Day 0 (Sunday night) starts with a welcome dinner at my favourite restaurant in Kyrgyzstan (I’m not giving all my secrets away just yet.

I’ve booked everyone into the same hotel, one of Bishkek’s best (trust me, you’ll love it), and this is where it all begins!

At dinner you’ll meet your crew, your guides, and begin to share stories about the long journeys you’ve made to get here. Tonight is all about connection, meeting your tribe, and working out who’s playing cards with who in the sprinter tomorrow!

Bishkek → Hotel, D.

Today we set off early from Bishkek to Kyzart Village, and you’re in the mountains inside the first thirty minutes. We’ll stop on the way to get the final supplies for our Song-Kul Horse Trek, before having lunch in Kyzart in a local family’s home.

Then, we ride: your guides will pair you up, and we’ll ride four hours across valleys and alpine trails towards Kilemche Valley. Tonight is a special one - a yurt camp looking out at green pastures as far as the eye can see.

Bishkek → Kilemche Yurt Camp, B, L, D.

Now that you and your horse are best friends, today we climb over the Jalgyz-Karagai Pass as we venture to Song-Kul Lake. There’s something special about looking out at a crystal-clear blue lake, with glacier-peaked mountains in the background.

We reach Song-Kul by midday and have lunch with our guides and their families. This is a beautiful moment to say thank you for their efforts and to celebrate with their families. This afternoon is at our peril: sometimes we ride the horses along the lake, sometimes we just sit on the shore and read a book. It’s up to what the crew wants!

Kilemche → Song-Kul Yurt Camp, B/L/D

Today, we say goodbye to our horses. We’re in the sprinter and climbing out of Song-Kul, and before long we hit the 32 Parrots Pass. As you can imagine from the name, it’s 32 switchbacks. A swerving ride, but nonetheless breathtaking.

We then make our way to Naryn, for some rest and recovery after the horses. Tonight we’re staying at one of my favourite spots on the trip, an eco guesthouse with some Kyrgyz creature comforts (lots of felt). Dinner in Naryn before we head south the next morning!

Song-Kul → Naryn Guesthouse, B, L, D.

Today’s the day when you really begin to feel off the grid. We head down to Kok-Kiya Valley, the landing point to get to Kel-Suu Lake. You need permits to get down to this valley, and we’re about 30 km from the Chinese Border.

The dirt roads begin, and you’re driving through the valleys with no one around you. It’s all worth it when you get to Kok-Kiya, a yurt settlement on the edge of the river. This afternoon, I leave to explore. We roam free, up the hills and through the streams; the only thing you have to be back at the yurt for is dinner (and a beer, if you’d like…)

Naryn → Kok-Kiya Yurt Camp, B/L/D

Early start today people! Today we hike (or horse ride, up to us) to Kel-Suu. The lake runs through alpine valleys and mountain trails, with glaciers and cliffs on both sides. It’s something out of Lord of the Rings! After about 3 hours of walking, we reach the lake and have an optional boat ride. Think of the Fjords, but better!

Once we’re back at camp, we’re back in the Jeeps and heading to Tash-Bashat for dinner. Ulan, who is my favourite character on our quest, hosts you at his home for the night. Dinner by the campfire!

Kok-Kiya → Tash-Bashat Ulan’s Guesthouse, B/L/D

A well-deserved sleep in at a beautiful green home with Ulan’s unbelievable hospitality. Today we have lunch in Kochkor, with a stop at the local market to watch shyrdak (felt) being made.

I’ve been told Kyrgyzstan is 5 countries in one. And today shows it off! We hit up the Ak-Sai Canyon (which makes you think you’re in the desert) before we hit Issyk-Kul Lake and swim in 22 degree water. Tonight, we’re staying on the shore of the lake at the #1 yurt camp on the whole trip (as voted by the wildflower crew). Dinner tonight is with a Kyrgyz folklore show: songs, music & storytelling!

Tash-Bashat → Bokonbaevo Yurt Camp, B/L/D

This is the morning everyone gets excited for (and the picture says 1000 words). We get to witness the ancient tradition of a Berkutchi (eagle hunter) and learn the art of Kyrgyz archery! After this, we make three stops so I can show you these 5 countries in Kyrgyzstan! We stop at Skazka Canyon, Barskoon Waterfalls & Jeti-Oguz.

Then we head to Karakol in the evening! Tonight we’re staying at a beautiful guesthouse run by a Kyrgyz family (make sure you check out the artwork on the walls), and get ready for our hike with a big family dinner. Ala-Kul is tomorrow!

Bokonbaevo → Karakol Guesthouse, B/L/D

Today’s the start of the Ala-Kul Trek! We get up early, get breakfast in, and get a lift to what is known as ‘First Bridge’. From here, we begin our hike. It’s about 12 km and 800m of elevation gain until we reach Camp Sirota.

The first few hours are steady, and then once we hit what I call the ‘rickety bridge’, it’s game on. 2 hours of climbing, and then we’re at camp. Sirota sits just underneath the gorge to Ala-Kul, with a beautiful turquoise lake next to it. Swim in the lake, get your comfy clothes on, and enjoy the sunset. We’re in yurts tonight and carb-loading for our climb tomorrow!

Karakol → Sirota Yurt Camp, B/L/D

Today we climb. The first climb is to Ala-Kul Lake itself! A quick swim (if you dare), and an incredible view of the Terskey Ala-Too Mountains. And just when you think you’re done, we’ve got one final climb to Altyn-Arashan Pass, gives us an amazing outlook over Ala-Kul Lake and the mountain range around it!

We then descend down the other side - we’re staying at Altyn-Arashan tonight. This is my favourite place in Kyrgyzstan, and this is a real treat. We’ve got natural hot springs to swim in, good food, and the best view in Kyrgyzstan. I love this country!

Sirota → Altyn-Arashan Guesthouse, B/L/D

Today is for hot springs. Well… sort of. We’ve got to walk the last 15kms out of Arashan National Park, and then the Trek is done! Before we head back to Karakol, I take everyone to my favourite hot springs (again, not revealing all my secrets), which is good to let the muscles relax.

After the hot springs, we head back to town and try some Kyrgyz trout (yes, you heard correctly, trout). This is some of the best fish I’ve ever had in my life. A couple of beers if you want to let your hair down, the hard stuff is done!

Altyn-Arashan → Karakol Guesthouse, B/L/D

Unfortunately, what goes up, must go down! Today we’re on the road, back to Bishkek, and the trip is slowly ending (boo). Yes, you have to start thinking about life again, and what your pesky boss wants you to do next week at work…

I’ve got one more trick up my sleeve… instead of going to Bishkek, we’re heading out to Ala Archa National Park, and spending the evening at the cabins out in nature. This is time for one more campfire, one more story, and the final bit of serenity, before you have to start thinking about life again.

Karakol → Ala Archa Immersive Cabin Experience, B/L/D.

And this is it…

We wake up in serenity, take one last hike in the morning, and then we head back to Bishkek. As it’s a Friday, there will be traffic into the city, so we’ll give ourselves plenty of time to get in.

We’ve got a couple of options this afternoon: last-minute gifts, the bazaar (one more time), or just to rest. We finish off with a crew dinner, share our stories, and then for those who want to keep partying, they can. We’ve all got accommodation booked together tonight, and then we finish on Saturday morning!

Ala Archa → Bishkek Hotel, B/L/D