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Kyrgyzstan

YAK CUP

"A 4x4 saga like no other."

Celestial mountains. Remote dirt tracks. Forgotten lakes. Nomad tribes. Wandering yaks. About 18 teams. One Cup. Zero certainty about making it back in one piece.

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Toyota 4x4
Vehicle
8
Days
~18
Teams per edition
Bishkek
Start & finish
€4,030
Per team
24+
Minimum age
The Yak Cup

Kyrgyzstan's rugged heart.
No map required.

Round up a couple of mates and take on the Yak Cup. About 17 teams embarking on an adventure through Kyrgyzstan's wild mountains, lakes, and nomadic steppes.

What's in store? A cheeky smack from the towering Celestial mountains, a dance with danger along remote dirt tracks, and a chilly dip in forgotten lakes. Mingling with elusive nomad tribes and dodging local traffic jams of wandering Yaks.

Yak Cup highlights
YAK CUP · KYRGYZSTAN
Dates

When are we going?

July Edition 2026
25 July — 1 August
July Edition 2027
To be confirmed
What's included

€4,030 per team.

  • Adventure-ready Toyota Sequoia 4x4 with insurance & paperwork
  • Two nights in pre-arranged yurt campsites (checkpoints)
  • Support vehicle with local guide & mechanic
  • Launch & finish parties
  • Comprehensive expedition road book
  • Official Yak Cup swag — T-shirts, accessories
  • Tents (one or two depending on team size)
  • Kyrgyzstan remote border permit
  • Repair lessons from our expert mechanics
  • Access to the ChiefCups community

+€270 supplement for teams of 4. Max 4 people per team.

Everything you need to know

The details.

The Yak Cup kicks off and wraps up in Bishkek. You'll head East towards China in a vaguely clockwise direction, hitting a series of checkpoints to ensure you catch all the breathtaking spots — and to keep you from wandering off into Kazakhstan or Tajikistan. This adventure is all about exploring the uncharted.
The Yak Cup is not a race — it's an adventure-driven, challenge-based competition where strategy, creativity, and a touch of madness decide who takes home the glory. Challenges range from snapping a selfie with a yak, to picking up every hitch-hiker, to crossing high-altitude passes. Full challenge list? Revealed only at the launch event. Expect the unexpected.
Not a pro, but definitely a confident and experienced driver. Kyrgyzstan's roads are mostly unpaved, with steep climbs and endless twisty mountain paths. If you've never left asphalt before, maybe start with a yoga retreat.
Let's be clear: this is a genuinely dangerous adventure. You're driving a vehicle on rough roads in a remote part of the world. High altitudes, low oxygen — tough on you and your vehicle. This isn't a glorified holiday; it's raw adventure with real risks to your health and life. That's what makes it epic. By joining, you're taking full responsibility for these risks.
You'll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in Kyrgyzstan. It's a legal must-have. Purchase the dual version (print + digital) — digital-only causes issues at police checkpoints. This document is mandatory for all participants; one per team won't cut it.
Yes — Kyrgyzstan is an increasingly popular and safe tourist destination. Petty crimes can happen and you might bump into the odd corrupt cop, but overall it's a safe place to explore.
A refundable deposit of €500 per team is due 4 weeks before launch. It comes back to you within 3–4 weeks, provided the vehicle returns in one piece. Full details provided in the contract.

GEAR UP, PIONEERS.

Hit that sign-up button to secure your seat to madness.

Sign Up for the Yak Cup