EXPEDITION KYRGYZSTAN | AUGUST & SEPTEMBER 2027
‘Lord of the Rings’ adventure
By land, by horse and by water through the heart of the Tian Shan mountains.
KOEN DE LEEUW
Explained by our expedition leader
Interested in the expedition to Kyrgyzstan?
KOEN DE LEEUW
Explained by our expedition leader
Interested in the expedition to Kyrgyzstan?
The story of this expedition
From Brussels you fly to Bishkek. On arrival we head deeper into the mountains on a rugged off-road drive, to the drop location. From that moment the real adventure begins: completely off-grid, self-sufficient and surrounded by pure wilderness.
We start on foot. Between 2,000 and 4,000 metres you hike through mighty valleys, ridges and open landscapes. No mountaineering required: this is a demanding trek, but not a technical climb. It is physically hard, mentally enriching and every step takes you further from the ordinary.
Along the way we enter nomad country, where we find horses that have been used by local herders for generations. For one day you travel as they do: on horseback through wide valleys, an experience that feels almost timeless.
Deep in the wilderness we reach the river. You take your packraft from your backpack, inflate it and glide on across the water. The calm, the flow, the freedom: this is one of the most impressive moments of the expedition.
We deliberately choose August and September: the high mountains are then free of snow, stable and safe, with summer conditions, navigable rivers and the mountains at their very best.
The story of
this expedition
From Brussels you fly to Bishkek. On arrival we head deeper into the mountains on a rugged off-road drive, to the drop location. From that moment the real adventure begins: completely off-grid, self-sufficient and surrounded by pure wilderness.
We start on foot. Between 2,000 and 4,000 metres you hike through mighty valleys, ridges and open landscapes. No mountaineering required: this is a demanding trek, but not a technical climb. It is physically hard, mentally enriching and every step takes you further from the ordinary.
Along the way we enter nomad country, where we find horses that have been used by local herders for generations. For one day you travel as they do: on horseback through wide valleys, an experience that feels almost timeless.
Deep in the wilderness we reach the river. You take your packraft from your backpack, inflate it and glide on across the water. The calm, the flow, the freedom: this is one of the most impressive moments of the expedition.
We deliberately choose August and September: the high mountains are then free of snow, stable and safe, with summer conditions, navigable rivers and the mountains at their very best.
Self-sufficient,
but never alone
Once we start, we are off-grid. We filter water from rivers, cook our freeze-dried expedition food and set up our camps in places where nature allows it.
You learn to walk day after day at altitude, spend a day on horseback with the herders and use your packraft on the river, guided by an experienced X- Guide whom you meet well in advance during the preparation programme.
Veiligheid & begeleiding
Safety is the foundation of every Element X expedition. Our X Guides are professionally trained, hold WFR certificates and have years of experience in extreme conditions.
Every expedition has satellite phones, GPS tracking, safety procedures, an evacuation plan and local support in Kyrgyzstan.
Before departure we also carry out a thorough risk analysis and prepare everything down to the last detail.
Guided by real expedition leaders.
You step into nature, away from the
beaten track, but always with the certainty of experienced guidance
and safety first.
Veiligheid & begeleiding
Safety is the foundation of every Element X expedition. Our X Guides are professionally trained, hold
WFR certificates and have
years of experience in extreme conditions.
Every expedition has satellite phones, GPS tracking, clear safety procedures, a detailed evacuation plan and local support in Kyrgyzstan.
Before departure we also carry out a thorough risk analysis and prepare everything down to the last detail.
Self-sufficient,
but never alone
Once we start, we are
off-grid. We filter water from rivers, cook our freeze-dried expedition food and set up our camps in places where nature allows it.
You learn to walk day after day at altitude, spend a day on horseback with the herders and use your packraft on the river, guided by an experienced X-Guide whom you meet well in advance during the preparation programme.
We let no one step into the unknown unprepared.
An expedition of this calibre starts months in advance. The preparation programme consists of an individual phase and a group phase.
Individual phase
Starts immediately after registration. You receive an inspiration pack with practical tips, insights and exercises to start moving like an expedition member. You gather your expedition gear using the packing list (do not buy anything yet: bring what you already have to the kick off). And you share your medical information, because the best preparation is a plan for when things go wrong.
Group phase
Starts 3 to 6 months before departure with the kick off: a full day on which you meet your team, taste the expedition atmosphere and take the first steps as a group. There we plan the follow-up moments together and the WhatsApp group starts. Training includes, among other things: getting to know the group and roles, physical screening and analysis, a personalised training schedule, technical and resilience training, gear, nutrition and sleep setup, and a final check.
Accredited service provider for the KMO-portefeuille
To help entrepreneurs and KMO leaders grow as much as possible, a leadership programme/training is linked to this expedition, which closely aligns with the adventure. This programme falls under the theme Business strategy and is eligible for subsidy via the KMO-portefeuille.
As an entrepreneur, you can receive up to 30% subsidy on the training costs of this programme. Important (!): only the training itself is eligible. Travel, accommodation, and expedition costs are not covered by the subsidy.
Accredited service provider for the KMO-portefeuille
To help entrepreneurs and KMO leaders grow as much as possible, a leadership programme/training is linked to this expedition, which closely aligns with the adventure. This programme falls under the theme Business strategy and is eligible for subsidy via the KMO-portefeuille.
As an entrepreneur, you can receive up to 30% subsidy on the training costs of this programme. Important (!): only the training itself is eligible. Travel, accommodation, and expedition costs are not covered by the subsidy.
As seen in
Imagine: endless valleys, wild horses, thin air at altitude and a landscape so cinematic it hardly seems real.
During Expedition Kyrgyzstan it feels as if you walk into a scene from Lord of the Rings: a world where nature sets the rules, where nomads still live as their ancestors did, and where the silence is so deep that you hear yourself again.
Imagine: endless valleys, wild horses, thin air at altitude and a landscape so cinematic it hardly seems real.
During Expedition Kyrgyzstan it feels as if you walk into a scene from Lord of the Rings: a world where nature sets the rules, where nomads still live as their ancestors did, and where the silence is so deep that you hear yourself again.
Frequently asked questions
No. You do not need to be a top athlete. Through our preparation programme (screening, training schedule and targeted training) we build your level up to expedition level in 3 to 6 months.
Very safe. We work with WFR-certified expedition leaders, satellite communication, evacuation plans and clearly outlined safety protocols.
The full expedition programme, gear, workshops, guidance, all local costs and meals are included, plus the full 3 to 6 month preparation programme. Flights, personal clothing and insurance are not included.
Frequently asked questions
No. You do not need to be a top athlete. Through our preparation programme (screening, training schedule and targeted training) we build your level up to expedition level in 3 to 6 months.
Very safe. We work with WFR-certified expedition leaders, satellite communication, evacuation plans and clearly outlined safety protocols.
The full expedition programme, gear, workshops, guidance, all local costs and meals are included, plus the full 3 to 6 month preparation programme. Flights, personal clothing and insurance are not included.
Ready for the
‘Lord of the Rings’ adventure?
Limited spots. Taking an option is free and without obligation; your spot is only confirmed after the intake.
Dominique Delbeke
CFO & Corporate Judge
“Professionally I tend to observe people, both the participants and the guides. Koen radiates trust. Not only because of his background as a para commando, but above all because of who he is and how he carries himself. Trust cannot be forced, you earn it. He is there when he needs to be, reads people exceptionally well and quickly senses when someone is struggling. Sometimes he helps with a short chat, sometimes by adjusting the pace, sometimes with very clear instructions, but always exactly attuned to the situation.”
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