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SEPTEMBER 1 - 8, 2026 · 9 DAYS

Natural Wonders of Central Asia

Explore just the tip of the iceberg of breathtaking natural wonders of Central Asia on this unforgettable adventure. From the majestic Tian Shan Mountains that reflect on the crystal clear waters of Kolsay Lakes to the majestic gorges of Charyn Canyon, you will enjoy stunning scenery as you go on hikes and horseback rides. But the natural beauty isn't the only part of the trip: learn about the history, culture, and fine arts of Kazakh and Kyrgyz people and of other minority ethnic groups in the region, including the Dungans.

Who This Experience Is For

Outdoors Enthusiast

You love hiking through forests, mountains, canyons, rivers, lakes, and waterfalls. Central Asia has some of the best natural wonders in the world and you'll learn to love this region through it's majestic natural wonders!

OTBP Traveler

You crave an off-the-beaten-path type of Central Asia adventure with raw authenticity and genuine interactions with locals. For example, we will visit a Dungan village in Kyrgyzstan and dine with a local family!

Central Asia Enthusiast

You either have started doing your own research on Central Asia but have never been to Central Asia or you may not know anything about Central Asia but are very curious about the culture, people, and cuisine of the region.

Note: Itinerary may change. Changes will be communicated to travelers in advance when possible.

Itinerary

In Almaty, the former capital city of Kazakhstan, we will visit the Green Bazaar, where we will buy fresh fruits, salads, nuts, seeds, bread, and anything else of your liking to bring on our hike. This is a fun opportunity to learn about the history of the region through its food!

Group hike to Big Almaty Lake, a natural alpine lake with the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains overlooking them. Lunch is bring your own, picnic style!

Alternatively, we can hike Kok Jailau, a plateau in the Trans-Ili Alatau that is part of the Ile-Alatau National Park. Lunch is bring your own, picnic style!

Time permitting, we will check out some hidden natural Hot Springs tucked away in the mountains to relax our muscles after the hikes.
Charyn Canyon: We will drive from Almaty to Charyn Canyon, a breathtaking natural wonder with towering rock formations and unique desert landscapes that you might find to be like the Grand Canyon in the US. We will take a hike through the canyon, admiring the stunning scenery and taking lots of photos!
Kolsai Lakes: Visit Kolsai Lakes National Park, a pristine natural area with three crystal-clear lakes surrounded by lush forests. Hike around the lakes, like Lower Kolsai Lake and Lake Kaindy, enjoying fresh mountain air from the Tian Shan Mountains. There are restaurants and amenities in the Lower Kolsai Lake that we can enjoy in between hikes.
Dungan Culture in Karakol: Take a day trip to the Karakol Valley, a picturesque valley with stunning mountain scenery and traditional Kyrgyz villages. In Karakol, we will visit a Dungan Mosque and a nearby Dungan village for a traditional Dungan meal consisting of cold spicy noodles called ashlyan-fu, stir fried veggies, dumplings, and many other dishes. Dungans are Chinese Muslims who fled warfare in China in the 1880s and still preserve their traditional customs to this day.

Altyn Arashan Hot Springs: We will also visit the Altyn-Arashan Hot Springs (Altyn-Arashan means Golden Springs in Kyrgyz) and stay overnight at a yurt camp. Yurts are round tents that were used by nomadic Kazakh and Krygyz people and you can experience that on this trip!
On the final day, you may choose to either return to Almaty or Bishkek, as both have international airports. Please inform us which city you would like to depart from and we will coordinate accordingly.

Highlights

Bazaar Nomad Scavenger Hunt

At Almaty's Green Bazaar, divide into teams and compete to finish the scavenger hunt while sampling delicious local treats with a nomadic history!

Hike Mountains, Canyons & Lakes

Discover Central Asia’s breathtaking and unspoiled landscapes—some of the most stunning in the world. Hike to awe-inspiring destinations like the majestic Kolsai Lakes.

Dungan Cooking Class & Dinner

Meet a local Dungan family in their home and learn how to make ashliangfu, a cold noodle dish, plus more classic Dungan dishes that have a history dating back to China 100 years ago!

What Is Included

Grace & Yongjian will accompany you on entire experience (except to/from airport and during free time).

We LOVE sharing the beauties of China with our friends and encourage you to ask any questions!

Whenever necessary, we will have local guides and drivers accompanying us as well.
For all our experiences, we strive to pick accommodations that are clean and authentic.

Whenever possible, we choose to support small, local guesthouses run by people from the community.

Costs differ between single and double occupancy, please review the costs below
Every morning, you will enjoy breakfast either at the hotel or at a local breakfast stand.

Lunches and dinners that are provided on certain days will be family style (sharing with fellow travelers) where you will try different traditional dishes of the region we are in. We are HUGE foodies and we can vouch for the quality of the food we pick!

If you have any dietary restrictions (vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free, etc.) or food allergies, please inform us in advance of the trip so we can make this trip enjoyable and safe for you.
In this virtual pre-departure orientation, we will cover essential apps (payment, maps, VPNs, eSIMs) and practical on the ground tips that will help you navigate China like a local.

It's also an opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers and ask us any questions!
For any sites mentioned in the itinerary that require an entrance ticket, the cost of the ticket for each traveler will be covered.

Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable.
All overland transportation, including high speed trains, buses, and rideshares.

Metro rides within cities are not covered.

Transportation during free time is not covered.

Any transportation to Almaty (flight or train) before the trip begins is not covered and any transportation after Day 9 is not covered.
To remember your trip, you will receive a From Roots to Bridges themed goodie bag! Inform us of your t-shirt size prior to the trip.

What Is Not Included

- Travel Insurance (REQUIRED for every traveler)

- Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan Tourist Visa (if required)

- Meals Not Included in the Itinerary

- Alcoholic drinks

- Personal Expenses (souvenirs, gifts, etc.)

- Room service, laundry, incidentals

- Activities not a part of the itinerary

- Hospital bills and related medical expenses
- Damaged or lost personal possessions

Costs

Single Occupancy

$2499 USD (includes VAT)

You will have a room and bathroom to yourself

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Double Occupancy

$1999 USD (includes VAT)

You will share a room with a person of the same gender or your requested roommate

I'm Interested! What's Next?

Book via WeTravel

Secure your spot via WeTravel. At the time of booking, you will submit a 20% deposit to hold your spot. The deposit counts towards your total payment. If you cancel your spot, we are unable to refund your deposit. If the trip doesn't run due to a lack of participants, you will receive your deposit back.

Book Now

Join Our Community

All travelers in your group will be onboarded to an online community platform so you can get to know your fellow travelers as you prepare for this group travel experience. On the platform, you will receive a full itinerary and you can ask questions and submit any special requests.

Submit Full Payment

Full payment will be requested 60 days prior to departure. If you’re booking within 60 days of your departure, you will be asked to pay make the full payment immediately. Payments are made on WeTravel.

Attend Pre-Departure Orientation

30 days prior to departure, we will host a virtual pre-departure orientation where you will view the full detailed itinerary, healthy and safety measures, what to pack, what apps to download, and any other details that will help you feel prepared for the experience.

What Our Travelers Say

Aline (Jul '25)

Although I had already spent a month traveling in China before joining Grace and Yongjian, the road trip I took with them to Kaiping and Jiangmen was unforgettable. Traveling in China without speaking Mandarin can be challenging and exhausting. But with Grace and Yongjian, everything went smoothly as we explored remote villages, interacted with locals, and enjoyed authentic Cantonese dishes. Their deep knowledge of Chinese history and culture made the experience enriching, relaxing, and well-organized, yet flexible. Above all, Grace and Yongjian are incredibly passionate and enthusiastic about what they do. Their energy and love for sharing their culture made the whole experience so special.

Max & Nikki (Jun '25)

We had traveled to China independently before. This time, we wanted to delve deeper and get to know aspects of the country that remained closed to us as solo travelers without a Chinese driver's license and language skills. Grace and Yongjian organized a road trip to the less touristy province of Guizhou. They took us to remote villages, hidden viewpoints and neighborhood restaurants that we would never have reached on our own. The trip was characterized by their enthusiasm for the country, its people and food, as well as the very personal stories and experiences they shared. It was like a road trip with friends; except we didn't have to take care of anything ourselves.

Jurrien & Sandra (Mar '25)

Together with Grace and Yongjian, we travelled for almost 2 weeks through the province of Yunnan. Having never been to China, we felt a bit overwhelmed with the required preparations for this huge country. Even before we crossed the border from Vietnam to China, they prepared us in every possible way. From how to use Alipay and WeChat, to buying SIM Cards and setting up a VPN. Their knowledge about the area was astounding. Especially on the topics on (local) cuisine and culture, they introduced us to so much we didn't know. The itinerary chosen, suited well with our interests and the execution went very well.

Sebastien (Mar '25)

China wasn’t on my travel list until Yongjian and Grace's captivating passion and deep knowledge opened my eyes to its wonders. Their guidance was essential in securing a SIM card, managing payments, booking trains and ordering food. This allowed me to fully embrace Yunnan’s rich diversity, from vibrant markets and museums to stunning landscapes and historical sites. The region’s varied ethnic groups and incredible cuisine enriched every moment. This trip not only left me with precious memories and a new perspective on travel and China but also the gift of friendship with two remarkable people I now call friends.

Angela & Yang (Oct '24)

During our trip to China, especially in Fuzhou, Grace and Yongjian made our experience truly unforgettable. Although we have visited China several times before and speak the language (more or less), it can still be challenging to navigate the country, as everything changes so quickly. What made the journey even more special were the fascinating stories they shared about their own trips and the history and culture of the region. Touring with Grace and Yongjian was an absolute pleasure, and I would highly recommend their services to anyone, who want an effortless and memorable trip!

Matt (Sep '24)

I've lived in mainland China for over seven years and I was thrilled to join Yongjian and Grace for my first visit to Fujian Province. Together the three of us made stops at the historic district of the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, Xichan Temple, and the Overseas Chinese Museum. It was a pleasure touring Fuzhou with Yongjian and Grace, who were kind enough to introduce local delicacies and locate vegetarian restaurants to accommodate my dietary restrictions. I would wholeheartedly recommend booking a tour with Yongjian and Grace--you will not be disappointed!

Ted (Aug '24)

I had a wonderful time traveling with Yongjian and Grace. They created a comprehensive itinerary with unique, hard-to-find experiences while remaining flexible and open throughout the trip. Their approach to travel planning reflects their commitment to cultural authenticity and meaningful engagement

with the communities they visit.

I would definitely go on another trip with them!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you would like to join this experience but with a shorter length, email us at hello@fromrootstobridges.com and we will consider that for a future iteration of this experience if there are enough interested travelers to fill a group.

Otherwise, if you decide to join an experience late or leave early, whether planned or unplanned, you will still be responsible for the full cost of the experience.

To avoid unexpected expenses from early departures, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that includes trip interruption coverage
This group trip is designed for adults, 21 years and older who can handle traveling to high elevation destinations. If you and your grandparents, parents and/or children would like to join a trip like this, we can arrange a private trip specifically for your family. Please email us at hello@graceandyj.com if you are interested in a private trip.
Yes, this trip is halal friendly, as the cities and regions we visit have a large Muslim population.
Please mention in your Interest Form that you require our dining establishments to be halal friendly and we will ensure that your needs are met.
All the establishments that we visit as a group will be certified halal (and at minimum pork and lard free, though alcohol may be served at some establishments).
If you have any specific dietary needs, please indicate on the interest form and we will do our best to accommodate.
When booking this group travel experience in WeTravel, please respond to the question "Is there a place not mentioned in the itinerary that you'd like to go to?" and if there is enough interest in visiting that destination, we will consider adding it to the itinerary if possible. The cost of the experience may change.

Alternatively, we can host a Private Experience for you and anyone you'd like to bring along.
For Kazakhstan, please refer to this official webpage for their visa policies.
For Uzbekistan, please refer to this official webpage for their visa policies.
For Tajikistan, please refer to this official webpage for their visa policies.
From Roots to Bridges will not accept responsibility if you are refused entry to any of the above countries because you lack the correct visa documentation.
You should book your departure flight from your home country to Almaty International Airport (will likely require a layover in another city) and your return flight from Tashkent International Airport in Uzbekistan.
Visiting Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan? For Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, download Yandex Taxi (ridesharing) and for Uzbekistan, download Maxim (ridesharing). For all three countries, download Google Translate (or similar), as English is not commonly spoken.
In Kazakhstan, we will bring you a physical store to buy a Tele2 or Beeline and purchase a roaming plan that works for Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. If you don't have a SIM card slot in your phone, buy an E-SIM like the 3HK E-SIM.

* All information presented here is subject to change. The most updated information will be provided to you in your pre-departure orientation.
Please refer to these CDC Guidelines for what vaccines to get prior to traveling to Kazakhstan.

Please refer to these CDC Guidelines for what vaccines to get prior to traveling to Uzbekistan.

Please refer to these CDC Guidelines for what vaccines to get prior to traveling to Tajikistan.
Please refer to our Cancellation Policy Page.
We understand that medical emergencies may cause you to not be able to attend this trip or cut the trip short.

Therefore, we require our travelers to buy travel insurance before the trip begins to cover unforeseen cancellations.

Yongjian's Connection to Central Asia

Central Asia holds a special place in my heart. Almost a decade ago, I first set foot in Kazakhstan as a curious 23-year-old. I didn’t know what to expect—after all, it’s a part of the world few in the West talk about. But I was pleasantly surprised to discover Central Asia’s beauty. I fell in love with its majestic mountains and rich cultural history. Locals welcomed me with open arms, showering me with hospitality even when I could barely speak their language. I fell in love with the diverse cuisines of the region: hearty Kazakh dishes like beshbarmak, Uyghur laghman, and even Georgian cheese bread, khachapuri.

I knew I had to return. From 2018 to 2020, I went back to Kazakhstan as a Princeton in Asia Fellow, teaching English and Mandarin at KIMEP University in Almaty. Over time, I learned Kazakh and Russian, which allowed me to connect more genuinely with locals - from the bazaar sellers to taxi drivers to my students and coworkers. During that time, I also had to visit other countries in Central Asia and the Caucasus- Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, and even Russia’s Sakha Republic. Those years were filled with friendships, learning, and personal growth. To this day, I am deeply grateful for the incredible people who showered me with hospitality and welcomed me into their culture.

It’s been nearly five years since the pandemic uprooted me from Almaty, a city I’d grown to love. Now, I want to share the wonders of Central Asia with you—its landscapes, its cultures, its cuisine, and most importantly, genuinely connect with the people there and learn more about their lives and traditions.