07 Jun 2025
Our tour through Ventura Tours started in Uzbekistan where we were able to visit Bukhara, Samarkand, and Tashkent. We flew into Bishkek after our Uzbekistan tour and met Ash, our tour guide and our wonderful driver. I didn’t know what to expect at first. I was really nervous about the 3 day hike but Ash really went out of his way to make this experience the best it could possibly be. The tour was well organized but also customizable. We were able to spend as much time and as little time as we wanted. Ash, an experienced mountain guide, and three porters patiently aided us in our trek. Their food preparations were delicious and gave us the energy we needed to power through the day. They prepared our tent both nights. During one of the colder nights, they thoughtfully surrounded the tent with insulation. The hike was absolutely beautiful and life changing. There was snow at the pinnacle of ala kul trek but the prepared team roped us down the edge of the mountain safely. I usually like to plan my own trips but I am glad that I booked my trip through Ventura. I would definitely book with then again for my future Central Asia trips.