Eastern Approaches

While more in the spirit of Fitzroy McLean than in his footsteps, this exploratory journey will take you to the very heart of Central Asia; the remote  borderlands of Mongolia, China & Kazakhstan.

You will discover the rich history and culture of the Kazakh people in the Altai Mountains where the borders of Russia, Mongolia, China and Kazakhstan converge. Starting in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, this journey will explore the stunning scenery of Western Mongolia where we will encounter Tuvan, Bayad and Durvud minority groups as well as the Kazakh eagle hunters of Bayan-Ulgii Province. We cross at the recently opened border into Xinjiang, China, home to the largest population of Kazakhs outside of Kazakhstan, we discover their long and turbulent history in these borderlands amongst the Altai mountains of northern Xinjiang. Another remote border control and we enter the eastern province of Kazakhstan. We cross the mighty Irtysh river which, rising in the Mongolian Altai, is the world’s longest tributary at over 4000km, eventually joining the Ob River in Siberia.  Here we explore the Altai mountains of eastern Kazakhstan before taking a train from the regional capital, Ust-Kamenogorsk to Almaty.

This is no ordinary adventure; there will be very challenging road conditions, remote geography and some nights in very basic accommodation will require that participants are physically fit with an active spirit of adventure.

Join Sundowners Overland’s Director Simon Maddison for this remarkable journey to the very heart of Central Asia

This journey will be limited to just 12 participants.