Kyrgyzstan in 4x4, like never before!
OunTravela is the name of two young people who are passionate about 4x4 travel, adventure and getting off the beaten track!
After having crossed part of Central Asia, Victor and Olivia are heading back to Kyrgyzstan to explore this fabulous country even further!
“ le Loup” the Wolf as they call their Toyota LC HZJ80 is waiting for them in Bishkek, after picking it up they'll be taking us on a tour of the breathtakingly beautiful and little-known Alaï Valley!
This adventure will add new trails to the new edition of their ‘Explore Kyrgyzstan’ guide. They will also be visiting a new country, Tajikistan, to prepare a new guide!
This is a 4x4 adventure not to be missed!
Follow OunTravela previous journeys here:
Let's meet them!
Victor & Olivia are the founders of OunTravela, a publishing house that creates travel guides for adventurers. Their shared journeys inspired them to share their travel philosophy, which is all about improvisation and adaptation.
Their books are a blend of a tourist guide and a road book, filled with stunning photographs and detailed maps of the most beautiful trails (whether by van, 4x4, motorbike, bicycle, or on foot) in a country or region.
Say goodbye to pre-planned routes and "must-see" spots. OunTravela offers readers a unique format that lets them create their own adventures. Their latest book, EXPLORE KIRGHIZISTAN, has already been sold in over 40 countries worldwide!
Where are they headed?
Victor and Olivia are spending the summer (July and August) in Kyrgyzstan to prepare the second edition of their guide, Explore Kyrgyzstan. They'll also be in Tajikistan for two weeks to explore this new country and scout for a possible future guide.
Program:
- Explore a new, off-the-beaten-path region in Kyrgyzstan (the Alay Valley), which is wild and untamed, with arid canyons, wooded valleys, and peaks over 7000m high.
- Add new trails and hikes in the west of the country!
- Discover Tajikistan: the famous Bartang Valley and the Pamir Highway. It's a paradise for adventure seekers with breathtaking landscapes.
Their vehicle
It's a 1998 Toyota LandCruiser HZJ80, bought in Kyrgyzstan, affectionately named Mr. Wolf! It's been stored in Bishkek for a year. The couple chose this vehicle because it's known for being "indestructible" and has minimal electronics, making repairs cheaper and easier. Plus, Toyota is a common brand in Central Asia, which is a big plus!
The 4x4 setup is pretty simple: "We have a rooftop tent, wooden storage units made in Kyrgyzstan, 350W solar panels, an auxiliary battery, and a small 21L fridge. Just the basics to be self-sufficient for several days and work on the road.
With every trip, we add a few upgrades from France. This year, we're replacing all the suspensions based on advice from Euro4x4parts. We chose Tough Dog shocks and King Springs coils. This will make us more comfortable on the trails as we sometimes push the 4x4 to its limits.
During our explorations, we drive about 99% on trails and 1% on roads. The condition of the trails is unpredictable, so we need to be ready for anything: river crossings, destroyed bridges, landslides, sand, mud, snow, etc. We opted for heavy-duty rear springs (+200kg) for better handling since most of the gear is in the back of the 4x4: storage units, rooftop tent, spare tyre, jerry cans, battery, etc."
Their guide "Explore Kirghizistan"
Find out their guide HERE.
Follow OunTravela on their RRSS:
Facebook : facebook.com/OunTravela
Instagram : instagram.com/ountravela
Blog : ountravela.com
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Find all the parts you'll ever need in our catalogue of 4x4 parts and accessories. Join the Euro4x4parts community today, just click here: www.euro4x4parts.com/en/sponsorshipAll the photos in this article were taken on authorized roads or tracks, private land, or during supervised competitions. Let's all do our part to preserve the environment!