Six Mad Kiwis

Silk Off Road Central Asia. Completed.

uncommoncheros — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 16:01:00 GMT

Back. 15 days riding, over 4,500ks traveled. New landscapes, new challenges and new experiences every day…..10ks of tunnels, 600k along the Afghan border, an unbelievable 6,500ft climb and subsequent drop over a mountain range in Kyrgyzstan, views over Pakistan and China, numerous mountain pass's over 10,000ft up (the highest over 15,000ft) and of course plenty of stories. The roads varied from a new modern concrete highway built in the middle of nowhere to roads that made earthquake hit Christchurch streets look like German autobahns. Unfortunately we struggled to get internet access and was not able to provide updates as we moved through the different regions.

Photos: Afghanistan

uncommoncheros — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 13:45:00 GMT

600ks along the Afghan border

Photos: Fan Mountains

uncommoncheros — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 15:48:00 GMT

Photos: Tajikistan

uncommoncheros — Fri, 16 Aug 2013 20:47:00 GMT

Photos: Kyrgyzstan

uncommoncheros — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 20:05:00 GMT

Kazakhstan - Day 1

uncommoncheros — Thu, 8 Aug 2013 09:18:00 GMT

Well, arrived into Almaty 3am after a short 4 hour flight from Istanbull. With a quick shower at hotel and bags re-packed with are no off to pick up bikes. 6am start with 600ks in front of us.....

If things don't go right, turn left.

uncommoncheros — Wed, 7 Aug 2013 19:10:00 GMT

Well, after a few days of exploration in and around Moscow, we found out that we had issues with our visa's for Kazakhstan. After three months of being told everything was going ok we found out on monday that all our files had been lost (appearently the visa issueing department had been shifted to another city). So with our 4 day visia for Russia up we hastily booked flights to Istanbul - which is not far off the track to Almaty. At this stage no grumps with adding another 'stan' (i-stan-bul) to our jouney :) With the morning spent at the Kz embassy yesterday we are hopeful, but not overly optimistic, that we will have visas by 3pm today. If so its onwards to Almaty overnight ready for a 5am start to Taraz (around 600 k ride). If visa's still not through then we will kick on another night or 2 here. On the understanding that Turkish bathhouses have a reputation of being something a bit out there they might well be on the hitlist - having a thirty stone dude sitting on u giving u a backscrub must surely be entertaining.

Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan & Kyrgyzstan by Motorbike

uncommoncheros — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 14:40:00 GMT

The Central Asian Ring - an adventure tour on motorbikes via some of the most interesting roads of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan! A world called Central Asia. The tour will take us from the vast Kazakh steppes along the Zailiyskiy-Alatau Mountains into Uzbekistan where we visit the ancient, 3,000 years old Silk Road cities of Samarka

We then move into the Fan Mountains of Tajikistan rising up to the "Roof of the World", the Pamirs – described as one of the most remote places on earth. The road will take us through through the Anzob tunnel - named the death tunnel - though the Hissar ridge at a length of some 5 kilometers. There we follow the famous M41 highway (Pamir) with mountain passes at an altitude of nearly 5000 meters. Leaving Tajikistan, the bright and wonderful nature of Kyrgyzstan looms with its highly talked about mountain lakes and rivers.

And, of course the entire tour introduces the hospitable and friendly people of these countries showing their culture and way of life. 4,500ks, across four different countries, bordering countries such as Afhanistan, Pakistan and China.

- Pamir highway and the highest mountain pass of the former USSR (4655m).

- The Mars landscape on the earth, Descent into meteor crater

- The road of Genghis Khan and the secret trail of the Silk Way

- Unfinished route and favorite lakes of Aleksandar Macedonian

"This is not a usual motorcycle tour. This is a challenge for those who are ready for real adventures. This tour requires endurance and fortitude. The accommodation conditions vary from the luxurious to the quite disappointing" Marat Buzubaev, SilkOffRoad

Itinerary

uncommoncheros — Sat, 27 Jul 2013 07:11:00 GMT

Date	Route	Distance	Accommodation	Activities	Type
DAY 1 Wednesday 7 August	Almaty		Kazakhstan. Almaty. Hotel Saya, Furmanovst. 135, tel. 261-24-84, fax. 261-16-10, info@saya-hotel.kz	Arrival to Almaty. Medeo (Zaliliski Alatau valley (1520-1750 meters above sea level- biggest winter sport complex (30min), Transfer to Kok Tyube (1070 m above sea level) is a mountain of the Zailiski Alatau range. Its declivities go 250-350 meters down steeply. The highest television tower was built here. Its height together with the height of the hill, on which it is situated, is 1000 m. Panorama of Almaty is opened from the peak of the mountain. Lunch at Kazakh national restaurant. Visit SilkOffRoad Motorcycle Club: acquaintance with team, check and technics adjustment for participants. Welcome Dinner with beer!!!	Hotel twin room
DAY 2 Thursday 8 August	Almaty – Taraz	570 km	Taraz. Motel Kaspi, TaukeKhanast, tel. +7 (7262) 51-85-84	After breakfast departure to 570 km road “West China – West Europe” through landscape steppes of South Kazakhstan along Kyrgyz mountain ridge to Taraz city. Taraz was one of the biggest cities on Silk Road on the territory of present Kazakhstan but at 1220 the city was occupied and destroyed by army of Chinghiz-Khan. Today it is one of the largest modern cities in Kazakhstan. Accommodation at motel in Taraz. Dinner.	Motel twin room
DAY 3 Friday 9 August	Taraz – Jizzakh KZ-UZ border check point	550 km	Uzbekistan. Jizzakh. Hotel NUR, Drujbanarodovst, tel. +998(7222)40616	Early morning departure to Uzbek city, Jizzakh. Breakfast on the way to border at roadside cafe.Be patient - crossing of the Kazakh-Uzbek border. Accommodation at the hotel in Jizzakh, famous city for the traditional Uzbek cuisine, which you will taste during dinner.	Hotel twin room
DAY 4 Saturday 10 August	Jizzakh – Samarqand	300 km	Samarqand. Guesthouse "Emir", Ok Saroyst 142, tel. +998(66)2357461, +99866223-20-92	Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Samarkand. We will cross Uzbekistan where you will have a chance to taste fresh plucked melons or water-melons. Arrival to Samarkand. The history of Samarkand is about 2,500 years old and has witnessed a lot of upheavals during the times of Alexander the Great, the Arabic Conquest, Chinghiz-Khan Conquest and lastly Tamerlane's. Hence, the culture of Samarkand was developed and mixed together with the Iranian, Indian, Mongolian and a bit of the Western and Eastern cultures. Lunch at national cafe. After lunch sightseeing: Gur Emir Mausoleum (XV), Ulugbek's observatory (XIV-XV), Registan Square (XV-XVII). Dinner in the evening. Overnight at the Old Guesthouse – eastern style! The historical monuments of Samarkand: • The Square Registan • Gur Emir Mausoleum • Bibi hanym Muslim • Shahi Zenda Necropolis • Ulugbek observatory In the evening you will have a chance to taste Eastern dishes.	Guesthouse twinroom
DAY 5 Sunday 11 August	Samarqand		Samarqand. Guesthouse "Emir", Ok Saroyst 142, tel. +998(66)2357461, +99866223-20-92	Breakfast at the hotel. All day in Samarkand! Visit the winery. Tasting of the best wines of Central Asia. In the evening you will have a chance to taste Eastern dishes. Overnight at the guest house of Eastern style.	Guesthouse twin room
DAY 6 Monday 12 August	Samarqand – Khujand UZ-TJ check point border	310 km	Tajikistan. Khujant. Guesthouse “Husein”, General Rakhimovst 34.	Breakfast. Go from Samarkand. The intersection of the Uzbek-Tajik border. Arrival in the city of Khujand. One of the oldest cities of Central Asia. The second largest city of Tajikistan, an important transport interchange, political, economic, cultural and scientific center of the country. Khujand was the birthplace of famous astronomers, mathematicians, physicians, historians, poets, and musicians. Accommodation at Guesthouse. Dinner.	Guesthouse twin room
DAY 7 Tuesday 13 August	Khujand - Fan Mountains	154 km	BASECAMP IMTC "VERTICAL-ALAUDIN"	Breakfast. Journey between Turkestan ridge and Zarafshan ridge along Zarafshan river. The rise of off-road through the pass to the Fan Mountains. The road passes through picturesque tajik villages between Zarafshan and Hissar ridge. Arrival to the International Mountaineering and tourist center "Vertical - Alaudin. Fan Mountains - a popular place for climbers from many countries. Here at relatively high altitudes grows pine, birch, fir, but the climber camp is located in an environment of huge snow-capped mountains, on which pass climbing routes of any complexity”. The location of the campground is not far from the main top of Fan Mountains - a mountain Chimtarga 5489m. Dinner in the open air.	Tent camp
DAY 8 Wednesday 14 August	Fan Mountains		BASECAMP IMTC "VERTICAL-ALAUDIN"	Breakfast. The whole day you relax in the fresh air with the mountain scenery. You can also do short trekking, hunting and stretch the body! Dinner in the hall of Alpe Camp.	Tent camp
DAY 9 Thursday 15 August	Fan Mountains – Dushanbe	160 km	Dushanbe. Guesthouse, TarakulaZekhenist.11	After breakfast drive to the road M34. The road goes on mountains and here it is possible to admire the most beautiful views of huge mountains. Passage through the Anzob tunnel. Car tunnel through the Hissar ridge in length of 5 kilometers. Arrival to the capital of Tajikistan – Dushanbe. Accommodation at guest house. Lunch. City tour. Dinner.	Guesthouse Common room
DAY 10 Friday 16 August	Dushanbe - Kalaikhumb	360 km	Kalaikhumb. Guesthouse MSDSP(тел:+992 935 01 69 43	Breakfast at guest house. Journey to the south of the country – to the Kulyab city. Lunch at roadside cafe. After Kulyab road goes along the Pyandj river on the border with Afghanistan. From Afghanistan side it is possible to see many afghani settlements.Arrival to the Kalaihumb. Accommodation at guest house. Dinner.	Guesthouse twin room
DAY 11 Saturday 17 August	Kalaikhumb - Khorog	280 km	Khorog. Guesthouse	Breakfast at guesthouse. After breakfast passage through famous Pamir highway. Road M41. Construction of Pamir highway began in 40-ies. This road was very important – it connected Pamir with capital of Tajikistan Dushanbe and Kyrgyz city Osh. Follow the Afghanistan border. Lunch at roadside cafe. Arrival to Khorog. Accommodation at traditional Pamir guesthouse. Dinner.	Guesthouse Common room
DAY 12 Sunday 18 August	Khorog		Khorog. Guesthouse	Breakfast at guesthouse. After breakfast free time. Khorog beautiful town for rest and acclimatization before the real highlands. Accommodation at traditional Pamir guesthouse. Dinner.	Guesthouse Common room
DAY 13 Monday 19 August	Khorog - Murgab	314 km	Mutgab. Guesthouse	Breakfast at guest house. After breakfast passage through famous Pamir highway. Road M41. Construction oа Pamir highway began in 40-ies. This road was very important – it connected Pamir with capital of Tajikistan Dushanbe and Kyrgyz city Osh. Lunch at roadside cafe. Arrival to Murghab. Accommodation at guesthouse. Dinner.	Guesthouse Common room
DAY 14 Tuesday 20 August	Murgab – Gulcha TJ-KG check point	333 km	Kyrgyzstan. Gulcha. Guesthouse. SultanKarima2 ,tel. 0553985001 Asis	Breakfast at guest house. We'll leave the Murghab and go in the direction of Kyrgyzstan. Today we will climb the highest mountain pass in Central Asia - the pass altitude 4655 m. Akbaytal. Break on Karakul lake. Lunch at Karakul kishlak (village). Crossing Kyrgyz border. Arrival to Gulcha settlement. Accommodation at guest house. Dinner.	Guesthouse,
DAY 15 Wednesday21 August	Gulcha – Toktogul Lake	456 km	Motel "Ak-Ilbirs	After breakfast passage through Fergana valley. Lunch at Uzgen town. Arrival Toktogul lake. Accommodation at guest house. Dinner. Free time.	Motel twin room
DAY 16 Thursday 22 August	Toktogul Lake - Bishkek	295 km	Hotel "Baytur", Jukeeva-Pudovkinast, 41, tel. +996(312) 51-13-44, e-mail. hotelbaytur@mail.ru	Breakfast at guest house. Drive on colorful mountains of Tien Shan. Crossing Kyrgyz ridge through Alabel (3184m) and To-Ashu (3685m) passings. Lunch in a Yurt. Arrival Bishkek – capital of Kyrgyzstan. Accommodation at hotel. In the evening dinner and visiting popular night club “Promzona”.	Hotel twinroom
DAY 17 Friday 23 August	Bishkek – Almaty KG-KZ check point	210 km	Hotel Saya, Furmanovst. 135, tel. 261-24-84, fax. 261-16-10, info@saya-hotel.kz	After breakfast transfer to Kazakh border. Arrival to Almaty. Accommodation at the hotel. Free time. Celebration dinner at a night club "Chukotka". SilkOffRoad Souvenirs!!!.	Hotel twinroom
DAY 18 Saturday 24 August	Almaty – Bangkok			Recovery day. Transfer Airport 2am Sunday morning.

Photos: New Zealand

uncommoncheros — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 11:19:00 GMT

At Home

Photos: Moscow

uncommoncheros — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 10:22:00 GMT

The City that never sleeps

Photos: Central Asia Route

uncommoncheros — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 14:18:00 GMT

The Silk Highway

Photos: Kegen Valley

uncommoncheros — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 11:52:00 GMT

80,000 acres of Untapped Opportunity

Six Mad Kiwis

Silk Off Road Central Asia. Completed.

Photos: Afghanistan

Photos: Fan Mountains

Photos: Tajikistan

Photos: Kyrgyzstan

Kazakhstan - Day 1

If things don't go right, turn left.

Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan & Kyrgyzstan by Motorbike

Itinerary

Date

Route

Distance

Accommodation

Activities

Type

DAY 1

Wednesday 7 August

Almaty

Kazakhstan.

Almaty. Hotel Saya, Furmanovst. 135, tel. 261-24-84, fax. 261-16-10, info@saya-hotel.kz

Hotel twin room

DAY 2

Thursday 8 August

Almaty – Taraz

570 km

Taraz. Motel Kaspi, TaukeKhanast, tel. +7 (7262) 51-85-84

Motel twin room

DAY 3

Friday 9 August

Taraz – Jizzakh

KZ-UZ border check point

550 km

Uzbekistan.

Jizzakh. Hotel NUR, Drujbanarodovst, tel. +998(7222)40616

Early morning departure to Uzbek city, Jizzakh. Breakfast on the way to border at roadside cafe.Be patient - crossing of the Kazakh-Uzbek border. Accommodation at the hotel in Jizzakh, famous city for the traditional Uzbek cuisine, which you will taste during dinner.

Hotel twin room

DAY 4

Saturday 10 August

Jizzakh – Samarqand

300 km

Samarqand. Guesthouse "Emir", Ok Saroyst 142, tel. +998(66)2357461, +99866223-20-92

The historical monuments of Samarkand:

• The Square Registan

• Gur Emir Mausoleum

• Bibi hanym Muslim

• Shahi Zenda Necropolis

• Ulugbek observatory

In the evening you will have a chance to taste Eastern dishes.

Guesthouse twinroom

DAY 5

Sunday 11 August

Samarqand

Samarqand. Guesthouse "Emir", Ok Saroyst 142, tel. +998(66)2357461, +99866223-20-92

Breakfast at the hotel. All day in Samarkand! Visit the winery. Tasting of the best wines of Central Asia. In the evening you will have a chance to taste Eastern dishes. Overnight at the guest house of Eastern style.

Guesthouse

twin room

DAY 6

Monday 12 August

Samarqand – Khujand

UZ-TJ check point border

310 km

Tajikistan.

Khujant. Guesthouse “Husein”, General Rakhimovst 34.

Guesthouse twin room

DAY 7

Tuesday 13 August

Khujand - Fan Mountains

154 km

BASECAMP IMTC "VERTICAL-ALAUDIN"

Breakfast. Journey between Turkestan ridge and Zarafshan ridge along Zarafshan river.

Tent camp

DAY 8

Wednesday 14 August

Fan Mountains

BASECAMP IMTC "VERTICAL-ALAUDIN"

Breakfast. The whole day you relax in the fresh air with the mountain scenery. You can also do short trekking, hunting and stretch the body! Dinner in the hall of Alpe Camp.

Tent camp

DAY 9

Thursday 15 August

Hotel
twin room

Motel
twin room

Hotel
twin room

Guesthouse
twinroom

Guesthouse
twin room

Guesthouse
twin room

Motel
twin room