From Kashgar we drove due east and made our way towards Kuqa and Turpan. The journey was supposed to take 5 blazing hot days, bush camping en-route. However, those plans quickly went by the wayside on the evening of day 1. We had gotten as far as Wensu Grand Canyon and planned to bush camp…Continue reading China – Wensu Grand Canyon & Kuqa & Turpan
Tag: Oasis Overland
China – Kashgar & Karakoram Highway & Lake Karakol
There are only 2 border crossings between Kyrgyzstan and China and we were set to cross over the most logistically difficult international border crossing in the world – the infamous Torugart Pass. This remote mountain pass links Naryn (in Kyrgyzstan) to Kashgar (China’s westernmost city). And why does the Torugart have such an daunting reputation?…Continue reading China – Kashgar & Karakoram Highway & Lake Karakol
Kyrgyzstan – Karakol & Jeti Orguz & Son-Kul Lake
After the mountain resort of Altyn Arashan, we had one night at a homestay in Karakol. Little did we know this would be the start of a week of slaughter (sheep, rabbit, sheep)! When our homestay hosts offered to cook us a lamb dinner, everyone readily agreed since the meals on top of Altyn Arashan…Continue reading Kyrgyzstan – Karakol & Jeti Orguz & Son-Kul Lake
Kyrgyzstan – Bishkek & Ala Archa & Altyn Arashan
After our brief stint in Kazakhstan, we negotiated our way through the easiest border crossing yet (Ben didn’t even have to get off the truck due to his broken leg…the friendly and helpful Kazakh and Kyrgyz border officials came on board to stamp him out of and into country), and soon we were in the…Continue reading Kyrgyzstan – Bishkek & Ala Archa & Altyn Arashan
Kazakhstan – Aksu Zhabagly Nature Reserve
Crossing the border from Uzbekistan into Kazakhstan (Yalama / B. Konysbayeva) was hellishly long because two members of our group (Daniel from Canada and Kevin from Ireland) had neglected to obtain their Kazakhstan visas prior to arrival. Since they had already been stamped out of Uzbekistan, they were stuck in no-man’s land because the B.…Continue reading Kazakhstan – Aksu Zhabagly Nature Reserve