What Kalpak Travel does

Kalpak Travel GmbH is a privately held Swiss boutique travel agency founded in 2016 by Luca Lässer and Aijan Lässer, specializing exclusively in group and private tours across the five Central Asian 'Stans' (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan). The company operates two primary product models: fixed-departure small-group tours capped at 12 travelers with guaranteed departure dates, and tailored private/custom tours priced based on itinerary and group size. Tour prices range from $2,450 to $7,980 per person across 9-to-25-day itineraries averaging approximately $300–$350 per person per day, with a $500 deposit and balance due 15 days before departure.

The operational stack is a standard D2C travel agency build: a WordPress-based marketing website with detailed destination pages, an integrated WeTravel booking platform, EmailOctopus for email newsletters, live chat and WhatsApp for customer support, and a TripAdvisor widget for social proof. Core differentiation is human, not technological: a curated network of 18+ local guides across five countries — including guides with academic credentials such as PhD candidates, university professors, and archaeologists — providing depth that the company markets as the basis for its responsible-tourism positioning. There is no proprietary technology platform or AI capability disclosed; competitive advantage rests on founder regional expertise, guide network curation, supplier relationships with local guesthouses and yurt camps, and nine years of accumulated cross-border logistics know-how (including Turkmenistan visa invitation letters).

The business model is predominantly D2C, with a secondary B2B channel serving international tour operators as a ground-arrangement partner. Customers book via website, phone/WhatsApp, email, or live chat and originate from at least nine countries (USA, Australia, UK, Switzerland, Poland, Norway, Germany, UAE, Canada). The company is headquartered in Nussbaumen, Switzerland, employs a 2-person core team of founders, and operates without disclosed institutional funding, making it a self-funded lifestyle/specialist business rather than a venture-backed growth company. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Kalpak Travel

Legal name

Kalpak Travel GmbH

Website

https://kalpak-travel.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Kalpak Travel GmbH is a Swiss boutique travel agency founded in 2016 that sells fixed-departure small-group and custom private tours (up to 12 travelers) across the five Central Asian 'Stans', primarily to international individual travelers and B2B tour operators, supported by a curated 18+ local guide network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Travel Agency Services

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520)

SIC

Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Group & Small-Group Custom Itinerary Planning (THAKAOAF)

Keywords

• Central Asia tours
• Silk Road tours
• Small group tours
• Private guided tours
• Adventure trekking tours

Headquarters

HQ city

Nussbaumen

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Group Tour Packages: Fixed departure group tours for small groups (up to 12 travelers) with guaranteed departure dates. Tour prices range from $2,450 to $7,980 per person depending on duration and destinations. Prices include transport, accommodation, activities, guide, meals (breakfasts, lunches, dinners), and equipment rental. International flights and travel insurance not included.
2. Private/Custom Tours: Tailored private tours designed to specific customer interests and preferences. Free custom tour design service offered. Pricing varies based on group size, itinerary, and preferences.
3. B2B Tour Operator Services: Partnerships with tour operators worldwide to provide Central Asia tour arrangements. Offers training for sales staff and can customize multi-country tour packages for partner companies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kalpak Travel is a Swiss-based boutique travel agency that designs and sells fixed-departure small group tours (up to 12 travelers) and fully customized private tours across the five Central Asian 'Stans' — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Tour packages include local transportation, accommodation, activities, meals, local guides, and 24/7 in-country support, with prices ranging from USD 2,450 to USD 7,980 per person depending on duration and itinerary. The company also provides B2B ground-handling and tour design services for international tour operators.

Product overview

Kalpak Travel is a Swiss-based boutique travel agency specializing in Central Asia tours since 2016. The company operates two primary tour models: Fixed Departure Group Tours (small groups of up to 12 travelers with guaranteed departures) and Private/Custom Tours (tailored to individual preferences). Their core product portfolio spans single-country tours (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan) and multi-country itineraries including their flagship 'Best of Central Asia Tour' (25 days, all five stans), 'Silk Road Tour' (18 days), and specialized offerings like trekking tours (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan Fann Mountains), the Pamir Highway Expedition, and World Nomad Games tours. All tours include local guides, accommodations, transport, meals, and comprehensive pre-trip planning with 24/7 support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fixed Departure Group Tours Small group tours of up to 12 travelers with guaranteed departure dates, offering structured multi-day itineraries across Central Asia's five stans with all logistics, guides, accommodation, meals, and activities included.
• Private/Custom Tours Tailored private tours customized to individual interests, destinations, activities, and pace, guided by expert local teams; free custom tour design and quote provided.
• Best of Central Asia Tour Comprehensive 25-day cultural tour covering Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, priced from $6,890 to $7,980 per person.
• Silk Road Tour in Central Asia An 18-day cultural tour exploring historical Silk Road cities across multiple Central Asian countries, priced from $6,720 per person.
• Classic Uzbekistan Tour A guided tour exploring Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, the gems of the ancient Silk Road in Uzbekistan.
• Best of Kyrgyzstan Tour Cultural and nature-focused tour experience in Kyrgyzstan highlighting nomadic traditions and mountain landscapes, priced from $2,450 per person over 9 days.
• World Nomad Games Tour A 10-day cultural tour in Kyrgyzstan centered on attending the World Nomad Games 2026, celebrating nomadic sports and culture, priced from $2,720 per person.
• Kyrgyzstan Trekking Tour A 15-day active adventure tour featuring trekking experiences in Kyrgyzstan's mountainous terrain, priced from $3,470 per person.
• Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan Tour A 21-day combined cultural tour covering both Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, priced from $6,780 per person.
• Central Asia in Two Weeks A condensed 14-day cultural tour covering Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, priced from $3,940 per person.
• Best of Uzbekistan Tour An 11-day tour showcasing the cultural highlights of Uzbekistan including Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, priced from $2,840 per person.
• Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan Overland Tour A 20-day overland journey combining Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan by road.
• Best of Tajikistan Tour Cultural tour exploring Tajikistan's highlights including Dushanbe, Khujand, and historical sites.
• Fann Mountains Trekking Tour (Tajikistan) Trekking tour through the Fann Mountains in Tajikistan, featuring alpine lakes and traditional villages.
• Pamir Highway Expedition High-altitude expedition along the Pamir Highway (M41), the second-highest highway in the world.
• Best of Turkmenistan Tour Cultural tour covering Turkmenistan including Ashgabat, Darvaza gas crater, and ancient Silk Road sites.
• Travel Planning & Consultation Services Pre-trip consultation, custom itinerary design, visa assistance including Turkmenistan invitation letters, and 24/7 emergency support during tours, bundled with tour bookings.
• B2B Tour Operator Ground-Handling Services Partnerships with international tour operators providing Central Asia ground arrangements, multi-country tour customization, and training for partner sales staff, enabling tour operators worldwide to resell Central Asia tours without standing up their own regional operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Small group tours limited to 12 travelers maximum
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Local Tour Operators (Central Asia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKalpak Travel maintains meaningful partnerships with the best local tour operators, guides, and service providers across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. These partnerships enable authentic and interesting tour packages while ensuring safety and enabling local communities to benefit from tourism sustainably.
• TripAdvisorminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKalpak Travel is featured on TripAdvisor with a listing showing 114 reviews. The partnership helps drive customer acquisition through TripAdvisor's travel review platform.
• Horizon GuidesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKalpak Travel is featured as a partner on Horizon Guides travel platform, expanding their reach to additional travel booking channels.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wild Frontiers: UK adventure-travel operator running small-group tours to less-visited destinations, including Central Asian itineraries — comparable boutique model, customer segment, and emphasis on expert local guides.
• Advantour: US-based tour operator specializing in Central Asia and the Silk Road with multi-country group and private itineraries across the five stans — a direct head-to-head competitor for the same customer base.
• Sundowners Overland: Specialist in overland and multi-country Central Asia expeditions (including the Silk Road and Pamir Highway), competing directly for the same adventure-travel and small-group customer cohort.
• Stantours: Germany-based Central Asia tour specialist offering group and private trips across all five stans, including Silk Road and adventure variants — directly comparable product range and target audience.
• Travel The Unknown: UK boutique tour operator focused on off-the-beaten-path destinations including Central Asia, offering small-group cultural itineraries with similar premium positioning and group-size discipline.

Broad incumbents

• G Adventures: Major small-group adventure operator offering Central Asia tours alongside a global portfolio; comparable product format but vastly larger distribution and brand spend.
• Intrepid Travel: Large global small-group adventure tour operator with Central Asia in its portfolio; competes for similar customers at scale, with far greater marketing budget and broader supplier leverage.

Regional players

• Regent Holidays: UK-based specialist tour operator with Central Asia programming, primarily serving the British market — overlapping customer base but with a more UK-centric distribution footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Kalpak_Travel
• Facebookfacebook.com/kalpaktravel
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kalpak-travel

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kalpak Travel