Expedition · 11 days · Source to Sea
From a glacier in the Tien Shan to the shore of the Aral — eleven days down the birth of Central Asia's Secret River, across four countries and three thousand years.
Duration
11 days
Departure
14–24 Sept 2026
Group
Private · max 15
Distance
~3,740 km
Max altitude
3,816 m
Difficulty
Moderate · 2–3/5
11days
From the source to the Fergana
From the Tien Shan meltwater to the birth of the Syr Darya and on toward Tashkent and the steppe.
4countries
Kazakhstan to Tajikistan
Five border crossings following the river's old caravan corridor across Central Asia.
3,816m
Barskoon Pass
The high point above the Arabel-Suu plateau, ringed by the white peaks of the central Tien Shan.
Route Overview
Expedition I traces the Syr Darya from its very beginning — the meltwater of the Arabel-Suu plateau high in the central Tien Shan — down through the gorges of the Naryn to the confluence where the river acquires its name. From there it follows the old caravan corridor west into the Fergana Valley, across the silk cities of Margilan and Kokand, over the Tajik border to Khujand — Alexander's Alexandria Eschate — and on through Tashkent and the desert lakes to the edge of the Kazakh steppe. One river, four countries, three thousand years of history.
Key Highlights
Itinerary
Before first light out of Almaty, over the Kegen Pass and across a seasonal border to the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul.
Up the Barskoon Pass into the syrt country — high pasture, ice-cold streams and the Petrova Glacier.
Morning fishing where the Greater and Little Naryn meet, then down the canyon to Naryn city.
A day with a Kyrgyz family on a remote summer pasture, then west to the turquoise Toktogul reservoir.
Out of the mountains and into the Fergana Valley — cotton, mulberry and the geometry of irrigation.
The stop the expedition was built around — where the Naryn meets the Kara Darya and the Syr Darya is born.
West along the Syr Darya through cotton fields to the bluff where Alexander founded his furthest city.
Khujand fortress and the Panjshanbe Bazaar, then back across the border to Tashkent — Silk Road bones beneath new glass.
Timur's Silk Road city, then a boat ride on Aidarkul and a yurt camp under the desert sky.
Across the last border into Kazakhstan, past the Akmeshit cave, to Shymkent.
The long road home along the foot of the range. The expedition concludes in Almaty.
Before you book
Eleven days across four countries, by 4WD, raft and boat. Demanding on logistics, not on the body — every camp, permit, and border registration arranged in advance.
Moderate (2–3/5). Long but comfortable travel days with short walks, a glacier stop at altitude, and a rafting section on the Naryn. Suitable for travellers comfortable with remote terrain.
A mix of high camps, heritage silk houses, city hotels and a desert yurt camp. Full board throughout, with family-hosted meals on the route.
Private 4WD throughout, with raft and boat sections. Four countries and five border crossings — all registrations and paperwork handled by our team.
Inaugural private departure, 14–24 September 2026. A single private group, limited to 15 travellers. Future departures shaped around your dates.
Pricing
An inaugural private departure across four countries. Pricing depends on group size and is quoted per expedition — tell us your group and we will send a full proposal.
Private group
On request
Up to 15 travellers · full proposal within 48 hours
Included
Not included
Begin
The inaugural departure is forming now, limited to 15 travellers. Tell us your dates and group — we reply within 48 hours with a full proposal.