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www.sairamtour.com Uzbekistan has become one of the most attractive places in the world for mountain skiing and snowboarding on virgin snow. As the enthusiasts of Free-Ride believe, for this type of activity the mountains of the Western Tien-Shan, situated only within one-hour drive from the capital of Uzbekistan – City of Tashkent, have exclusively favorable combination of snow blanket quality, country topography and climate conditions.
Free-Ride in Uzbekistan is one of the youngest but fast developing types of recreation. The resort area in the mountain region has become the center of such recreation, and for its picturesque landscapes it was named "Uzbek Switzerland". This region represents the vast territory within the National park, whose unique nature characteristics are well known in the world. On the territory of the park itself and adjoining areas located on the territories of the neighboring states, there has been implemented the trans-boundary project on the preservation of biodiversity. The project is sponsored by Global Ecological Fund, European Union and the World Bank.
Thanks to the efforts of the country's government, "Uzbek Switzerland" turns into big center of international tourism. Over the last few years there appeared here resort complexes with modern hotels, cozy cottages, sport entertainment structures, swimming pools, bars and restaurants. For the snowboarders and alpine skiers there were built chair-lifts and ski-lifts. For those who fancy free ride there were constructed helicopter grounds.
The most popular are three resorts situated in the environs of the picturesque artificial lake Charvak: "Charvak Oromgohi", "Chimgan Oromgohi" and "Beldersay Oromgohi". In translation from Uzbek the word "oromgoh" means "making healthier". And this word was used not accidentally – the purpose of all three resorts is to use healthy mountain climate for health rehabilitation and good rest.
The resort "Charvak" is situated at an altitude of 890 meters above sea level, on the shore of enormous artificial lake. Its capacity is two billion cubic meters of water and it is fed by the rapid mountain rivers: Chatkal, Pskem and Koksu. The resort has three comfortable hotels, by sight resembling pyramids lining sandy beach. The complex has restaurants, night bars, saunas, massage parlor, discotheque, conference- hall and business center. Thus it enables the guests to combine rest with business activities. The communication with different parts of the world is provided by Internet and telephone network. The resort "Charvak Oromgohi" is one of the possible accommodation variants for free riders.
The resort "Chimgan Oromgohi" is situated in the picturesque Chimgan valley at an altitude of 1400 meters above sea level and specializes in winter types of rest. This resort is the favorite among mountain-skiers of Uzbekistan.
Not far from the Chimgan valley, at the altitude of 1500 meters above sea level, in the scenic area there was built the most comfortable resort in the Western Tian-Shan – "Beldersay Oromgohi". The vast area of almost 50 hectares is occupied by four-star hotel and 16 cozy cottages. In Beldersay the whole package of services is meant to ensure the guests can have a rest and enjoy their hobbies: from gliding to mountain skiing.
The mountains of the Western Tien-Shan are distinguished for mild climate. The average temperature in January at the altitude of 1000 meters above sea level is only minus two – minus four degrees Celsius. The day temperature seldom falls to minus 15 degrees. By mid-December most of precipitation has already fallen and starting from mid-January there is stable two-meter-deep snow blanket. At the same time wonderful weather, with 4 – 5 sunny days per week, sets in.
It should be added that crystal-clear air of this region is exceptional. The special research of the central part of the mountain area – the neighborhood of the peak "Big Chimgan", proved the transparency of its atmosphere to be the best for astronomical observations. This exceptional air transparency is used by many citizens of Uzbek capital for getting chocolate-brown sun tan while skiing in trunks and bathing suits.
The environs of Big Chimgan also attract people by its peculiar energetics. Many people from all over the world come here to meditate. Here, like nowhere else, one can feel the outer space closeness as well as harmony of nature and man.
Deep snow blanket, the diversity of the mountain slopes, and possibility to choose the most optimal slope in terms of its steepness and length, make the Western Tien-Shan especially attractive.
Skiing and snowboarding down the virgin snow are usually exercised from the marks of 4100 meters to 1500 meters above sea level. The experienced guides chose for the riders the peaks, ranges and spurs usually not accessible for ordinary skiers.
To the starting point of the descent the riders are brought by a helicopter flown by the pilots of the highest qualification. Within one day the riders manage to make 4 – 5 runs down the virgin snow. Thus the total vertical length of the ride can be 5 – 7 kilometers. For bringing the riders to the top of the slope "MI-8" helicopters are used. This type of helicopter can take aboard not more than 24 passengers including three members of the crew, two guides and one avalanche expert. The number of riders in the group should not exceed 18 persons with the optimum number being 15.
The most popular among riders is the highest peak of this mountain area – Big Chimgan, which is 3309 meters above sea level. From its granite crest there opens up the majestic panorama of the whole "Uzbek Switzerland". In the west there come into view the outlines of the mega polis – Tashkent. The mountain range Karjantau rises in the north-west. Next to it, a little bit to the right, the Ugam mountain range towers up its crowns. In the north-west there could be clearly seen the wave-like folds of the Pskem mountain range. Between these two mountain ranges there runs the favorite place of free riders – the Maidantal range.
Far to the south-east through the haze there come in sight the peaks of the Chatcal mountain range. Big Chimgan itself is part of this range. And at last in the south-west one can see dressed in snow the stone waves of the Kuramin range.
In the center of this vast mountain country there lies a real turquoise gem – the non-freezing artificial lake which is often called the Charvak Sea. The mirror of its surface is 40 square kilometers. The resort "Charvak Oromgohi" is situated on the southern shore of the lake.
At the foothills of Big Chimgan one can catch the sight of hotels, cottages, and a number of buses. This is "Chimgan Oromgohi" resort. Six-kilometer route of mountain ski descent leads to the resort.
Then comes the most exiting moment. Pushing off with the ski poles you swoop down on the untouched snow to experience the incomparable feeling of free riding. The rustle of the sliding skis on the fluffy snow breaks peace and quiet of the wild nature; cool mountain air caresses your face flushed from excitement.
Every time you find yourselves at the foothill of the mountain you feel the irresistible desire to repeat the descent. And it will not be a problem, because at your service there is the untiring assistant of yours – the helicopter
The slopes of the Pskem valley which is one of the biggest and picturesque in "Uzbek Switzerland" are capable to satisfy various aspirations of adrenalin hunters. First of all these are the descents down Padir and Kaptarkumish peaks, which rise high to the skies up to more than three and a half thousands meters. No less exiting is the skiing in the mountain valleys.
One of the itineraries provides skiers and snowboarders the opportunity to slide down onto the ice surface of the exotic mountain lake Ikhnach-kul, which was formed many centuries ago as the result of river blocking by mountain rocks avalanche. At present the length of the lake is 700 meters whereas its width is 350 meters. In wintertime pink granite rocks are reflected in the ice cover of the lake. All along the shores there are dark green pyramidal juniper trees – the main attraction of Uzbekistan' mountains. Separate juniper trees, like mountaineers, climb the rocks and look very attractive on the background of dark-blue sky.
Another route presupposes the descent, which finishes in the valley ranked with shrubs and trees. Decorated with fluffy snow they look solemn and unusually beautiful. The magic muse and charm of the nature's winter repose make you think you are in a spell-bound forest. The mystery of the surroundings is emphasized by the chain of footmarks of unknown beasts…
And, of course, you will be deeply impressed by the rapid descent on the surface of ice-rivers – the Tekesh and Eastern Ayutor glaciers of the Maidantal range.
No less fascinating is the descent from Davan range in the Chatkal mountains. The length of this route, which finishes on the highland Angren plateau, is 8 kilometers. For the free-ride veterans it presents no difficulties, but less experienced riders will certainly gain the impressions of a lifetime.
Those who have decided for the first time to descend from the mountain peaks on virgin snow blanket of the Western Tien-Shan, will be escorted by experienced guides, ready to share with the beginner all the peculiarities and secrets of free ride. To ensure safety of your tour itineraries they have permanent communication line, transportation means, the necessary equipment and medicines.
In the mountains, as it is well known, the biggest danger is avalanche. In case anything like that happens, tourists are recommended to have special transmitters-bippers, avalanche shovel and probe. If you do not have such an outfit of your own, the necessary equipment will be provided to you at the site. All those who set on a journey to the mountains are strongly recommended to use sun protection cream and sunglasses, gloves and suitable head-dress. And don't forget to take your camera with you in order to capture the unforgettable moments of your encounter with the wild nature.
There is no need to care about food. Every member of the Heli-Ski tourist group will have the opportunity to taste exquisite Uzbek dishes, to enjoy the eastern hospitality of Uzbek people. Those who need special diet will not be ignored. It is only necessary to inform the tour operator well before the tour.
The duration of the Heli-Ski tour is 8 days. And all these days you will have the feeling of comfort and pleasure of bright impressions. You may be sure that later your mind will flash back to the picturesque mountains of "Uzbek Switzerland" and you will dream of coming back here again and again.
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