We’d completed the challenging part of the Annapurna circuit. Now it was time for the descent. The road turned to tarmac and we had great fun whizzing down with amazing views all around.
Author: Sam Burchell
Annapurna Circuit
The Annapurna Circuit is one of the world’s most famous hiking trails, making its way around the Annapurna range of the Himalayas, topping out at Thorong La pass, 5416m above sea level. I wasn’t too keen on the idea of spending two weeks walking, so I decided to cycle it. Luckily I’m not the only crazy person around, and I found five other people who planned to cycle it too. Continue Reading
Into Nepal
After a mercifully undisturbed night in an Indian sugarcane field, I packed up and started cycling towards the Nepalese border. The road passed through a forest, a welcome change from the dense population that had thus far been the norm in India.
India
For my final day in Pakistan I continued along the Grand Trunk Road. The traffic was manic with bicycles, motorcycles, tuktuks, cars and trucks all swerving around and competing for space.
Islamabad
Shortly before six AM, there was a knock at the door. I ignored it, pretending to be asleep. A few minutes later I opened the door. The much vaunted security was nowhere to be seen and I made good my escape.
Police Pestering
I continued cycling along the Karakorum Highway, riding beside the Indus River. For the first hour or so I was retracing the route I’d taken before my detour to Deosai. I passed the viewpoint for Nanga Parbat, and had a slightly better view this time around.
Himalayan detour
After initially riding along the Hunza river, I reached the point where it joins the Indus. This place is the junction of the world’s three highest mountain ranges: the Himalayas to the east, the Karakorum to the north and the Hindu Kush to the west.
Karakorum Highway
On the Pakistani side of the Khunjerab pass, cycling is permitted. Therefore I planned to cycle back up to the pass, so that I could ride the Karakorum Highway starting from its highest point.
A Bussy Border
There’s a concept known among some cycle tourers as EFI. This is a desire to avoid alternative methods of transport, instead cycling Every Flipping Inch. (I sanitise somewhat)
Pamirs again
I set off from Kashgar along the G314 – or, as it’s more popularly known, the Karakorum Highway. For this section that is something of a misnomer, as it is the Pamir mountains I was riding towards. They loomed high in the distance as I cycled south.
