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Travel with me to Tajikistan, Pakistan, and China in 2018!

Finally the bus to hell* is scheduled and someone’s delusional enough to let me drive it. Okay, just kidding, I don’t think they’ll let me drive it (the entire time) but I’ll be co-leading two back-to-back Silk Road Borderlands Tours.

*And by hell I mean the absolute most beautiful corner of the world… Where the Silk Road meets the Pamirs!

So what that means is:

I’m Inviting You To Come Experience The Wild Pamir With Me And The Amazing Group At Inertia Network!

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I’ve had some of you guys asking about joining me in my travels, particularly my travels in Central Asia and I’ve finally made it happen! Join me, along with the awesome crew at Inertia Network this coming June and July for the adventure of a lifetime through one of my favorite regions and even to a few pockets, I haven’t explored yet either!

Click here to see the itinerary and sign up!

These off-the-beaten-path Silk Road experiences will be run back-to-back, giving you the option to either join from the first half, the second half of the entire trek. The first trek will take place 23 June to 1 July in China and Tajikistan. The second trek will take place from 28 June to 8 July in China and Pakistan. Of course, you can join both treks and truly get a great taste of life in some of the highest mountains of Central Asia.

If you’re not ready to commit yet, that’s okay. You can sign up for trip updates here. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to click that link in the last sentence and send questions directly to Inertia Network via their contact form, or e-mail me at [email protected], we’ll try to respond back ASAP.

What are the highlights?

Uhhh, the whole damn thing! But here’s a few draws…

The Silk Road

Jipek Joli, Jadeh Abrisham, where the orient meets the occident. Famous explorers and conquerors from Marco Polo to Chenggis Khan, Alexander the Great to Ibn Batutta all have been drawn in by the exotic allure of the ancient Silk Road (or the desire to conquer it).

This leg of the Silk Road is one of the hardest stretches of it to reach making it an intriguing expedition. I’ll be taking you to the pounding heart of Central Asia- where the Silk Road crosses high altitude passes into the Orient.

The Hunza Valley

Surrounded by giants- many mountains over 6,000 and some over 7,000 meters in one of the most visually stunning and little-visited corners on Earth. This Valley is a world away- claimed by India, governed by Pakistan, filled with inhabitants that are far removed from either country.

Predominantly Ismaili in faith and some of the warmest, welcoming people on the planet. Languages spoken are hardly known on the outside- Burushaski, Wakhi, and Shina, however, no translation is needed for a chai and nan bread invitation.

Kashgar

One of the most important trading centers of the ancient Silk Road, even so to this day. Where several ethnicities meet to exchange goods in the western part of the Taklamakan Desert in the far western reaches of China.

We even have the unique opportunity to be in Kashgar on a Sunday- every Sunday the livestock market brings in people from all over the region to trade, buy and sell sheep, camels, goats, cows, horses and donkeys at the Sunday bazaar.

Living with Kyrgyz nomads in remote Tajikistan

The country you guys all know I’ve spent a good chunk of time in trying to understand it and falling for the dramatic sceneries. From China, we’ll go up and over the Irkeshtam Pass to enter first Kyrgyzstan on Kamaz trucks and then head south via the famed Bam-i-Dunya (aka, the Roof of the World, M41, or the Pamir Highway) into Tajikistan and on to Murghab.

After a pitstop in Murghab, we will continue deep into the GBAO (Gorno Badakshan Autonomous Oblast) to live with Kyrgyz nomads for a few days. Sleeping in yurts, horseback riding, food preparation, trekking, and herding are a few things we’ll get to experience out here.

Life is tough in the high pasture and the experience will leave you blown away by how hardy the people out here really are. After experiencing a taste of Pamiri life we will all venture back into China via the newly open to foreigners, Qolma Pass*.

*If we run into the misfortune that the Qolma Pass be closed to foreigners for any reason, which does happen during times of tension whether it be ethnic or otherwise, we will transit through the Irkeshtam Pass again to arrive back in Kashgar the evening.

Oh, and did I mention that Pamir Sky? During the day I swear the sky is a different blue than anywhere else I’ve seen on Earth, but the night sky… Come experience some of the greatest, world-class stargazing and I’ll even show you how to shoot the stars, only if you love cameras and are a night owl like me… otherwise, I’ll let you sleep. (Bring a tripod if you wanna take photos!)

The Karakoram Highway

Also known as the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway. This is one of the highest highways in the world (some will even try to argue that it is the highest paved highway in the world, but I’m not here to argue that claim). We’ll exit China over the Khunjerab Pass and cross into the Gilgit-Baltistan areas of Pakistan. This is one of the most scenic drives in the world- glimpses of some of the world’s largest glaciers, peaks that scrape the outer reaches of the atmosphere, beautiful little villages, and more.

Want to read up more? Or are you sold and ready to book? Click here to see the full itinerary and/or reserve your spot!

Off the beaten path adventure

Leave those floppy hats and flowy maxi dresses at home. This isn’t going to be your run-of-the-mill group tour experience.

At times it can even be a challenging journey. Temperatures can be boiling in the desert areas around Kashgar and downright freezing in the high mountainous areas of Tajikistan and Pakistan we’ll be exploring.

Altitudes can get pretty high, like damn near 5,000 meters so air is thin, and adjusting to the high pasture is very real.

Most western amenities are nowhere to be found, meaning squat toilets are the norm and there’s not a Starbucks in sight. Not to mention, we will be getting some insight into the lives of some of the most remote and forgotten groups of people on Earth- this isn’t just a trip, it’s going to be an extremely unique experience.

Lake Alovaddin, Fann Mountains, Tajikistan

It’s not all bad though, the unreal sceneries, unique cultures and hospitality that literally knows no bounds will outweigh every discomfort of traveling this remote area. This is a rugged expedition likely very different from anything you’ve ever done before and you’ll not soon forget.

Oh yeah, then I’ll be there…

Showing you why I suck at being a travel blogger. (I’m not looking for sympathy, I know I don’t fit the mold. I don’t #doitforthegram, I’m not a fashionista, I don’t try to sell you a destination without mentioning the downsides, and you’ve probably already noticed I don’t often appear in my own Instagram posts).

However, I am here to show you some nifty tricks with your picture-taking devices from cell phone cameras to point-and-shoots to DSLRs. If cameras aren’t you thing I’m always here to provide entertaining (and usually crude) commentary, I can even regale you in tales of my idiotic life so far, so really Ask me anything.

So join us for the experience of a lifetime in Central Asia!

You can click below to read the itinerary and all the details!

Need Travel Insurance?

Start shopping plans over at battleface, my go-to travel insurance choice, or over at World Nomads.

Dates

China & Tajikistan Core Week
23 June to 1 July, 2018

China & Pakistan Peripheral Week
28 June to 8 July, 2018

Start

Kashgar, Xinjiang, China

End

Kashgar, Xinjiang, China

Max participants

8-10 pax

Cost

China & Tajikistan Core Week
$3,550

China & Pakistan Peripheral Week
$2,200

Included in cost

Accommodation, food, transportation, visa invitations, guides, and most all activities.

Excluded from cost

Airfare, visa fees, travel insurance (yes, you’ll be required to carry travel insurance).

ahsan

March 9, 2022 at 2:09 am

Hi Nicole
Thank you for your good blogs and posts. I hope to take part in one of your trips in the future. Good luck.
Ehsan from Iran

Nicole
March 30, 2022 at 10:25 pm

Thanks Ehsan, hope you meet you out there sometime!

Talant

December 15, 2018 at 6:12 am

Really nice artile. It helped me a lot.

Nicole
December 18, 2018 at 6:00 pm

I’m happy to hear that

Lena

July 23, 2018 at 3:34 am

I wish I would have this trip itinerary a few months ago! I’ve just begun researching trips to the ‘stans. It seems daunting, so I would like to visit with an organized tour. Will you be running more in the future? I’d love to join one.

Liz

April 7, 2018 at 1:15 am

Hey Nicki,
I’m really trying to get enough time away from work to join this whole trip. I have always dreamed of visiting this part of the world but have always been apprehensive about going alone as none of my mates are interested. I love that you go to such far flung places!
xx Liz

Nicole
April 7, 2018 at 11:06 pm

Hi Liz! I hope you are able to join us, fingers crossed that you can get the time off work. I can totally understand being a little apprehensive about visiting the ‘Stans for the first time.. don’t worry, I was too! I had no idea what to expect even though I’d tried to read up on other’s experiences while there. Tajikistan ended up winning me over instantly.

Donna

April 6, 2018 at 4:28 am

This looks like an amazing trip to some truly extraordinary spots! I am very interested in visiting this part of the world. The Silk Road is a dream of mine.

Nicole
April 6, 2018 at 7:10 pm

Hey Donna,
I love that part of the world, lots of beautiful landscapes, interesting culture, and fascinating history. Hope you can maybe join the trip, but if not I do hope you get out there and travel it one day. Don’t hesitate to contact us to find out more!

Ayni Peru

April 3, 2018 at 5:46 am

Amazing tour you here have planned. We found you after the many great photos of Peru you have posted on Instagram. Hope to see you in Peru again.

Nicole
April 4, 2018 at 10:56 am

Thank you! I would love to revisit one day, I didn’t have the best time while in Peru (through no fault of Peru whatsoever). It’s a beautiful country and there’s lots more I want to see.

I’m getting excited for the upcoming tour, Tajikistan has some beautiful mountain scenery and Pakistan looks mind-blowing!

Kasey

January 24, 2018 at 3:33 pm

I would LOVE to join this trip! I don’t think I can pull it off with my current work schedule, but this sounds amazing.

Nicole
March 23, 2018 at 12:44 pm

Please join us if you can Kasey! If not, hopefully a future tour I’ll run will time out better with your schedule.