The season for climbing Khan-Tengri and Pobeda peaks is at risk of disruption. The Executive Director of the Tourism Association of the Kyrgyz Republic, Asylbek Razhiev, told at a press conference.
He noted that these peaks are located in Issyk-Kul region.
«To ensure the safety of tourists, to deliver them to the base camp at an altitude of 4,400 meters above sea level, as well as food, tents and other equipment, a helicopter is needed,» he said.
Marina Galtsova, Vice President of the Federation of Mountaineering, Rock Climbing and Ice Climbing of the Kyrgyz Republic, added that earlier travel companies rented helicopters from government agencies. But this year they were denied a lease. «We ask to extend this lease mechanism,» she said.
Marina Galtsova noted that climbing Khan-Tengri and Pobeda peaks is mandatory for obtaining «Snow Leopard» title. In addition, Pobeda peak is the northernmost seven-thousander, which also makes it popular among climbers.
Executive Director of the Association of Tour Operators of the Kyrgyz Republic Nurbek Saparov noted that without helicopters companies would be forced to close these popular destinations that they have been developing for more than 25 years.
The participants of the press conference noted that the purchase of their own helicopter, its maintenance is unprofitable for tour operators, since it is used for a maximum two months a year. They asked the country’s leadership to provide assistance and allocate a Mi-8 MTV helicopter for tourism purposes.
