KYRGYZSTAN BASECAMP ADVENTURE | WITH YOUR FAMILY
Yurts, horses and eagles
The story of
this expedition
Ten days in Kyrgyzstan with your family, or together with friends and their families: yurts by the lake, horses on the summer pastures and a night in the mountains. Children and parents experience a real expedition together, at a pace that suits you. The days are full of adventure; the evenings are always adventurous too, but with comfort: you sleep in yurt camps, and we take care of the food and a good place to sleep.
You start by a vast mountain lake in the Tian Shan. You walk through a gorge of red rocks and swim in the lake. A family that has lived with golden eagles for generations flies their eagle for you, and together with a nomad family you work with sheep's wool, the way they do for the carpets in their yurts. Then you get to know the horses and the herders.
On horseback you cross a high pass to a mountain lake high in the Tian Shan. From there we hike up into the high valleys, and in the evening we set up our own camp together with the X Guide. We cook over a fire and spend one night in tents, in the wilderness. After a last ride along the lake we drive back, with a final visit to the bazaar.
By a vast mountain lake
swimming and red rocksAfter the flight to Kyrgyzstan we drive into the mountains to a vast mountain lake, with snow capped peaks on the far shore. A yurt camp is waiting by the water. The next day you walk with the children through a gorge full of red and orange rocks, close to the lake. Then there is time to swim: in July the water is around 20 degrees.
With the nomads
golden eagles, wool and horsesOn the other side of the lake you meet a family that has lived with golden eagles for generations. They fly their eagle for you. Afterwards you work with sheep's wool together with a nomad family, the way they do for the carpets in their yurts. In a village at the foot of the mountains the children get to know the horses and the herders before we head up into the mountains.
High in the mountains
on horseback and a night in the wildernessOn horseback we cross a high pass to a mountain lake high in the Tian Shan, among the summer pastures. You sleep in a yurt camp by the water. The next day we hike up into the high valleys, and in the evening we set up our own camp together with the X Guide. We cook over a fire and sleep in tents, far from the yurt camps. After a last ride along the lake we drive back, with a final visit to the bazaar.
What makes this
expedition unique?
Sleeping in yurts
Nights in a yurt camp by a vast mountain lake and by a lake high in the Tian Shan.
On horseback over the pass
Over a high pass to a mountain lake among the summer pastures.
With a nomad family
Working with sheep's wool, the way they do for the carpets in their yurts.
A night in the wilderness
Setting up your own camp with the X Guide and cooking over a fire.
In the Tian Shan the herders live outdoors all summer, with their horses and their flocks. In those families the children ride themselves, so the horses are used to small riders. Days can be warm, but in the mountains it gets cold quickly in the evening. So after dinner we sit by the fire or in the yurt for a long time.Koen De LeeuwFounder and expedition leader, known from De Expeditie on PlayParacommando · Wilderness First Responder Meet Koen
De Expeditie
De Tijd
Humo
Play MediaHow we
work
Self-sufficient,
never alone
There is no fixed base camp: we move from a vast mountain lake to the herders and on into the mountains on horseback. The evenings are always adventurous, but with comfort, in yurt camps by the water, and we take care of the food and all the gear.
One night you sleep in the wilderness: together with the X Guide you set up camp, light a fire and cook together.
Safety and
guidance
Safety is our top priority. At least one X Guide from Element X always comes along. Our X Guides are professionally trained, hold WFR certificates and have years of experience in extreme conditions.
We work with two satellite systems, an evacuation plan and local support in Kyrgyzstan. On horseback and in the mountains every child only goes as far as suits them.
Before
you go
Beforehand you receive an online briefing and a packing list, and you pass on your medical details and dietary requirements. On site we start with introductions and a safety briefing.
Everything
at a glance
Every Basecamp Adventure is tailored to your family: the dates, the programme and the price. We arrange the flights together with you.
- Departure
- 09/07 to 18/07/2027 07/07 to 16/07/2028
- Tailor made
- Other dates are possible too, fully tailored to your family.
- Duration
- 10 days, 9 nights, in the summer holidays
- Level
- Explore2/5Basecamp Adventure, for families
- Group
- One or more families
- Price
- On requestTailored to your family
Included
- At least one X Guide from Element X, with you for the whole expedition
- All overnight stays: yurt camps by two mountain lakes, a night in a tent in the wilderness and the other nights in comfort
- All meals during the expedition
- Local transport and the horses
- Camping gear and sleep setup
- All local tips
- All activities
Not included
- Flights to Kyrgyzstan
- Transport to and from the airport in Belgium
- Personal clothing (top, bottom, shoes)
- Insurance (cancellation and assistance)
Frequently asked questions
See all questionsWhat is a Basecamp Adventure?
An adventure at Explore level, made for families. During the day you experience a real expedition together; the evenings are adventurous but come with comfort. Unlike our standard expeditions there is no long preparation programme: you receive a briefing and a packing list, and we tailor everything to your family.
From what age can children come along?
We look at that together in a conversation. On horseback, while hiking and in camp, every child goes as far as suits them, and we choose what suits your family.
When do you leave?
We plan departures in the summer holidays: 9 to 18 July 2027 and 7 to 16 July 2028, each ten days and nine nights. Other dates are possible too: we tailor it completely to your family.
Where do we sleep?
There is no fixed base camp. You sleep in yurt camps by two mountain lakes, one night in a tent in the wilderness, and the other nights in comfort. The evenings are always adventurous, but taken care of with comfort.
Do we need to be able to ride a horse?
No. You ride horses belonging to local herders, and before we set off we first take time to get to know the horses and the herders. Our X Guide is with you the whole time.
How safe is it for children?
Safety is our top priority. At least one X Guide from Element X always comes along, holding a Wilderness First Responder certificate. On horseback and in the mountains every child only goes as far as suits them. We work with satellite communication and an evacuation plan.
How do we get to Kyrgyzstan?
You fly to Kyrgyzstan, usually with one stopover. From there all transport is arranged, and the last stretch to the lake high in the Tian Shan is on horseback. We arrange the flights together with you.
What is the weather like in Kyrgyzstan in July?
By the big mountain lake July is summery and warm, often 25 degrees or more during the day, and the water is around 20 degrees: warm enough to swim. Higher in the mountains the days are mild, but at night it can cool down to around freezing. So warm layers and a good sleeping bag are needed; you receive a packing list.
What does the Kyrgyzstan Basecamp Adventure cost?
The price depends on the number of participants and your wishes. After a first conversation you receive a tailored proposal for your family, with all activities included.
Other expeditions
View all expeditions
Sign up for
expedition updates
Stay one step ahead of the adventure. Receive the latest news and exclusive information about our expeditions in the wilderness.
Unsubscribe whenever you like. Read our privacy policy.
