reviews
Read holiday reviews by Mountain Kingdoms travellers.
A fantastic trip
A fantastic trip, very well organised in every aspect to a culturally interesting country and a well guided journey through spectacular landscapes. You need plenty of energy and to be very sure footed to trek a number of consecutive days on demanding glaciated terrain. I nearly wore out new soles on my boots in just over a week! It may help to bring yaktrax or similar to help with some icy sections. Peak day is tough but rewarding. Food at camps is tasty and plentiful and tents are large and comfy.
Breathtaking scenery
The Tien Shan is one of the world's great mountain ranges, and the scenery at the heart of it is utterly breathtaking, well worth the challenging glacial trekking to get there. The view from up Pesnya Abaya is particularly amazing. In addition, the people were friendly, the culture interesting, and the food excellent.
No crowds
No crowds, great guides and companions, beautiful scenery and an interesting blend of Kyrgyz and Russian culture. Not forgetting the dramatic exit and entry by helicopter.
Safe and secure
Friendly, knowledgeable and highly competent guides in both the city and trekking sections of the trip meant that I had full confidence in the conduct of the holiday and felt safe and secure at all times, especially in negotiating the ice slopes and Pesnya Abaya summit section with harness and crampons. A great feeling of achievement thanks to the unfailing support of our excellent guides and porters. Well chosen hotels and restaurants ensured an enjoyable apres- trek recovery before flying home.
Silk Road
Chance to explore all the main Silk Rd sites in Uzbekistan with with a knowledgeable guide and on our own (a good mix).
Awesome time
Magnificent scenery on trek. We had an awesome time Very well organised from beginning to end. Trek staff were helpful & very friendly. Acclimatisation was well considered. The final days descent and the river crossings are not for those of a nervous disposition.
Very interesting itinerary
A very interesting itinerary which I felt covered the most important aspects of Uzbeki history. Sometimes I felt that there was too much talking and not enough walking but I modify this comment by admitting that I wasn’t always up to the walking.
Well organised tour
A well organised tour, but with a little bit of the old "Intourist" feel of the Soviet Union - some places you go to because they are what the local tour company have on their list rather than their intrinsic interest (eg could have visited the Ulugh Beg Madrassa in Gi'jvodun rather than the ceramics workshop).
A great short trip
A great short trip that met all my hopes and expectations despite a change of itinerary.
Recommended - Silk Road tour
Wonderful friendly people who we really enjoyed meeting and talking with. Stunning architecture. All the places we visited had something different to offer and we had enough free time to explore further. We really enjoyed seeing traditional Uzbek skills such as silk and paper making. A wonderful country with incredible people. We will recommend this trip to all our friends.