Right so… overall impressions of the last month…

Obviously had a really amazing time, not sure I could pick one favourite thing but highlights include Mustagata, the drive from Narat, swimming in the lake today and, of course, that first night at Manosarovar. The hardest part was probably the first week because there was just too much time spent on the mini-bus like tourists, although we did see some really impressive things.

Despite being dubious about how small the group was at first I think it’s actually turned out to be an advantage; we’ve all got to know each other really well and had a laugh. If I came back here in the future I would definitely like to see more of Kyrgyzstan as it’s beautiful, and I would bring my own breakfast supplies for travelling in China. J

Giles.

Overall, I think our journey has been great! Especially with the amount of distance we had covered. From Xinjiang to Xi’an, around Tibet and back up, almost the entire North West region of China! I think what I’ve gained from the trip is that other view of China I had never seen. The difference in their styles of living was fascinating for me, because of my background from Hong Kong. It makes me realise that China is a multi-cultural country with minorities that do integrate and unite as a whole.

One of the surprises I had was the time we’ve spent in Kyrgyzstan. I did not expect much, and did not know what to expect from the region, but the places that we went were just amazingly nice.

Time has gone quickly! It is sad to say that we’ve nearly come to the end of the trip. One thing that I will really miss is the friendship we’ve built up within the past 4 weeks. I think we had made such a brilliant team together and having everyone being sensible and friendly to each other (really had a good time out here!).

Sam.

Right. Highlights, low points, things I would change, things I would keep the same;

For me, the highlights of the trip would be time spent in tents; at Manasarovar, Mustagata and our night in the desert. I also really enjoyed the experience of the sleeper trains and ‘over-landing’ in land cruisers. In terms of low points, for me these came at times of feeling physically ill combined with the boredom and homesickness in various measures. If the trip were run again, I would like to see more trekking and less travel but I would, as others have said, encourage a small group. I think that the group size has been a key factor allowing us to come out of this not as simply fellow expeditioners but as friends. What a cracking August!

Anna.

Best bits: hiking around Mustagata – challenging because of the altitude but staying in the summer yurt camp and the views from the glacier made it worth it. I had been expecting a lot more trekking during the expedition and had been very disappointed when first the Kailash Kora was cancelled and then the desert trek was not so much of a trek as a quick ride over the dunes!

Overall, we have experienced diverse cultures and covered a huge amount of ground, but the physical challenges and experiencing the wilderness areas have been a less important part of the trip than I expected.

I loved Lhasa and hope to go back there before if changes out of all recognition.

Worst bits: Paryang and everyone feeling ill with the altitude, including myself. At least it will give me something to remember and talk about, but it was difficult to manage feeling ill myself with a banging headache and being really spaced out with trying to make sure the rest of the group were OK and discussing safe contingency plans.

How to improve?

I have really enjoyed being in such a close group of fantastic people. Perhaps if we’d lost Richard somewhere along the way our trip might have been a little less boisterous!

Really a lot of travelling, but that’s the nature of the environment we were in. I loved our time in tents most, so I guess more of that would be a good thing.

What I have learnt from the trip is that coming back as a doctor is just as enjoyable as participating as an expeditioner. I hope to go on more trips in the future and have realised that the age gap is no barrier to making friends. (Sorry it’s so long!).

Kris

This trip has been one of the only times I have been away for so long without family. Looking back at being in Manchester Airport on the first day I think how excited I was and now how exciting it has been and how glad I am to have done it. I think what I will take most from having done this trip is an ambition to go out and “just do it”. The physical achievements have been less than I had hoped for but the experience was awesome. The fact I lost my bag and didn’t get it back until the last day is a farce, although it may not have been comfortable it was a fantastic experience. I have loved this adventure but it has been tough at times but overall a good experience. Thanks everyone for a great trip!

Lucy.

‘End of term’ thingy underway… …

My favourite bits have been many, particularly visiting Lhasa, having read about it before coming and being pleased to see that it is as magical as it has been described. I also loved the Mustagata bit of the tip and also the first yurt camp night in Kyrgyzstan with the sauna. Overall, I’ve had a fantastic month, though I would have preferred a little less driving in the first half of the trip.

I also feel that having such a small group has made the experience really special and that I have got to know everyone and had time to make friends.

I has also been a little odd for me to be in the middle of the age range, not quite so ‘old and mature’ (sorry Paul) but not quite a teenager. This, however, has been one of the amazing things about the trip, seeing that there is no difference when everyone is enthusiastic and having a great time. I hope that everyone will keep in touch and that we will all enjoy many more travel experiences, as much as we have this one.

Richard.

Well, I believe that my favourite parts of the trip were when we were at Mustagata and in the desert, this is probably because we were walking and we were all having a great time, great view, and a great (as in big) relax!

I also quite enjoyed our time in Kyrgyzstan because the people are really friendly, our tour guide did not make a bad impression and also because of the amazing scenery and food.

I believe that the best meal was probably at ‘Tash-Rabat’ because it was so so good. Also, we had a month of Chinese oversized portions and finally it felt like the food was normal.

I think that I probably least enjoyed the beginning of the trip as we had such a long time on and off mini-buses and not walking as much as I would have liked.

Improve?

Probably just the beginning, making it so that we did more walking in between the bus journeys, in-fact, I also may improve the quality of the ’Tour Guides’. As they were not as good as I was expecting, especially the hanging around that one individual put us through! (not mentioning any names – of course!).

Allie.

Highlights for me have included Mustigata, Manasarovar and our brief trek at Kailash. I also really loved Lhasa, and it’s definitely on the list of places to come back to. The colours, the smells; the sound of shuffling feet and muttered prayers in the temples, a complete sensory over-load – and so many smiling faces.

I was also pleasantly surprised by Kyrgyzstan. As it came so near the end of our trip I’d not really thought much about it, but wow! So beautiful and the people so friendly and welcoming. It immediately started me thinking about planning a new expedition – something I’ve not really thought about before.

Worst times. I think other than times when I’ve felt physically ill, my absolute worst part was DOING the short Kailash walk, and having to turn back. That was devastating. I’d built Kailash up in my mind to be the high point of the trip, and in particular felt so well with my asthma. It did, however, make me determined to return and succeed!

How to improve? In this, I think I echo most of the group. Though it was interesting travelling so widely, I feel we missed out on a lot of the trekking we’d talked about. To reduce the distance covered and to somewhat lessen the ‘breakneck’ speed at which we seemed to do a lot of things. I’d have liked to increase our time in the desert too.

Overall, a brilliant trip. I’ve enjoyed it hugely and will miss our little family. Like Giles, comparing mainland China to Hong Kong was a big thing for me, and to have my own adult experience of something my parents talk about a lot is really good. But, also, the huge contrast with the ‘China’ I experienced as a child was interesting. Waffle over!