We have done a lot in the last two weeks – too much to describe here in detail. So here is a summary, with photos!

We rode from Kashgar across the border into Kyrgyzstan.

We rode for four days through beautiful green fields surrounded by mountains, before moving on to Tajikistan.

In Tajikistan, we crossed several high mountain passes, including the highest point of our tour at over 4,600m.

Then we descended to Khorog, where we camped outside of a nice hotel, and celebrated the birthday of our Tour Leader, Sharita.

For the next nine days we biked along the Pamir Highway, following the Panj River which is also the Afghanistan/Tajikistan border. We now have another two days of riding to get to Dushanbe, and we are over half way through the entire tour!

Tomorrow morning we’re riding West from Kashgar towards our first border crossing, into Kyrgyzstan. We have been told that there will most likely not be any phone or internet service for the next three weeks. So don’t expect any updates!

We have arrived in Kashgar, our last stop in China. After a few more days of riding we will cross into Kyrgyzstan!

Today I went on a tour to Shipton’s Arch, the world’s tallest natural arch.

It was quite beautiful, and I enjoyed hiking up to the arch from where the bus dropped us off.

At the arch, I volunteered to take photos of people in front of the amazing view.

The walk back down to the bus was also quite nice.

Last night we camped next to a (mostly) dried up salt lake. Some people even set up their tents among the salt! I went for higher ground, fearing that it might rain during the night.

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As we move further west the daylight hours are shifting, since China has only one time zone. This morning everyone was using their headlamps to pack up since it was still dark.

We are now resting in Kuqa, before five long riding days to Kashgar, our last rest stop in China.

We spent one night camping in a nice spot in the mountains. I climbed up one of the big gravelly hills next to our camp to take some photos.

I have not been taking many photos lately, since we have just been riding along the highway. Desert (camels!) on one side, mountains on the other. Two nights ago I slept outside under the stars.

Our hotel has a very typical Chinese scenic view: beautiful mountains with a big power plant right in the city.