Climbing and mountaineering programs FAQ

Camps run on fixed dates. All other programs and courses run by request, on dates agreed with the client and the guide.

Only camps are open group programs. For other programs and courses, we do not combine unrelated clients into one group. If you book alone, you climb with the guide. If you come with friends, you climb together as your own group.

Beginner-friendly options include Rock Climbing in Almaty, Ice Climbing in Almaty, Introduction to Mountaineering Training Course, Mountain Guiding in Almaty and selected climbing camps, such as Ice Climbing Camp in Barskoon. The right choice depends on the season, your fitness and the type of climbing you want to try.

Choose a one-day program if you want to try rock or ice climbing near the city or have a short guided climbing day. Choose a multi-day program if you want more climbing time, work on specific skills, build progression or climb a route that needs travel, approach and more flexibility.

Book custom programs, expeditions and remote trips as early as possible: guide schedules, route planning, gear preparation, border-zone permits and complex logistics often take time. Fixed-date climbing camps are usually announced about a year in advance and normally have up to 8 participants, so spots are limited; we offer an early booking price. One-day climbing programs can sometimes be arranged at short notice, but if your travel dates are fixed, it is better to book in advance to secure guide availability.

Yes. The price shown on the program page is the final program price. It includes everything listed in the Details section of that program page. There are no hidden extra charges. Flights to the destination, insurance, personal expenses and items listed as not included are not part of the program price.

Message us on WhatsApp or Telegram with the program you are interested in, your preferred dates, group size and climbing or mountain experience. We will confirm availability and the program details. Your booking is confirmed after the required payment or prepayment is made. Full booking and payment terms are available in Terms and Conditions.

NewClimb programs are guided by mountain guides and climbing instructors based in Almaty. The team works on rock, ice and alpine programs across Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Guide profiles and background are available on the About / Guides page.

You can check each guide’s background and qualifications on the About / Guides page. All NewClimb guides have professional certification. Depending on the guide, this may be IFMGA certification, which is the highest internationally recognized standard for mountain guides, or certification as a mountaineering instructor within the CIS mountaineering system (local certification).

Small groups allow the guide or instructor to give more individual attention, manage safety more effectively and adapt the program to the participants. Even in climbing camps, we keep the number of participants limited so the program stays focused and useful for each participant.

NewClimb programs are planned to give participants a real climbing or mountain experience, with risk management built into the process. Before a trip, we check the route, current conditions, weather forecast, equipment and participant experience. For remote or more serious programs, we also plan possible escape or evacuation options. During the program, the guide assesses route conditions, rock, snow, ice, weather and how participants are coping with the program, including fatigue and general condition. If the situation becomes unsafe, the guide can adapt the plan.

If the weather makes the original plan unsafe or impossible, we look for the safest workable alternative. For one-day rock climbing or ice climbing programs, this may mean changing the location, adjusting the timing, switching to a suitable technical session or rescheduling if possible. For multi-day programs, there is usually more flexibility to move activities between days or adjust the objective.

Yes. The plan can change because of weather, snow, ice or rock conditions, avalanche risk, timing or participants’ condition. It can also change if the participant’s actual level during the program does not match the original objective discussed before booking. In this case, the guide may choose a simpler or more suitable plan. If the participant is stronger than expected and conditions allow, the objective may also become more challenging.

The guide makes the final decision on safety-related questions. The decision is based on current conditions, participants’ condition, acclimatization, fatigue, timing, weather forecast and the overall situation on the route. Client preferences are taken into account, but safety comes first.

No. In the mountains, reaching the summit or completing a route can never be guaranteed. NewClimb guides work to give the best possible chance of success, but the final result depends on current conditions, weather, timing, participants’ condition and decisions made on the route.

NewClimb uses high-quality certified technical equipment appropriate for each program. This may include ropes, protection, anchors, belay devices, ice or rock gear and other safety equipment required for the route. The exact equipment depends on the program and objective.

Yes. The guide carries a first aid kit for emergency help during the program. For longer expedition-style trips, there is also a larger medical kit in base camp for a wider range of situations. If you have allergies, chronic conditions or specific medication needs, you should inform the guide before the program and carry your own personal medication.

Communication depends on the area. In places where radio contact with other teams or groups is useful, we use radios. In remote areas without reliable mobile coverage, we usually take a satellite communicator or Starlink.

You can find the required gear in the Details section on each program page. Different programs require different equipment, so always check the specific page before preparing for the trip.

For introductory one-day rock climbing or ice climbing programs, NewClimb provides all special technical gear required for the activity, such as harnesses, helmets, ropes, belay devices, ice tools, crampons, etc. You are responsible for personal clothing, footwear and climbing shoes, because these items depend on personal fit. For larger and more advanced programs, you will need more personal equipment; the exact list is given on the program page.

Yes. NewClimb offers climbing gear rental for an additional fee. You can rent the equipment needed for your program. The rental list is available on the Climbing gear rental page.

Yes, you can use your own technical gear. Safety-critical equipment must be certified, suitable for the program and checked by the guide before use. If some item is not suitable, we will suggest a proper replacement or rental option.

Yes. For larger programs where you need to buy personal or technical equipment, we can advise you after your booking is confirmed. We can help with gear choice, recommended models, compatibility and practical details based on our experience. For short introductory programs, this is usually not necessary because NewClimb provides all technical gear needed for the activity.

As a general rule, bring comfortable outdoor clothing suitable for trekking and climbing, proper footwear, a waterproof layer for summer programs in case of unexpected rain, and warm layers for cold-season programs to stay warm while resting between climbs. Exact clothing recommendations depend on the location, season and program type, so check the Details section on each program page.

On multi-day programs, NewClimb organizes accommodation and food, so you do not need to arrange this yourself. Accommodation may be in a mountain hut, alpine camp, local guesthouse or tent camp. Food may be provided by the accommodation or organized by the NewClimb team. These details are usually listed in the Details section on each program page.

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan and allergy-friendly meals can be arranged on NewClimb programs. Tell us about your special food requirements when booking.

For most NewClimb programs, food logistics are organized by NewClimb or through local accommodation. On remote expeditions and tent-based trips, participants may help with simple camp routines and may need to carry part of the food. This is discussed during planning.

Most NewClimb programs start in Almaty, Kazakhstan, or Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
For one-day personal climbing programs, we pick you up from your hotel or accommodation, go to the climbing location and bring you back after the program.
For climbing camps and group programs, the group usually meets in the morning on the first day at a fixed meeting point, often in the city center. The program usually finishes at the same or another agreed meeting point.
Program transfers from the agreed pickup point or meeting point are included.

Almaty has the widest choice of international connections, with direct flights from London, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, Seoul and Bangkok. Bishkek is also well connected, with direct flights from Istanbul, Dubai, Sharjah, Seoul, New Delhi and several cities in China.
From the USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, the usual route is one connection through Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, Frankfurt, London or Seoul. Routes and schedules can change, so check current flights before booking.

Citizens of the USA, UK, EU countries, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, Norway, Singapore, Israel, UAE and many other countries can enter Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan without a visa for up to 30 days. For other nationalities or longer stays, check the current official entry requirements before booking flights.

Some expedition-style programs and remote mountain areas may require border-zone permits, national park permits or other local permissions. If these permits are required for your program, NewClimb arranges them in advance and includes them in the program price. You do not need to organize them yourself.

Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are regularly visited by climbers, trekkers and mountain travelers. Current official travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State list both Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic as Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. In this system, Level 1 is the lowest-risk advisory category and means that travelers should follow standard precautions, not increased caution. You should still check current travel advice for your nationality before departure.

Yes. You should have travel and rescue insurance that covers the activity you plan to do, such as climbing or mountaineering. For remote expeditions or areas with complex logistics, insurance may need to cover helicopter evacuation and meet specific requirements. These details are discussed during planning.

A custom program makes sense when none of the listed programs fully matches your goal, climbing level, preferred objective or trip idea. It can be a modified version of an existing NewClimb program or a program designed around your own route, course, ascent or combination of climbing activities.

Yes. A custom program is fully planned around your climbing level, mountain experience, fitness and goal. Standard programs also have room for adaptation, and they are adjusted to the level of the participants.
For rock climbing, this may mean easier or harder routes. For technical courses, it may mean different methods or exercises for the same skill. In group camps, routes and tasks are also adjusted to the level of different participants.

Yes. A custom program can combine different activities, such as rock climbing, ice climbing, technical training and mountaineering. It can also include several climbing areas or countries in one trip.

The price depends on the program duration, group size, location and overall complexity of the objective. The same number of days does not always mean the same price. A custom program may require different logistics, accommodation and guide work depending on the area and the difficulty of the objective.
The final price is built from the guide work, logistics, accommodation, meals and any additional local support required for the program, especially in remote or expedition-style areas.

Message us on WhatsApp or Telegram with your idea, preferred dates, group size, climbing or mountain experience and the type of program you want. We will discuss what is realistic, suggest a suitable plan and calculate the program price.