Think New Caledonia is all about the islands? Our family road trip around Grande Terre uncovered wild horses, stunning beaches, waterfalls and a side of New Caledonia many travellers miss.

Hidden deep in the mountains near Kyrgyzstan’s Chinese border, Tash Rabat was one of the highlights of our family road trip. We stayed in a remote yurt camp, explored the ancient Silk Road caravanserai and watched wild horses roam through the surrounding mountains — an experience we’ll never forget.

We arrived in Central Asia wildly underprepared for the cold… and still ended up having one of the greatest adventures of our lives. Here’s what we learned, what we wish we’d packed, and what actually mattered most.