Venture East // Kyrgyzstan
Overland Trucking, Kyrgyzstan
Follow in the footsteps of Genghis Khan and travel the Eurasian Steppe!
Kyrgyzstan is land locked and bordered by mountains on all sides. The landscape ranges from high snow covered peaks, rolling hills with wide flower filled valleys, to the lowland desert steppe. This expedition sees student teams navigate across this beautiful landscape in their very own expedition truck.
Teams will start from the capital, Bishkek, head south to Lake Song Kul and then east to Lake Issyk Kul where they will navigate anti-clockwise around the Lake Issyk Kul, the second largest alpine lake in the world. This expedition gives students the opportunity to develop themselves in a huge variety of ways. Students manage the navigation and the team’s budget and food supplies. They are supported throughout by our experienced leaders and our in-country team. If it’s a development expedition that really gives students the chance to take the lead, then this expedition is the perfect choice.
The teams head south form the capital Bishkek to Lake Song Kul where they will work together with a local community on a construction project. Every project is a collaboration, with decisions on which projects to tackle based on what the local community feel is a sustainable resolution to a problem they’ve highlighted.
Two thirds of the population in Kyrgystan live in rural settlements and, in the more remote areas, practice a yurt based nomadic lifestyle that hasn’t changed since the heyday of the Silk Roads. Students will get a first hand experience of what life is like for rural Kyrgyzs.
The team will navigate anti-clockwise around Lake Issyk Kul, the second largest alpine lake in the world. As they journey they’ll stop off at –
- Altyn Arashan – here the team will have some time to relax in the hot springs
- Karakol – the fourth largest city in Kyrgyzstan. Founded as a Russian outpost in 1869 has left the city with an intersting architectural legacy
- Semenovka Gorge – with it’s mountain lake surrounded by rolling green hills and pine forests, this gorge is really something special
- Jeti Oguz – a natural sandstone rock formation. Its name means seven bulls, named because the seven peaks look like leaping bulls.
Starting in the Jeti Oguz valley, famous for its bright red sandstone formations you’ll trek through remote sandy gorges, thick forests and over mountain passes with outstanding views of the surrounding mountains, which rise to altitudes of 5200m.
A visit to Ala Kul, an alpine lake at an altitude of 3500m, follows along with views of the glacier which creates it. After four days trekking, you’ll arrive at Altyn Arashan and be able to sooth your weary body in the natural hot springs before heading on to Karakol.
Expedition Project
The teams head south form the capital Bishkek to Lake Song Kul where they will work together with a local community on a construction project. Every project is a collaboration, with decisions on which projects to tackle based on what the local community feel is a sustainable resolution to a problem they’ve highlighted.
Two thirds of the population in Kyrgystan live in rural settlements and, in the more remote areas, practice a yurt based nomadic lifestyle that hasn’t changed since the heyday of the Silk Roads. Students will get a first hand experience of what life is like for rural Kyrgyzs.
En Route
The team will navigate anti-clockwise around Lake Issyk Kul, the second largest alpine lake in the world. As they journey they’ll stop off at –
- Altyn Arashan – here the team will have some time to relax in the hot springs
- Karakol – the fourth largest city in Kyrgyzstan. Founded as a Russian outpost in 1869 has left the city with an intersting architectural legacy
- Semenovka Gorge – with it’s mountain lake surrounded by rolling green hills and pine forests, this gorge is really something special
- Jeti Oguz – a natural sandstone rock formation. Its name means seven bulls, named because the seven peaks look like leaping bulls.
Trekking
Starting in the Jeti Oguz valley, famous for its bright red sandstone formations you’ll trek through remote sandy gorges, thick forests and over mountain passes with outstanding views of the surrounding mountains, which rise to altitudes of 5200m.
A visit to Ala Kul, an alpine lake at an altitude of 3500m, follows along with views of the glacier which creates it. After four days trekking, you’ll arrive at Altyn Arashan and be able to sooth your weary body in the natural hot springs before heading on to Karakol.
Embrace the challenge and remember the unique experience!
Prepare for an experience that will push your team’s boundaries! This is an expedition in the truest sense of the word. The team will work together to manage everything they do on the journey, from cooking to budget management.
Team members are encouraged to take part in all aspects of expedition life and will, at times, be outside their comfort zone. This is an integral part of developmental expeditions and gives the students the opportunity to grow as a person, surprise themselves and strengthen their abilities
KEY INFORMATION
All our expeditions are bespoke and tailored to your team's needs
Community Project
Trucking
Trekking
Cultural Visits
Duration
21 Days (UK to UK)
- International Flights
- Two Venture Force expedition leaders
- Two funded teacher places
- 24/7 Operations Room support
- Comprehensive travel insurance (see our COVID info page)
- International communications package
- All in-country travel
- In-country agent support
- All in-country activities, food and accommodation
- Team t-shirts
- Heavy duty travel bag
- Group kit and equipment
- Online expedition portal
- Carbon off-setting
- Project donation (expedition dependent)
- Training weekend (only for 14 day & above)
- Personal vaccinations
- Personal equipment (a kit list will be provided)
- Visa costs and passport renewal (if applicable)
- Spending money for gifts and additional drinks/food
