone else handle all of the dirty work. In this case we invite you to let us plan even the subtlest logistics of your trip – from airport pickup to drop off, and everything in between. Don’t worry; even this is guaranteed to be an adventure! You’ll get the peace of mind that comes with a package tour, and still experience 40 Tribes’ philosophy of uninsulated, authentic and socially-responsible travel.
Details
We offer 4, 5, and 7-day guided ski tours based out of the Jalpak Tash Yurt. The season in the Issyk Kul valley is December-March, with the best mid-season conditions typically occurring mid-January into early March.
The Jalpak Tash Yurt can comfortably accommodate guided participant groups of 5-6. Don’t have the #s to meet the 5 person minimum? – Check out our Small Groups/Solo Travelers Bulletin! Participants must be in good physical condition, confident skiers or riders (high-intermediate to advanced level), well-acquainted with their equipment (including avalanche safety equipment), and comfortable touring for long distances and carrying their own backcountry packs. Participation in a 40 Tribes guided tour does not require any formal avalanche safety certification, though previous experience in the backcountry and an awareness of appropriate travel ethics in avalanche terrain will contribute to a safer journey for all. Participants are not required to have any previous experience with glacier travel and/or mountaineering (harness, ropes, etc).
Bookings
Independent Travelers
4-Day
USD $1,050 / Person
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Price Includes
Price Includes:
40 Tribes guides; Ground transfers to/from Ichke Jergez village; Lodging in the village (home-stay, one night); Drinks and meals in the village; Lodging in the Jalpak Tash Yurt; Drinks and meals during stay
Price Does Not Include:
International airfare, baggage and visa fees; Transport to Karakol; Lodging/meals in Karakol; Items of personal nature, such as alcoholic drinks, snacks/supplements, souvenirs, etc; Tips for guides and local partners; Porters/animal support; Medical/evacuation insurance
Begins and ends in: Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
Day 1 – Meet at Yak Tours Guesthouse, Karakol; discuss tour plan and conditions over a traditional Russian breakfast; transit to Ichke Jergez village in the morning (~30km, 30 mins); tea with village host family; strap on skins and tour to the yurt, to arrive by early afternoon; afternoon touring/skiing
Days 2-4 – 3 full days of touring and skiing from the yurt; ski out for an overnight in the village on Day 4
Day 5 – Return to Karakol after breakfast with village host family
5-Day
USD $1,150 / Person
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Price Includes
Price Includes:
40 Tribes guides; Ground transfers to/from Ichke Jergez village; Lodging in the village (home-stay, one night); Drinks and meals in the village; Lodging in the Jalpak Tash Yurt; Drinks and meals during stay
Price Does Not Include:
International airfare, baggage and visa fees; Transport to Karakol; Lodging/meals in Karakol; Items of personal nature, such as alcoholic drinks, snacks/supplements, souvenirs, etc; Tips for guides and local partners; Porters/animal support; Medical/evacuation insurance
Begins and ends in: Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
Day 1 – Meet at Yak Tours Guesthouse, Karakol; discuss tour plan and conditions over a traditional Russian breakfast; transit to Ichke Jergez village in the morning (~30km, 30 mins); tea with village host family; strap on skins and tour to the yurt, to arrive by early afternoon; afternoon touring/skiing
Days 2-5 – 4 full days of touring and skiing from the yurt; ski out for an overnight in the village on Day 5
Day 6 – Return to Karakol after breakfast with village host family
7-Day
USD $1,350 / Person
View Itinerary
Price Includes
Price Includes:
40 Tribes guides; Ground transfers to/from Ichke Jergez village; Lodging in the village (home-stay, one night); Drinks and meals in the village; Lodging in the Jalpak Tash Yurt; Drinks and meals during stay
Price Does Not Include:
International airfare, baggage and visa fees; Transport to Karakol; Lodging/meals in Karakol; Items of personal nature, such as alcoholic drinks, snacks/supplements, souvenirs, etc; Tips for guides and local partners; Porters/animal support; Medical/evacuation insurance
Begins and ends in: Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
Day 1 – Meet at Yak Tours Guesthouse, Karakol; discuss tour plan and conditions over a traditional Russian breakfast; transit to Ichke Jergez village in the morning (~30km, 30 mins); tea with village host family; strap on skins and tour to the yurt, to arrive by early afternoon; afternoon touring/skiing
Days 2-7 – 6 full days of touring and skiing from the yurt; ski out for an overnight in the village on Day 7
Day 8 – Return to Karakol after breakfast with village host family
40 Tribes Travelers
4-Day
USD $1,200 / Person
View Itinerary
Price Includes
Price Includes:
40 Tribes guides; Airport pickup and drop off; Ground transfers to/from Karakol; Ground transfers to/from Ichke Jergez village; Lodging in the village (home-stay, one night); Drinks and meals in the village; Lodging in the Jalpak Tash Yurt; Drinks and meals during stay
Price Does Not Include:
International airfare, baggage and visa fees; Lodging/meals in Bishkek and Karakol; Items of personal nature, such as alcoholic drinks, snacks/supplements, souvenirs, etc; Tips for guides and local partners; Porters/animal support; Medical/evacuation insurance
Please note that all 40 Tribes Traveler itineraries are on average 2 days longer than the Independent Traveler itineraries to account for travel from/to Manas International Airport in Bishkek.
Begins and ends in: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Day 1 – Early morning arrival in Bishkek; overland transfer to Karakol – road follows the north shore of the 2nd largest Alpine Lake in the world, Lake Issyk Kul (~400km, 6 hrs); overnight in Kyrgyzstan’s most comfortable guesthouse
Day 2 – Discuss tour plan and conditions over a traditional Russian breakfast; transit from Karakol to Ichke Jergez village in the morning (~30km, 30 mins); tea with village host family; strap on skins and tour to the yurt, to arrive by early afternoon; afternoon touring/skiing
Days 3-5 – 3 full days of touring and skiing from the yurt; ski out for an overnight in the village on Day 5
Day 6 – Return to Karakol after breakfast with village host family; return transfer to Bishkek
Day 7 – Late night/early morning international departure
5-Day
USD $1,300 / Person
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Price Includes
Price Includes:
40 Tribes guides; Airport pickup and drop off; Ground transfers to/from Karakol; Ground transfers to/from Ichke Jergez village; Lodging in the village (home-stay, one night); Drinks and meals in the village; Lodging in the Jalpak Tash Yurt; Drinks and meals during stay
Price Does Not Include:
International airfare, baggage and visa fees; Lodging/meals in Bishkek and Karakol; Items of personal nature, such as alcoholic drinks, snacks/supplements, souvenirs, etc; Tips for guides and local partners; Porters/animal support; Medical/evacuation insurance
Please note that all 40 Tribes Traveler itineraries are on average 2 days longer than the Independent Traveler itineraries to account for travel from/to Manas International Airport in Bishkek.
Begins and ends in: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Day 1 – Early morning arrival in Bishkek; overland transfer to Karakol – road follows the north shore of the 2nd largest Alpine Lake in the world, Lake Issyk Kul (~400km, 6 hrs); overnight in Kyrgyzstan’s most comfortable guesthouse
Day 2 – Discuss tour plan and conditions over a traditional Russian breakfast; transit from Karakol to Ichke Jergez village in the morning (~30km, 30 mins); tea with village host family; strap on skins and tour to the yurt, to arrive by early afternoon; afternoon touring/skiing
Days 3-6 – 4 full days of touring and skiing from the yurt; ski out for an overnight in the village on Day 6
Day 7 – Return to Karakol after breakfast with village host family; return transfer to Bishkek
Day 8 – Late night/early morning international departure
7-Day
USD $1,500 / Person
View Itinerary
Price Includes
Price Includes:
40 Tribes guides; Airport pickup and drop off; Ground transfers to/from Karakol; Ground transfers to/from Ichke Jergez village; Lodging in the village (home-stay, one night); Drinks and meals in the village; Lodging in the Jalpak Tash Yurt; Drinks and meals during stay
Price Does Not Include:
International airfare, baggage and visa fees; Lodging/meals in Bishkek and Karakol; Items of personal nature, such as alcoholic drinks, snacks/supplements, souvenirs, etc; Tips for guides and local partners; Porters/animal support; Medical/evacuation insurance
Please note that all 40 Tribes Traveler itineraries are on average 2 days longer than the Independent Traveler itineraries to account for travel from/to Manas International Airport in Bishkek.
Begins and ends in: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Day 1 – Early morning arrival in Bishkek; overland transfer to Karakol – road follows the north shore of the 2nd largest Alpine Lake in the world, Lake Issyk Kul (~400km, 6 hrs); overnight in Kyrgyzstan’s most comfortable guesthouse
Day 2 – Discuss tour plan and conditions over a traditional Russian breakfast; transit from Karakol to Ichke Jergez village in the morning (~30km, 30 mins); tea with village host family; strap on skins and tour to the yurt, to arrive by early afternoon; afternoon touring/skiing
Days 3-8 – 6 full days of touring and skiing from the yurt; ski out for an overnight in the village on Day 8
Day 9 – Return to Karakol after breakfast with village host family; return transfer to Bishkek
Day 10 – Late night/early morning international departure
Discounts
Early Bird
Book before Sept 1 and receive $100 off
Early Season
10% off applicable to any dates Dec 1-31
5+
Groups of more than 5 always receive 10% off
*Only one discount may be applied per reservation
