Steppes Exclusive
Designed specifically for Steppes clients, this 4×4 journey can’t be booked anywhere else.
Kyrgyzstan 4×4 self-drive adventure
| Start date | End date | Days |
Prices from
ex. flights |
Tour Expert | Group Size | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/17/27 | 07/28/27 | 12 days | $7,735 pp | Local Guide | 8 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
This exclusive Steppes 4×4 journey offers an exciting introduction to Kyrgyzstan’s wide horizons and mountain cultures, travelling well beyond the capital into the country’s quieter heartlands. Designed with depth and authenticity in mind, the journey combines off road driving with time to absorb daily life in remote regions.
Your own 4×4 expedition vehicle allows you to explore the lesser known places of Kyrgyzstan, including the south shore of Issyk Kul and the Naryn to Kazarman corridor. Stay in traditional yurts and local guest houses while learning about nomadic customs and contemporary Kyrgyz life. This expert led tour is limited to just eight travellers, allowing for a more personal and rewarding experience.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
Soviet-era drive
A nostalgic tribute to Central Asia’s recent past, enjoy a self-drive adventure in a Soviet-era vintage vehicle.
Quieter heartlands
Venture beyond the bustling capital to the lesser known places of Kyrgyzstan, including the Naryn to Kazarman corridor.
Off-Roading
Discover high-mountain environments and off the beaten track routes with your own 4×4 expedition vehicle.
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Day 1
Bishkek
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Day 2
Chon-Kemin
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Day 3
Issyk Kul
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Day 4
Issyk-Kul
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Day 5
Tash Bashat
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Day 6
Tash Rabat
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Day 7
Kazarman
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Day 8
Osh
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Day 9
Osh
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Day 10
Toktogul
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Day 11
Bishkek
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Day 12
Depart home
Day 1
Bishkek
Your Kyrgyzstan journey begins in Bishkek with a guided walking tour. The afternoon offers rare behind the scenes access to the State Opera and Ballet Theatre and in the evening, you are welcomed into the private home of a former Vice Prime Minister for dinner, an engaging introduction to Kyrgyzstan and its people.
Day 2
Chon-Kemin
Today, you get the chance to drive classic Soviet-era vehicles from Bishkek to the Mountain Valleys and a enjoy a leisurely horse ride through the foothills before being introduced to your SUV vehicles in the evening.
Day 3
Issyk Kul
You will drive South toward Ak-Sai today. Forested valleys give way to open steppe and semi-desert until reaching the Lake of Issyk-Kul offering more breath taking views. Your afternoon is at leisure to swim, stroll or SUP on the calm waters of the lake.
Day 4
Issyk-Kul
After a morning drive into the dramatic Ak-Sai canyons and offroad across dried riverbeds, you will get the opportunity to watch a private Mini Nomad Games program. Set on a quiet hilltop overlooking the mountains, this program is arranged exclusively for your group.
Day 5
Tash Bashat
Today you cross the spectacular Tosor Pass, one of the country’s most dramatic high-altitude routes. Upon arrival into Tash Bashast, your host who is formerly a socio-political activist and now a respected entrepreneur and farmer, welcomes you into his guest house.
Day 6
Tash Rabat
After a relaxed morning in Tash Bashat, travel deeper into the mountains toward Tash Rabat, one of Kyrgyzstan’s most atmospheric Silk Road caravanserais. Tonight will be at a traditional yurt camp.
Day 7
Kazarman
Continue your journey along the North–South Alternate Highway, a route that reveals striking mountain scenery. En route, make a detour into Ming-Kush, a high-altitude town once built around Soviet coal and uranium operations. Stay in a local guesthouse tonight in Kazarman, one of the most remote settlements in Kyrgyzstan.
Day 8
Osh
Drive south across mountainous terrain and gradually descend toward the warm, fertile Fergana Valley. By afternoon you arrive in Osh, the second-largest city in Kyrgyzstan and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Central Asia.
Day 9
Osh
Explore Osh today. Your guide will take you through the city’s historic quarters, introducing you to key landmarks and the lively Osh bazaar. Continue to your host’s home and learn how to prepare one of Central Asia’s staple dishes: Plov.
Day 10
Toktogul
Leaving Osh in the morning, the road gradually climbs out of the fertile Fergana Valley and into the mountains of southern Kyrgyzstan. By late afternoon you arrive in the small lakeside town of Toktogul, set beside the vast Toktogul Reservoir.
Day 11
Bishkek
Continue the journey north toward Bishkek along one of the country’s most scenic highways. Your 4×4 adventure ends here. You will enjoy a farewell dinner with your group.
Day 12
Depart home
Depart home today.
Epic Landscapes
Kyrgyzstan’s incredible landscapes are defined by scale and openness, from vast alpine pastures and high mountain lakes to deep valleys and sweeping passes. Travelling by 4×4 allows a closer connection to this terrain, following gravel roads and remote tracks that reach far beyond the main highways. The sense of freedom and distance is constant, allowing the landscape to be experienced fully, with each day shaped by the terrain itself rather than the road.
Cultural Heritage
A private Mini Nomad Games programme is arranged exclusively for your group, set on a quiet hilltop with wide mountain views. This carefully curated event offers a window into Kyrgyz traditions, from salburun displays of eagle hunting and archery to professional performances of kok boru and oodarysh. Folk music and dance create a sense of occasion, while knuckle bone games and a yurt building demonstration offer a more hands on insight into nomadic life and enduring cultural practices.
Nomadic traditions
Joining this journey offers a genuine insight into Kyrgyz life, shaped by the land, the seasons and long held nomadic traditions. Time spent in remote pastures reveals daily rhythms centred on family, livestock and hospitality. Staying in local guesthouses and traditional yurts brings you into the heart of this way of life, where evenings are quiet and nights are under vast skies.
What type of vehicle will I be driving?
You’ll be driving either a 2nd generation Toyota Sequoia or a Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro, depending on your group size and the final vehicle allocation.
How old are the vehicles / what mileage do they have?
Our vehicles are renewed and rotated through the fleet regularly, so the exact model year and mileage can vary and is confirmed closer to departure/at handover. Regardless of which vehicle you receive, we ensure it is fully serviced and safety-checked before the trip, and you’ll receive the specific vehicle details during the pickup process.
Do I need to be personally insured to drive in Kyrgyzstan, or is the vehicle itself insured?
Vehicles will be insured. For guests, regular travel insurance will be sufficient.
Will vehicles be automatic or manual?
Soviet cars are manual. SUVs are automatic.
How challenging is the driving on the trip?
Difficulty is less about “obstacles” and more about remote terrain + long driving days + road condition variability. Drivers should be comfortable with mountain roads, potholes, gravel, and adapting speed to conditions.
What is the plan in the event of a breakdown or an accident?
In the event of a breakdown, we will ensure that another vehicle is arranged immediately. We usually keep a crew backup vehicle as support, which also serves as a spare. If needed, the crew vehicle will be switched without delay.
What is not covered by the insurance provided?
The insurance does not cover vehicle downtime (loss of rental income) if the damage is caused by the tourist. And if the incident involves negligence or a breach such as: drink driving, reckless driving, falling asleep, cover may be reduced or void—so the driver could be charged for repairs and related costs (towing/storage, admin fees, and sometimes loss of use/diminished value).
How much is downtime per day should there be damage caused?
Downtime fee (reduced rate): $100/day applies only when the vehicle is taken out of service due to guest-caused damage, and only for confirmed repair days (supported by workshop paperwork).
Cap depends on severity:
– Minor damage (vehicle still drivable / cosmetic): no downtime fee (repairs handled separately if needed).
– Moderate damage (limited parts/repair, short shop time): downtime capped at up to 3 days.
– Major damage (vehicle not roadworthy / safety-related repair): downtime capped at up to 7 days.
– Severe damage (e.g., rollover / major mechanical): downtime capped at up to 14 days (or “up to actual repair days,” whichever is less).
Is there a first aid kit in each vehicle?
Yes, first aid kits will be available in all vehicles.
What is the highest altitude we reach and do you provide any support with altitude sickness?
Highest altitude reached: Tosor (Tossor) Pass ~3,893 m.
Other high points: The Tash Rabat area is around ~3,200 m.
Altitude support: Yes—because you’re above 3,000 m on Days 5–7, we brief guests on symptoms, pace the day sensibly, and we’ll adjust the plan if anyone feels unwell (extra stops, slower pace, and descending to a lower altitude if needed).
We also strongly recommend guests arrive hydrated/rested and flag asthma, heart/lung issues, or prior altitude problems in advance.
What level of fitness is required for this group tour?
A moderate fitness level is fine; it’s more about stamina and comfort with rough travel than athletic ability.
Will catering to any dietary requirements be a problem? (gluten free, dairy free, vegan)
We’re happy to accommodate dietary preferences (e.g., gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian/vegan) where possible, and we will always communicate requirements to hosts in advance. However, as this is a remote-region trip using local guesthouses and home-style meals, we cannot guarantee that every host can fully meet specific requirements or prevent cross-contamination, even with prior notice.
If you have a severe allergy (including anaphylaxis risk), we strongly recommend bringing essential medications (e.g., EpiPen if prescribed) and/or suitable backup snacks, and we can discuss the best way to manage meals during the trip.
Are there two-way radios provided in the vehicles so I can stay in communication with the leader and other group members?
Yes, two-way radios will be arranged in all vehicles.
Is fuel included?
Yes, fuel is included in the price of the package. During the journey, necessary stops are made for refuelling.
Do you provide water?
We encourage you to bring a reusable water bottle as water is safe to drink at all accommodations. We aim to reduce plastic waste wherever we can.
Are lunches a combination of local restaurants and picnics? What sort of food can I expect? Are all meals enjoyed as a group?
Yes, most lunches are served at small local restaurants, allowing you to experience a variety of authentic regional dishes. Picnics are provided on remote segments where local eateries are not available. These are prepared by a trusted local supplier who prepares freshly made picnics suitable for a 4×4 adventure route.
Do I need an international drivers license?
We recommend purchasing an international drivers license to drive in Kyrgyzstan. Your travel expert will be able to give you more information about this.
Haven’t found what you’re looking for?
Includes / Excludes
Important Information
Activity Level
Moderate Activity
What is included
- Airport transfers via VIP minibus
- Sightseeing transport
- Self-drive car rental
- Support vehicle
- Soviet car rental
- Fuel for all vehicles
- Daily English-speaking guide
- Mechanic accompanying the group
- All accommodation
- Entrance tickets to visited sites
- Meals as outlined in the program
- Third-party insurance (see details in FAQs)
What is excluded
- International flights
- Visa (if required)
- Travel insurance
- Personal Expenditure
- Alcoholic beverages
- Additional spa treatments not specified as included
- Gratuities
- Early check-ins or late check-outs
- Vehicle damage, traffic fines or insurance excess
Other available dates
For further information about any of these tours please call 1(800)272-4163
| Start date | End date | Days |
Prices from
ex. flights |
Tour Expert | Group Size | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/17/27 | 07/28/27 | 12 days | $7,735 pp | Local Guide | 8 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
Reserve your place on this group tour
Our travel experts have a wealth of first-hand knowledge, so if you have any questions about this expert-led group tour, please get in touch. They would love to help. We hope you can join us on this tour.
01285 880 980Send us an enquiry
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