Backcountry in Tau Turgen

Yurt-based camp

Duration: 3 days
Season: December – March
Mountain Range: Ile Alatau

About tour:

Let’s take a break from mobile connection and the Internet, enjoy virgin nature, starry sky, authentic ski touring and freeriding on untouched slopes without using lifts and motorized machines, only climbing skins and human power. Tau Turgen Gorge is a quite remote area located in the Ile Alatau Range on the territory of the National Park Ile Alatau. Terrain is friendly for skiers and split boarders with different skill level: from beginner in the backcountry to the advanced and pro. Elevation range 1800-3200 meters with highest point in peak Bakhtiyar, 3200 meters high. The area is rarely visited by people in winter, no one will disturb your peace and you can fully enjoy the atmosphere of wilderness and authenticity staying in the yurt like a real nomad.

HIGHLIGHTS:

– remoteness and wilderness
– panoramic view of the glaciers and high mountains
– incredible sunsets and sunrises
– deep starry night skies
– discovering new powder slopes
– kazakh sauna experience
– chance to see wolfs tracks
– nomadic lifestyle and staying the real yurt

PRICE:

1500$ per one person
950$ per person for the group of 2
800$ per person for the group of 3
750$ per person for the group of 4-6
700$ per person for the group of 7-8
650$ per person for the group of 9-10

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Itinerary:

Almaty – Turgen – Tau Turgen – Karash Ridge – Tau Turgen – Turgen – Almaty

Day by day Schedule:

Day 1

Meeting the guide at your place in Almaty. Departure to the Tau-Tugen Gorge by SUV (80 km). Arrival to the check point of Ile Alatau National Park. Packing stuff on the sledges and ski-touring about 3 km to the Yurt Lodge with gaining 300 vertical meters. Yurt is located on the foothills of ridge Karash at an altitude of 1800 meters. Arrival to the yurt, rest, lunch and light ski-touring to the one of the closest slope. It will be possible to make one long or two short runs with 800-1000 vertical meters. Return to the Yurt Lodge, snacks with tea. Evening sauna.

Dinner and rest.

Day 2

Breakfast and preparations. Touring the Cone peak with altitude 2600 meters. Panoramic view to the glaciers of Turgen gorge, Asy plateau and the highest summit of Trans-Ili Alatau mountains – Talgar peak (4979 m) opens from the top. It will be possible to make two runs with 1000-1500 vertical meters. Picnic lunch during the day in the valley. Return to the yurt. Rest, tea and snacks. Evening sauna, dinner and overnight in the yurt.

Day 3

Breakfast, preparations. Touring to the ridge Karash and Tau Turgen peak with gaining 1000-1500 vertical meters. Picnic lunch during the day. Coming back to the yurt. Rest and tea with snacks. Packing stuff and departure back to the car by. Transfer to Almaty city with the stop for dinner in local cafe on the way. Arrival to Almaty.

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Required clothing and equipment

Safety:

– avalanche equipment (avalanche safety kit: shovel, probe, transceiver
– airbag backpack (optionally)

Personal clothing and accessories:

– thermal base layer
– membrane jacket and pants
– polartec or fleece jacket
– primaloft or downy thin sweater or vest
– warm down jacket
– extra set of thick thermal base layer
– two pairs of warm thermal socks
– winter casual shoes or boots
– fleece or softshell gloves
– warm mittens
– warm beanie
– cap
– neck warmer
– sunscreen with a high degree of UV protection SPF 50+

– sunglasses
– rubber slippers for visiting sauna
– personal hygienic items
– personal AID kit (pain and flu medication, adhesive tape, individual medications in case of having chronic diseases)
– isothermal foil survival blanket
– repair kit (spare parts and tools for adjustment and repairing your bindings, duct tape, rubber straps)
– thermos
– water tank
– head lamp
– spare batteries for your transceiver
– adaptor for outlet charging, if needed (220V 50Hz European outlet)
– matches or a lighter in a waterproof package
– chargers and cords for your electronic devices

Equipment:

– freeride backpack with skis/splitboard fixation (volume 35-40 liters)
– helmet
– goggles with a spare lens for foggy conditions
(better to have 2 goggles)
– ski-touring/snowboard boots
– freeride skis/splitboard with proper touring bindings
– climbing skins
– telescopic poles

Food:
– individual snacks (energy and protein bars, muesli, dry fruits and nuts, special mount nutrition and etc.)

Services included in the package:

1. Accommodation in the Yurt Lodge for 2 nights.
2. Return transfer from Almaty.
3. Food for sel-cooking.
4. English-speaking KMGA skiing guide.
5. National Park eco fee.
6. Sledge for carrying the baggage and food to the Yurt.
7. Evening sauna.
8. Dinner in the cafeteria on Day 3.
9. Drinking water.

Services does not included in the package:

1. Rental of ski-touring and avalanche equipment (available upon request).
2. Visa support and registration in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, if required.
3. Food and drinks (other than specified), personal expenses and other expenses not indicated in the program.
4. Accommodation in Almaty before and after the tour.
5. Insurance policy.

Please, note:

Depending on weather and snow conditions, the guide can make adjustments to the the program.

It is required to have appropriate insurance policy covering freeride, alpine touring and backcountry, including rescue by helicopter.

To participate in the program you need to have confident level of off-piste skiing or boarding and be fit enough for performing daily outdoor activities.

Apply for the tour