Z Adventures is proud to present the 2nd edition of Central Asian Challenge.  The 4 marathons, 4 countries adventure will take place from October 8-15, 2023.  We will take adventurers and sports enthusiasts on a cross-country journey filled with unique running challenges and cultural immersion.  Our athletes have the option to partake in one or more running events over a fun-filled fly / drive trip.  The professionally managed official events will take place in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. ​The challenge is designed to accommodate every kind of runner and walker.  Participants will get a chance to explore the different countries, meet like-minded adventure-athletes, and soak in the sights and sounds of each destination. Runners & walkers can choose any distance they like ranging from 5K, 10K, half marathon to full marathon. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT TURKMENISTAN HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE ITINERARY DUE TO LOI CONSTRAINTS. WE WILL ORGANISE TURKMENISTAN NEXT YEAR.


DATES: October 8-15, 2023

LOCATIONS: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

FULL PACKAGE: USD 1,950.00 per person. This includes:

• Welcome dinner in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
• 7 nights accommodation based on twin sharing basis. 
• Transfers to all marathon locations.
• Entry fee to all 4 professionally managed official marathons.
• All meals as specified (Daily breakfast and lunch / dinner).
• Unique finisher's medal for each race.
• Farewell dinner in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
• Swag.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: USD 450.00

INCLUDED:

• Air-conditioned coach transfers to each marathon location.
• Double/twin shared room accommodation for 7 nights.
• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Packed lunch and sit down dinner after each marathon.
• A/C minivan/ bus/ coach as per group size and program.
• English speaking guide on Day 2, 4, 6, 7

EXCLUDED:

• LOI and visas for all countries.
• Transport to / from hotel at the start and end of the tour.
• Entrance / photo / video tickets at sites.
• Other services not mentioned above.

EXTRAS:

• Airfare to Almaty, Kazakhstan and back home from Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
• Flights from Bishkek to Tashkent.
• Alcoholic beverages.
• Hotel room telephone, mini bar and hotel food & drinks between meals.
• Personal items purchased.
• Excursions.
• LOI and visa for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan (not necessary for most
  western countries, but if someone does need help with this we can offer it for an additional cost).
• Entrance/photo/video tickets at sites.
• Other services not mentioned above.

TRIP ESSENTIALS:

• All runners are required to have either a GPS watch or smartphone with distance calculation app as a back-up. 
• Trip and medical evacuation insurance.

​
ITINERARY:

​Day 1 - Sun 8 October 2023
    

• Arrive in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
• Transfer to the hotel and overnight in Almaty.
• Free day to walk around the city.
• Tour information in the evening followed by dinner.
• MEALS: D

​

​Day 2  - Mon 9 October 2023
​Race 1: CENTRAL PARK MARATHON - KAZAKHSTAN

• Meet your guide and transfer to the marathon starting point.
• After the marathon transfer back to Almaty.
• Dinner at a local restaurant.
• Overnight in Almaty.
• MEALS: B/D

Day 3 - Tue 10 October 2023

• Free morning in Almaty.
• Optional activity:
  • City tour of Almaty, inclduing Panfilov Park, Zhenkov Cathedral, the Green Bazaar, Old Square and Republic Square. Visit the State Museum, see the Presidential Palace and ride one of Central Asia's only two metros.
• Drive to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan in the afternoon. 

• Meet at the border point Ak-Zhol in the afternoon and transfer to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Packed lunch en-route to Bishkek.
• Dinner at a local restaurant.
• Overnight in Bishkek. ​
• MEALS: B/L/D

​Day 4 - Wed 11 October 2023
​Race 2: BISHKEK ALA-TOO MARATHON - KYRGZSTAN

• Transfer to the marathon starting point, around one hour from Bishkek.
• After the marathon transfer back to Bishkek.
• Optional activities:
  • Massage therapy treatment at the local spa (highly recommended)
• Farewell dinner at a traditional Kyrgyz restaurant.
• Overnight in Bishkek.
• MEALS: B/D

​Day 5 - Thu 12 October 2023

• Check out of the hotel in the morning. Free time.
• Optional activities:
  • Half-day city tour visiting Ala-Too square and Independence Square, where you can watch the changing of the guard in front of the huge Kyrgyz flag. Walking through the city center, you'll go through small parks offering shady walkways and pass Parliament house, Statue of Lenin, Kyrgyz and Russian Drama Theaters, Ballet and Opera house, State Art Museum and Victory square.
  • Transfer to Ala-Archa National Park, 45 km from Bishkek. The park was created in 1976 and occupies about 2 280 hectares just 45km from the capital. Ala-Archa is translated from Kyrgyz language as “motley (or bright) juniper”. Walk in the gorge. Picnic lunch en route. Drive to Ata Beyit Memorial Complex dedicated to the victims of Revolt against Tsarist Empire in 1916, victims of Stalin’s Repressions 1934-1938, and victims of 2010 Revolution.
• Return to Bishkek.
• Transfer to the airport at 16:00.

• Arrive at Tashkent airport at 19:00. Transfer to hotel.
• Dinner and overnight in Tashkent.
• MEALS: B/D ​

​Day 6 - Fri 13 October 2023
Race 3: TASHKENT CITY MARATHON - UZBEKISTAN

• Run the marathon near Pakhtakor Stadium in Tashkent.
• Transfer to the Tajik border.
• Packed lunch after the marathon.

• Cross the border and meet your guide and driver.
• Dinner in Khujand.
• Overnight in Khujand, Tajikistan.
• MEALS: B/L/D

​Day 7 - Sat 14 October 2023
Race 4: KHUJAND TRAIL MARATHON - TAJIKISTAN     

• Run the marathon near Khujand.
• Cross the border back into Uzbekistan.
• Transfer to the hotel.
• Dinner in Tashkent.
• Overnight in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
• MEALS: B/D

​Day 8 - Sun 15 October 2023

• Breakfast and transfer to the airport according to flight times.
• MEAL: B