The Ultimate Adventure Through Kyrgyzstan

Yurts have been used by the Kyrgyz people for thousands of years as a way of adapting to their nomadic lifestyle, allowing them to move easily and quickly with their herds of livestock in search of grazing grounds. These portable, circular tents are still used nowadays throughout Kyrgyzstan by many families who wish to preserve their cultural heritage and remain connected to a more traditional way of life. On this trip you'll spend six nights in locally-run fixed yurt camps which have been adapted to tourist lodging. This experience not only enables you to experience the traditions, customs and hospitality of the Kyrgyz up close, but it also allows you to fully connect with nature and surrounding wilderness. Be aware, that most yurt camps in Kyrgyzstan are basic and you can’t compare it to a hotel or luxury glamping of any kind. Sometimes it can get a little cold at night (but a stove and warm blankets will always be available) and some yurts may smell a bit musty. Due to the remoteness of the location and as with any camping experience, you may also have to put up with the sound of insects, humans snoring, dogs barking or the hoofs of wild horses nearby – but this is nothing a good pair of ear plugs can't solve! You'll have access to shared toilets and hot showers throughout (except while in Tash Rabat, where only a wet sauna and bathrooms with buckets are available), and in order to maxmise the comfort of your sleep on this trip we have secured twin-share yurts throughout (instead of the standard multi-share rooms for up to six people). Overall, this type of accommodation totally adds to the adventure of Kyrgyzstan!

You'll have one English-speaking tour leader with you throughout the trip, as well as the drivers of the 4x4 vehicles used to transport you and your luggage. For groups above six people, you will also have an assistant guide. For the horse riding, kayaking and cycling activities, you will be joined by other local guides.

Your luggage will be transferred throghout the trip in the cars you'll travel on, but if you wish to leave any excess luggage in Bishkek, this can be left either at the start hotel (where you'll return on the final night of the trip) or alternatively, you can leave this with your host.

Should external factors (such as severe weather conditions) cause alterations to what is possible, then the ordering of the above itinerary, activity inclusions and durations and/or the exact number of days spent in each location may have to change. The local host will endeavour to ensure that any replacement activities are of a similar style.

A drinking water dispenser will be available throughout the whole trip an carried in the vehicles you travel on so please bring some refillable bottles.

The overlanding style of this trip means there are a few long drives. This style of travel allows you to see the best of Kyrgyzstan in the time available, including accessing some remote areas and incredible locations for experiencing the wild natural environment and meeting local communities. The driving is undertaken in large, comfortable 14-16 seater 4WD minibuses, plus a support car to transport the main luggage and equipment. The longer journeys will be broken up with multiple stops and you'll also enjoy two consecutive nights in most places, thus avoiding having to pack and move accommodation each day.

Marta Marinelli, raised in Italy’s serene Prosecco Hills, dreamt of global adventures, inspired by her father's travel stories. Her passion evolved into a career, backed by a decade of studies including degrees in international tourism and destination management. She’s worked in the adventure travel sector since 2012, living in Italy, the UK, and now sunny Portugal.

Over twenty years, Marta has explored over 60 countries, visiting remote areas like Ghana, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Haiti and Nepal’s Upper Mustang region. As a Senior Adventure Expansion Manager at Much Better Adventures, she focuses on creating life-changing experiences, ranging from multi-activity adventures, challenging treks to ultimate adventures in iconic places. She loves the challenge of finding the best local adventure hosts around the world, collaborating on adventures that offer genuine immersion, pushing beyond the beaten path and working on exclusive itineraries that challenge your comfort zone.

What makes her tick? Enabling people to live adventure-rich lives while positively impacting and empowering local communities around the world, generating sustainable opportunities for both the host, guides, community, and the environment.

There are cultural differences in attitudes towards horses in Kyrgyzstan when compared with the West. The use of horses as working animals is firmly ingrained in Kyrgyz custom and tradition, so whilst they are an important part of life here, they are generally not petted by their owners nor given names. Despite being working animals, the horses do spend the majority of their time roaming free on the green pasturelands.

Our host takes the welfare of the animals very seriously, only working with families who ensure their horses are not exploited. The horses you encounter on this trip will only be used for one excursion or one group per day, so that they do not become injured, exhausted or overworked. Additionally, our host is certified by Travelife, who include animal welfare as a criteria for certification.

Yes, usually the maximum weight per person is 95kg.

While at Issyk Kul you'll be provided with comfortable tandem touring kayaks, which come with foot-controlled rudder steering and two cushioned seats with adjustable backrests (maximum weight per person: 95kg). At Song Kul, you'll kayak on double sit-on-top kayak with a see-through bottom (maximum weight per person: 95kg).

You'll be provided with cross-country mountain bikes (usually Raleigh R-100, medium frame).

Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice, however, we suggest the following as a guideline per person:

• Horsemen, driver and assistant: 70-200 KGS ($1-3 USD) per day.
• Guide: 200-350 ($3-5 USD) per day

Of course, you are free to tip more or less and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality - a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

The trip is scheduled to run between June to September, when days are dry and warm and even hot in Bishkek and in the Ferghana Valley (35-40°C). Around Issyk Kul, days are warm (25-30°C) but evenings and nights are cooler (10°C). Above 3000m (in Song Kul and Tash Rabat), it's possible to experience the four seasons within one day, with the potential for freezing conditions during the night (although this is rare). Please ensure you come prepared with the appropriate kit and clothing (see Kit List below).