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 a beautiful green home with Ulan’s unbelievable hospitality. Today we head to Kochkor, where Kyrgyz felt has been made for hundreds of years, and partake in a kiyiz (felt-making) workshop. Women in communities cultivate and lead this ancient tradition, and it tells a story of Kyrgyz culture that’s been passed down for thousands of years.

It’s a couple of hours of learning and trial and error, and after it you’ll come away with a beautiful shyrdak that you can take home to remember your trip! This afternoon, we head to Issyk-Kul Lake, and we’re staying on the shore at my favourite yurt camp. Swim in the lake, marvel at the sunset and enjoy the serenity.

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

I have a feeling when you’re reading this, you’re going to be a little confused and probably won’t believe me when I say that there are parts of Kyrgyzstan that look like Albania. I’ve been told that Kyrgyzstan is 5 countries in one. And today shows it off!

This morning is all about the lake - swim, read books, marvel at the rock formations, have your Euro (Kyrgyz) summer moment. At lunch, we hit up the Ak-Sai Canyon (which makes you think you’re in the desert) before heading back to the lake for the evening. 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 two stops so I can keep showing you those 5 countries in one! We stop at the Barskoon Waterfalls & Jeti-Oguz before we get to Karakol!

Tonight we’re staying at a beautiful guesthouse run by a local Kyrgyz family (make sure you check out the artwork on the walls), and I’m going to show you the best trout in Kyrgyzstan. It will blow your mind!

Bokonbaevo → Karakol Guesthouse, B/L/D

Have you ever been in a Russian UAZ vehicle? If you have said yes to this, I don’t know if this trip is for you (kidding). We jump into a 1960s Soviet van, built to take us up the rocky track to Altyn-Arashan.

Altyn-Arashan is my favourite place on the Immersive Trip. It’s literally a settlement beside a stream, with pine forests and mountains around it (and hot springs too!). Literally heaven. This afternoon, you can just roam free. That’s it. Go for a walk, sit on the rooftop and read your book, or just admire the mountains. It’s just too good!

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

Today we’ve got the day to explore. Once we’re up and moving, we’ve got the option to do a gentle hike, or take horses towards Ala Kul Lake. Depending on how the group is feeling, we’ll make a decision. In the afternoon, we’ll head back down to Karakol on the UAZ, on the same beautiful rickety road.

Once we’re down in Karakol, a couple of hours of rest before we learn the art of making Lagman, the Kyrgyz national dish. The Dungan community in Kyrgyzstan migrated as refugees from China in the 1800s, and have established themselves near Karakol. I love tonight because we’re deeply immersed in the culture, learning from people who’ve told their stories for years.

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