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| The route starts in Northern Pakistan, in the town of Gilget, the inspiration for Shangri-la as described in James Hilton’s book "Lost Horizon". From the valleys of Gilget and Hunza we headed north following the Karakoram Highway for more than 700 miles, crossing into the far-western region of China. From the largest market on the old silk route, Kashgar, the road turns south toward the "Mountains of Darkness." After crossing the Kunlun Shan Mountains we climbed up to the desolate Askin Chin basin. More than 150 miles of riding above 16,500 feet will took us to the border of Western Tibet. We found our way south to the ancient kingdoms of Tsaparang and Tholing, then on to one of the most sacred mountains in all of Asia, the Holy Mt. Kailash. From the far reaches of Western Tibet a loose, sandy, rock-strewn track leads to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Following a well deserved rest in Lhasa, we pointed our bikes toward the luxuries and comforts of Kathmandu. Our minds were filled with thoughts of apple pie and chocolate brownie sundaes that awaited us more than 600 miles to the south. |