Kyrgyzstan, on our calendar, is two places — not a country circuit.

Jyrgalan is a small valley in the east, under the Tien Shan. You fly into Bishkek, cross the country past Issyk-Kul, and sleep in a guesthouse. In the morning you skin from the edge of the village into passes, glades and glaciated headwalls. Eight days. Winter.

Lenin Peak is a different mountain and a different month. You fly into Osh, drive to base camp on the Pamir plateau, and spend three weeks rotating through camps to 7,134 m. It is a climb, not a ski week.

Both are led by IFMGA-certified guides and sold all-inclusive from New Zealand. Pick by season and by what you actually want to do.

Why ski tour — and climb — in Kyrgyzstan

  • Village-to-wilderness access

    In Jyrgalan there is no resort commute. The skin track starts at the last house.
  • A proper 7,000 m peak with a workable plan
    Lenin is high and long, not technical in the Himalayan sense. The expedition is built around rotation, not a summit dash.
  • A long year, split cleanly

    January–March for Tien Shan powder. July–August for the Pamir. You do not have to choose a compromise week.

  • Guides who already work here

    Central Asia is a home range for the SnowMonkeys team, not an add-on destination.

When to go to Kyrgyzstan

These two do not overlap and do not combine into one holiday. Book Jyrgalan for winter. Book Lenin if you want a three-week climb.

  • Jyrgalan

    Months | January – March

    What it is for | Cold Tien Shan powder, village touring

  • Lenin Peak

    Months | July – August

    What it is for | 7,134 m snow peak, high-altitude expedition
Our Kyrgyzstan Expeditions
Ski Touring in Jyrgalan Valley, Kyrgyzstan – Tien Shan Powder

  • Season: January – March
  • Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
  • Ratio: Max 1:5
  • From: NZD $3,190
  • Airport: Bishkek (BSZ)
Guesthouse in the village, skins from the door. Avalanche training on day one, then a week of passes, forested glades and alpine bowls under the Tien Shan. All transfers from Bishkek, meals and IFMGA guiding included.
View Trip
Climb Lenin Peak, Kyrgyzstan – 7,134m Expedition

  • Season: July – August
  • Duration: 20 days / 19 nights
  • Ratio: Max 1:3
  • From: NZD $5,590
  • Airport: Osh (OSS)
Meet in Osh, then a full rotation on Lenin: base camp, advanced base, and the standard north route. IFMGA guides, mountain logistics and listed camps included. This is a climb. Bring mountaineering fitness, not a touring setup.
View Trip

Which trip is right for you

  • Choose Jyrgalan if you want eight days of ski touring, a village base, and winter in the Tien Shan. Ability: solid off-piste and a full day on skins. Access: Bishkek (BSZ).

  • Choose Lenin Peak if you want a three-week 7,000 m expedition and already have high-altitude or serious mountaineering experience. Access: Osh (OSS). It is not a ski-touring holiday.

If you are deciding between Kyrgyzstan powder and Kazakhstan, start with the Kazakhstan guide. Jyrgalan sits closest to Ridder in style — village/town base, winter trees and alpine — not to Tuyuk-Su.

Getting there from New Zealand

  • Airports

    Jyrgalan meets in Bishkek (BSZ). Lenin Peak meets in Osh (OSS). We include ground transfers from the meeting airport. An alternative Jyrgalan transfer from Almaty can be arranged.

  • Flights

    From Auckland or Christchurch the usual pattern is a connection through Istanbul, Dubai or similar. We send a flight window after booking so you do not buy the wrong day.

  • Entry

    New Zealand passport holders can usually enter Kyrgyzstan visa-free for a short stay. Rules change. We confirm the current requirement at booking. You remain responsible for a passport valid for the trip.

  • What is included on the live trip

    Guiding, listed accommodation, meals at the destination, and ground transfers. International flights and travel insurance are not included. Jyrgalan: bring touring skis or splitboard, boots, skins and avalanche kit. Lenin Peak: mountaineering kit as listed on the trip page. Hire can be arranged if requested. Full lists live on the equipment guide.

Who these trips are for

Jyrgalan is for ski tourers who already ski off-piste and can tour a full day with a pack. It is not a first week on skins.

Lenin Peak is for mountaineers who can live at altitude for three weeks and move safely on glaciated snow slopes. Previous high-altitude experience is strongly recommended. It is not an add-on to the ski week.

Groups stay small. If the weather or the snow is wrong, we change the plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Looking Further

Kyrgyzstan sits in a wider SnowMonkeys season.
Plan your Kyrgyzstan trip
Winter touring or a 7,000 m climb — write to us with the month you have.