Snow, Saunas and Yurts in Kyrgyzstan

Despite the sub-zero temperatures in winter, snow is not guaranteed across Kyrgyzstan due to the dry continental climate. However, the mountainous areas visited such as Ala Archa, Jyrgalan and Jety Oguz (including the two winter yurt camps used) are expected to have significant amounts of snow from November through to March. All activities included in the trip can take place with or without snow, and they are equally enjoyable. Your guide may slightly alter the snowshoe/hiking routes and distance in order to offer the best and safest possible experience. Visits to Burana Tower and Konorcheck Canyon are unlikely to feature snow, although the snowy high mountains are visible from most places in Kyrgyzstan! Occasionally, the pass to Enilcheck is blocked by snow (although efforts are made to clear it daily); in this event you will spend an extra night in Jyrgalan and undertake a day snowshoeing there.

For most of this trip, the temperature dial will be below freezing with expected temperatures dipping to as low as -20°C in the mountains.

It is therefore important to ensure you bring all items on the kit list to provide an appropriate layering system to keep warm. This will include thermal base layers, warm mid layers (fleece / insulated jacket, fleece lined trousers), a warm down jacket and a waterproof/windproof shell. To keep your hands warm you should also consider layers including a liner glove and insulated mitts (mitts will keep your hands warmer than gloves!).

On your feet, you'll need warm hiking/skiing socks (pack a few pairs!) and warm winter hiking/snow boots - often winter boots will have a temperature rating they are comfortable down to.

Your guide will check your clothing and equipment during the first night's briefing and can offer the option of purchasing/hiring additional equipment. Often local clothing can be best suited to the local conditions.

In addition, your vehicle will be at the start/end of each activity and your guide will be carrying spare clothing and a thermos with hot tea and snacks to keep you warm on the go. If the weather conditions do not allow safe operation an alternative activity will be organised for that day (e.g. visits, sauna sessions, cooking classes, etc.)

The overlanding style of this trip means there are drives each day, some covering long distances. This style of travel allows you to see the best of Kyrgyzstan in the time available, including accessing some remote areas and the best locations for exploring and experiencing the wild natural environment and local communities that make up the highlights of this trip.

The driving is undertaken in large, comfortable 4-wheel drive mini busses (e.g. Mercedes Sprinter), or depending on the conditions you may also use Kamaz Trucks or several jeeps. The journeys are broken up with multiple stops each day for the main itinerary activities, such as the hikes and horse riding, as well as stops at hot springs, restaurants and cultural sites along the way. On the longer days of driving (to and from the remote town of Enilcheck), your guide will make multiple stops along the way for short hikes to viewpoints and exploration of the mountain pass you are travelling over.

You'll have one English-speaking tour leader with you throughout the trip, as well as the drivers of the 4x4 vehicles used to transport you and your luggage. For groups above six people, you will also have an assistant guide. For the horse riding activities you will be joined by local horsemen who look after the horses.

Absolutely. Your host can look after any luggage you don't need during the trip.

Your host carry 20l water tanks in the vehicle throughout this trip, so there is always drinkable water to fill up with if you have your own bottle. You may also wish to pack pack a filtration system of your own (e.g. Sawyer or Steripen) or water purification tablets (e.g Aqua Tabs or Micropur) if you want to fill up from other sources.

Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice, however we suggest the below as a guideline per person:

• Horsemen, driver and assistant: 70-200 KGS ($1-3 USD) per day
• Guide: 200-350 KGS ($3-5 USD) per day

Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality – a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

This trip visits locations at or above 2500m. At this altitude some people may experience symptoms associated with Altitude Sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Previous experience at high altitude is not necessarily an indicator of future performance. Your guide(s) are trained to mitigate the risks associated with altitude, by carefully managing the rate of ascent and the intensity of the activity, and to provide the appropriate support response should someone feel ill during the trip. Should you experience health issues during your trip you should inform your guide immediately so the proper care can be provided. Owing to the nature of this trip, it is essential that your personal travel insurance policy provides cover up to the maximum altitude visited on this trip as well as emergency medical evacuation by helicopter.

This trip visits locations where daytime temperatures can be extremely cold and consistently below freezing (0C/32F) during the times of year when this trip operates. Temperatures at night will likely be even colder. Personal care should be taken to keep warm as best possible in the conditions, such as wearing appropriate clothing and proper hydration and nutrition. Very cold temperatures can impair an individual’s physical abilities to perform an activity that they may otherwise be able to do competently at warmer temperatures. In severe cold conditions people may experience symptoms associated with Exposure, Frostbite and Hypothermia. Your guide(s) are trained to mitigate the risks associated with cold temperatures, by carefully managing the intensity of the activity, and to provide the appropriate support response should someone feel ill during the trip. Should you experience health issues during your trip you should inform your guide immediately so the proper care can be provided.

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Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

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All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
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See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

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