Intrepid Travel has launched six new trips in Northern and Central Asia, following a huge uptick in bookings for 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
Bookings to Kazakhstan (pictured) are up by 400% year-on-year, while China is up 76%; Uzbekistan up 36%; and Mongolia is up 158%.
Ranging from eight to 16 days, the new itineraries will offer immersive locally-led experiences across China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Mongolia.
Highlights from the new trips include a visit to the unrenovated ‘wild’ Great Wall of China, trekking in the foothills of Kyrgyzstan’s Tien Shan Mountain range and travelling deep into the Mongolian taiga to herd reindeer with the Tsataan people.
The 16-day Highlights of Central Asia itinerary takes travellers on a trip through Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan by train with a night in a yurt camp near Issyk Kul Lake, eating with a local family in Uzbekistan and wine tasting at a family-owned winery in Almaty.
Those looking for a foodie adventure may prefer the 10-day China Real Food Adventure where you travel from Beijing to Hong Kong eating street food on a walking tour of Hutong in Beijing, making noodles with a local family in Xian and enjoying a cooking class with a professional chef in the Sichuan Cuisine Museum.
Over the past three years, the region has seen a strong resurgence in travel, driven by increasing demand for off-the-beaten path adventures, with bookings to Northern and Central Asia up 66% year on year.
With the addition of these six itineraries, Intrepid now offers 48 trips across Northern and Central Asia with the new trips departing from March 2026.
Carrie Grant, Head of Trade Partnerships UK & Ireland at Intrepid Travel said: “We’re seeing growing demand for small group tours in Northern and Central Asia, with previously overlooked destinations like Mongolia, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan experiencing a surge in popularity.
“Our new trips have been more than a year in the making, and we can’t wait for our customers and agent partners to experience some of the fantastic activities, from staying with reindeer herders in the remote Mongolian Taiga to exploring the Great Wall of China’s unrennovated ‘wild’ section.
“For clients considering these tours, spring and autumn are typically the best seasons to visit, as the weather is milder and ideal for outdoor activities. We also recommend keeping up to date with visa regulations and advising clients accordingly.
“Some local customs are deeply rooted, so encourage travellers to dress modestly and be prepared for basic infrastructure in remote areas. That said, our excellent local leaders are always on hand to ensure a safe, enriching, and enjoyable experience for everyone.”
