Tuyuk-su Glacier Backcountry And Ski-mountaineering
About this tour
Nestled in the northern flank of the Ile Alatau ridge, the Tuyuk Su Glacier sits at the heart of a horseshoe-shaped amphitheater of iconic 4000 m peaks such as Tuyuk-Su, Ordzhonikidze, Partizan, Molodyozhniy, Lokomotiv and Pogrebetskiy. This pristine glacier spans about 3.5 km long and 0.3–1.5 km wide, offering thrilling high altitude descents in remote, spectacular terrain. Peak of the backcountry season runs from mid April to mid June, when snowpack is stable, daylight is long, and the temperatures are comfortable. In addition to the atmosphere of wilderness, you will also have chance to touch the history and visit one of the oldest scientific glaciological stations in the world “T-1”, which holds long-term observations of the glacier and records how it changes.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Almaty, Kazakhstan to Tuyuk-su Glacier, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Early departure from Almaty. Transfer to the Memorial of the Fallen in the Mountains with the altitude 2550 m. Hiking or touring (depending on snow conditions), usually it's less part of hiking and mostly touring with smooth elevation gain to the moraine of Tuyuk-Su glacier (5 km with gaining 650 vertical meters). The bags and food can be delivered by snowmobiles (paid extra, should be requested in advance). Arrival to the glacier and staying in the hut. Lunch and rest. Short walking or touring to the surroundings. Dinner and overnight in the hut.
Day 2: Tuyuk-su Glacier, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Getting up at around 5 am. Breakfast and preparations. Start is not later than 06:30. These days you will make radial hikes to the summits located in the cirque of Tuyuk-Su Glacier: Molodyozhniy (Youth) peak 4150 m, West Ordzhonikidze Glacier 4024 m, shoulder of Tuyuk-Su Peak 4200 m, Pogrebetskiy Peak 4231 m, Lokomotiv peak 4209 m, North Youth Pass 3880 m. Return to the hut, lunch and rest. Walking in surroundings, visiting “T-1” glacier station. Dinner and overnight in the hut.
Day 3: Tuyuk-su Glacier, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Getting up at around 5 am. Breakfast and preparations. Start is not later than 06:30. These days you will make radial hikes to the summits located in the cirque of Tuyuk-Su Glacier: Molodyozhniy (Youth) peak 4150 m, West Ordzhonikidze Glacier 4024 m, shoulder of Tuyuk-Su Peak 4200 m, Pogrebetskiy Peak 4231 m, Lokomotiv peak 4209 m, North Youth Pass 3880 m. Return to the hut, lunch and rest. Walking in surroundings, visiting “T-1” glacier station. Dinner and overnight in the hut.
Day 4: Tuyuk-su Glacier, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Getting up at around 5 am. Breakfast and preparations. Start is not later than 06:30. These days you will make radial hikes to the summits located in the cirque of Tuyuk-Su Glacier: Molodyozhniy (Youth) peak 4150 m, West Ordzhonikidze Glacier 4024 m, shoulder of Tuyuk-Su Peak 4200 m, Pogrebetskiy Peak 4231 m, Lokomotiv peak 4209 m, North Youth Pass 3880 m. Return to the hut, lunch and rest. Walking in surroundings, visiting “T-1” glacier station. Dinner and overnight in the hut.
Day 5: Tuyuk-su Glacier, Almaty, Kazakhstan to Tuyuk-su Glacier, Almaty
Getting up at around 5 am. Breakfast and preparations. Start is not later than 06:30. These days you will make radial hikes to the summits located in the cirque of Tuyuk-Su Glacier: Molodyozhniy (Youth) peak 4150 m, West Ordzhonikidze Glacier 4024 m, shoulder of Tuyuk-Su Peak 4200 m, Pogrebetskiy Peak 4231 m, Lokomotiv peak 4209 m, North Youth Pass 3880 m. Return to the hut, lunch and rest. Walking in surroundings, visiting “T-1” glacier station. Dinner and overnight in the hut.
Day 6: Tuyuk-su Glacier, Almaty to Almaty, Kazakhstan
Getting up at around 5 am. Breakfast and preparations. Start is not later than 06:30. Ski-touring to the nearest slopes located in the cirque of Tuyuk-Su Glacier. Coming back to the hut, lunch. Packing, hut check-out. Descent (partly by skis, partly in shoes) to the Mamorial of the Fallen in the mountains. The bags can be delivered by snowmobiles (paid extra, should be requested in advance). Taxi to Medeu and transfer to Almaty. Farewell dinner in the traditional restaurant.
What's included
1. Accommodation in the mountain hut on Tuyuk-Su glacier. 2. Food for self-cooking (Chief service is available upon request for extra cost). 3. All transfers according to the program. 4. English-speaking skiing guide. 5. Environmental fees. 6. Farewell dinner in Almaty on Day 6.
1. Accommodation in Almaty before or after the tour. 2. Rental of ski and avalanche equipment (available upon request). 3. Meals not indicated in the program and/or not included into the tour price. 4. Visa support and registration on the territory of Kazakhstan, if required. 5. Personal expenses and other expenses not indicated in the program. 6. Insurance policy. 7. Baggage delivery to the hut by the snowmobile (available for extra cost upon request, ~ 500 USD for one run). 8. Chief services (available for extra cost upon request, ~ 750 USD for the group).
What to know
Required clothing and equipment: Safety: – avalanche equipment (avalanche safety kit: shovel, probe, transciever, airbag backpack optionally) - freeride backpack with ski/snowboard fixation (volume 25-40 liters) - helmet - goggles with a spare lens for foggy conditions (better to have 2 goggles) Personal clothing and accessories: – thermal base layer - memrane jacket and pants - insulation layers, downy sweater or vest - warm down jacket – extra set of thermal base layer - lightweight trekking shoes or boots – sleeping bag with temperature rate 0C – +5C degrees in comfort zone – fleece or softshell gloves - warm mittens – beanie - light cap - neck warmer – sunscreen with a high degree of UV protection SPF 50+ – sunglasses – swimsuit, towel and flip-flops for visiting SPA – 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 repair your bindings, duct tape, rubber straps) – thermos – water tank – head lamp – personal hygienic items – spare batteries for your electronic devices – adaptor for outlet charging, if needed (220V 50Hz European outlet) Equipment: – freeride backpack with skis fixation (volume 40-60 liters) – helmet – goggles with a spare lens for foggy conditions (better to have 2 goggles) – ski touring boots – touring bindings – climbing skins – telescopic poles – ski crampons - ice axe - mountaineering crampons Food: – individual snacks (energy and protein bars, muesli, dry fruits and nuts, special mount nutrition and etc.)
Route & locations
Almaty, Kazakhstan to Tuyuk-su Glacier, Almaty, Kazakhstan