Travel Discover Help — Trip to Tash Rabat

From August 18 to 20, we set off on another journey with the children from the Orlovka village orphanage. This time, our destination was our yurt camp near the Tash-Rabat caravanserai.

It is quite a long drive, but the place is worth every single kilometer. After all, how often do you get the chance to spend the night in authentic yurts and step into the history of the Silk Road?

Day One: The Open Road, Guitar Songs, and Starlight We hit the road early in the morning. To make the trip less tiring, we stopped for lunch at Naryn with our partners from the As A Nomad yurt camp. They gave us a wonderfully warm welcome, treating us to delicious dymlyama, fresh salads, and sweets before wishing us a safe journey.

We arrived at the camp in the afternoon. With plenty of daylight left, the kids immediately headed out to explore the area. After that, we jumped into our favorite outdoor and board games, filled with laughter and great conversations. We wrapped up the evening gathering under an incredible starry sky with guitar songs — a touch of true mountain magic that stays with you for a long time.

Day Two: Ancient Secrets and the “Groundhog’s Treasure” We started our second day with a guided tour of Tash-Rabat itself — the ancient caravanserai. Listening to our guide’s stories, it felt as though we were transported centuries back into the atmosphere of the Great Silk Road during the 12th and 13th centuries. History was right there in front of us, bringing to life what many of the kids had studied at school.

After lunch, the program split into two tracks:

The older kids went on a dynamic hike to local caves and petroglyphs accompanied by a guide.

The younger children had a short rest, followed by an exciting treasure hunt called “The Groundhog’s Treasure.” According to local lore, a clever groundhog had hidden a sweet stash of candies nearby. The kids enthusiastically solved all the riddles and, naturally, uncovered the long-awaited prize!

Time to Head Home Time flew by in a flash. On the morning of August 20, it was time to pack up for the return trip. Saying goodbye is always a little bittersweet, but we left with the warmest feelings.

We truly hope this trip leaves the kids with wonderful memories and new insights into our country’s history. And who knows — maybe it will inspire some of them to pursue a career in tourism in the future and one day join our friendly team!

Thank you to everyone who helps us make these trips possible!