Motorcycle tours in Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan (Pamir), Uzbekistan. Enduro tours. Jeep 4x4 tours
KAZAKHSTAN - CHINA - KYRGYZSTAN
MOTORCYCLE TOUR
18 DAYS
The Xinjiang Expedition is a rare and extraordinary motorcycle tour that takes you deep into Chinese Central Asia — a part of the world that most adventure riders never reach. Starting and finishing in Almaty, Kazakhstan, the route crosses into China at Khorgos and follows the ancient northern Silk Road through the heart of Xinjiang province. You will ride through high alpine lakes, vast desert basins, eroded canyon landscapes, and the ruins of Buddhist kingdoms that flourished here over a thousand years ago, before arriving at Kashgar — one of the most fascinating cities in Asia. From Kashgar, you cross back into Kyrgyzstan over the Torugart Pass, ride to the legendary Tash-Rabat caravanserai, descend to the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake, and return to Almaty through the Kolsay Lakes and Charyn Canyon. Three countries, one loop, one legendary road.
P.S. We do not describe on our website some places and roads that are commercial secrets and exclusive parts of our itinerary. But you will see them!
The Xinjiang Expedition
Duration: 18 travel days, 15 riding days
Country: Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan
Start/Finish: Almaty, Kazakhstan
Total Distance: 4400 km
Bikes: Suzuki DR650 SE
Roads: about 70% paved roads and 30% dirt roads.
Accommodation: Hotels and guesthouses. On twin-sharing basis. Single room upgrade available (extra pay). One night common stay in yurt.
Group size: min 8 and max 10 riders.
Visa: We do not provide visa support so please organise visas in advance
Click for more info for Kazakhstan. Click for more info for China.
Click for more info about Kyrgyzstan
Country: Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan
Start/Finish: Almaty, Kazakhstan
Total Distance: 4400 km
Bikes: Suzuki DR650 SE
Roads: about 70% paved roads and 30% dirt roads.
Accommodation: Hotels and guesthouses. On twin-sharing basis. Single room upgrade available (extra pay). One night common stay in yurt.
Group size: min 8 and max 10 riders.
Visa: We do not provide visa support so please organise visas in advance
Click for more info for Kazakhstan. Click for more info for China.
Click for more info about Kyrgyzstan
Date: 04.07.2026 - 21.07.2026
Price: 5500 USD
Tour price includes:
Tour price excludes:
Requirements:
Tour price includes:
- Suzuki DR650SE motorcycle (third-party insurance included)
- Services of ride leader
- Support vehicle with luggage carrying capacity
- All stays (twin-share room)
- Breakfasts
- Drinking water and soft drinks
- All entry fees
- Airport transfer
- SilkOffRoad souvenirs
Tour price excludes:
- Fuel for motorcycles (approximately $350)
- Lunches and dinners (approximately $500)
- Any possible motorcycle damages
- Damage deposit: USD 500 (refundable if no damage)
- Flights
- Visas and China temporary motorcycle license
- Personal insurance
- Any other expenses not included in the price
Requirements:
- International driver's license with motorcycle category
- Minimum age: 25 years
- At least 3 years of riding experience
- Comfortable on mixed asphalt and gravel roads
- Physical strength and endurance
- Pure optimism and respect for local laws and culture
PRICE INFO
1. Almaty
Arrival in Almaty. Airport transfer to the hotel. In the evening we meet at the hotel to check the motorcycles and paperwork. Afterwards, welcome dinner awaits at a local restaurant where we go over the trip details. Overnight at the hotel.
2. Almaty – Khorgos (Kazakhstan). ~330 km
We leave Almaty and ride east on the Western China – Western Europe highway, one of the great modern roads built along the ancient Silk Road corridor. The route takes us through the expanses of the Kazakh steppe, past the Altyn-Emel mountain pass, and down into the Ili River valley — a fertile corridor that has served as a gateway between civilizations for thousands of years. We arrive at the Kazakh side of the Khorgos border zone and settle in for an early night ahead of the crossing tomorrow. Overnight at the hotel.
3. Khorgos – Khorgos (China). Border crossing.
This morning we complete customs formalities and cross into China at Khorgos — one of the busiest land border crossings in Central Asia. We finish the temporary motorcycle license application process and settle into the Chinese side of the border zone. The rest of the day is free to explore the modern Khorgos International Border Cooperation Center and prepare for the road ahead. Overnight at the hotel in Khorgos, China.
4. Khorgos – Dushanzi. 430 km
We pick up our licenses and head east into Xinjiang. Our first major stop is Sayrum Lake (Sailimu Lake) — a spectacular high-altitude lake at 2,073 meters, set among green alpine slopes and framed by the peaks of the Tianshan range. The deep blue of the water against the surrounding mountains is one of the most impressive natural sights in all of Xinjiang. From there we descend through the mountain passes and continue along the Northern Xinjiang highway toward Dushanzi. Overnight at the hotel in Dushanzi.
5. Dushanzi – Urumqi. 310 km
We begin the day with a visit to the Dushanzi Grand Canyon — a striking gorge of layered sedimentary rock in shades of ochre, rust, and cream, carved by centuries of wind and water. We then ride to Shihezi for lunch before continuing to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang and one of the most remote major cities in the world by distance from any ocean. In the evening, we visit the Grand Bazaar — a vast traditional market where the flavors, textiles, and craft traditions of the Silk Road come alive. Overnight at the hotel in Urumqi.
6. Urumqi – Turpan. 220 km
We ride south from Urumqi toward Turpan, one of the lowest and hottest points on Earth, sitting 154 meters below sea level. Along the way we stop at a salt lake and the Yadan Landform — an otherworldly landscape of wind-eroded clay towers, ridges, and open desert sculpted by thousands of years of natural erosion. As we descend toward Turpan, the Tianshan mountains recede behind us and the Taklamakan Desert spreads out ahead. Turpan is one of the great oasis cities of the Silk Road, fed to this day by an ancient underground irrigation system called karez. Overnight at the hotel in Turpan.
7. Turpan – Korla. 390 km
We ride west past the famous Flaming Mountains — a range of red sandstone hills that glow like burning coals in the afternoon heat and inspired the legendary Journey to the West. Continuing south through Gangou Canyon, we arrive at Bosten Lake, the largest inland freshwater lake in China. This is a long day in the saddle through some of the most dramatic desert scenery on the entire tour. The landscape is vast and almost entirely empty — a genuine sense of riding at the edge of the world. Overnight at the hotel in Korla.
8. Korla – Kuqa. 310 km
Today's route follows the northern rim of the Tarim Basin through some of the most historically significant territory on the Silk Road. We cross the Tiemen Pass — the ancient Iron Gate Pass — and stop at the Popar Forest in the Tarim region before visiting the Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, a narrow winding slot canyon of red rock cutting through the desert foothills. Kuqa, ancient Kucha, was once a major Buddhist kingdom and a key trading center on the northern Silk Road. Overnight at the hotel in Kuqa.
9. Kuqa – Aksu. 280 km
We take time in the morning to explore the ancient heritage of the Kuqa area. The Kizilgaha Beacon Tower is a Han Dynasty watchtower standing alone in the desert, a remnant of the old garrison road that once connected China to the western world. The Subashi Temple ruins are among the best-preserved Buddhist monastery remains in Xinjiang. We then visit the Kizil Caves — one of the oldest Buddhist cave complexes in China, with murals dating back to the 3rd century that predate the Dunhuang grottoes. Afterward, we continue west to Aksu. Overnight at the hotel in Aksu.
10. Aksu – Kashgar. 510 km
The longest riding day of the China section. We leave Aksu and ride through Keping, stopping to take in the Red Desert — a striking landscape of deep crimson dunes and badlands unlike anything else on the route. From there we push west across the Tarim Basin toward Kashgar. As we approach the city, the profile of the Pamir mountains rises on the horizon. Kashgar has been a crossroads of civilizations for over two thousand years — the point where the northern and southern Silk Road routes converged. Overnight at the hotel in Kashgar.
11. Rest Day in Kashgar
A full day to rest and explore Kashgar at your own pace. The Old Town is one of the best-preserved traditional Islamic urban quarters in Central Asia, with narrow mud-brick lanes, craftsmen's workshops, and centuries-old family homes. The Id Kah Mosque is the largest mosque in China and the spiritual heart of the city. The Abakh Khoja Mausoleum — known as the Fragrant Concubine Garden — is a beautifully tiled dynastic tomb complex and one of the most sacred Islamic sites in Xinjiang. In the evening, we visit the night market. Overnight at the hotel in Kashgar.
12. Kashgar – Naryn (Kyrgyzstan). ~430 km
We leave Kashgar and ride north toward the Chinese-Kyrgyz border at the Torugart Pass (3,752 m). The road climbs steadily through high desert valleys and mountain passes, with the Tian-Shan range rising on both sides. After border formalities, we descend into Kyrgyzstan and continue north through the At-Bashy valley toward Naryn. This is a long and demanding day with a high-altitude border crossing, but the landscapes along the entire route are extraordinary. Naryn sits at 2,044 meters in a deep river valley surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Overnight at the hotel in Naryn.
13. Naryn – Kochkor. ~170 km
We leave Naryn and head north on an off-road route through the central Kyrgyz ranges. The track cuts through remote mountain valleys and high pastures well off the main road, with views of the Naryn River basin below and the Kyrgyz Range ahead. This is one of the most rewarding riding days of the Kyrgyzstan section — raw, quiet, and far from any tourist trail. We arrive in Kochkor village by late afternoon. Overnight at the guesthouse in Kochkor.
11. Kochkor – Tosor (Issyk-Kul). 130 km
Today's route takes us through the country roads of the Terskey Alatau Mountains toward the south shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. On the way we visit the home of a local eagle hunter, where you will learn about the ancient nomadic tradition of hunting with golden eagles — a practice still alive in these mountains. We arrive at Tosor on the quiet, wild south shore of Issyk-Kul — the "Pearl of Central Asia." This vast mountain lake sits at 1,608 meters above sea level and is ranked among the 25 largest lakes in the world and the 7th deepest, with a depth of 702 meters. Overnight at a yurt camp on the lakeshore.
15. Tosor – Karakol. 190 km
We leave the south shore and climb into the realm of the cold and rugged peaks of the Tien Shan, crossing three mountain passes — Sarimonok Pass (3,126 m), Barskoon Pass (3,754 m), and the highest pass of the Kyrgyzstan section, Suek Pass (4,021 m). After all the climbing, we descend to Karakol, the fourth-largest city in Kyrgyzstan, located at the eastern end of Issyk-Kul Lake near the base of the Central Tien Shan massif. Overnight at the hotel in Karakol.
16. Karakol – Kolsay Lakes (Kazakhstan). ~290 km
We leave Kyrgyzstan and cross back into Kazakhstan, riding through the Ketmen mountain range and into the alpine landscape of the Zailiyskiy Alatau. Our destination is the Kolsay Lakes — a series of three mountain lakes set among forested slopes at altitudes between 1,800 and 2,850 meters. Known as the Pearls of the Tien Shan, the lakes are surrounded by spruce forest and mountain meadows and offer some of the most beautiful natural scenery in southeastern Kazakhstan. Overnight at the hotel near Kolsay Lakes.
17. Kolsay Lakes – Almaty. ~290 km
We leave the alpine scenery of the Kolsay Lakes and ride west toward the dramatic landscapes of Charyn Canyon — a unique natural monument often compared to the Grand Canyon on a smaller scale. The canyon stretches for 90 kilometers along the Charyn River and features striking formations of red and orange rock, including the famous Valley of Castles. After walking around and taking in the views, we continue on smooth tarmac back to Almaty. In the evening, we gather for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, celebrate the completion of the expedition, and present certificates and gifts as a memory of the journey. Overnight at the hotel in Almaty.
18. Almaty
Transfer to Almaty airport according to your flight time. Thank you very much for joining us on this expedition. You are always welcome to return and take part in another adventure in Central Asia!
Arrival in Almaty. Airport transfer to the hotel. In the evening we meet at the hotel to check the motorcycles and paperwork. Afterwards, welcome dinner awaits at a local restaurant where we go over the trip details. Overnight at the hotel.
2. Almaty – Khorgos (Kazakhstan). ~330 km
We leave Almaty and ride east on the Western China – Western Europe highway, one of the great modern roads built along the ancient Silk Road corridor. The route takes us through the expanses of the Kazakh steppe, past the Altyn-Emel mountain pass, and down into the Ili River valley — a fertile corridor that has served as a gateway between civilizations for thousands of years. We arrive at the Kazakh side of the Khorgos border zone and settle in for an early night ahead of the crossing tomorrow. Overnight at the hotel.
3. Khorgos – Khorgos (China). Border crossing.
This morning we complete customs formalities and cross into China at Khorgos — one of the busiest land border crossings in Central Asia. We finish the temporary motorcycle license application process and settle into the Chinese side of the border zone. The rest of the day is free to explore the modern Khorgos International Border Cooperation Center and prepare for the road ahead. Overnight at the hotel in Khorgos, China.
4. Khorgos – Dushanzi. 430 km
We pick up our licenses and head east into Xinjiang. Our first major stop is Sayrum Lake (Sailimu Lake) — a spectacular high-altitude lake at 2,073 meters, set among green alpine slopes and framed by the peaks of the Tianshan range. The deep blue of the water against the surrounding mountains is one of the most impressive natural sights in all of Xinjiang. From there we descend through the mountain passes and continue along the Northern Xinjiang highway toward Dushanzi. Overnight at the hotel in Dushanzi.
5. Dushanzi – Urumqi. 310 km
We begin the day with a visit to the Dushanzi Grand Canyon — a striking gorge of layered sedimentary rock in shades of ochre, rust, and cream, carved by centuries of wind and water. We then ride to Shihezi for lunch before continuing to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang and one of the most remote major cities in the world by distance from any ocean. In the evening, we visit the Grand Bazaar — a vast traditional market where the flavors, textiles, and craft traditions of the Silk Road come alive. Overnight at the hotel in Urumqi.
6. Urumqi – Turpan. 220 km
We ride south from Urumqi toward Turpan, one of the lowest and hottest points on Earth, sitting 154 meters below sea level. Along the way we stop at a salt lake and the Yadan Landform — an otherworldly landscape of wind-eroded clay towers, ridges, and open desert sculpted by thousands of years of natural erosion. As we descend toward Turpan, the Tianshan mountains recede behind us and the Taklamakan Desert spreads out ahead. Turpan is one of the great oasis cities of the Silk Road, fed to this day by an ancient underground irrigation system called karez. Overnight at the hotel in Turpan.
7. Turpan – Korla. 390 km
We ride west past the famous Flaming Mountains — a range of red sandstone hills that glow like burning coals in the afternoon heat and inspired the legendary Journey to the West. Continuing south through Gangou Canyon, we arrive at Bosten Lake, the largest inland freshwater lake in China. This is a long day in the saddle through some of the most dramatic desert scenery on the entire tour. The landscape is vast and almost entirely empty — a genuine sense of riding at the edge of the world. Overnight at the hotel in Korla.
8. Korla – Kuqa. 310 km
Today's route follows the northern rim of the Tarim Basin through some of the most historically significant territory on the Silk Road. We cross the Tiemen Pass — the ancient Iron Gate Pass — and stop at the Popar Forest in the Tarim region before visiting the Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, a narrow winding slot canyon of red rock cutting through the desert foothills. Kuqa, ancient Kucha, was once a major Buddhist kingdom and a key trading center on the northern Silk Road. Overnight at the hotel in Kuqa.
9. Kuqa – Aksu. 280 km
We take time in the morning to explore the ancient heritage of the Kuqa area. The Kizilgaha Beacon Tower is a Han Dynasty watchtower standing alone in the desert, a remnant of the old garrison road that once connected China to the western world. The Subashi Temple ruins are among the best-preserved Buddhist monastery remains in Xinjiang. We then visit the Kizil Caves — one of the oldest Buddhist cave complexes in China, with murals dating back to the 3rd century that predate the Dunhuang grottoes. Afterward, we continue west to Aksu. Overnight at the hotel in Aksu.
10. Aksu – Kashgar. 510 km
The longest riding day of the China section. We leave Aksu and ride through Keping, stopping to take in the Red Desert — a striking landscape of deep crimson dunes and badlands unlike anything else on the route. From there we push west across the Tarim Basin toward Kashgar. As we approach the city, the profile of the Pamir mountains rises on the horizon. Kashgar has been a crossroads of civilizations for over two thousand years — the point where the northern and southern Silk Road routes converged. Overnight at the hotel in Kashgar.
11. Rest Day in Kashgar
A full day to rest and explore Kashgar at your own pace. The Old Town is one of the best-preserved traditional Islamic urban quarters in Central Asia, with narrow mud-brick lanes, craftsmen's workshops, and centuries-old family homes. The Id Kah Mosque is the largest mosque in China and the spiritual heart of the city. The Abakh Khoja Mausoleum — known as the Fragrant Concubine Garden — is a beautifully tiled dynastic tomb complex and one of the most sacred Islamic sites in Xinjiang. In the evening, we visit the night market. Overnight at the hotel in Kashgar.
12. Kashgar – Naryn (Kyrgyzstan). ~430 km
We leave Kashgar and ride north toward the Chinese-Kyrgyz border at the Torugart Pass (3,752 m). The road climbs steadily through high desert valleys and mountain passes, with the Tian-Shan range rising on both sides. After border formalities, we descend into Kyrgyzstan and continue north through the At-Bashy valley toward Naryn. This is a long and demanding day with a high-altitude border crossing, but the landscapes along the entire route are extraordinary. Naryn sits at 2,044 meters in a deep river valley surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Overnight at the hotel in Naryn.
13. Naryn – Kochkor. ~170 km
We leave Naryn and head north on an off-road route through the central Kyrgyz ranges. The track cuts through remote mountain valleys and high pastures well off the main road, with views of the Naryn River basin below and the Kyrgyz Range ahead. This is one of the most rewarding riding days of the Kyrgyzstan section — raw, quiet, and far from any tourist trail. We arrive in Kochkor village by late afternoon. Overnight at the guesthouse in Kochkor.
11. Kochkor – Tosor (Issyk-Kul). 130 km
Today's route takes us through the country roads of the Terskey Alatau Mountains toward the south shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. On the way we visit the home of a local eagle hunter, where you will learn about the ancient nomadic tradition of hunting with golden eagles — a practice still alive in these mountains. We arrive at Tosor on the quiet, wild south shore of Issyk-Kul — the "Pearl of Central Asia." This vast mountain lake sits at 1,608 meters above sea level and is ranked among the 25 largest lakes in the world and the 7th deepest, with a depth of 702 meters. Overnight at a yurt camp on the lakeshore.
15. Tosor – Karakol. 190 km
We leave the south shore and climb into the realm of the cold and rugged peaks of the Tien Shan, crossing three mountain passes — Sarimonok Pass (3,126 m), Barskoon Pass (3,754 m), and the highest pass of the Kyrgyzstan section, Suek Pass (4,021 m). After all the climbing, we descend to Karakol, the fourth-largest city in Kyrgyzstan, located at the eastern end of Issyk-Kul Lake near the base of the Central Tien Shan massif. Overnight at the hotel in Karakol.
16. Karakol – Kolsay Lakes (Kazakhstan). ~290 km
We leave Kyrgyzstan and cross back into Kazakhstan, riding through the Ketmen mountain range and into the alpine landscape of the Zailiyskiy Alatau. Our destination is the Kolsay Lakes — a series of three mountain lakes set among forested slopes at altitudes between 1,800 and 2,850 meters. Known as the Pearls of the Tien Shan, the lakes are surrounded by spruce forest and mountain meadows and offer some of the most beautiful natural scenery in southeastern Kazakhstan. Overnight at the hotel near Kolsay Lakes.
17. Kolsay Lakes – Almaty. ~290 km
We leave the alpine scenery of the Kolsay Lakes and ride west toward the dramatic landscapes of Charyn Canyon — a unique natural monument often compared to the Grand Canyon on a smaller scale. The canyon stretches for 90 kilometers along the Charyn River and features striking formations of red and orange rock, including the famous Valley of Castles. After walking around and taking in the views, we continue on smooth tarmac back to Almaty. In the evening, we gather for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, celebrate the completion of the expedition, and present certificates and gifts as a memory of the journey. Overnight at the hotel in Almaty.
18. Almaty
Transfer to Almaty airport according to your flight time. Thank you very much for joining us on this expedition. You are always welcome to return and take part in another adventure in Central Asia!
ITINERARY
This motorcycle is perfect for the roads of the Central Asia. The Suzuki DR650SE is a highly reliable and easy-to-ride motorbike. It handles the highway effortlessly and can tackle off-road terrain with ease. With some adjustments, it’s suitable for riders with a height of 170 cm and above. This bike will be your faithful and reliable companion on this adventure!
Power: 43 HP Seat height: 865mm-885mm. Weight: 160 kg
Power: 43 HP Seat height: 865mm-885mm. Weight: 160 kg
SilkOffRoad Motorcycle Tours
Kazakhstan, Almaty
Kazakhstan, Almaty
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