As global travel trends increasingly lean toward authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences, Intrepid Travel, a global leader in responsible tourism, has announced the launch of six bold new itineraries across Northern and Central Asia. Covering China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia, the new tours mark a strategic expansion in one of the world’s most fascinating and underexplored regions.
The launch responds to a 66% year-on-year surge in bookings for Central Asia and China, driven by rising interest in off-the-beaten-path destinations. These new itineraries, departing from March 2026, aim to uncover the lesser-seen heartlands of Asia—where ancient cultures, nomadic traditions, and untouched landscapes await.
From Mountains to Taiga: A Journey Through Time and Nature
Travelers can now hike through Kyrgyzstan’s Tien Shan Mountain Range, traverse the “wild” unrenovated sections of the Great Wall of China, immerse themselves in the isolated taiga forests of northern Mongolia with the Tsaatan reindeer herders, and uncover the Silk Road’s legacy across Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
These small-group tours, ranging from 8 to 16 days, are locally led, ensuring deep cultural immersion while supporting community-based tourism initiatives. Each itinerary is designed to maximize positive local impact—through home stays, family-run experiences, and heritage site conservation.
Highlights of the New Intrepid Expeditions:
🇰🇬 Trekking the Tien Shan Trails – Kyrgyzstan (10 Days)
Price: From £3,430
Explore the soaring peaks and crystal-clear alpine lakes of Kyrgyzstan’s Tien Shan Mountains. Travelers will sleep in yurts, walk ancient nomadic trails, and witness the country’s preserved pastoral lifestyle in high-altitude summer pastures.
🌍 Central Asia Highlights – Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan (16 Days)
Price: From £3,430
Experience a kaleidoscope of cultures along Central Asia’s ancient Silk Road. Visit family wineries in Kazakhstan, stay by Issyk-Kul Lake, and enjoy authentic meals in Uzbek homes—all while traveling by local train through four diverse nations.
🇲🇳 Mongolia Reindeer Expedition (14 Days)
Price: From £2,795
A once-in-a-lifetime expedition to Mongolia’s remote northern taiga. Visit the indigenous Tsaatan tribe, famed for their reindeer herding traditions. This rugged journey offers cultural immersion in one of Asia’s least-touched environments.
🇨🇳 Walking the Great Wall of China (8 Days)
Price: From £995
Skip the crowded tourist sections and hike the lesser-seen “wild” parts of the Great Wall. This active adventure includes exploring Beijing’s hutongs, dumpling-making with locals, and panoramic hikes along history-rich ridges.
🇨🇳 Southern China Rail Journey: Hong Kong to Shanghai (10 Days)
Price: From £1,715
From the cyberpunk skyline of Chongqing to the mythical peaks of Zhangjiajie (Avatar Mountains), this train journey blends urban vibrancy with rural tranquility. The route also showcases China’s linguistic diversity with a stop to explore the Nvshu script in Changsha.
🇨🇳 Real Food Adventure: China (10 Days)
Price: From £1,925
This culinary exploration weaves through Beijing, Xi’an, and Hong Kong, with hands-on noodle-making, street food feasts, and a cooking class at the renowned Sichuan Cuisine Museum. Perfect for food lovers eager to dig into China’s rich culinary heritage.
A Commitment to Responsible Travel
Intrepid’s expansion is aligned with its mission to foster ethical, low-impact travel. The company emphasizes supporting local economies, reducing environmental footprints, and promoting cultural respect.
According to The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), sustainable tourism has become a driving force for rural development and heritage preservation in Central Asia. Intrepid’s model dovetails with these goals, offering economic opportunities to nomadic families, artisans, and community hosts who are often bypassed by traditional tourism.
In Mongolia, for example, Intrepid partners with local NGOs to ensure reindeer herder communities benefit from cultural exchange while maintaining their traditions. In China, its culinary tours feature family-owned eateries, and in Kyrgyzstan, travelers contribute directly to yurt camp economies in rural mountain villages.
Geotagging the Routes
- Beijing, China (39.9042° N, 116.4074° E)
- Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (47.8864° N, 106.9057° E)
- Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (42.8746° N, 74.5698° E)
- Tashkent, Uzbekistan (41.2995° N, 69.2401° E)
- Almaty, Kazakhstan (43.2220° N, 76.8512° E)
- Ashgabat, Turkmenistan (37.9601° N, 58.3261° E)
- Zhangjiajie, China (29.1171° N, 110.4792° E)
Available for Booking Now
These six new itineraries form part of a broader expansion that will see 48 new trips launched across Northern and Central Asia. They complement Intrepid’s existing 168 journeys across the continent. Tours are now open for booking with departures beginning March 2026.
With the growing trend of travelers seeking meaningful, slow, and conscious travel, Intrepid Travel is set to redefine adventure across Asia’s last frontiers—connecting cultures, protecting ecosystems, and enriching lives along the way.
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