Azerbaijan Ski Discovery

Overview

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A pioneering ski mountaineering expedition to 4,000m peaks in the eastern Caucasus

Introduction

We know of just one person who has skied in Azerbaijan and who knows anything about the mountains there. A Google Earth flyover and the Soviet Military maps we have show some superb ski mountains and terrain made for skiing. Azerbaijan is therefore this year's central Asian destination and the trip will certainly be an adventure into the unknown! The Caucasus Range extends from the Black Sea to within 100km of the Caspian Sea and the eastern most part of it lies entirely within Azerbaijan culminating in Bazardüzü (4,485m). There are several other summits over 4,000m including Mt. Shahdag (4,243m), the highest entirely with the Azerbaijan. It is in this area that we shall be skiing, most likely using the villages of Xinaliq and Laza as our start off point for access to the mountains. You will witness the contrast between the bustling, hyper modern capital Baku and its oil wealth and the traditional way of life in remote mountain villages Ski mountaineering in Azerbaijan is all about exploration and discovery. There is no tourist infrastructure (other than the development at Shahdag http://azerbaijan.travel. You will be valley based, staying with local inhabitants and skiing what you see and find. One thing is for sure you will not have any competition for fresh tracks. Days will vary greatly in length and skiers need to be able to cope with the unexpected whilst skiing and travelling. Many of the essential ingredients for a memorable ski holiday are present - wild, unspoilt terrain, great summits, beautiful slopes and much of cultural interest.

IFMGA Guide, Jim Blyth, will be accompanied by his Russian friend and ski guide, Alexey Shustrov. Both Jim and Alexey have contacts in Azerbaijan and it is through these contacts that the trip will be organised and run.

Start point: Baku
Grade: 10D

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Tailor Made Trips

We can organise this expedition on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the expedition or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

What the price includes

• IFMGA Guide, Jim Blyth, and Alexey Shustrov, plus all their fees
• Ground transport
• B&B twin share hotel accommodation for 3 nights in Baku and full board accommodation whilst in the mountains (Mountain accommodation could mean a bed in a room, a dormitory, sleeping on the floor in someone's house and so on)

What the price does not include

• International flights to Baku
• Visa Fees
• UK and Foreign Airport taxes
• Lunch and evening meals in Baku
• Excess baggage charges
• Optional sightseeing tours
• Travel Insurance
• Bar bills and laundry
• Tips

You will need some spending money perhaps for souvenirs and tips. There are ATM's and currency exchange bureaux in Baku and at the airport. Euros, USD and to a lesser extent, Sterling can easily be exchanged.

Visas, insurance, health and money
Most nationalities require a visa. For Europeans see www.visaforazerbaijan.org.uk/. We have a contact with the Azerbaijani Mountaineering Federation. He will help us with the admin procedures required to obtain a visa and permission from the State Border Service and Ministry of Ecology to enter the mountains. It is essential that everyone be well insured for search and rescue, medical costs, repatriation, loss of baggage, personal liability, cancellation and so on.

Tailor Made Trips

We can organise this expedition on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Insurance

You will need a travel insurance policy that caters for the activities you will undertake on your trip with Jagged Globe. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. For a list of insurers who specialise in mountaineering, trekking and skiing, please see our Travel Insurance page »

Itinerary

Here is an outline itinerary for this trip.

Outline Itinerary

Day 1:	Depart from home. British Airways, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa and others offer a service to Baku. We recommend flying Turkish.
Day 2:	Arrive Baku early in the morning. Transfer to hotel. After breakfast depart for the mountains.
Day 3 - 8:	Exploratory ski mountaineering.
Day 9:	Travel back to Baku.
Day 10:	Visiting Baku and the Abseron Peninsula. Final night out.
Day 11:	Depart Baku for home.

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