Let’s get Basic 20th May

Ok end of the luxury for now as we will all be stopping in Homestays as this is the only form of lodging available away from the main cities. They are basic and will usually feed you for evening and breakfast.
Before that though there is the remote Pamir highway to contend with and 20 miles out of Khorog there is the usual check point where h records your passport details in a Journal. Filming is strictly prohibited but I did manage to get a picture from holding the camera waist height.
The Road starts to climb and what Tarmac was available is left to gravel. Sun is shining and the going is pretty brisk considering that the surface is loose and changes around every corner. As we gain height the vegetation reduces and everything starts to resemble a lunar landscape but still following the river.

Of course having mountains on both sides there is always the hazard of falling rocks so caution is always needed around every corner.

There are times following the river when you get very close to the Afghanistan side and in this picture I am sure you could jump across.

Off the route there was a slight detour of 3.5 miles up to castle in the hills called Yamchun Fort at 3162m above sea level and this was by way of a step gravel road. Always up for a challenge off we all go


More gravel roads and remote villages to travel through where everyone comes out to wave at you and look at the bikes



Fuel is always an issue and the filling stations are not quite what we are used to. The one pictured here is out of action, ”REALLY” and we were sent to a use about 500 yds down the road where a local will sell you it.
Finally we arrive at the Homestays and it is better inside than it looks from the outside and you just grab a space on the raised portions around the outside of the room.




The villages are really just a few houses along the side of the road and they usually accumulate where there is a fresh supply of water and they then irrigate it through their plot

Food is always served in another room on the floor with mats and is always containing bread and Cye (tea). For me this is uncomfortable for me to eat as I just cannot sit comfy enough and end up wanting to lie down.
After food, there is very little to do so early night for us all then.
We have just heard that the road is closed due to it being washed away and it turns out we will wait in the morning to see if blasting the cliff will fill in the hole.

6426 miles – Langary, Tajikistan