Karakol is the easternmost city of Kyrgyzstan by Lake Issyk Kul. A rare mixture of its historic legacy and contemporary features evolving in Karakol, positions the city as one of the most prospective tourist destinations in Kyrgyzstan.

Karakol is a very Siberian Kyrgyz city. It was founded in 1869 by the Cossacks of West Siberia as a fort of the Russian Empire on the line of border with the Chinese domains. Many scenes of the “Great Game”- a geopolitical endeavor between the Russian and the British Empires - were staged here. The city evolved as a home for the Dunghans, Uyghurs, and Uzbeks from Kashi, the Kyrgyz, who abandoned their pastures after the lure of city life, and the migrants from European Russia. Two neighboring wooden temples - a Dunghan Chinese pagoda style mosque and a Russian Siberian log church - have co-existed here since foundation times.

DURATION OF THE TRIP: 7 days
DISTANCE: 1,000 km
ROUTE: Bishkek - Cholpon-Ata - Karakol - Issyk-Kul’s southern shore - Bishkek
SEASON: December - March

Karakol downhill ski training camp is located in a picturesque mountain valley called Kashka Suu, within a 30-minute drive of the city. The valley’s fir-wooded, north-facing slopes accumulate on average 2 meters (6.56 ft) of snow per winter. The main trail stretches 1,000 m (0.6 mi.). Elevation at the top of the pull-lift is ~ 3,000 m (1.86 mi.) above sea level. The spot offers a great view to the Issyk Kul lake with Kungei Alatou peaks in the background. Altitude drops some 400-450 m (1,312-1,476 ft) along the main ski trail. There are plenty of options for off-trail skiing and snowboarding in the Karakol backcountry - through the fir woods or on a 2,800 m (1.74 mi.) speed-run slope, that are currently not serviced by the lifts. The ski season starts here in November and boasts the best snow cover in the country, even in dry seasons.

A private guest house is offered for lodging in Karakol (please see price quote for a complete listing of options), with single, 2, or 3 person accommodations, hot shower and sauna facilities. For non-riders, we will provide a parallel program, including a hands-on training in national cuisine, baking tandyr nan, construction and decoration of a yurt and a trip to Altyn Arashan gorge. Please sign up for scheduled groups departing with this tour on: Dec 26, Feb 5 and March 6. All travel scheduled around the holidays will have some surprises, festivity spirits and characters added - Santa, the little green men or the turkey - depending on the celebration.

Suggested Travel Itinerary:(will be altered at your request)

Day 1: Getting to Karakol is easiest by car from Bishkek, where the closest international airport is located. Departure to Karakol should be scheduled for the day after arrival in Bishkek. A mountain lodge outside Bishkek will comfortably accommodate your layover and acclimatization before driving to Karakol. From here you could direct your energy to getting to know local cuisine and meeting your guides on this trip - an interpreter, a doctor, a driver, and a ski instructor. If time allows, you may try to warm up at the closest slope, equipped with a drag-lift or visit a shooting range to bring down a few flying saucers.