Around Leh

We spent quite a bit of time in Leh, both at the start and end of our time in Ladakh, and neither time was exactly smooth.

Magical Mangystau

In the far west of Kazakhstan, bordering the Caspian Sea is the Mangystau region. Vast, desolate and spectacular. For a week we criss-crossed the dusty, bumpy tracks in the company of just a handful of lovely people, discovering the Martian like landscapes and camping in isolated, stunning spots under a huge, star filled sky. It was truly amazing. Up there as one of our best ever travelling experiences.

Song Kul horse trekking

Kyrgyzstan is synonymous with horses. So even though I really don’t like horses it seemed wrong to be in the country and not go on a horse trek.

The World of the Soviet Bus Stop

I don’t normally like Soviet architecture. Too stark, cold and brutal and usually all a drab grey. But the Soviet bus stops of Tajikistan are an exception, bright and colourful and unique bringing a tiny touch of art to the great landscape of our Pamir road trip.

The Kalash Valleys

We arrived in the Kalash Valleys, after a gruelling 14 hours of travelling, in the pitch dark unable to see the beautiful lush green valley, the steep sides covered in trees or the sheer drop off the side of the narrow rocky track on which we wound and bumped beneath huge overhanging rocks. We finally reached Bumburet, the largest of the three Kalash valleys, very tired, very dusty and very much in need of the 1.5 litres of homemade wine that accompanied our dinner.

Crossing the Hunza Suspension Bridges

The suspension bridges over the Hunza river are a big attraction in the area, and the only means of crossing to the tiny villages on the east of the river. Although the bridges walk did sound appealing, I must admit it was with some amount of trepidation that I set off.